CLASSIC
SOUTHERN IRELAND
The Emerald Isle Explorer
4 days / 3 nights - Saturday to Tuesday
DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR 2008
|
Tour
Code
|
Depart
Dublin
|
Return
Dublin
|
|
CIRE
|
Saturday
|
Tuesday
|
|
CIRE
01
|
26 Apr
|
29 Apr
|
|
CIRE
02
|
10 May
|
13 May
|
|
CIRE
03
|
24 May
|
27 May
|
|
CIRE
04
|
07 Jun
|
10 Jun
|
|
CIRE
05
|
21 Jun
|
24 Jun
|
|
CIRE
06
|
05 Jul
|
08 Jul
|
|
CIRE
07
|
19 Jul
|
22 Jul
|
|
CIRE
08
|
02 Aug
|
05 Aug
|
|
CIRE
09
|
16 Aug
|
19 Aug
|
|
CIRE
10
|
30 Aug
|
02 Sep
|
|
CIRE
11
|
13 Sep
|
16 Sep
|
|
CIRE
12
|
27 Sep
|
30 Sep
|
|
CIRE
13
|
11 Oct
|
14 Oct
|
|
PRICES: GBP £460 pp twin share / GBP £490 single room
|
What
your tour price includes
- Your
accommodation for 3 nights while on the tour is included
in your tour price, and this includes both full breakfasts
and dinners
- Your
price also includes all entrance fees to attractions,
transportation, services of driver/guide-companion
and all taxes and tips other than those you may wish
to give your guide
|
|
|
TENTATIVE
ITINERARY
|
NIGHTSTOP |
|
DAY
ONE - SATURDAY
|
|
| First,
to the medieval town of Kilkenny. This is one of the oldest and
most interesting towns of Ireland. It has been called 'the marble
city' from the fine and long-quarried limestone in the area. Two
of the most impressive local buildings are the ancient castle,
dating back to 1192 and having connections with the Norman conqueror,
Strongbow, and the magnificent Cathedral of St. Candice which,
despite the damage done by Cromwell's troops, is one of the finest
unruined churches in the country. Next, to the awe inspiring Cashel.
This was the ancient capital of the Kings of Munster and long
famous ecclesiastical centre. The Rock of Cashel, rising above
the town, is crowned by the ruins of a cathedral, beside which
shelters an outstanding example of Irish Romanesque architecture,
Cormac's Chapel. |
Cork
region |
|
DAY
TWO - SUNDAY
|
|
| Just
when you thought that the scenery you've seen already could not
be bettered, we have a good attempt at doing so! We take the mountain
road from Killarney to Kenmare and onward to the very pretty harbour
of Bantry Bay. A lunch here may well consist of a seafood plate
as the harbour is renowned for its sea harvest. There are other
attractions to include here so we'll enjoy a fruitful and leisurely
stop.
And a taste
of the famed Ring of Kerry. This is perhaps western Ireland's
most renowned tourist route. It's a must see despite the occasionally
coach-crowded roads. We'll be taking one or two turns off the
main roads and following the back-roads through the MacGillycuddy's
Reeks. Also on today's itinerary will be time at Muckross House
/ Kilarney Lakes and a look at the fast-developing Killarney.
|
Cork,
as above |
|
DAY
THREE - MONDAY
|
|
| We
call this one of our 'Slow-down days' (though none of our tours
are designed to be rushed). As on all of our tours, participants
will also have an input into how the day unfolds and which of
the sites and attractions are given time preference.
Our day of discovery
includes the city of Cork and the nearby Blarney. Yes, you'll
'kiss the Blarney stone'! The well preserved village square
is also impressive. In Tudor style, the village has developed
around the square.
A stone's throw
away is Cobh, known historically as Queenstown. Poignant reminders
are everywhere of the hundreds of thousands of mostly hungry
and penniless Irish who left from here to build a new life,
especially in the Famine years of 1844-48. Today it is a pleasant
town; its streets climb the steep slope of a hill, the top of
which is crowned by St. Coleman's Cathedral. On the quayside
there is a memorial to the victims of the Lusitania, many of
whom are buried in the old church cemetery. The ship was sunk
off Kinsale in 1915 by a German submarine, an action which was
responsible for bringing the USA into the Great War. Another
unhappy association is with the Titanic, 'the safest liner in
the world'. Queenstown was her last port of call on her fateful
maiden voyage.
Kinsale begs
our attention. This pretty town, nestling between the hills
and the shoreline, boasts a maze of narrow streets, none far
from the water and little changed in many hundreds of years.
Amongst buildings of later periods are those of another age
with historical links to the French, Spanish, British and Americans.
Highlights of our visit are Charles Fort and Desmond Castle,
(French Prison). Desmond Castle has had a colourful history,
ranging from Spanish occupation in 1601 to use as a prison for
captured American sailors during the American War of Independence.
|
Cork,
as above |
|
DAY
FOUR - TUESDAY
|
|
| Departing
Cork our first stop will be at Waterford, the oldest city in Ireland.
A walled city of Viking origins, it retains much of it's medieval
character together with the graceful buildings from its 18th century
expansion. The parameters of the 10th century settlement can be
clearly identified in The Viking Triangle. Reginald's Tower is
the most historic urban medieval monument in Ireland.
Waterford is
perhaps better known as the home of Waterford Crystal, the world-famous
hand-crafted, cut glass product and we'll visit the centre.
Also on our itinerary wil be Waterford Treasures at the Granary
is both a treasury of gold, bronze, silver, crystal and historical
documents and a treasure trail that takes you through 1000 years
of Ireland's oldest city.
We take the
scenic route (is there any other in Ireland?) through Wicklow
to Glendalough "the glen of the two lakes", is a truly
spellbinding place - an ancient monastic settlement and two
clear water lakes beneath the sheer cliffs of a deep valley
which was carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age. Once the
monastic capital of Europe, Glendalough features the ruins of
no less than seven churches and the 6th century round tower.
It owes its origin to St. Kevin, the hermit who founded the
monastic city and who lived in a cave - St. Kevin's Bed - overlooking
the Upper Lake. The famous Round Tower, about 34m high and 16m
in circumference at the base, is still in near perfect condition
even though it is almost 1,000 years old. The excellent Glendalough
Visitor Centre provides regular exhibitions, informative guided
tours of the monastic site as well as an audio-visual show about
the rich heritage of the area.
We return to Dublin where you're dropped at our centrally located hotel (not included in the tour price), or at the airport if going on to join another of our tours.
Go back to tours departing from Dublin
|
Dublin,
own account |
|
