ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Welcome to Ireland
Arrive at Dublin Airport
Transfers to hotel will be arranged at 08.00 am and 11.00 am. Arrivals
after this time are under own arrangements.
You are free to explore the city at your leisure this afternoon. Your
hotel will be within walking distance of the city centre.
Overnight, dinner and full Irish breakfast at hotel in Dublin or region
Day 2 – To Kerry
Today meet with your coach and English speaking driver/guide and depart
Ireland’s Capital and travel to County Kerry.
En route stop in the town of Blarney for a visit to
Blarney Castle.
Dating from1446, the castle is a tower house built on solid limestone
in wonderful grounds. Bending over backwards to kiss the sacred rock
requires a head for heights. You are unlikely to fall since there is
someone there to hold you but a word of warning about general safety is
in order. The spiral staircases are narrow and the one at the back has
no handrail.
Enjoy some time for shopping at
Blarney
Woollen Mills.
The presence of the Woollen Mills during the famine shielded Blarney
from the worst effects of the famine, due to its employment of local
workers. The success story at the mills continued until a disastrous
fire in 1869. By August 1871, the mill was once again
operational with a labour force of 222. In 1976 Chris Kelleher, himself
a mill worker, bought the old mill property. Within a short period of
time Chris and his family transformed the mill into what is perhaps the
largest quality craft shop in Ireland.
Continue to your Kerry hotel.
Overnight, dinner and full Irish breakfast at hotel in Kerry region
Day 3 - Ring of Kerry
Today you can enjoy a superb tour of the Ivreagh Peninsula, which will
give you the opportunity to discover the
Ring of Kerry.
Taking in spectacular scenery - mountains, peat bogs, lakes and
magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean as one travels along the coast
road. Leaving Killarney one passes through Killorglin, famous for its
Puck Fair, then to Glenbeigh where the cliff road affords panoramic
views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay. Continuing to Cahirciveen
one passes the birthplace of National hero, Daniel O’Connell. Passing
through the peat bogs one arrives at the sea town of Waterville.
Continue to Sneem Village, famous because of its brightly coloured
houses. The road continues through the mountains to Molls Gap and
Ladies View with superb views of the famous lakes of Killarney.
Visit
Muckross House,
which was built in 1843 by the Herbert Family, in Elizabethan style.
This house is one of the most sumptuous residences of Ireland.
Muckross, surrounded by beautiful gardens, is in the heart of the
Killarney National Park, the first opened in Ireland.
Overnight, dinner and full Irish breakfast at hotel in Kerry region
Day 4 – Burren &
Cliffs
Travel northwards to Tarbert and take a short boat ride across the
mouth of the river Shannon to land on Clare’s shore at Killimer
Travel along the coast to the
Cliffs
of Moher.
The most majestic cliffs in Ireland rise from the Atlantic Ocean at 215
metres and extend for over seven kilometers long. From this height, you
can admire the Aran Islands, the Connemara Mountains and the many sea
birds that colonise this place to nest in spring.
Enjoy a tour of the
Burren
Region.
The Burren is a strange and unique region in Europe. “Burren” means
“large stones”: in fact its name describes this impressive scenery
perfectly well. Often described as lunar, the Burren is a high plateau
of porous limestone situated in Northern Clare between Ballyvaughan and
Kilfenora. No trees are growing
here, no land is covering the stone, the limestone is bare. But the
Burren is not as deserted as we believe: the cracks allow different
types of flowers to grow all year round, though Spring would be the
best season for the botanists to explore. The rocks hide many caves
like Ailwee, as well as “Turloughs”, an interesting phenomenon which
transforms lakes into fields during the summer. You will also discover
the testimonies of its rich history thanks to countless castles and
monastic ruins. The tour includes a stop at The Cliffs of Moher.
Continue to Limerick
Evening: Medieval Banquet
at Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century by the Earl of Thomond
and stands on the banks of the Raite River in County Clare. From here
The Earl ruled over his Chiefdom and was know for his generosity and
his lavish entertainment and banquets. For over 40 years the ladies of
Bunratty castle, aided and abetted by the Earl's Butler, have welcomed
guests from the four corners of the globe to join them at The Earl's
Banquet. The entertainment today is provided by the superb Bunratty
Singers and is a fitting compliment to a four-course meal, a lively
mead reception and of course good wine. Guests are invited to enjoy an
unforgettable evening in the splendour of this magnificent castle. A
true step back in time to Medieval Ireland. Includes 4 course meal and
entertainment.
Overnight, bed and full Irish breakfast at hotel in Limerick or region
Day 5 – Farewell
After a final Irish breakfast transfer to Shannon for your departure
flight home – transfer under own arrangements
OR
Travel to Dublin via the medieval town of
Kilkenny, which is
perhaps the most attractive town in the country. Its status has more to
do with its role in the past than in the present. Kilkenny is sometimes
called the “Marble City” because of the local black limestone seen to
most striking effect in the St Canice’s Cathdral. It dominates
Irishtown at the northern end of Parliament St. Around the cathedral
are a graveyard, a round tower and a 18th centu
Visit
Kilkenny Castle,
which was built on the site of a fort founded by Strongbow, the castle
was the principal residence of the Butler Family for 600 years. You
will visit the superb Victorian style apartments. The Long Gallery
shows an interesting collection of paintings.
Visit
St Canice’s
Cathdral
The 13th century gothic cathedral of St. Canice is built on the site of
an 6th century Monastic settlement. The town of Kilkenny developed
around this settlement. The Cathedral is still very much in use and it
is spacious with a bright interior. It has a splendid choir surrounded
by beautiful stained glass. Like many of the Cathedrals built during
this period it is home to numerous tombs, some very old and important.
There are may legends attached to the Cathedral including the story of
how the roof was restored by a William Outlaw as penance for being an
accomplice of Dame Alice Kytler, who had been accused of witchcraft.
Continue to Dublin
Arrive in Dublin at approx. 16h00 – transfer to Dublin Airport for
departure flight home or alternatively we can book hotel accommodation
for you in Dublin
Dates:
16 – 20 March 2010
6 – 10 April 2010
4 – 8 May 2010
18 – 22 May 2010
8 – 12 June 2010
22 – 26 June 2010
6 – 10 July 2010
13 – 17 July 2010
20 – 24 July 2010
27 – 31 July 2010
3 – 7 August 2010
10 – 14 August 2010
17 – 21 August 2010
24 – 28 August 2010
31 August – 4 September 2010
7 – 11 September 2010
14 – 18 September 2010
21 – 25 September 2010
5 – 9 October 2010
Prices
include:
• 4 nights accommodation at superior 3
star hotels, all rooms with private bath or shower
• Full Irish breakfast at hotel each
morning
• 3x Dinner at Hotels
• Medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle
• VISITS: Blarney Castle, Muckross House
Cliffs of Moher, Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Cathdral
• Ferry ride across the river Shannon
• Modern motor-coach with driver/guide
included as per itinerary
• Service charges and taxes at existing
rates