Irish Travel Bureau

Upon arrival at Dublin Airport, transfers to your hotel. Transfers to hotel will be arranged at 08.00 am and 11.00 am. Arrivals after this time are under own arrangements.

You are free to explore the city at your leisure this afternoon. Your hotel will be within walking distance of the city centre.
Overnight Dublin hotel. (B, D)

Day 2 – Ireland's Midlands, Blarney Castle & Kerry

En route stop in the town of Blarney for a visit to Blarney Castle. Dating from1446, 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 labour 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.

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 views 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 coloured 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.
Overnight Kerry hotel. (B,D)

Travel northwards to Tarbert and take a short boat ride across the mouth of the river Shannon to land on Clare’s shore at Killimer

Travel along the coast to the Cliffs of Moher
The most majestic cliffs in Ireland rise from the Atlantic Ocean at 215 metres and extend for over seven kilometres long. On a clean 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.

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 know 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 splendour of this magnificent castle. A true step back in time to Medieval Ireland.
Overnight Limerick hotel. (B,D)

After a final Irish breakfast transfer to Shannon under own arrangements for your departure flight home.
OR
Travel to Dublin via 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 of 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 may 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, upon arrival, transfer to Dublin Airport for departure flight home.
(B)

                     Blarney Castle                           Muckross House
                     Cliffs of Moher                           Kilkenny Castle
                     St Canice’s Cathedral

16 – 20 March 2010
6 – 10 April 2010
4 – 8 May 2010
18 – 22 May 2010
8 – 12 June 2010
22 – 26 June 2010
6 – 10 July 2010
13 – 17 July 2010
20 – 24 July 2010
27 – 31 July 2010
3 – 7 August 2010
10 – 14 August 2010
17 – 21 August 2010
24 – 28 August 2010
31 August – 4 September 2010
7 – 11 September 2010
14 – 18 September 2010
21 – 25 September 2010
5 – 9 October 2010

Rates: CDN$ per person, twin share
March 2010                                        $969.00
April & October 2010                        $989.00
May – September      2010                $1079.00

Flavour Of Ireland 5 day tour

Day 1 - Welcome to Ireland

Evening: Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle