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Day 1: Arrive Dublin & 6th Century Glendalough
Upon arrival in Dublin, go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, you'll have to make your own way to the hotel - an elegant Victorian mansion overlooking Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire Harbour. At 2:00 pm drive through the lovely scenery of the Wicklow Mountains to visit Glendalough, a 6th century monastic site founded by St. Kevin. Learn about life in early Christian Ireland and walk through the many church ruins and a round tower. In the evening meet your fellow travellers over a welcome drink and your tour director will help you choose a local restaurant to dine independently.
Day 2: Dublin Castle & Taylor’s Three Rock Evening
This morning tour the city centre to see elegant Georgian townhouses and their famous colourful doors, pass St. Stephen’s Green and cross the River Liffey to view the Famine Memorial and drive along O’Connell Street. Visit Dublin Castle’s State Apartments where a guide will relate events from Irish history as you walk through gracious Georgian chambers. The afternoon is at leisure so return to Dun Laoghaire to relax or stay in the city centre for an independent open-top bus tour with a visit to Guinness or Jameson. This evening’s destination is Taylor’s Three Rock Pub for dinner and a lively show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B,D)
Day 3: Downpatrick & Mount Stewart
Drive north past the Mourne Mountains to Downpatrick. Visit Down Cathedral to learn about Ireland’s patron saint and see his reputed burial place. Cross Strangford Lough by ferry to explore Mount Stewart House and Gardens. The famous gardens at Mount Stewart were planted in the 1920’s by Edith, Lady Londonderry, and have been nominated a World Heritage Site. The house tour includes world-famous paintings and stories about the prominent political figures to whom the Londonderry family played host. Check in to your hotel in Belfast. (B,D)
Day 4: Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & Derry
See the highlights of Belfast with a local guide, including Victorian buildings, the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the Titanic was built and areas around the Shankill and Falls Road. Drive north along the “Nine Glens of Antrim,” a scenic route with lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant’s Causeway, hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry and join a local guide for a short walk around the ancient city centre and surrounding medieval city walls. (B,D)
Day 5: Ulster American Folk Park & Belleek China
Drive south for a walk around the Ulster American Folk Park. The Park traces the story of Ulster emigrants and shows rural lifestyles in both Ireland and Colonial America. Take a guided tour around the Belleek Pottery Factory to see craftspeople making delicate and ornate pieces in fine china. Travel through Counties Sligo and Mayo to Westport where your hotel is located in the town centre. (B,D)
Day 6: Achill Island Excursion & Westport
After a late breakfast travel around Clew Bay, reputed to have 365 islands, to Achill Island, joined to the mainland by bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful views of steeply-sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100 stone cottages abandoned around the time of the 1840’s Famine. Also see stretches of windswept bogland and golden beaches. Return to Westport in time to stroll around this attractive estate town, which was laid out in 1780. (B,D)
Day 7: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Medieval Banquet
Travel to Galway City for a panoramic tour and free time before driving through the limestone hills of the Burren. View the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a pre-Christian burial site marked by huge boulders. Walk along the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. At Bunratty check in to your hotel, right beside Bunratty Castle, the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly’s Pub. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the Lords and Ladies serenade you-. (B,D)
Day 8: Depart Shannon
Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. (B)
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