Irish
Explorer Tour 10 Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Sat:
City Touring & Book of Kells
Land at
Dublin
Airport, pass through
immigration and collect your luggage. Head to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals
Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon.
If your flight arrives later than noon, you will transfer to the hotel at your
own expense. Your hotel is located in Ballsbridge on the south side of the city.
At 2:00 pm tour the city centre with a local guide to see elegant Georgian
squares, public buildings and monuments such as the Famine Memorial. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the
priceless 8th century Book of Kells. Enjoy a welcome drink with your fellow
travellers and talk about your trip.
Day 2 - Sun:
Malahide
Castle & Merry
Ploughboy Pub
Take the
coastal route to Malahide Castle, which was owned and inhabited by
the Talbot family from 1185 until 1973. Visit the main chambers, rich with
furnishings and portraits to learn about the long history of the castle. Next
take a guided tour around the National Botanic Gardens' different types of
plantings and wonderful Victorian glasshouses. The devastating potato blight
virus was first recorded here on August 20, 1845. The afternoon is free and in
the evening head to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for Irish cuisine and a lively
session of traditional songs. (B, D)
Day 3 - Mon:
Megalithic Tombs & Donegal
This morning
visit the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre to learn about the passage burial tombs of
Newgrange and Knowth, both of which are over 5,000 years old. Visit one of the
tombs to see how primitive people managed to align these buildings precisely
with the sun or the moon. Drive through the lakeland region of County Cavan and along the scenic shores of Lower
Lough Erne to your hotel on the outskirts of Donegal town where you will have
time to relax or use the extensive leisure facilities before dining with your
group. (B, D)
Day 4 - Tue:
Slieve
League Cliffs
& Glengesh Pass
Drive to the
fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea
cliffs, where the highest point reaches 1,972 feet making them the highest in
Europe and creating marvellous vistas as they
drop to the wild Atlantic waves below. Sample home-baked scones with coffee or
tea before continuing through the majestic Glengesh Pass. In Ardara visit Triona Design to see
demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting. Donegal is renowned for wool
production. Drive to Donegal town for free time in the town centre before
returning to your nearby hotel. (B, D)
Day 5 - Wed:
Belleek & Museum of Country Life
Visit the
Belleek Pottery Factory to see how the craftspeople mould, shape and decorate
clay, creating the world-famous fine china. Pause at Drumcliffe Churchyard to
view the grave of W. B. Yeats, the Nobel prize-winning poet, who based many
poems on the delightful countryside around Sligo. Continue through County Mayo
to Castlebar to visit the Museum of Country
Life. See collections of domestic goods, in daily
use from 1850 to 1950. Exhibits and a movie explain how Irish people made a
living from the soil. Drive to Galway and check
in to your hotel. (B, D)
Day 6 - Thu:
Aran Islands & Dun Aengus
Take a short
ferry ride from Rossaveal to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These rocky islands are renowned for the
traditional fishermen and farmers and where the popular intricately-patterned
fishermen's sweaters originated. The Irish language is still spoken widely. Take
a minibus ride to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer
cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean. In Kilronan
visit the Aran Heritage Centre to learn about unique local customs. Return to
the mainland and your hotel for some free time before dinner. (B,
D)
Day 7 - Fri:
Cliffs of Moher & Flying
Boat Museum
Drive around
Galway
Bay to view the Cliffs of
Moher, an impressive wall of rock. Continue to Bunratty for a brief stop to
have a drink in Durty Nelly's or shop at the Bunratty Woollen Mills before
travelling through Limerick and along the Shannon Estuary to Foynes to visit the
Flying Boat Museum. During the 1930's and early 1940's, this was the landing
place for Pan Am Clippers from the United
States and Europe. The
museum's displays recall the early days of aviation. Arrive in Killarney, check
in to your hotel and relax before dinner in your hotel. (B,
D)
Day 8 - Sat:
Jaunting Car & Ring of Kerry
Take a
leisurely jaunting car ride through the Killarney National
Park to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane, the
largest of Killarney's famous lakes. Then begin the Ring of Kerry drive where
every bend in 100 miles of road reveals breathtaking views. Stop at Kells to
meet a local farmer, Brendan Ferris, for a taste of farm life with a sheepdog
demonstration of herding flocks. At the tip of the peninsula visit the Skellig
Experience, which explains the history, flora and fauna on the nearby rocky
islands. Return through the attractive village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap for
panoramic views of Killarney. Back in Killarney enjoy free time before dinner.
(B, D)
Day 9 - Sun:
Blarney & Clontarf Castle Hotel
Drive through
County
Cork to the Blarney Woollen
Mills where quality Irish-made products are gathered under one roof. If you
wish, you may climb Blarney Castle independently to kiss the famous
stone. Drive north to visit the stately Rock of Cashel, a limestone outcrop
containing 12th century church ruins. Continue to Dublin once more and check in to Clontarf Castle, a luxurious haven located a short
distance from the city centre. The castle dates back to 1172 and today offers
guests all the splendour of a royal experience. Enjoy a special farewell dinner
in the hotel's old-world dining room. (B, D)
Day 10 - Mon: Tour Ends
at Dublin
Airport
Complimentary
group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or
12:00 noon to check in for your flight home. (B)
Breakfast (
B) Dinner ( D)