Castles & Manors

Tour Highlights:
Muckross House
Blarney Castle & Woolen Mills
Waterford Crystal Factory
Kilkenny Castle
Trinity College
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Jameson's Whiskey Distillery
Carrick on Shannon Cruise with Tea & Scones

Prices & Dates : Below

Based on per person traveling, Prices are subject to change 

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

• Escorted sightseeing by luxury motorcoach
• Professional Irish Tour Director throughout
• Superior and Deluxe Accommodations (4 & 5 Star) for 9 nights
• Full Irish Breakfast (B) daily except morning of arrival
• Eight Dinners (D) including one with entertainment - Jameson's Shindig
• Welcome reception hosted by your Tour Director
• All entrance fees to:
  • Muckross Hose
  • Blarney Castle & Woolen Mills
  • Waterford Crystal Factory
  • Kilkenny Castle
  • Trinity College
  • St. Patrick's Cathedral
  • Jameson's Whiskey Distillery
  • Carrick on Shannon Cruise with Tea & Scones
• Sightseeing including: Killarney, National Park, Dingle Peninsula, Blarney, Kilkenny, Waterford, Dublin, Co. Cavan, Cliffs of Moher, Mayo, Achill Island, Westport, Limerick
• Tips for baggage handling, taxes and hotel gratuities except gratuity to your Tour Director

Pricing excludes

• Airport taxes and security charges
• Transfers from airport / hotel /airport
• Meals not specifically identified
• Other personal expenses

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart USA Your trip begins with an overnight transatlantic flight to Ireland. (Your airfare is not included in the tour price). Relax and enjoy the in flight meal service and onboard entertainment.

Day 2: Tralee/Muckross House Upon arrival at Shannon airport, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals hall. A representative will be there to meet you and assist with transfers if purchased to your first hotel. If your flight arrives after 12:00 noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Commencing at 2:00 pm we will enjoy an afternoon excursion in the Killarney National Park. Here we will visit the stately house and gardens of Muckross House. Tonight enjoy a welcome reception hosted by your Tour Director prior to dinner at the hotel. Accommodation: Ballyseede Castle or similar. (D)

Day 3: Dingle Peninsula This morning, after breakfast, depart on a tour of the rugged Dingle Peninsula. A land of blue gold hills and sandy beaches, of glorious waterfalls, hidden bays, wondrous rock formations, caves and arches, busy harbors and wayside pubs. A land dappled with heather, primroses, blue-bells, foxgloves and smiling faces to welcome you. The peninsula that inspired the films "Ryan's Daughter" and "Far & Away" has so much to offer. Dingle is an Irish-speaking fishing port and is home to Ireland's most famous dolphin "Fungie". Fungie, who is a bottlenose dolphin, has been swimming with boats and tourists in Dingle Harbor since 1984. Tonight enjoy a leisurely dinner at the hotel. Accommodation: Ballyseede Castle or similar. (B,D)

Day 4: Blarney/Waterford Today after breakfast we head to the Viking city of Waterford. First we shall visit nearby Blarney village where the famous Castle is located. Here we visit the castle and kiss the Blarney Stone, said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who participate in this ancient custom. We will have time for lunch in Blarney and also some shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills, where a wide selection of Irish handmade goods awaits you. Upon arrival in Waterford we will enjoy a walking tour of Ireland's oldest tourist destination, first visited by Vikings in 852 AD! We arrive at our country Manor house with some free time, prior to dinner. Accommodation: Faithlegg Manor House or similar. (B,D)

Day 5: Waterford Crystal/Kilkenny This morning after breakfast we will take a guided tour of the famous Waterford Crystal Factory. We then continue on to visit Kilkenny Castle, set on the banks of the River Nore, facing the cathedral. Enjoy this beautiful castle, with its ornate rooms and lush furnishings. Don't miss the castles grounds with its beautiful rose gardens, fountains and castle courtyard. We will arive in Dublin in the late afternoon and tonight we will enjoy dinner at the hotel. Accommodation: Castleknock Hotel & Country Club or similar. (B,D)

Day 6: Dublin After breakfast, we take a sightseeing tour of Dublin. We visit Trinity College, home to the Book of Kells. We continue on to St. Partick's Cathedral, founded in 1190, and see Christchurch Cathedral, O'Connell Street and the Bank of Ireland, fromerly the Irish House of Parliament. Tonight we will take a tour of Old Jameson's Distillery evoking the essence of Irish whiskey making, before enjoy an evening of dinner and entertainment at Jameson's Shindig. Accommodation: Castleknock Hotel & Country Club or similar. (B,D)

Day 7: Cabra Castle This morning, we will indulge in a leisurely Sunday. Enjoy a late breakfast before we head out to Cabra Castle in Co. Cavan. We will enjoy a typical Sunday drive through the lovely Phoenix Park, with over 1700 acreas of grassland, tree lined avenues and home to a herd of wild Fallow Deer. We continue on to discover the mystery of the ancient stone circles of the Boyne Valley and Hill of Tara, best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. We contineu north into Co. Cavan and arrive at the 15th Century Cabra Castle for tonight's accommodation. A special dinner and local entertainment awaits us. Accommodation: Cabra Castle or similar. (B,D)

Day 8: Carrick on Shannon We leave behind our fairytale castle and travel acroos country to Co. Mayo. Along our way we shall stop in Carrick on Shannon to enjoy a leisurely cruise and a sampling of the traditional Irish afternoon tea break, tea and scones. We then continue on to the Mount Falcon Country House Hotel and Estate. Set on 100 acres of magical woodland and on the westbank of the river Moy, this charming estate will be a delight to all that stay. Tonight enjoy dinner in the hotel. Accommodation: Mount Falcon Country House Hotel or similar. (B,D)

Day 9: Achill Island/Westport After a hearty breakfast, we start our journey to Achill Island with its beautiful flora and fauna. Ireland's largest island boasts magnificent cliff scenery, long sandy beaches, little villages and masses of historical monuments. These make the island a must for anybody who appreciates beauty and culture. We continue onto Nephin Drive filled with numerous lakes and mountains and past the lovely town of Newport. We continue into Westport for some shopping before returning to Mount Falcon in time for dinner.Accommodation: Mount Falcon Country House Hotel or similar. (B,D)

Day 10: Cliffs of Moher After breakfast, we shall vist the mighty Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet up from the Atlantic Ocean and stretch for 5 miles. Continue through the area called the Burren known for its unusual vegetation and wildfire before arriving in your downtown hotel for the night. Tonight, opt for an evening of entertainment in the company of Lords and Ladies at a Medieval Banquet. Accommodation: The George Boutique Hotel or similar. (B)

Day 11: Shannon/USA After breakfast, we depart for Shannon Airport, with time for duty free shopping prior to boarding your flight. (B)