2009 Irish Spirit

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Depart your U.S. gateway city in the evening and fly through the night to Ireland to start your vacation.

Day 2: Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
Arrive at Dublin Airport, proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. 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. Your hotel is located in Ballsbridge, one of Dublin’s most prestigious addresses. At 2:00 pm join your group and a local guide for an introductory look around central Dublin. See the fashionable shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view the many elegant Georgian townhouses and pass the Dail where the government convenes. Visit Trinity College’s Old Library to view the early illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation. Back at your hotel meet with your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome drink and discuss your itinerary.

Day 3: 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 12th 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 center of Killarney. After dinner you may like to sample one of the many singing bars. (B, D)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Muckross Gardens
Today you will discover the wonderful scenery of Killarney as you drive around the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountains, and the varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views and you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. Continue through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville. On the return, pass through the colorful village of Sneem and pause at Moll’s Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Stop for a stroll through the splendid Muckross Gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Tarbert. Take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon and drive along the coastline of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher. This wall of limestone rises 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, an area of rounded limestone hills where rock has weathered into amazing rock formations and around the shores of Galway Bay. Take a short orientation tour around central Galway before checking into your hotel. (B, D)

Day 6: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Today explore another of Ireland’s famous scenic regions, Connemara. Here the constantly-changing cloud formations give hills, lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Travel alongside Galway Bay to Spiddal where most locals speak the Irish language. Pass the granite hills and sparkling lakes of the Inagh Valley on the way to Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. Take a short catamaran cruise to see unspoilt mountain areas. You can see traces of pre-Famine fields on the hilly slopes and also thriving salmon and mussel farming. 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 7: 6th Century Clonmacnoise & Abbey Tavern
Drive to the center 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 into the same hotel. In the evening drive to the Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner followed by a lively show of traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 8: Depart for Home
As today is departure day, complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)
B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

2009 Irish Spirit

What’s Included

» Group transfers on arrival and departure
» Welcome get-together drink
» Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
» Tour of Dublin with a local guide
» Services of a professional Irish driver/guide
» Ferry ride across the River Shannon
» First class hotels with private bath/shower for 6 nights
» Catamaran cruise of Killary Fjord
» 6 full Irish breakfasts (B)
» Visits and admissions to Book of Kells at Trinity College, Rock of Cashel, Blarney Woollen Mills, Muckross Gardens, Cliffs of Moher, Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory and Clonmacnoise
» 5 dinners (D) including
» Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
» Traditional Irish evening with dinner and entertainment at the Abbey Tavern
» All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
» 4 table d’hote dinners

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