9 Day Irish Adventure Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Dublin Tour & Book of
Kells
Your tour starts at Dublin Airport with a group transfer to
your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon,
transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join a local guide for a
half-day guided tour of Dublin to see elegant Georgian squares with
brightly-painted doors, O'Connell Street and the evocative statues of the Famine
Memorial. Visit Trinity College's campus and the Old Library to view the
illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells. In the evening meet your tour
director over a welcome drink to discuss your trip and he will help you choose a
restaurant to dine independently.
Day 2 : 6th Century Glendalough &
Waterford Walking Tour
This morning leave Dublin to see 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 your drive south to New Ross where a walk through the reconstructed
19th century Dunbrody Famine Ship demonstrates the harsh conditions that
emigrants endured. Drive to your hotel in Waterford and, after dinner, take a
walking tour around the narrow streets of the historic city with a local guide.
(B, D)
Day 3 : Waterford Crystal & Titanic
Walk
Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to learn about glass
blowing and cutting and see one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Travel along the south
coast via Dungarvan to Cobh, the last port of call of the Titanic. A walking
tour will reveal many of the places associated with emigrants as they left
Ireland for better lives overseas. Drive through the outskirts of Cork city to
reach the Blarney Woollen Mills, which stocks excellent Irish products. While
Blarney Castle is not included in your tour, you will have time to kiss the
“Stone of Eloquence” on your own. Then journey west through rugged countryside
to Killarney and settle in to your centrally-located hotel.
(B, D)
Day 4 : Ring of Kerry & Skellig
Experience
Enjoy the highlights of Ireland's natural scenery on the
Ring of Kerry route. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks Mountains
on one side and the Atlantic coastline on the other. Drive through Killorglin
and Cahirciveen to cross by bridge to Valencia Island. Visit the Skellig
Experience to learn about the rocky islands off the end of the peninsula where
monks lived in early Christian times. Today the islands form a protected bird
sanctuary. Stop in the pretty village of Sneem and also at Moll's Gap to view
the Three Lakes of Killarney. Enjoy free time in Killarney before dining in your
hotel.
(B, D)
Day 5 : Flying Boat Museum & Cliffs
of Moher
Drive to Foynes to visit the Flying Boat Museum, which
recalls the early days of air travel, during the 1930's and early 1940's. Travel
through the outskirts of Limerick and have a look around Bunratty Village before
heading to the coast of County Clare. View the Cliffs of Moher rising to heights
of almost 700 feet above the wild Atlantic swells and walk to O'Brien's Tower at
the highest point for great views. Drive through the Burren and around the
shores of Galway Bay. Take a short orientation tour of central Galway before
checking in to your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 6 : Yeats' Grave & Derry
Walk
Head north to visit the pilgrimage town of Knock, one of the
world's leading shrines. See the church where villagers saw a vision of the
Virgin Mary in 1879. Travel through County Sligo and stop to view W. B. Yeats'
grave in Drumcliffe Churchyard, in the shadow of Benbulben mountain. Follow the
shoreline of Donegal Bay to Donegal town and past the lovely Blue Stack
Mountains to Derry. On arrival in Derry take a brief drive around the city,
including the Bogside area, with a local guide before walking along the
fortification walls, which encircle the old city and date from 1613 AD.
(B,
D)
Day 7 : Giant's Causeway & Abbey
Tavern
Today explore the northern coastline, stopping for photos at
the sprawling ruins of Dunluce Castle. Visit the Giant's Causeway, enormous
hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Drive
to Belfast for a panoramic city tour followed by a visit to Titanic Belfast to
learn about this famous liner through state-of-the-art displays. Continue south
to check in to your hotel on the north side of Dublin. A short drive will bring
you to the popular Abbey Tavern for a farewell dinner and entertaining
traditional Irish songs and step-dancing.
(B, D)
Day 8 : Extra Day in
Dublin
Today enjoy a full day at leisure and use your independent
Dublin open-top bus tour pass (valid for 48 hours) with a visit to Guinness
Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery to sample a pint or a shot.
(B)
Day 9 : Depart for Home
Today take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport, using the company
specified in your final documents and the taxi voucher.
(B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner