2009 Irish Discovery

Itinerary

Day 1 - Thu: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Take an overnight flight across the Atlantic to Ireland.

Day 2 - Fri: Dublin Arrival
Land at Dublin Airport and personnel in the Arrivals Hall 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. Use your bus tour voucher and at 7:00 pm meet your driver/guide for a welcome drink and discuss your tour.

Day 3 - Sat: Book of Kells & Shindig
A tour of Dublin will show you the highlights, including government buildings, public parks and stately Georgian townhouses. Visit Trinity College to view the 8th century Book of Kells, a highly illuminated manuscript of the gospels. The afternoon is free for independent activities and in the evening drive to the Old Jameson Distillery for “Shindig,” a lively dinner show with traditional song and dance. (B, D)

Day 4 - Sun: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Depart Dublin and view the green countryside as you travel south. Stop to view the stately church ruins atop the Rock of Cashel and continue south to visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills before driving to Killarney. Check into your hotel and relax before dinner. (B, D)

Day 5 - Mon: Dingle Peninsula Tour
Today discover the scenic Dingle Peninsula as you drive along the south shore and admire heathery mountains and sandy beaches. Pause in Dingle before continuing to Dunquin. Tour the Blasket Centre to learn about the Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by fishermen and hardy farmers. Return to Killarney and enjoy free time to relax or take a walk. (B, D)

Day 6 - Tue: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Travel to Tarbert and cross the River Shannon by ferry. Drive via Lahinch to view the Cliffs of Moher, limestone cliffs that drop 700 feet to the open Atlantic Ocean. Drive through part of the Burren country, around Galway Bay and into Galway where your hotel is in the city center. (B, D)

Day 7 - Wed: Clonmacnoise & Dunboyne Castle
Drive to the center of Ireland to visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran. See round towers, elaborately decorated Celtic crosses and the ruins of many churches. Drive to your elegant hotel, just outside Dublin and enjoy a farewell dinner with some local entertainment. (B, D)

Day 8 - Thu: Depart for Home
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. After check-in, you’ll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before the journey home. (B)

B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

2009 Irish Discovery

What’s Included: