A Flavor of Ireland Ecsorted Tour

Tour Highlights:
Blarney Castle
Cliffs of Moher
Muchross House
Kilkenney Castle
St. Canice's Cathedral

Prices & Dates : Below

Based on per person traveling, Prices are subject to change 

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

• Roundtrip flights from New York to Dublin on available carrier
• Escorted sightseeing by luxury motorcoach
• Professional driver/guide included as per itinerary
• Group arrival airport transfer included
• Accommodation at four star hotels for 6 nights (4 nts escorted tour and 2 nts post tour in Dublin)
• Full Irish Breakfast (B) daily except morning of arrival
• Two dinners (D) as per itinerary
• All entrance fees to:
  • Blarney Castle
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Muchross House
  • Kilkenney Castle
  • St. Canice's Cathedral
• Ferry ride across the River Shannon
• Hotel service charges and taxes

Pricing excludes

• Airport taxes and fees
• Meals not specifically identified
• Other personal expenses

DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart USA Your trip begins with an overnight transatlantic flight to Dublin. Relax and enjoy the in-flight meal service and onboard entertainment.

Day 2: Welcome to Ireland OUpon arrival at Dublin airport, collect your luggage and proceed to the arrivals hall. Transfers to the hotel will be arranged at 8:00am and 12:00pm (noon). If your flight arrives after 12:00 noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. You are free to explore the city at your leisure this afternoon. Your hotel will be within walking distance of the city center. Dinner at the hotel tonight. Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Dublin. (D)

Day 3: Ireland's Midlands, Blarney Castle & Kerry Today meet with your coach and English speaking driver/guide and depart Ireland's Capital and travel to County Kerry. En route stop in the town of Blarney for a visit to Blarney Castle. Dating from 1446, the castle is a tower house built on solid limestone in wonderful grounds. At the top of the Tower you will find the legendary Stone of Eloquence. Kiss it and you'll never again be lost for words. But don't take our word for it - everyone from Sir Walter Scott to a host of American presidents, world leaders and international entertainers has been eager to take advantage. Enjoy some time for shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills. The presence of the Woollen Mills during the famine shielded Blarney from the worst effects of the famine, due to its employment of local workers. The success story at the mills continued until a disastrous fire in 1869. By August 1871, the mill was once again operational with a labor force of 222. In 1976 Chris Kelleher, himself a mill worker, bought the old mill property. Within a short period of time Chris and his family transformed the mill into what is perhaps the largest quality craft shop in Ireland. Continue to your Kerry hotel . Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Killarney or Kerry . (B,D)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry Today you can enjoy a superb tour of the Iveragh Peninsula, which will give you the opportunity to discover the Ring of Kerry. Taking in spectacular scenery - mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. Leaving Killarney one passes through Killorglin, famous for its Puck Fair, then to Glenbeigh where the cliff road affords panoramic views of the dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay. Passing through the peat bogs, one arrives at the sea town of Waterville. Continue to Sneem Village, famous because of its brightly colored houses. The road continues through the mountains to Molls Gap and Ladies View with superb views of the famous Lakes of Killarney. Visit Muckross House, which was built in 1843 by the Herbert Family, in Elizabethan style. This house is one of the most sumptuous residences of Ireland. Muckross, surrounded by beautiful gardens, is in the heart of the Killarney National Park, the first to be opened in Ireland. Today enjoy dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants or pubs in Killarney Town. Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Killarney or Kerry. (B)

Day 5: Burren & Cliffs WTravel northwards to Tarbert and take a short boat ride across the mouth of the river Shannon to land on Clare's shore at Killimar. Travel along the coast to the Cliffs of Moher. The most majestic cliffs in Ireland rise from the Atlantic Ocean at 215 meterse and extend for over seven kilometers. On a clear day, you can admire the Aran Islands, the Connemara Mountains and the many sea birds that colonise this place to nest in spring. Enjoy a tour of the Burren Region. The Burren is a strange and unique region in Europe. "Burren" means "large stones": in fact its name describes this impressive scenery perfectly well. Often described as lunar, the Burren is a high plateau of porous limestone situated in Northern Clare between Ballyvaughan and Kilfenora. No trees are growing here, no land is covering the stone, and the limestone is bare. But the Burren is not as deserted as we believe: the cracks allow different types of flowers to grow all year round, though spring would be the best season for the botanists to explore. The rocks hide many caves like Ailwee, as well as "Turloughs", an interesting phenomenon which transforms lakes into fields during the summer. You will also discover the testimonies of its rich history thanks to countless castles and monastic ruins. Continue to Limerick

OPTIONAL EVENING: Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century by the Earl of Thomond and stands on the banks of the Raite River in County Clare. From here the Earl ruled over his chiefdom and was known for his generosity and his lavish entertainment and banquets. For over 40 years the ladies of Bunratty Castle, aided and abetted by the Earl's Butler, have welcomed guests from the four corners of the globe to join them at The Earl's Banquet. The entertainment today is provided by the superb Bunratty Singers and is a fitting compliment to the lively mead reception, a four-course meal and of course good wine. Guests are invited to enjoy an unforgettable evening in the splendor of this magnificent castle. A true step back in time to Medieval Ireland.

Overnight: 4 Star Hotel in Limerick. (B)

Day 6: Kilkenny to Dublin Travel to Dublin vis the medieval city of Kilkenny, which is perhaps the most attractive city in the country. Its status has more to do with its role in the past than in the present. Kilkenny is sometimes called the "Marble City" because of the local black limestone seen to most striking effect in the St. Canice's Cathedral. It dominates Irishtown at the northern end of Parliament St. Around the cathedral is a graveyard, a round tower and a 18th century bishop's palace. Visit Kilkenny Castle, which was built on the site of a fort founded by Strongbow, the castle was the principal residence of the Butler Family for 600 years. You will visit the superb Victorian style apartments. The Long Gallery shows an interesting collection of paintings. Visit St. Canice's Cathedral. The 13th century gothic cathedral fo St. Canice is built on the site of a 6th century Monastic settlement. The city of Kilkenny developed around this settlement. The cathedral is still very much in use and it is spacious with a bright interior. It has a splendid choir surrounded by beautiful stained glass. Like many of the cathedrals built during this period it is home to numerous tombs, some very old and important. There are many legends attached to the cathedral including the story of how the roof was restored by a William Outlaw as penance for being an accomplice of Dame Alice Kytler, who had been accused of witchcraft. Continue to Dublin and arrive at approximately 4:00pm . Overnight: O'Callaghan Davenport Hotel or similar (B)

Day 7: Dublin Day at leisure. Overnight: O'Callaghan Davenport Hotel or similar (B)

Day 8: Dublin/USA After breakfast, depart for Dublin Airport, where you will have time for duty free shopping before your flight (transfer cost NOT included). (B)