Irish Spirit Tour 8 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Dublin Tour & Dublinia

Arrive at Dublin Airport, proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where personnel will arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Your hotel is located on the north side of Dublin. At 2:00 pm join your group and a local guide for an introductory look around central Dublin. See fashionable shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view Dublin's famous elegant Georgian squares with imposing townhouses and pause at the evocative figures at the Famine Memorial. Explore Dublinia to learn about the history of the busy medieval city from the 12^th to the 16^th centuries through interactive exhibitions. Back at your hotel meet with your guide and fellow travellers for a welcome drink and discuss your itinerary.

Day 2: Rock of Cashel & Blarney Woollen Mills

Depart Dublin to travel through the Irish countryside where you can see the “Forty Shades of Green” as you pass many farms. Visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12^th century highly-decorated Cormac's Chapel, the large cruciform cathedral and a round tower. Just outside Cork shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills, renowned for their quality Irish merchandise or take a walk around the charming village green. While it is not included in the tour, you will have time to climb to the ramparts of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone. Continue your drive to your hotel in the centre of Killarney. (B, D)

Day 3: Dingle Peninsula Tour

Today discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies that showcased the scenery - “Ryan's Daughter” and “Far & Away.” Drive along the south shore to admire views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach and rocky headlands. Stop for a while in Dingle before continuing to the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the offshore Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who eked out a living by farming and fishing. Return to Killarney and enjoy free time to use the hotel's leisure facilities or walk around town. After dinner you may like to visit the cosy pubs featuring live music. (B, D)

Day 4: Flying Boat Museum & Cliffs of Moher

Drive north through Listowel and along by the River Shannon to Foynes to visit the Flying Boat Museum, which recalls the early days of air travel, during the 1930's and early 1940's, when Pan Am Clippers from the United States and Europe landed here. Travel through the outskirts of Limerick and have a look around Bunratty Village before heading to the coast of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher rising to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs to O'Brien's Tower for great views. Drive through the Burren and around the shores of Galway Bay. Take a short orientation tour of central Galway before checking into your hotel. (B, D)

Day 5: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise

Today explore another of Ireland's famous scenic regions, Connemara. Here the constantly-changing cloud formations give granite hills, sparkling lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Travel alongside Galway Bay to Spiddal, where most locals speak the Irish language, and on to Leenane and Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. Take a short catamaran cruise to see unspoilt mountain areas (Apr 2 - Oct 24 departures). You can see traces of pre-Famine fields on the hilly slopes and also thriving salmon and mussel farming. Drive to Clifden and stop for a while to explore the attractive town. At Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory watch skilled craftsmen cut the crystal and learn about the symbolism of the motifs before returning to Galway for some leisure time before dinner. (B, D)

Day 6: 6^th Century Clonmacnoise & Abbey Tavern

Drive to the centre of the country to visit Clonmacnoise. This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, when Christianity flourished throughout Ireland. See round towers, church ruins and Celtic crosses with elaborate carvings, all in a picturesque setting on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to the greater metropolitan area of Dublin once more and check in to a different hotel, near the River Liffey and close to the lively Temple Bar area. In the evening head to the Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner followed by a lively show of traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 7: Extra Day in Dublin

Spend an additional day in Dublin with an independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass (valid for 24 hours), a visit to Guinness or Jameson.

Day 8: Depart for Home

Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport, allowing plenty of time to reach the airport and for check in formalities. (B)

Breakfast (B) Dinner (D)