IRISH WELCOME TOUR 7 DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 - Fri:
Bunratty & Medieval Banquet
Land in
Shannon
Airport! After immigration
control and picking up your baggage, proceed to the CIE Tours desk in the
Arrivals Hall. CIE Tours staff will arrange a group transfer to your Bunratty
hotel. Complimentary transfers are available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If
your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own
expense. Spend the day at leisure in Bunratty. There's plenty to do right beside
your hotel - Bunratty Folk
Park, Durty Nelly's Pub and
shopping. This evening meet your fellow travellers over a welcome drink and join
in the fun of a medieval banquet at nearby Bunratty Castle. (D)
Day 2 - Sat:
Cliffs of Moher & Killarney
Drive to the
coast to view the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, which rise to almost 700 feet above
the wild Atlantic breakers and stretch along the coast for five miles. Then head
south for a short ferry ride across the River Shannon. Stop in the charming
village of
Listowel for a stroll
around before continuing through the mountainous countryside to Killarney. Take
a look around this bustling and compact town before checking in to your country
home and meeting your Irish family. In the evening drive to Kate Kearney's
Cottage for dinner and traditional Irish entertainment with popular songs,
dances and a lot of laughs. (B, D)
Day 3 - Sun:
Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Admire
breathtaking vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches on Ireland's most popular drive - the
100-mile Ring of Kerry. Enjoy the variety of scenery as you travel to the
westernmost part of the Iveragh Peninsula. Start by viewing the Essence of
Kerry audio visual show at the Gap of Dunloe and then drive through Killorglin
and Cahirciveen to cross by bridge to Valencia Island. Visit the Skellig Experience,
which explains how early monks lived in harsh conditions on the rocky offshore
islands. Today the islands form a haven for seabirds. Take a brief walk around
the colourful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap for stunning views of
the Lakes of Killarney. Return to Killarney for
a home-style dinner with your host family. (B, D)
Day 4 - Mon:
Blarney & Titanic Walk
Leaving
Killarney, head to the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find excellent Irish
merchandise. You will have time to walk around the village green or, if you feel
energetic, you will have the opportunity to climb Blarney Castle to kiss the "Stone of Eloquence."
Drive through the outskirts of Cork to the
harbour town of Cobh, the last port of call for the Titanic.
Take a guided walk around this picturesque town and the dockside with a local
historian to see places relating to the Titanic's last scheduled stop. Travel
past the Galtee Mountains and stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel on the way
to the charming little city of Kilkenny. (B, D)
Day 5 - Tue:
Kilkenny
Castle & Abbey
Tavern
This morning
tour the massive Kilkenny
Castle, home of the Butlers, Earls and Dukes of
Ormonde, who held power over the region for centuries. The castle was first
built in 1192 and constantly remodelled until the 19th century. See
wonderful paintings and furniture as you learn about the region. Travel into the
metropolitan area of Dublin to your hotel in the upscale area of
Ballsbridge. Drive to the north side of Dublin to the Abbey Tavern in Howth. Sit down
to a traditional dinner followed by a great show with plenty of Irish music and
intricate step dancing. (B, D)
Day 6 - Wed:
Dublin Tour
& Dublinia
Take a
half-day guided tour of Dublin, founded by Vikings over 1,000 years
ago. See elegant Georgian squares with townhouses and their famous
brightly-painted doors, view the lush vegetation of St. Stephen's Green and the
stark figures of the Famine Memorial on the banks of the River Liffey, drive
along O'Connell
Street and pass the General Post Office where the
1916 Rebellion started. Finally visit Dublinia and the Viking World, which
explains Viking and Norman influences on Dublin's development and shows how people lived
during the 13th to the 16th centuries. The balance of the day is at leisure and
you may choose to return to your hotel or use your voucher for an independent
open-top bus tour with a visit to Guinness or Jameson included.
(B)
Day 7 - Thu:
Depart for Home
For clients
on our 7-day tour, your tour ends today with a group coach transfer to
Dublin
Airport.
Breakfast (
B) Dinner (D)