Majestic Ireland Tour Enjoy a luxury 8 Day/7 Night Private Chauffeur Tour of Ireland from $2069.00* per person The Majestic Ireland Tour visits Ireland’s most loved areas while going off the beaten track to discover its hidden gems. From once you arrive, you will be whisked off on your own private tour. Absorb the breath-taking landscapes and world renowned scenery - all of which you will view while touring daily from the comfort of a luxury vehicle & the service of your private driver/guide. Retreating to the finest accommodations each evening will allow you to reflect in blissful surroundings. The majestic Ireland Tour will send you home with a whirlwind of memories. This tour includes:1 night at Dromoland Castle, Clare 2 nights at Dingle Skellig Hotel, Kerry 1 night at Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork 1 night at Faithlegg House Hotel, Waterford 2 nights at the Merrion Hotel, Dublin 6 Days with a Private Driver/Guide touring in a luxury vehicle Full Irish Breakfast Daily (7 Breakfasts - not included on morning of arrival) All Taxes

Touring Itinerary:

DAY 1 SHANNON TO DROMOLAND

Arrive into Shannon Airport where your driver/guide will meet you and transfer you to Dromoland Castle for overnight Located just 13km from Shannon Airport, the castle is memorable for the exquisite taste with which modern accoutrements have been added. Bedrooms are beautifully furnished and all have private baths. Stately halls, a handsome bar and lounge, an elegant dining room and charming gift shop are all part of the Dromoland experience.

In the afternoon you may wish to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and time permitting the Cliffs of Moher.

The history of Bunratty Castle built in 1425, by the MacNamara Clan, stretches over 500 years of turbulence. Bunratty House stands on a hill at the opposite end of the Folk Park. Mac’s Pub stands at the top of the village overlooking the street. MacNamara the publican is an important man in the village, after all it was his ancestors who built the great Castle - or so he keeps telling everyone. No visit to the village would be complete without a visit to Mac’s Pub to sample the food and, of course, the Guinness.

The Cliffs of Moher rise majestically from the Atlantic for almost five miles. Throngs of screaming sea birds make their homes precariously on the ledges or wheel and swoop about the waves. Some of the best views can be enjoyed from O’Brien’s Tower, built in 1853 by Cornelius O’Brien. The views will leave you breathless.

DAY 2 DROMOLAND CASTLE TO DINGLE

Today after your full Irish Breakfast you will have the opportunity to experience the wonderful landscapes of Ireland. Traveling south towards Dingle you may like to stop off in Adare, County Limerick for some tea and scones. Adare is set on the West Bank of the River Maigue, in the fertile wooded lands of west Limerick. The broad Main Street is lined with thatched cottages, mostly at least two centuries old. Adare is renowned as being Irelands prettiest village.

Here you can visit Castle Island for a fascinating exploration of the underground magic of Crag Cave consisting of a colorful wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites. Discovered in 1983 and thought to be over one million years old, this natural attraction has dramatic sound and lighting effects.Pass through Tralee, where you can spend time visiting the Kerry County Museum, a unique and entertaining heritage center which traces manâ history in Kerry from 5000BC to the present day.

Travel towards Dingle where you will check into The Dingle Skellig Hotel. Freshen up in the luxurious leisure club consisting of a pool, Jacuzzi, geyser pool, steamroom and gymnasium or relax with some Ki-massage, reflexology and aromatherapy.

DAY 3 THE DINGLE PENINSULA

Today you will have the opportunity to see more glorious scenery on the Dingle Peninsula. The Dingle peninsula is particularly notable in that apart from possessing the highest peak in the country after MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and some of the most magnificent coastal scenery in Munster, it preserves an unequalled series of Early Christian monuments, Iron Age fortifications and bee-hive huts which are now under the care of the state. Also a very large portion of the peninsula is a native Irish speaking area noted for its purity of its idiom.

The town of Dingle enjoys a superb situation on its almost landlocked harbor, but the town itself has no traces of antiquity. It was inevitable that the extraordinary landscape of the Dingle Peninsula would be captured on film, and it has played its part in the Ryans Daughter and more recently in Far and Away. As one proceeds from the town of Dingle to Slea Head, the road commands fine views of the Atlantic and the Blasket Islands, which are a group of iron-bound islands, uninhabited since 1953.

You may like to visit Gallarus Oratory, one of the most perfect relics of early Irish Christianity probably constructed around the year 800. Visit Kilmalkedar where there is an interesting 12th century church consisting of a roofless nave with a good doorway and ornamented arch. In the churchyard there is an Ogham stone and an ancient sundial. As you proceed along this road view Mount Brandon in the distance en route back to Dingle town.

Return to the Dingle Skellig for overnight.

DAY 4 DINGLE -KILLARNEY-BLARNEY-CORK

Departing Dingle and travel to Killarney where you can stop to visit Muckross House & Gardens. South of the town, on the N22, sees the beginning of Killarney National Park and the Muckross Estates.

The first stop should be Muckross Abbey, founded by a Franciscan order in 1448, where some of Irelands greatest poets are buried. Muckross House, is a 19th century manor house, which was donated to the nation in 1929, by the American senator, Arthur Vincent. Although built in 1843, there has been a succession of grand manors where the present house stands. Now a major visitor center, the House has two main themes, the environment of the National Park and the folklore of County Kerry in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is beautifully situated close to Muckross Lake, second largest of Killarney’s three lakes.

Leave Killarney and travel for Cork stopping off in Blarney where you may like to visit Blarney Castle. The castle is famous for its Blarney Stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word ‘Blarney’ means pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending.

The battlements crowning the castle keep are typically Irish in form. Having climbed more than 100 steps, the famous Stone is set in the wall below the parapet, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards from the parapet walk of the battlements. You can also visit the Blarney Woolen mills for some fine quality Irish produce.

Your final destination today is Cork City. Cork city is built on reclaimed marshland and is still dominated by water - The River Lee divides the city in two. The word Cork comes from the Irish name “Corcach” which means “marsh”.

Overnight at Hayfield Manor.Two acres of mature gardens provide serenity, privacy and seclusion for all guests.Hayfield Manor is air conditioned throughout and offers exclusive private leisure facilities including indoor pool, outdoor jacuzzi and fitness suite.Superb dining is on offer in the award-winning restaurant renowned for its outstanding cuisine.

DAY 5 CORK TO WATERFORD

Enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast after which you will depart Cork city. You may like to stop at the other side of Cork Harbor, to the old town of Cobh (pernounced COVE). The American War of Independence put Cobh on the map. Napoleon kept it there and in the reign of Queen Victoria the town grew and prospered. It was as Queenstown that the port rose to prominence as a vital link in trans-Atlantic liner traffic in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Its name was changed again in 1920 and as Cobh it continues to serve as an important port of call for the majestic liners traveling the north Atlantic route.

Emigrants departed from Cobh’s quays on board vessels of the great shipping lines, such as Cunard and White Star. The “Titanic” sailed from Cobh, never to touch land again. The Heritage Centre will tell these stories in a way that is fitting and sympathetic of the endeavor and trauma of the people who were involved.

Continue on to Waterford - Waterford City itself is a fine example of a walled city. The walled city withstood siege on several occasions in the past but fell to the Normans in 1170 AD. It prospered under the Normans and emerged as the second city of Ireland after Dublin.The city was the chief port of Ireland throughout the middle ages. Check into the Faithlegg House Hotel and after some refreshments visit the many attractions around the great port city of Waterford.

Of course a visit to the city wouldnt be complete without a visit to Waterford Crystal. This world-renowned crystal is made here in the city by a skilled team of workers. Visitors are guided through the production area, where they can see the birth of crystal from a white-hot furnace, and then witness its transformation by dedicated blowers, cutters and engravers into beautiful sparkling crystal.On their return from the tour, visitors are shown around the Crystal Gallery, which houses one of the worlds finest displays of crystal.

You may also like to visit Reginalds Tower, which is Waterfords oldest landmark and an excellent example of a late 12th / early 13th Century mural or wall tower.

DAY 6 WATERFORD TO WICKLOW TO DUBLIN

Today you will travel onwards north towards Dublin through the hills and valleys of Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland not because of its domesticity but because of the huge variety of landscapes it contains.
The flinty character of Wicklow granite must have inspired the hermit St. Kevin to situate his sixth-century monastery in remote and lovely Glendalough. The round tower, built as a refuge from the Vikings who looted Glendalough at intervals from the ninth century onwards, looks as if it has grown out of the very earth itself.

Close to the round tower is St. Kevin’s Church with a 12th century bell tower projecting from its roof. The bell tower is oddly shaped and resembles a chimneystack, thus the colloquialism of St. Kevins Kitchen. St. Kevins Kitchen and Cross are highlights of this monastery. In the Heritage Center visitors can watch the audiovisual which helps explain monastic life.

You may continue your drive northwards through Roundwood, the highest village in Ireland and also take a short stop in the old mining village of Avoca, home to Irelands oldest handweaving mill- Avoca Handweavers. A visit to the Powerscourt waterfall is worthwhile before continuing on to the Powerscourt House and gardens, one of the world’s great gardens, situated 12 miles south of Dublin in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. Maybe enjoy a light snack in the tearoom before continuing the journey towards Dublin.

Your final destination today is Dublin City. Check into the Merrion Hotel in Dublin or similar for overnight.

DAY 7 DUBLIN CITY

Today you will enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the Capital City.Take one of the many tours available in the Capital City or catch up on some shopping. Dublin is one of Europes most vibrant cities. Over a thousand years old, the turbulent history and rich traditions of the city have inspired writers, artists and musicians down the ages. The new wave of cafes and restaurants are meeting places for all ages while traditional Dublin pubs are rightly world-famous for their informal atmosphere and lively conversation.

You may like to visit St. Patricks Cathedral, which is the national cathedral of Ireland and it is also the largest cathedral in the country. Traditionally the place where the cathedral lies today was the place where St. Patrick baptized the pagans to Christianity in the 5th century and there has been a church there since.

You can also visit The Book of Kells, situated within the grounds of Trinity College in the long hall of the Old Library. It is the principal treasure of the library and it is encased in glass in order to preserve this fine treasure. The book is a magnificently illuminated copy of the Gospels designed by unknown hands in the monastery of Kells in Meath about 800AD.

Possibly visit Smithfield village and the Chimney Viewing Tower. The existing distillery chimney has been toped with a two-tiered glass enclosed viewing platform and affords 360-degree panoramic views of the city. The viewing platform is served by a glass lift, which runs along side the chimney. The Old Jameson Distillery also in Smithfield Village is in the heart of Old Dublin. Irish Whiskey can trace its history back to the 6th century.

Overnight again at the Merrion Hotel or similar.

DAY 8 DEPART DUBLIN

Alas this morning you will bid farewell to the Emerald Isle! Travel to Dublin Airport for your return flight to the US
Slan Abhaile ( Safe Home!! )

PRICING:

Price per person sharing from $2069.00 and includes accommodation as per the above itinerary, full Irish breakfast daily, private driver as per the above, & all taxes.

Low Season: $3249.00 Per Person Sharing {based on 2 people traveling}
$2069.00 Per Person Sharing {based on 4 people traveling}
[January 1-March 31 & November 1-December 22]

Mid Season: $3489.00 Per Person Sharing {based on 2 people traveling}
$2259.00 Per Person Sharing {based on 4 people traveling}
[April 1-May 31 & October 1-October 31]

High Season: $3729.00 Per Person Sharing {based on 2 people traveling}
$2469.00 Per Person Sharing {based on 4 people traveling}
[June 1 - September 30]

*All prices are per person based on double occupancy.