Best of Ireland
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Dublin.
Day 2 - Arrive Dublin On your arrival in Ireland, you are transferred to your hotel. After check-in the afternoon is free to relax and unwind. This evening we will enjoy a Welcome Dinner and drink with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. (Welcome Dinner)
Day 3 - Dublin — Kildare — Waterford After breakfast we make our way to Kildare to the Irish National Stud, where we will enjoy a walking tour to see some of the finest stallions in the world. We will also have time to visit the Japanese garden. We continue to Kilkenny where we view the medieval city dominated by its Norman Castle and ancient Cathedral. Finally on to Waterford. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 4 - Waterford — Kenmare Bay (Kerry) (2 nights) After a hearty Irish breakfast this morning our day will begin with a visit to the Waterford Crystal Factory to see how crystal is created. Then along the scenic coast to Youghal — the fishing village where Moby Dick was filmed — and through Cork to Blarney Castle. We visit the Castle to kiss the stone and acquire "the gift of the gab". Finally past the beautiful area of Killarney Lakes for our 2-night stay in Kenmare. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Ring of Kerry Excursion Enjoy a full day of spectacular scenery through plunging cliffs and lakes, granite mountains and jagged coastlines as we tour the 'Ring of Kerry'. Our route passes Killorglin (of Puck Fair fame), Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville and Moll's Gap in the Black Mountains before returning to our hotel at Kenmare Bay. (Full Breakfast)
Day 6 - Kenmare Bay — Limerick This morning we drive through the Glanaruderry Mountains and into County Limerick. We pause a while in Adare — with its thatched cottages, it is one of the prettiest villages in Ireland. Then on to the mouth of the river Shannon and to Limerick, where our arrival an orientation tour shows us St. Mary's Cathedral, King John's Castle and the Treaty Stone. Then we visit the Bunratty Castle and folk park before going on to our hotel in Limerick. (Full Breakfast)
Day 7 - Limerick - the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren — Connemara — Galway Bay We travel to Lisdoonvarna — a spa with sulphur and Chalybeate springs located in the curious area of the Burren — a haven for geologists and botanists because of the unusual rocks and flora. We drive to the coast with views of the Aran islands as we stand at the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. Then we head north into the beautiful but barren mountainous region known as Connemara — bounded on the South by Galway Bay, to the east by Lough Corrib and to the north by Clew Bay. We will enjoy beautiful coastal scenery before making our way to Galway, where an orientation tour shows us Lynchs Castle and the Spanish Arch. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 8 - Galway Bay — Sligo Departure this morning for County Sligo, an area rich in ancient ruins. First through Tuam, with its curious Protestant Cathedral of St Mary. Then on past Dunmore, with a ruined abbey said to have been founded in 1428 on the site of an alleged monastery of St Patrick. Finally via the small market town of Tobercurry to splendid Sligo Bay and our overnight hotel. Time to relax or to take an excursion to Drumcliff to see the church where Yeats is buried and across the border into Northern Ireland to visit the famous pottery at Belleek in County Fermanagh. Tonight we enjoy a dinner of local specialities in a typical restaurant. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Dinner)
Day 9 - Sligo — Dublin (2 nights) Today we travel via Boyle — famous for its Cisterian Abbey — and via Longford along the valley of the mighty River Shannon back to Dublin. You - ll have time to perhaps visit a Stately Home or beautiful Monastic site this afternoon. Perhaps try some Dublin Bay prawns and Guinness in a typical pub this evening! (Full Breakfast)
Day 10 - Dublin sightseeing and at leisure Morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes views of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Phoenix Park and visits Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. Then free time to perhaps explore or shop. Tonight, why not celebrate the end of the tour with some good old Irish humour at a famous Cabaret show" (Full Breakfast)
Day 11 - Dublin — USA Farewell as we transfer you to Dublin airport for your return flight home. (Full Breakfast)
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