SAMPLE IRELAND TOUR
ITINERARY
DAY 1: UNITED STATES TO SHANNON
Depart USA and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Day 2: SHANNON ARRIVAL & KILLARNEY
After customs and immigration formalities at Shannon Airport, your driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to the motor coach. Next, enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast at a local restaurant. Then, depart Shannon and drive to the coast of Clare to view the mighty Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises to almost 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic breakers. Then, take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary to the mountainous countryside of Kerry. Arrive in Killarney and check into your hotel. Then, you will have the afternoon free to relax or stroll around town on your own. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Day 3: RING OF KERRY TOUR & SHEEP DEMONSTRATION
Today, explore the Ring of Kerry - 100 miles of marvelous scenery consisting of the highest peaks in Ireland on one side and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. Stop en route to meet a local farmer who will introduce you to a flock of his sheep and provide a sheepdog demonstration. Then, travel through Glenbeigh and Cahirciveen and on to Waterville and the colorful village of Sneem. Stop at Lady’s View for a view of the three lakes of Killarney with the mountains and the town in the background. Return to Killarney for some free time to look around the town before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Day 4: BLARNEY CASTLE & COBH HERITAGE CENTRE
This morning, drive to Blarney and stop to climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Then, drive a short distance to the east of Cork to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which depicts the varied history of emigration from Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the past 150 years. Cobh was the last port of call for the “Titanic” and many liners that carried emigrants to the New World. This informative display is housed in the rail station through which all of the Irish emigrants had to pass. Drive through the rolling hills of Ireland and into Cork and check into your hotel where you will have time to relax or freshen up before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: IMPERIAL HOTEL, CORK
Day 5: CORK PANORAMIC - ROCK OF CASHEL- DUBLIN
After breakfast, take a tour of the main areas of Cork, Ireland’s second largest city set on the River Lee, which divides into two branches through the city center. Cork is built on many hills with many steeply sloping streets. See Shandon Church, a famous Cork landmark dating from 1722. Also see the Gothic-revival St. Finbarr’s Cathedral, named for the patron saint of the city. Then, drive to Cashel and stop to visit the Rock of Cashel, a huge outcrop with many ecclesiastical ruins, which trace the history of Christianity in Ireland. Next, board the coach and drive through the midland region where you will see many farms and marketing towns. Your route will take you past the towns of Portlaoise and Kildare and into the metropolitan area of Dublin. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy some time to settle in before dinner. This evening drive to the town of Rathfarnham to Taylors Three Rock for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CAMDEN COURT HOTEL, DUBLIN
Day 6: DUBLIN HIGHLIGHTS
This morning, enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Dublin, an elegant and artistic city with spacious Georgian squares. Stop to tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift. Contine our sightseeing with a stop at Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, an 8th century illuminated manuscript of the gospels and see the Old Library. The afternoon is free for shopping and independent sightseeing.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CAMDEN COURT HOTEL, DUBLIN
Day 7: MOON RIVER CRUISE & SLIGO
After a traditional Irish breakfast, depart Dublin and travel across the country via marketing towns such as Mullingar and Longford and see how many Irish people make a living from mixed farming. Travel through County Cavan, which is renowned for its lovely lakes, which are popular with fishermen and artists. Stop in Carrick-on-Shannon and take a Moon River Cruise while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the River Shannon. Next, drive into County Sligo, a county of gentle mountains, lakes and coastline. This area is associated with the great writer, W. B. Yeats. Check into your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: SLIGO PARK HOTEL, SLIGO
Day 8: CONG - GALWAY BAY - MEDIEVAL BANQUET
Today, we travel southwest to the attractive village of Cong. Upon arrival, embark on a walking tour of the places made famous by the 1952 movie “The Quiet Man” featuring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. See some of the movie memorabilia in the Quiet Man Heritage Cottage. Next , we make our way south to Galway and where we will see Galway Bay. Next, we travel to the Shannonside region, where many castles and Shannon Airport are located. Arrive in the village of Bunratty to check into your hotel. Enjoy some time to relax and settle in before joining your group for dinner. Visit the Bunratty Folk Park, which comprises a collection of farmhouses from different regions of Ireland and a 19th century village street with a pub, school, general store and many other buildings where traditional lifestyles and crafts are demonstrated. You may choose to relax or explore some of the other attractions near your hotel - choose from Bunratty Village Mills and Durty Nelly’s Pub. This evening, join in the fun and feasting at Bunratty Castle. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: LIMERICK STRAND HOTEL, LIMERICK
Day 9: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
Sadly, today your Irish vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Shannon Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
Depart USA and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Day 2: SHANNON ARRIVAL & KILLARNEY
After customs and immigration formalities at Shannon Airport, your driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to the motor coach. Next, enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast at a local restaurant. Then, depart Shannon and drive to the coast of Clare to view the mighty Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises to almost 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic breakers. Then, take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary to the mountainous countryside of Kerry. Arrive in Killarney and check into your hotel. Then, you will have the afternoon free to relax or stroll around town on your own. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Day 3: RING OF KERRY TOUR & SHEEP DEMONSTRATION
Today, explore the Ring of Kerry - 100 miles of marvelous scenery consisting of the highest peaks in Ireland on one side and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. Stop en route to meet a local farmer who will introduce you to a flock of his sheep and provide a sheepdog demonstration. Then, travel through Glenbeigh and Cahirciveen and on to Waterville and the colorful village of Sneem. Stop at Lady’s View for a view of the three lakes of Killarney with the mountains and the town in the background. Return to Killarney for some free time to look around the town before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Day 4: BLARNEY CASTLE & COBH HERITAGE CENTRE
This morning, drive to Blarney and stop to climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Then, drive a short distance to the east of Cork to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which depicts the varied history of emigration from Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the past 150 years. Cobh was the last port of call for the “Titanic” and many liners that carried emigrants to the New World. This informative display is housed in the rail station through which all of the Irish emigrants had to pass. Drive through the rolling hills of Ireland and into Cork and check into your hotel where you will have time to relax or freshen up before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: IMPERIAL HOTEL, CORK
Day 5: CORK PANORAMIC - ROCK OF CASHEL- DUBLIN
After breakfast, take a tour of the main areas of Cork, Ireland’s second largest city set on the River Lee, which divides into two branches through the city center. Cork is built on many hills with many steeply sloping streets. See Shandon Church, a famous Cork landmark dating from 1722. Also see the Gothic-revival St. Finbarr’s Cathedral, named for the patron saint of the city. Then, drive to Cashel and stop to visit the Rock of Cashel, a huge outcrop with many ecclesiastical ruins, which trace the history of Christianity in Ireland. Next, board the coach and drive through the midland region where you will see many farms and marketing towns. Your route will take you past the towns of Portlaoise and Kildare and into the metropolitan area of Dublin. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy some time to settle in before dinner. This evening drive to the town of Rathfarnham to Taylors Three Rock for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CAMDEN COURT HOTEL, DUBLIN
Day 6: DUBLIN HIGHLIGHTS
This morning, enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Dublin, an elegant and artistic city with spacious Georgian squares. Stop to tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift. Contine our sightseeing with a stop at Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, an 8th century illuminated manuscript of the gospels and see the Old Library. The afternoon is free for shopping and independent sightseeing.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CAMDEN COURT HOTEL, DUBLIN
Day 7: MOON RIVER CRUISE & SLIGO
After a traditional Irish breakfast, depart Dublin and travel across the country via marketing towns such as Mullingar and Longford and see how many Irish people make a living from mixed farming. Travel through County Cavan, which is renowned for its lovely lakes, which are popular with fishermen and artists. Stop in Carrick-on-Shannon and take a Moon River Cruise while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the River Shannon. Next, drive into County Sligo, a county of gentle mountains, lakes and coastline. This area is associated with the great writer, W. B. Yeats. Check into your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: SLIGO PARK HOTEL, SLIGO
Day 8: CONG - GALWAY BAY - MEDIEVAL BANQUET
Today, we travel southwest to the attractive village of Cong. Upon arrival, embark on a walking tour of the places made famous by the 1952 movie “The Quiet Man” featuring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. See some of the movie memorabilia in the Quiet Man Heritage Cottage. Next , we make our way south to Galway and where we will see Galway Bay. Next, we travel to the Shannonside region, where many castles and Shannon Airport are located. Arrive in the village of Bunratty to check into your hotel. Enjoy some time to relax and settle in before joining your group for dinner. Visit the Bunratty Folk Park, which comprises a collection of farmhouses from different regions of Ireland and a 19th century village street with a pub, school, general store and many other buildings where traditional lifestyles and crafts are demonstrated. You may choose to relax or explore some of the other attractions near your hotel - choose from Bunratty Village Mills and Durty Nelly’s Pub. This evening, join in the fun and feasting at Bunratty Castle. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: LIMERICK STRAND HOTEL, LIMERICK
Day 9: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
Sadly, today your Irish vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Shannon Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
