7 Day Irish Welcome Tour 2012

7 Day Irish Welcome Tour 2012

Highlights:

• Medieval Banquet with Entertainment
• Kate Kearney's Cottage Dinner & Music
• Abbey Tavern Dinner & Traditional Show
• Killarney Home Stay
• “Titanic” History Walk

Itinerary:
Day 1: Bunratty & Medieval Banquet
Start your Irish trip at Shannon Airport with a hotel transfer, available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Spend the day at leisure in Bunratty where there's plenty to do - Bunratty Folk Park, Durty Nelly's Pub and shopping. This evening discuss your itinerary with your tour director over a welcome drink and join in the fun of a medieval banquet at nearby Bunratty Castle. (D)
Day 2: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney
Drive to the coast to view the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, which rise to almost 700 feet above the wild Atlantic breakers and stretch along the coast for five miles. Then head south for a short ferry ride across the River Shannon. Stop in the charming village of Listowel for a stroll around before continuing through mountainous countryside to Killarney. Take a look around this bustling, compact town before checking in to your home and meeting your Irish hosts. In the evening drive to Kate Kearney's Cottage for dinner and traditional Irish entertainment with popular songs, dances and a lot of laughs. (B, D)
Day 3: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Admire breathtaking vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches on Ireland's most popular drive - the 100-mile Ring of Kerry. Enjoy the variety of scenery as you travel to the westernmost part of the peninsula, passing Killorglin and Cahirciveen. Cross by bridge to Valencia Island to visit the Skellig Experience, which explains how early monks lived in austere conditions on the rocky offshore islands. Today the islands form a haven for seabirds. Take a brief walk around the picturesque village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap for stunning views of the Lakes of Killarney. Return to Killarney for a home-style dinner with your host family. (B, D)
Day 4: “Titanic” Walking Tour & Waterford Crystal
Leaving Killarney, head to the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find excellent Irish merchandise. You will have time to walk around the village green or, if you feel energetic, you may climb Blarney Castle to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence.” Drive to Cobh, the last port of call for the Titanic. Take a guided walk around this picturesque town and dockside with a local historian to see places relating to the Titanic's last scheduled stop. In Waterford visit the House of Waterford Crystal to see how molten glass is transformed into elegant tableware and magnificent trophies and browse around the shop and showrooms. Travel to the charming little city of Kilkenny for your next overnight stay. (B, D)
Day 5: Kilkenny Castle & Abbey Tavern
This morning tour the massive Kilkenny Castle, home of the Butlers, Earls and Dukes of Ormonde, who held power over the region for centuries. The castle was first built in 1192 and you will learn about the region as you see wonderful paintings and furniture. Also view the craft workshops that are located in the former stables of the Castle. Travel into the metropolitan area of Dublin to your hotel for some free time. Drive to the Abbey Tavern in Howth for a traditional dinner followed by a great show with plenty of Irish music and intricate step dancing. (B, D)
Day 6: Dublin Tour & Kilmainham Gaol
Take a half-day guided tour of Dublin, founded by Vikings over 1,000 years ago. See elegant Georgian squares with townhouses and their famous brightly-painted doors; view the lush vegetation of St. Stephen's Green and the stark figures of the Famine Memorial on the banks of the River Liffey. Finally visit Kilmainham Gaol to see how penal establishments were operated in past centuries. Learn about the leaders of the 1916 Uprising who were imprisoned and shot here, changing Irish history. The balance of the day is at leisure and you may use your voucher for an independent open-top bus tour with a visit to Guinness or Jameson included. (B)
Day 7: Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)

Your Accommodations
Superior & first class:

• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
• Town & Country Homes, Killarney (2 nights)
• Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny (1 night)
• Bewley's Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)

Tour Includes

• Group transfers at start and end of tour
• Sightseeing by luxury coach
• Professional tour director
• 6 nights in hotels/B & Bs listed above
• Full breakfast daily except on day 1 (B)
• 5 dinners (D) including
  - Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
  - Dinner & show at Kate Kearney's Cottage
  - Traditional Irish evening with dinner/show at the Abbey Tavern
  - 1 home-style dinner in Killarney
  - 1 table d'hote dinner
• Welcome get-together drink
• Ferry ride across the River Shannon
• “Titanic” walking tour of Cobh
• Tour of Dublin with a local guide
• Dublin open-top bus tour with a visit and drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery
• Visits and admissions to Cliffs of Moher, Skellig Experience, Blarney Woollen Mills, House of Waterford Crystal, Kilkenny Castle and Kilmainham Gaol
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Dates & Rates:
Tour starts in Shannon Thursdays and return to Dublin Wednesdays.
April 5: $1198
April 19 & 26: $1268
May 10 – September 20: $1438
October 4 & 11: $1268
October 25: $1198

All rates in US Dollars, per person, based on double occupancy.

Single Supplement: $298

Extend Your Stay:
Day 7: Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
Leave Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland's heartland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is set on the banks of the tranquil River Shannon. Visit Rathbaun Farm to see traditional farming methods and vintage farm machinery as well as lots of cute farmyard animals roaming freely. Sample home-baked scones with tea or coffee before driving to Galway. (B, D)
Day 8: Connemara & Galway Bay
Travel alongside the famous Galway Bay to catch glimpses of the Aran Islands. Continue into the lovely scenery of Connemara with its granite hills and little lakes. Enjoy lunch at the traditional Eddie's Pub in Clonbur and take a walking tour through Cong to see places associated with “The Quiet Man” movie which was made in the village in 1952. Return to Galway in time to look around the city and dine independently this evening. (B, L)
Day 9: Tour Ends Shannon Airport
Transfer from Galway to Shannon Airport, where your tour ends at 10:30 am. If you need to arrive at Shannon Airport before 10:30 am, your tour director will coordinate an early group transfer. Note that the 60-mile drive from Galway to Shannon takes 1½ hours. So do not spoil your last night by booking too early a flight. (B)
Dates & Rates:
April 5: $1498
April 19 & 26: $1598
May 10 – September 20: $1768
October 4 & 11: $1598
October 25: $1498

Single Supplement: $398