This tour runs only once a year, and is scheduled for July 3 - 17, 2008. If you would like us to set up this itinerary for you to travel on your own or with your own group, we would be happy to do so. We can do all the reservations and trip planning for you and can customize the tour for you to meet your individual wishes and budget.
Tour price includes:
-Roundtrip airfare from Boston or New York (airfare price can be deducted)
-13 nights in elegant, charming and historic Irish castles, inns, and bed and breakfasts
-13 full Irish breakfasts, 13 dinners, and 3 lunches
-Fully escorted
-Transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned minibus
-Visits to: Adare, Bunratty Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Kenmare, Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Kinsale, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny, Jerpoint, Wicklow Mountains, Glendonough, Powerscourt Gardens, Dublin, Newgrange, Mourne Mountains, Belfast, Enniskillen, Belleek, Giants Causeway, Donegal, Sligo, Westport, Connemara Peninsula, Clifden, Bal-lyvaughan, Galway, Clonmacnoise, Athlone
-Local guides
-Live entertainment, music, and "singing pubs"
-All tour guides, all museum and entrance fees
-All tips and taxes
Your itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive at Shannon Airport and drive to the picturesque village of Adare, where we check into our lovely hotel. We drive through the fascinating limestone plateau known as The Burren (the word derives from the Gaelic “rocky land”) to see the majestic Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 feet above along a five-mile stretch of the Atlantic coast. Relax at the hotel or explore Adare, and then visit historic Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, followed by a medieval banquet inside the castle, complete with Irish stories, music and song.
Day 2
After a great Irish breakfast, we take a short drive to Ireland’s “Acropolis”, the Rock of Cashel. This is Ireland’s greatest landmark, the magnificent ruins of a castle, fortress, chapel, cathedral and round tower, dating from the 4th century. We then have lunch in the town of Tipperary. Tonight we enjoy dinner at our new hotel in Kenmare.
Day 3
Today, travel along the Dingle Peninsula for stunning views of the mountains and the magnificent Atlantic coastline. A stop at Dunmore Head brings us to the westernmost point in Ireland. This is the countryside featured in two famous films: Ryan’s Daughter and Far and Away. We’ll visit the Blasket Island Visitor Center to learn about the traditional way of life of the hardy Great Blasket islanders. Next we follow the coast south for an unforgettable drive along the Ring of Kerry. Lots of photo opportunities, including Moll’s Gap, a view of the mountains, three lakes, and Killarney in the background which inspire amateur and professional photographers alike. After visiting Killarney and the Victorian Muckross House and gardens, we continue south through the beautiful Killarney National Park to Kenmare, where we check into our home for the next two nights, a cozy bed and breakfast with all the amenities. After dinner in Kenmare we can try one of the many “singing” pubs.
Day 4
Today we explore the gorgeous Ring of Beara, and follow the coast south through Bantry, Castletownshend and Courtmacsherry to Kinsale. This pretty Heritage Town on the broad estuary of the River Bandon, with its charming narrow lanes and neat Georgian houses stepping up the hillside overlooking the water, has developed a reputation for its gastronomic excellence. So we will enjoy a special lunch before driving through Cork to Blarney Castle, where those who are most sentimental may kiss the famous stone. Our new home for the next two nights is a wonderful Georgian home surrounded by seven acres of glorious gardens, just across the river from Waterford
Day 5
This morning we drive back to Cork, then along the coast through Youghal to the Island Campile. After checking in to our Campile hotel, we will take a little ferry across the river to visit the famous Waterford crystal factory. Even though the factory has become a must see for most tourists visiting Ireland, it is worth watching the skilled workmen creating hand-blown, hand-cut works of art appearing before your eyes.
Day 6
This morning we visit the town of Dunganstown and the Kennedy Homestead where the great grandfather of President John F. Kennedy lived before being driven from Ireland by the potato famine of the 1840s. The rural setting has changed little since then, and the farm is still owned by a Kennedy. We also see the lovely John F. Kennedy Arboretum, a memorial of row upon row of trees to the slain president. After lunch in Wexford, we continue on to explore Kilkenny and Jerpoint. A dinner awaits us at our hotel.
Day 7
We then drive north into the Wicklow Mountains and visit the beautiful ruins of the abbey of Glendalough, a monastic settlement of seven churches, founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. The “Glen of the Two Lakes” is set in a valley where the Wicklow Mountains dramatically meet the lake waters with a striking effect. On our way to Dublin we next stop to visit the beautiful gardens of Powerscourt, including the 18th century Palladian mansion and the highest waterfall in Ireland. We arrive in Dublin, check into our hotel, and have time for a drink in the pub before dinner.
Day 8
We begin the day with a guided tour of central Dublin, including Trinity College and the famous Book of Kells. After lunch and free time, we visit the Old Jameson Distillery to learn about the many stages of whiskey making and sample the finished product. In the evening we head to Jury’s Irish Cabaret where dinner is followed by a lively program of storytelling, song and dance.
Day 9
Leaving Dublin, we drive north along the coast into the Boyne River Valley, known as the cradle of Irish civilization because of the prehistoric findings here from the Neolithic period. At Newgrange we see the fascinating “passage graves”, probably built for the kings of Tara around 3200 BC. This “Valley of the Kings” with prehistoric monuments pre-dating the pyramids of Egypt is also known for the famous Battle of the Boyne. In 1690 this battle fought between the Irish Catholics and the Protestants set the stage for the troubled Irish history of the next 300 years. We then continue north through the Mourne Mountains for a scenic drive along the coast before heading to Belfast for lunch and a pint at the famous Crown Liquor Saloon. Next we drive to Enniskellen, where our lovely hotel for the next three nights overlooks the beautiful Lough Erne. We enjoy a gourmet dinner at the hotel.
Day 10
Today we drive to the northern coast to see Northern Ireland’s most unusual scenic wonder, the Giant’s Causeway. Its 40,000 basalt rock columns have mystified visitors for centuries. Our scenic coastal drive ends at Bushmills for lunch and a tour of the old whiskey distillery. We return to Enniskillen to relax at our hotel or take a boat ride on the lake.
Day 11
After another traditional grand Irish breakfast we take a tour of the 15th century Enniskillen Castle. Then we drive to the Marble Arch caves where we descend to take an underground boat tour of the caves. We then proceed to the tiny village of Belleek, the home of the world famous parian china. The china factory has a marvelous museum, which features priceless pieces of this delicate and delightful ware. Next we explore the rugged Donegal coast where the Slieve League has the highest sea cliffs in Europe and spectacular views. We stop in Donegal, the “weaving capital” of Ireland, where many shops sell locally made tweeds and hand knit sweaters.
Day 12
This morning we pass through the port of Sligo, made famous by Ireland’s best known poet W.B. Yeats. We then drive along the coast to Westport, a lovely bustling town with lots of cafés and pubs to choose from for lunch. After lunch drive through the magnificent Connemara peninsula, stopping in Clifden before arriving at our home for the last three nights, a beautiful manor house near Galway. Check into our rooms and have time for a cocktail in the pub before dinner.
Day 13
This morning we take a guided walking tour of the historic old part of Galway with its narrow streets, quaint shops, and numerous pubs. After lunch we go on an interesting excursion that begins with a ride on the Shannonbridge Bog Railway-- a small green and yellow diesel locomotive pulls the only coach across six miles of peat bogs while our driver provides commentary on the millennia old landscape. We’ll learn about how important peat has been as the main source of fuel in rural Ireland. We can watch peat being cut by hand using traditional tools. Next we visit what is arguably Ireland's most important monastic site, Clonmacnoise. Founded on the eastern side of the Shannon by St Ciaran in the middle of the 6th century, today the site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th - 13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christian graves. We stop in lovely little Athlone with its 13th century castle before returning to our manor for our farewell dinner.
Day 14
After a last wonderful Irish breakfast, we head to the Shannon Airport for the return flight home.
Notes:
Airfare is included in the tour price.
Single supplement TBD.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Ireland
Cultural Journey
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