8 Day Irish
Heritage and Dromoland Castle Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Bunratty & Medieval Banquet
Start your tour at Shannon Airport with a group transfer to
your hotel, available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives
later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. This afternoon
you are at leisure to rest after your journey or take a stroll on your own
through Bunratty Folk Park, which is located close to your hotel. Join your tour
director for a welcome drink before heading to the 15th century Bunratty Castle
for a medieval-style dinner and entertainment. (D)
Day 2 : Cliffs of Moher & Irish
Coffee
Drive west
through Ennis to see the Cliffs of Moher, which rise almost 700 feet above the
pounding Atlantic surf. Then cross the wide River Shannon Estuary by ferry to
Tarbert and travel along the river shore to Foynes. Visit the Flying Boat
Museum, which recalls the early days of air travel, during the 1930's and early
1940's. Irish coffee was first created here and you will learn how to make a
perfect one and then drink it. Drive to the world-famous town of Killarney and
take a traditional jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park to view
some of the wonderful scenery. Check in to your hotel and enjoy free time before
dinner. (B, D)
Day 3 : Killarney & Ring of Kerry
Tour
Embark on
Ireland's most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry, for great views of
mountains, open Atlantic Ocean, beaches and cliffs. Enjoy plenty of breaks to
admire the natural beauty and take photos. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to
visit the Skellig Experience and learn about early Christian monks who lived on
the isolated, rocky islands and about the prolific bird life today. Pass through
Waterville, where Charlie Chaplin loved to vacation, and the attractive village
of Sneem. Stop at Moll's Gap for great mountain vistas and tour 19th century
Muckross House to admire elegant antiques and learn about the history of the
mansion. Take a walk through the lovely gardens before returning to Killarney.
(B, D)
Day 4 : Blarney Castle & Cobh
Heritage
Depart
Killarney and travel through Macroom to visit the famous Blarney Castle where
you may climb to the top to kiss the fabled “Stone of Eloquence.” Browse through
the Blarney Woollen Mills for quality Irish-made goods. Bypass Cork city as you
drive to the port town of Cobh. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the
history of emigration from Ireland to new worlds. Learn about travel conditions
for the many Irish emigrants on early sailing ships and steam vessels. Follow
the coastal route via the town of Youghal to Waterford and check in to your
hotel. In the evening take a gentle walk with a local historian who will reveal
Waterford's Viking and medieval past. (B, D)
Day 5 : Waterford Crystal &
Glendalough Monastic Site
This morning
tour the House of Waterford Crystal to learn about glass blowing and cutting and
see one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Leave Waterford and head north through the
delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to Glendalough. Learn
about St. Kevin's 6th century monastery in the Glendalough Visitor Centre and
walk through the site to see its round tower, church ruins and Celtic crosses.
Continue to your next hotel, an elegant Victorian mansion, which overlooks
Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Dine on Irish specialties at the Merry
Ploughboy Pub, followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs and
intricate step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 6 : Dublin Tour & Kilmainham
Gaol
Relax on a
half-day guided tour of Dublin, originally founded by Vikings over 1,000 years
ago. See elegant Georgian townhouses and brightly-painted doors and cross the
River Liffey to view the wide thoroughfare of O'Connell Street with the General
Post Office. Pause to view the gaunt figures at the Famine Memorial before
visiting Kilmainham Gaol to see how penal establishments were operated in past
centuries. Learn about the leaders of the 1916 Uprising who were imprisoned and
shot here, changing Irish history. The afternoon is free so that you may use
your independent open-top bus tour and Guinness or Jameson vouchers. Dine on
your own this evening. (B)
Day 7 : Dromoland Castle Hotel
Drive to the Irish National Stud to see some of Ireland's
finest horses and learn about breeding techniques. Also take a walk around the
Japanese Gardens, laid out to represent life from the cradle to the grave. Drive
across Ireland to the imposing and deluxe Dromoland Castle Hotel. Relax in the
elegant surroundings of this wonderful fairytale resort. Then savor a delicious
farewell dinner in the oak-paneled dining room - a fitting way to spend the last
evening of your Irish tour. (B, D)
Day 8 : Tour Ends Shannon Airport
Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your
tour concludes at either 7:30 am or 10:30 am to allow time to check in for your
flight home. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner