• 8 days/6 nights/11 meals or 9 days/7 nights/13 meal
• Group transfers on arrival and departure
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Services of a professional Irish tour director
• Deluxe & superior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 6 nights
• Full Irish breakfast daily (B)
• All dinners (D) except 1 in Dublin including - Medieval banquet and entertainment in a 15th century Irish castle - Dinner and traditional Irish entertainment at the Merry Ploughboy Pub Table d'hote dinners in Killarney and Waterford
• Welcome get-together drink
• Tea and scones at an Irish farmhouse
• Ferry ride across the River Shannon
• Talk on Waterford by a local historian
• Visits and admissions to Cliffs of Moher, Muckross House & Gardens, Essence of Kerry AV Show, Blarney Woollen Mills, Cobh Heritage Centre, Waterford Crystal Factory, Book of Kells at Trinity College and Clonmacnoise
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Superior First Class Hotels - 8 or 9 Day Coach Tour

The Irish Heritage tour is ideal for first time visitors to Ireland, regardless of heritage. Concentrate on the southern part of the "Emerald Isle" and visit all the places you've heard about on a comprehensive sightseeing program. Stay in central superior first class hotels with full breakfasts and most dinners included and celebrate special evenings at a medieval banquet in a 15th century Irish castle.

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Shannon
Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Shannon . Relax with inflight entertainment and meal service.

Day 2: Shannonside & Medieval Feast
Land at Shannon Airport , pass through immigration and pick up your luggage. Locate the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where our staff will arrange a group transfer to your nearby hotel. Complimentary transfers will be offered from Shannon Airport between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm. If your flight arrives later than 2:00 pm, you must transfer to the hotel at your own expense. This afternoon you are at leisure to rest after your journey or take a stroll on your own through Bunratty Folk Park , which is located close to your hotel. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink before heading to the 15th century Bunratty or Knappogue Castle for a medieval-style meal and entertainment. (D)

Day 3: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney
Drive west through Ennis and Lahinch to see the Cliffs of Moher , which rise almost 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic surf. Then cross the wide River Shannon Estuary on a short ferry ride to Tarbert and travel through Listowel and Castleisland to Killarney . This little town is world-famous due to its exquisite location beside lakes and mountains. After checking into your hotel, head out to view some of the scenery. Take a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of Killarney National Park to Muckross House and Gardens. Tour the house with a local guide to learn about the history and lifestyles of previous owners and perhaps stroll through the gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. (B, D)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry Tour
Embark on Ireland's most popular scenic drive - the Ring of Kerry . This circular tour will reveal constantly-changing vistas of mountains, open Atlantic Ocean, beaches and cliffs. Drive through the remote towns of Cahirciveen and Waterville and return through the colorful village of Sneem . Enjoy plenty of breaks to admire the natural beauty all along the way. At Moll's Gap, stop to view the three lakes with the mountains and town in the background. Return to Killarney and enjoy some free time to look around the town before dinner. After dinner you may like to visit some of the many pubs that offer live entertainment. (B, D)

Day 5: Blarney Castle & Cobh Heritage Centre
Depart Killarney and drive through Macroom to Blarney . Walk through the grounds and climb the steps of Blarney Castle to kiss the fabled "Stone of Eloquence." Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills for quality Irish-made goods. Bypass Cork city as you drive to the port town of Cobh . Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration from Ireland to the United States. Learn about travel conditions for the many Irish emigrants on the early sailing ships and steam vessels. Follow the coastal route and stop near Youghal for tea and scones at a dairy farm before driving to Waterford for dinner and overnight stay. This evening a local historian will give you a talk on the history of Waterford. (B, D)

Day 6: Waterford Crystal & Merry Ploughboy Pub
Visit the Waterford Crystal Factory to see the cutting and polishing of this fine product and also the excellent display of trophies and stemware in the showrooms. Head north to Kilkenny with its intriguing medieval streets and buildings and stop to stroll through the narrow streets or view the massive castle from its rose gardens. Drive to Dun Laoghaire , on the south side of Dublin , and check into your hotel. In the evening drive to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for a great dinner of Irish specialties, which is followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 7: Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
Relax on a half-day guided tour of Dublin , founded by Vikings over 1,000 years ago. See elegant Georgian squares with townhouses and their famous colorful doors, pass the lush vegetation of St. Stephen's Green , cross the River Liffey to drive along the wide thoroughfare of O'Connell Street and pass the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion started. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the early illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation. The afternoon and evening are free for you to browse, shop, sightsee and dine on your own. (B)

Day 8: Depart Dublin
For those on our 8-day vacation, your tour ends today with a group coach transfer to Dublin Airport .

Optional 9 days tour:

Day 8: Clonmacnoise & Galway Bay
Eeave Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland's heartland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is set on the banks of the tranquil River Shannon. Drive to Galway and check into your hotel before heading out to take a look around Galway city and get a taste for the scenic Connemara region. Travel along the shores of Galway Bay to the traditional village of Spiddal. After stopping to admire views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands , return to Galway. (B, D)

Day 9: Back to the USA from Shannon
Bid farewell to Galway and take a group transfer to Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. When booking your flights home, it is important to book a direct flight from Shannon to the U.S. as Galway is 60 miles from Shannon and the drive takes 1½ hours. Check in for your flight in good time and you may like to shop at the duty-free stores. If you need to arrive at Shannon Airport before 10:30 am, your tour director will coordinate an early group transfer once you are on tour. (B)

Hotels on this tour

• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
• The Malton Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Faithlegg House Hotel, Waterford (1 night)
• Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin (2 nights)
• Hotel Meyrick, Galway City, Co Galway (1 night)