Your Travel Value Includes
• Airport transfer on day 1
• Twin-bedded rooms in the deluxe hotels shown
• 9 full Irish breakfasts (FB), 1 morning coffee (MC), 1 lunch (L), and 6 three-course
dinners with choice of entree and coffee (D)
• Services of a professional Irish Tour Director
• Private deluxe motorcoach with air-conditioning, extra leg room and emergency
washroom
Complete sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary, including: Waterford Crystal Factory;
Cobh Heritage Centre; Blarney Castle; Ring of Kerry; jaunting car ride; Muckross House; Flying Boat
Museum; Cliffs of Moher; Rathbaun Farm; Kylemore Prakhar; “Moonriver” cruise; St. Patrick’s
Cathedral; Trinity College Library
• Professional photograph of the tour group
• Inside visits as shown in bold in the tour description, including admission charges where
applicable
• Hotel taxes, service charges, tips for baggage handling; all local taxes
Airport transfers
Dublin: 6 a.m.-4 p.m.
Itinerary
Elegant accommodation and exquisite cuisine, presented with a uniquely Irish warmth
and hospitality are the hallmarks of this carefully selected itinerary.
Day 1, ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND.
Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel, the luxurious Four
Seasons, located within the Royal Dublin Society Show Grounds. This
Georgian style property offers premier rooms in a period style ambience: a
perfect way to relax after your flight. Join your Tour Director and traveling
companions for a Cocktail Reception.
Day 2, DUBLIN / Waterford / CORK.
Travel through the serene Wicklow Mountains to the monastic ruins at
Glendalough. On to the ancient town of Waterford with its colorful terrace
houses, cafés and bars overlooking the quayside. At the Waterford Crystal
Factory, enjoy a VIP tour and watch master craftsmen at work in the centuriesold
tradition of glass blowing and engraving. There is time afterward to enjoy the
splendid showroom and perhaps select a special piece of the sparkling glass to take home. End the
day in Cork. (FB,D)
Day 3, CORK / COBH / BLARNEY / KILLARNEY.
Visit Cobh, a Victorian seafront town. The Heritage Centre brings the
Queenstown (as Cobh was once named) story alive, with exhibits, photographs
and original film footage. Next is Blarney Castle with its magical stone that
gives the gift of eloquence for a kiss. Wander across to the Blarney Woollen
Mills for traditional Irish crafts and knitwear. Then on to Killarney and your
beautiful hotel and spa set on a lush hill overlooking the lakes. (FB,D)
Day 4, THE RING OF KERRY.
The road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula
is better known as “The Ring of Kerry.” Here mountains,
valleys, lakes and sea blend into a breathtaking landscape.
Return to Killarney and enjoy a jaunting car ride to
Muckross House, an elegant mansion set on the shores of Muckross Lake. (FB)
Day 5, KILLARNEY / NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS (Dromoland Castle).
This morning, visit the Flying Boat Museum at Foynes, which became the centre of the aviation
world from 1939 to 1945. On July 9th 1939, Pan Am's luxury Flying Boat, the "Yankee Clipper" landed
at Foynes. This was the first commercial passenger flight on a direct route from the USA to Europe.
Later, stop at the picturesque village
of Adare. Tonight dine in splendor at Dromoland Castle. (FB,D)
The castle dates back to the 16th century and is one of the most famous baronial castles in
Ireland. Its romantic gardens and grounds, luxurious accommodation, prestigious dining
room, splendid wood and stone carvings, original oil paintings and magnificent panelling
combine old world charm with the facilities the new world demands.
Day 6, NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS / CLIFFS OF MOHER / GALWAY / CONG (Ashford Castle).
Drive west into Clare to see the Cliffs of Moher. These limestone ramparts
rise approximately 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Then, north across the
Burren, a stark landscape dotted with rare flora. Drop in for lunch at
Rathbaun Farm and meet an Irish farming family as they carry out their
everyday chores. Next see Galway Cathedral. Then, drive through Headford
and into the majestic grounds of Ashford Castle. (FB,L,D)
Stately Ashford Castle was the country estate of Lord Ardilaun and of the Guinness family
for almost a century, until it was transformed into a luxury hotel in
1939. Located on the north shores of Lough Corrib, Ashford offers
the finest in country living – an elegant dining room, a lavishly
decorated Great Hall, beautiful grounds, a 9-hole golf course, and
fishing or cruising on the lake.
Day 7, CONNEMARA EXCURSION.
In the remote west of Ireland, visit Kylemore Prakhar, a castellated neo-Gothic
mansion. Journey back via Recess and the Maam Valley with time to enjoy
Ashford Castle and all its splendor before an exquisite dinner. (FB,D)
Day 8, CONG / Dublin.
Travel to Carrick-on-Shannon. Stop for a morning cruise aboard "Moonriver" and
enjoy coffee and scones. Return to Dublin and enjoy your city center hotel. The balance of the day is
free for independent activities. (FB,MC)
Day 9, Tour Historic Dublin
On a city tour, pass Christ Church on the way to stately St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a legacy of religious
power from the 12th century. On to the seat of learning at the heart of Dublin – Trinity College.
Walk across the cobbled squares to the old library and see one of Ireland’s greatest treasures – the
8th century Book of Kells. Spend the rest of your day exploring the city’s shops, squares, galleries
and museums or relax in a café or pub. Tonight choose between a quiet dinner at your hotel or an
evening of food, song and dance at an Irish Cabaret. (FB,D)
Day 11, DEPART DUBLIN.
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)
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