12 Day Irish Tradition Tour
Itinerary
Day 1 : Shannon Arrival & Ennis Walking
Tour
Your tour starts at Shannon
Airport with a transfer between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon to your hotel in the
charming marketing town of Ennis. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon,
transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join a local guide for a
walking tour around the main points of interest. Meet your tour director over a
welcome drink to discuss your trip before dinner in your hotel. (D)
Day 2 : Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Travel to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile
wall of limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers. See the rounded
limestone hills of the Burren and the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a huge stone monument
marking a Neolithic burial place. Stop in the attractive village of Ballyvaughan
and continue around Galway Bay and into the city of Galway. Relax or take a walk
before dinner. (B, D)
Day 3 : Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Today explore Connemara, a scenic region of misty hills and
shimmering lakes. At Leenane embark on a catamaran cruise through Killary
Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. See steep hills where ridges of potato fields,
reminders of the 1840's Famine, are still visible. Stop for photos at the
Kylemore Abbey Visitor Centre and take a short walking tour around Cong,
location of the 1952 movie of “The Quiet Man.” Visit the Connemara Celtic
Crystal Factory, which creates intricate designs in crystal. (B, D)
Day 4 : Country Life Museum, Knock
Shrine & Belleek China
Outside Castlebar tour the
Museum of Country Life to see collections of domestic goods, used when most
people lived by farming. Stop at Knock Shrine to see the church where locals saw
an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Cross into County Sligo and stop at
the grave of W. B. Yeats before continuing to the Belleek Pottery Factory to
watch skilled craftspeople making delicate china. Continue your journey past the
hazy Blue Stack Mountains to Stranorlar. (B, D)
Day 5 : Glenveagh Castle & Donegal
Travel into the heart of Donegal to Glenveagh National Park
where Captain Adair evicted 225 tenants to build Glenveagh Castle in 1870. Learn
about the history of the mansion, owners and guests as you tour the rooms and
walk around the extensive gardens filled with exotic plants. Then experience the
glorious natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic Drive, which winds through
Downings and Rosapenna and around the coastline. Return to Stranorlar in time
for dinner. (B, D)
Day 6 : Medieval Derry & Giant's Causeway
In Derry join a local guide for a walking tour to see medieval
city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Drive along the north coast,
pausing for photos at Dunluce Castle. Explore the Giant's Causeway, enormous
hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago.
Experience wonderful scenery along the coastal “Nine Glens of Antrim” route.
Drive into Belfast where you will have free time before dinner. (B, D)
Day 7 : Titanic Belfast & Dublin's
Merry Ploughboy Pub
Drive to Belfast for a panoramic city tour
followed by a visit to the newly-opened Titanic Belfast to learn about this
famous liner through state-of-the-art displays. Visit Down Cathedral to see the
reputed burial place of St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint. Also visit the St.
Patrick Centre to learn about his life and times. Travel to Dublin and in the
evening head to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner, which is followed by a
traditional music and step-dancing show. (B, D)
Day 8 : Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
Tour Dublin city to see elegant Georgian squares with
brightly-painted doorways; pass the peaceful St. Stephen's Green and the
bustling shopping areas around Nassau Street; cross the River Liffey to
O'Connell Street and view the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion
started. Walk through the campus of Trinity College to view the 8th century
manuscript of the Book of Kells. In the afternoon use your independent vouchers
for an open-top bus tour all around central Dublin and a visit to either
Guinness or Jameson. (B)
Day 9 : Farmhouse Tea & Blarney Castle
Drive through prime agricultural country and pause at the
impressive Rock of Cashel with its medieval ruins. Visit a nearby sheep farm for
freshly-baked scones with tea and find out about country living. Continue south
to climb Blarney Castle and kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Shop at the
Blarney Woollen Mills or take a look around the village green. Continue to
Killarney, famous for its beauty and check in to your deluxe hotel overlooking
the mountains and lakes. (B, D)
Day 10 : Killarney & Ring of Kerry Tour
Travel by traditional horse-drawn jaunting car to Ross Castle
for views of Killarney's largest lake, Lough Leane. Head off on the Ring of
Kerry, one of Ireland's most popular scenic drives with amazing scenery. Visit
the Skellig Experience to learn about early Christian monks who lived on the
rocky offshore islands and about the prolific bird life today. Drive through the
villages of Waterville and Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes
of Killarney before returning to Killarney. (B, D)
Day 11 : Foynes Irish Coffee & Bunratty
Banquet
After a leisurely breakfast and late departure from
Killarney, drive to the Foynes Flying Boat Museum to learn about the early days
of flight, during the 1930's and early 1940's. This is the birthplace of Irish
coffee so watch a demonstration before sipping one. Drive to Bunratty and spend
free time in Durty Nelly's Pub or the Bunratty Folk Park. In the evening head to
15th century Bunratty Castle's Great Hall for a medieval-style banquet with wine
and music to carry you to the Middle Ages in spirit. (B, D)
Day 12 : Tour Ends Shannon Airport
Your tour ends with a transfer to Shannon Airport to arrive at
6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon, in good time to check in for onward or return
flights. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner