Irish Travel Bureau

Day 1: Dublin Castle & City Tour
Start your tour at Dublin Airport with a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm tour Dublin with a local guide to see elegant Georgian squares, Trinity College, St. Stephen's Green, the Famine Memorial and O'Connell Street. Visit the State Apartments of Dublin Castle, which contain magnificently-furnished chambers. Back at your hotel enjoy a welcome drink with your tour director and discuss your itinerary.
Day 2: National Stud & Taylor's Three Rock
In Kildare visit the Irish National Stud to see many lovely horses and learn about breeding and racing. Also walk through the charming Japanese Gardens, laid out over 100 years ago to represent life from the cradle to the grave. Return to Dublin where the afternoon is free for an independent open-top bus tour and a visit to Guinness or Jameson. Head to Taylor's Three Rock Pub for dinner with traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 3: Waterford Crystal & Kinsale Walk
Travel south to the ancient port of Waterford. At the House of Waterford Crystal watch skilled craftspeople blow and cut crystal to create elegant tableware and special trophies. Drive through Cork to Kinsale, a delightful old fishing town, which is now renowned for sailing and gourmet food. Join a local guide for a short walk around Kinsale's historic streets and then drive a few miles to your elegant resort hotel. (B, D)
Day 4: Muckross House & Killarney
Drive to Kenmare and along part of the Ring of Kerry for splendid views. Take a guided tour around stately 19th century Muckross House and travel through the peaceful Killarney National Park into Killarney by jaunting car. Continue your journey along the Dingle Peninsula, enjoying views of heathery mountains, sandy beaches and rocky headlands. Check in to your hotel in Dingle, a lively and attractive town. (B, D)
Day 5: Dingle Peninsula & Gallarus Oratory
Today discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies, “Ryan's Daughter” and “Far & Away.” Drive to Slea Head at the westernmost tip and tour the Blasket Experience to learn about the Blasket Islands. Visit Gallarus Oratory, a small church dating from the 6th to 9th centuries, which has remained watertight through the centuries. Travel up to the Conor Pass for sweeping views before returning to Dingle. (B, D)
Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Banquet
Visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which recalls early days of flying during the 1930's and early 1940's. Travel through Limerick on the way to Ennis and check in to your centrally-located hotel. At 2:30 pm depart for the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a fun medieval-style banquet with entertainment by the lords and ladies of the castle. (B, D)
Day 7: Burren Display Centre & Galway
In Kilfenora visit the Burren Display Centre to learn about the Burren, an area of rounded limestone hills with a rich archeological past. Then view the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a Neolithic burial place dating to 4,000 BC consisting of huge boulders. Take a look around the village of Ballyvaughan and drive around Galway Bay to your hotel overlooking Galway Bay and the Burren. (B, D)
Day 8: “Quiet Man” Walking Tour & Catamaran Cruise
Drive to Cong for a guided walk around the village where “The Quiet Man” movie was made in 1952. Drive through the lovely scenery of Connemara to embark on a short cruise of Killary Harbour. Enjoy an Irish coffee as you view traces of pre-Famine potato “lazy beds.” Make a brief stop at Kylemore Abbey Visitor Centre before heading to Clifden, a delightful market town, and then return to Galway. (B, D)
Day 9: Belleek China & Donegal Castle
Drive north into County Mayo to visit the pilgrimage town of Knock and in County Sligo view W. B. Yeats' Grave. Tour the Belleek Pottery Factory, founded in the mid-19th century, to see craftspeople create the renowned fine china. Drive to Donegal town for a tour of Donegal Castle, built by the O'Donnell chieftain in the 15th century. Check in to your nearby hotel. (B, D)
Day 10: Slieve League Cliffs & Donegal
Drive along the coast of Donegal to view Slieve League sea cliffs, the highest in Europe reaching 1,972 feet. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves creating marvelous views. Enjoy coffee or tea with home-baked scones before driving through Glengesh Pass to Ardara to visit Triona Design for demonstrations of spinning and knitting. Stop in Donegal town for free time before returning to your hotel. (B, D)
Day 11: Derry Walk & Giant's Causeway
Take a walking tour with a local guide to see Derry's medieval walls, the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Pause for photos at Dunluce Castle before visiting the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Continue along the scenic coastal drive of the “Nine Glens of Antrim” to your stylish hotel in Belfast, close to the waterfront and city attractions. (B, D)
Day 12: Belfast & Cabra Castle
Tour Belfast with a local guide to see Victorian buildings, the Harland & Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built, the Falls Road and Shankill. Enjoy free time to look around on your own before taking an afternoon drive south past the Mourne Mountains to Kingscourt to your lovely castle hotel, built in 1760. Arrive in time to enjoy the facilities, including a 9-hole golf course. After dinner, youthful dancers will display intricate Irish step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 13: Battle of the Boyne Centre & Leisure Time in Dublin
Outside Drogheda visit the Battle of the Boyne Centre to learn about the 1690 conflict between King William III and his father-in-law, King James II. Then travel into Dublin, to your hotel located in the Georgian section of the city. The balance of the day is free so you may take an open-top bus tour and visit Guinness or Jameson, if you did not use your vouchers at the start of your tour. (B)
Day 14: Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon to check in for your flight home. (B)
Your Hotels
Superior first class:

Dates & Rates:
Tour starts in Dublin Fridays and Sundays, and returns to Dublin Thursdays and Saturdays.
April 8 – 20: $2338
April 22: $2438
May 4: $2518
May 6 – September 23: $2698
September 28 & October 5: $2538
October 7: $2458
October 12: $2378
October 26: $2118

All rates in US Dollars, per person, based on double occupancy
Single Supplement: $788

Call or E-mail our office for the best air inclusive prices!

2012 JEWELS OF IRELAND 14 Days

Highlights: