First Class Hotels - 8 or 9 days Coach Tour
This great value tour gives a wonderful overview of Ireland including a Catamaran Cruise of Killary Fjord and ending with a lively show of traditional Irish music, songs and step-dancing. Also included are tours to the Rock of Cashel, the Blarney Woollen Mills and the tour highlight of the Ring of Kerry renowned the world over for it’s stunning scenery.
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Depart your U.S. gateway city in the evening and fly through the night to Ireland to start your vacation.
Day 2: Dublin Tour & Old Jameson Distillery
Arrive at Dublin Airport ,
proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. Go to the CIE
Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where personnel will arrange a group
transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive
later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own
expense. Your hotel is located in Ballsbridge, one of Dublin's most
prestigious addresses. At 2:00 pm join your group and a local guide for
an introductory look around central Dublin. See the fashionable
shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view the many elegant
Georgian townhouses and pass the Dail where the government convenes.
Visit the Old Jameson Distillery to see the different stages of whiskey
making and enjoy a sample at the end of the tour. Back at your hotel
meet with your guide and fellow travelers for a welcome drink and
discuss your itinerary.
Day 3: Rock of Cashel & Blarney Woollen Mills
Depart Dublin to travel through the Irish
countryside where you can see the "Forty Shades of Green" as you pass
many farms. 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. Just outside
Cork shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills, renowned for their quality
Irish merchandise, or take a walk around the charming village green.
While it is not included in the tour, you will have time to climb to
the ramparts of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone. Continue your
drive to your hotel in the center of Killarney. After dinner you may
like to sample one of the many singing bars. (B, D)
Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Muckross Gardens
Today you will discover the wonderful scenery of
Killarney as you drive around the famous Ring of Kerry . The road winds
between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the
varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views and
you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. Continue through
the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville . On the return, pass
through the colorful village of Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view
the Three Lakes of Killarney. Stop for a stroll through the splendid
Muckross Gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. Enjoy some free time
in Killarney before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Tarbert. Take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon and drive along the coastline of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher . This wall of limestone rises to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. The new Visitor Centre explains the history and geology of the cliffs and surrounding region. Drive through the Burren , an area of rounded limestone hills where rock has weathered into amazing rock formations. Drive around the shores of Galway Bay and take a short drive around central Galway before checking into your hotel. (B, D)
Day 6: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Today explore another of Ireland's famous scenic regions - Connemara , where the constantly-changing cloud formations give hills, lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Travel alongside Galway Bay to Spiddal where most locals speak the Irish language. Travel past the granite hills and sparkling lakes of the Inagh Valley on the
way to Kylemore Abbey . This 19th century mansion, set beside a charming
lake, is today a prestigious girls' school. Several elegant reception
rooms and the ornate church are open to view. Stop in Moycullen at the
Celtic Connemara Crystal Factory, which specializes in Celtic designs
cut into colored creations. Watch skilled craftsmen cut the crystal and
learn about the symbolism of the motifs before returning to Galway for
some leisure time before dinner. (B, D)
Day 7: Clonmacnoise & Abbey Tavern
Enjoy some leisure time in Galway and depart mid-morning to visit Clonmacnoise. This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, when Christianity flourished throughout Ireland. See round towers, church ruins and Celtic crosses with elaborate carvings, all in a picturesque setting on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to the greater metropolitan area of Dublin once more and check into another city center hotel, which is conveniently located off O'Connell Street. In the evening drive to the Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner followed by a lively show of traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 8: Dublin to the U.S.A.
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)
Spend an extra day in Dublin at start of tour
Includes additional overnight and full Irish breakfast at the Mespil Hotel, transfer from Dublin Airport to hotel and an independent Dublin sightseeing tour by open-top bus (ticket valid 24 hours)
B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, D=Dinner
Hotels on this tour
- Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge, Dublin (1 or 2 nights)
- Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
- Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Galway (2 nights)
- Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge, Dublin (1 night)
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