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Day 1: Arrive Shannon & Ennis Walking Tour
Land at Shannon Airport and locate the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall for a group transfer to the charming marketing town of Ennis. Complimentary transfers are available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, you'll have to make your own way to the hotel. At 2:00 pm join a local guide for a walking tour around the main points of interest, including Ennis Friary. Meet your fellow travellers and tour director over a welcome drink, before enjoying dinner with some informal entertainment in your hotel. (B,D)
Day 2: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Travel to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall of limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers. See the rounded limestone hills of the Burren and the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a huge stone monument marking a Neolithic burial place. Stop in the attractive village of Ballyvaughan for a stroll and continue your journey to Moycullen, just north of Galway. Visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, which specializes in intricate designs in collared crystal, before heading to Galway. Enjoy some time on your own before dinner. (B,D)
Day 3: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Today explore Connemara, a scenic region of misty hills and shimmering lakes. At Leenane embark on a catamaran cruise through Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. See steep hills where reminders of the 1840’s Famine, ridges of potato fields, are still visible. Learn about mussel and salmon farming in the clear waters. Drive to Cong, a charming village that was the location for the 1952 movie, “The Quiet Man.” A short walking tour will show you movie locations as well as Cong Abbey and the Quiet Man Cottage. (B,D)
Day 4: Yeats’ Grave & Belleek China
Outside Castlebar tour the Museum of Country Life to see collections of domestic goods, used when most Irish people made a living by farming. Stop briefly at Knock Shrine to see the church where locals saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Cross into County Sligo and stop at the grave of W. B. Yeats before continuing to the Belleek Pottery Factory. Watch skilled craftspeople create intricate basket-weave designs in delicate china. Continue your journey past the hazy Blue Stack Mountains to Stranorlar. (B,D)
Day 5: Glenveagh Castle & Grand Atlantic Drive
Travel into the heart of Donegal to Glenveagh National Park. Captain Adair evicted 225 tenants in order to build Glenveagh Castle in 1870. Learn about the history of the mansion, owners and guests as you tour the many rooms and walk around the many different gardens filled with exotic plants. Then head north to experience the glorious natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic Drive, which winds through Downings and Rosapenna and around the coastline. Pass Letterkenny on your return to Stranorlar in ample time for dinner. (B,D)
Day 6: Giant’s Causeway & 17th Century Ballygally Castle Hotel
Travel to Derry to join a local guide for a walking tour to see medieval city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb’s Cathedral. Next, drive along the north coast, pausing for photos at Dunluce Castle. Explore the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and bays along the “Nine Glens of Antrim” route. Check in to Ballygally Castle, overlooking Ballygally Bay. It is Northern Ireland’s only 17th century building still used as a residence – ask to see “The Ghost Room.” (B,D)
Day 7: Belfast & Dublin’s Merry Ploughboy Pub
Tour Belfast with a local guide to see Victorian buildings, the Harland & Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built and the Falls Road and Shankill residential areas. Drive south to visit the Battle of the Boyne Centre. Learn about the 1690 conflict between King William III and his father-in-law, King James II for dominance over the British throne and religious power in Ireland. Travel into Dublin and check in to your city centre hotel. In the evening head to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner, which is followed by a show of traditional music and step-dancing. (B,D)
Day 8: Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
This morning tour Dublin city centre to see elegant Georgian squares with the famous colourful doorways; pass the peaceful St. Stephen’s Green and the bustling shopping areas around Nassau Street; cross the River Liffey to O’Connell Street and view the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion started. Visit Trinity College’s Old Library to view the 8th century manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation. The afternoon is free for independent activities and your open-top bus tour voucher will help you to get around and also visit either Guinness or Jameson. (B)
Day 9: Depart Dublin
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. End of services. (B)
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