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2012 Taste of Ireland (Tour D)- 7 Days/6 Nights

Highlights:

• Merry Ploughboy Dinner & Show

  Merry Ploughboy Dinner & Show

  Enjoy the very best of fresh Irish food followed by entertainment with one of Ireland’s leading traditional Irish music groups, The Merry Ploughboys, and Irish dancing. From start to finish, this is a show based on fantastic interaction between the performers and the audience.
• Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet

  Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet

  The evening begins with a mead reception in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle, followed by a four-course meal with wines. Entertainment is provided by the world renowned Bunratty Castle Entertainers accompanied by harp and violin.
• Dublin Castle

  Dublin Castle

  Dublin Castle is the heart of historic Dublin and has been the site of many fortifications. The magnificent State Apartments were built as the residential quarters of the viceregal court. They are now the venue for Ireland’s Presidencies of the European Community, Presidential Inaugurations and State Functions.
• Kiss The Blarney Stone

  Kiss The Blarney Stone

  Built nearly 600 years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, this stronghold has been attracting attention ever since. Millions have flocked to Blarney to kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of the tower, making it one of Ireland’s greatest treasures.
• Ring of Kerry Tour

  Ring of Kerry

  One of Ireland’s most popular circular drives around the Iveragh Peninsula, starting and ending in Killarney. The 100-mile route of ever-changing scenery of mountains and shoreline combined with varying weather conditions ensures splendid views.
• Cliffs of Moher

  Cliffs of Moher

  One of Ireland’s top visitor attractions, the cliffs are 700 feet high and extend for 5 miles over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly on a headland and one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and Connemara. The cliffs are home to major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds.
• Guinness Storehouse & a Pint

  Guinness Storehouse & a Pint

  This building was constructed in 1904 to house the fermentation process. In November 2000 it opened as a tourist attraction where you can follow the various stages of producing Guinness on five floors before ending in the rooftop Gravity Bar to sample a pint of draft Guinness.

Superior & First Class Hotels:

Stay at the following or similar:

• Burlington Hotel

  Burlington Hotel
  Dublin

  

  This lively, modern hotel offers an excellent standard of hospitality with two bars and two restaurants and 500 fully-equipped guest rooms, making it Dublin’s largest hotel. With its many facilities and great location, it makes an ideal base. Free internet access.
  
  Location: Near Dublin’s famous Georgian squares in a quiet area of the city. It’s a 20-minute walk to Grafton Street and there is a frequent bus service right outside the hotel. Hotel parking.

  
  Dublin (2 nights)
• Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre

  Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre
  Killarney

  

  This modern hotel underwent a major refurbishment in 2008 to provide guests with 182 rooms that are comfortable and include satellite TV and video facilities. An excellent restaurant serves great Irish breakfasts and carvery dinners while the choice of bars offer live music most nights. The extensive leisure center offer guests a strenuous workout or a leisurely dip in the pool or sauna session.
  
  HOTEL LOCATION: Right in the center of Killarney town within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants and pubs. Also close to the jaunting car stand and the peaceful Killarney National Park. Hotel parking.

  
  Killarney (2 nights)
• Bunratty Castle Hotel

  Bunratty Castle Hotel
  Bunratty

  

  This hotel is named for the nearby Bunratty Castle, just across the road. Originally a Georgian mansion, the hotel offers the perfect place to relax in a traditional atmosphere and decor. All guest rooms are spacious and equipped with everything for a comfortable stay. The traditional pub is a great place for a drink or casual food.
  
  HOTEL LOCATION: 8 miles from Shannon Airport, the hotel is across the street from 15th century Bunratty Castle, Bunratty Folk Park, the landmark Durty Nelly's Pub and shops at the Bunratty Village Mills. Hotel parking.

  
  Bunratty (1 night)
• Academy Plaza Hotel

  Academy Plaza Hotel
  Dublin

  

  This modern and centrally-located hotel offers 285 rooms of several types. All public areas have been entirely re-designed and extended, including the large reception and lobby area, Sir Harry's Bar & Bistro, Oscar's Restaurant and Abacus Asian Restaurant. Complimentary WiFi throughout hotel.
  
  HOTEL LOCATION: Off O'Connell Street, one of the main streets in the city center. Within easy walking distance of Trinity College, St. Stephen's Green, Temple Bar, shops, galleries and pubs. Parking nearby.

  
  Dublin (1 night)

Tour Includes:

• Airport transfers at start and end of tour
• Sightseeing by luxury coach
• Professional tour director
• 6 nights in hotels listed above
• Full breakfast daily except on day of arrival (B)
• 4 dinners (D) including
  - Merry Ploughboy Pub dinner and traditional show
  - Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
  - 2 table d'hote dinners in Killarney
• Welcome get-together drink
• Tour of Dublin with a local guide
• Sheepdog trials on Ring of Kerry
• Ferry ride across the River Shannon
• Dublin open-top bus tour with visit and a drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery
• Visits and admissions to Dublin Castle, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher and Connemara Marble Factory
• Deluxe carry-on backpack, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person