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Day 1: Dublin Castle & City Tour
Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities and pick up your luggage. 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 will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm tour Dublin city centre with a local guide to see elegant Georgian squares, Trinity College, St. Stephen’s Green, the Famine Memorial and O’Connell Street. Find out about Irish history as you tour the State Apartments of Dublin Castle, which contain magnificently-furnished chambers. Back at your hotel enjoy a welcome drink and discuss your tour.
Day 2: Glendalough Monastery & Taylor’s Three Rock
This morning take a drive south through the lovely Wicklow Mountains to visit St. Kevin’s 6th century monastery, picturesquely set in a peaceful valley between two lakes. Walk through the ruined churches, round tower and Celtic crosses. Return to Dublin where the afternoon is free to take your independent open-top bus tour and Guinness or Jameson visit. In the evening head to Taylor’s Three Rock Pub for dinner and a great show of traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B,D)
Day 3: Rock of Cashel & Historic Kinsale Walk
Depart Dublin and travel south to visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12th century highly-decorated Cormac’s Chapel, the large cruciform cathedral and a round tower. Continue past the Galtee Mountains and through the outskirts of Cork to Kinsale, a delightful old town on a narrow inlet of the sea. Formerly a fishing and merchant town, today it is renowned for sailing and gourmet food. Check in to your waterfront hotel and join a local guide for a short walking tour around Kinsale’s historic places. (B,D)
Day 4: Muckross House & Killarney
This morning drive via Macroom to Kenmare and along part of the Ring of Kerry route for splendid views of lakes and mountains. Just outside Killarney tour the 19th century Muckross House with a guide to tell you about influential owners and visitors before heading into the famous town for some free time. Continue your drive out along the Dingle Peninsula, the most westerly landmass in Europe. Enjoy views of heathery mountains, sandy beaches and rocky headlands. Check in to your hotel, set overlooking Dingle Bay. (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, inhabited until 1953 by hardy farming and fishing families. Next visit Gallarus Oratory, a small church dating from the 6th to 9th centuries. It was built with corbel vaulting and no mortar, but has remained watertight through the centuries. Travel up to the Conor Pass for sweeping views before returning to Dingle for some free time before dinner. (B,D)
Day 6: Flying Boat Museum & Cliffs of Moher
Visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, near the River Shannon. During the 1930’s and early 1940’s, the Port of Foynes was a hive of activity with Pan Am’s Clipper traffic between the United States and Europe. The museum’s exhibits and memorabilia recall this era. Travel through the outskirts of Limerick on the way to Ennis, the main marketing town of County Clare, 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. Return to Ennis for dinner with some informal entertainment in your hotel. (B,D)
Day 7: Depart Shannon
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Shannon Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)
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