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 Price:
Land Only: $2338 Per Person Sharing. (US Dollars)
Single Supplement: $695 (US Dollars)
View Quotation for this tour
Day 1 (October 12 2008)
Arrive to Dublin Airport in the
morning having travelled from the USA the night before. Meet myguideIreland
Representative and Coach Driver. Transfer to Brooks Hotel by Coach and drop bags.
Tea/Coffee on arrival at Hotel and
Welcome Pack for each guest. Check in at 2.00 pm.
Coach Tour of Dublin City to
view main highlights of Dublin. Stops at Trinity College, Book of Kells and St Patricks Cathedral. Ireland's vibrant capital city needs no
introduction. Dublin has it all: history,
charm, sights, museums, galleries, theatre, shops, pubs, restaurants and an
abundance of character. Most of the attractions are relatively close to each other. Grafton
Street, Dublin's main shopping boulevard, which itself leads down to Trinity College.
Here you'll find the famous 8th Century artefact, The Book of Kells .
Continuing down the street and over the water will bring you to Dublin's main
thoroughfare O'Connell Street.
Return to hotel for check in. Relax and have a
leisurly afternoon before an early dinner at hotel with group.
Day 2 (October 13 2008)
Breakfast at hotel. This morning drive to
Co Wicklow by coach.
Coach drive to Glendalough, Co Wicklow which is approx
40 min drive from Dublin. St. Kevin founded
this early Christian monastic site in the 6th century. Set in a glaciated
valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone
churches and decorated crosses. Kevin is thought to have come from the more
fertile lands of County Kildare and like many other men of sanctity in early
times, desired solitude for his life of prayer and contemplation. Thus he
withdrew into the thinly peopled mountains and set up his hermitage at
Glendalough.
From Glendalough,
travel onwards back towards Dublin and time permitting visit Powerscourt Townhouse and Gardens
which reflects centuries of history as the site dates back to the castle of
c.1300. It contains some of the finest 18th century interiors in Ireland. The Gardens incorporate 45 acres of
beautifully landscaped land with a blend end of formal gardens, sweeping
terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling
walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. Return to Dublin
for an evening of leisure. Dinner Independent.
Suggestions of things to do in the evening: (Following not included in price)
- Zozimus Tour of Dublin- Walking Tour of Dublin.
- Pub Tour of
Literary Dublin
- Theatres
Nearby: Abbey Theatre/Olympia Theatre,
Gate Theatre
- Dublin Writers
Museum
Day 3 (October 14 2008)
Breakfast at hotel and
check out. Travel from Dublin to Armagh
with stops en route to the Hill of
Tara.Though best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the Hill of
Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage-tomb
was constructed there. Tara was at the height of its power as a political and
religious centre in the early centuries after Christ. Attractions include an
audio-visual show and guided tours of the site. As much of the tour is outdoors, visitors are advised to wear protective
clothing and shoes suitable for walking over uneven terrain.
From Hill of Tara, continue to Armagh and meet local Guide Barbara
Ferguson for Walking Tour of Armagh City and Tour
of Armagh Cathedrals. St Patricks' Cathedral Armagh stands
in the heart of the Ecclesiastical Capital on the hilltop where it is said St
Patrick built the first stone Church in 445. Nowadays there are two St
Patrick's Cathedrals in Armagh and from the hill one can look across to the twin spires of
St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral. Both Cathedrals and their staff, under
the leadership of the respective Archbishops, work closely together as they share
common heritage in the steps and spirit of St Patrick. Together the aim is to
provide a warm welcome and friendship as visitors and friends are welcomed to
Armagh to view buildings and to share
something of that heritage preserved and enriched by the witness and worship of
so many down the centuries of time.
From the Cathedrals travel
onwards to Hotel for check in to the Armagh
City Hotel. Relax in the Hotel and enjoy an evening meal in the lovely Friary Restaurant
of the hotel.
Day 4 (October 15 2008)
Breakfast at hotel and check out. Today travel from Armagh to the Lovely
County of Down . Before leaving Armagh City, visit the Trian Centre.
Ideally located in the beautiful
City of Armagh, the stimulating exhibitions of Saint Patrick's Trian
makes this one of Northern Ireland's premier visitor attractions. Since the coming of Saint Patrick, Armagh,otherwise known as Ard Mhacha, has been steeped in religious history. Saint Patrick's Trian is the ideal place to start your tour of discovery of Armagh's history, architecture, famous people, fine buildings and other sites of historical interest. The diversity of the Centre enables it to incorporate three inspirational exhibitions under one roof: The Armagh Story, Saint Patrick's Testament and the Land of Lilliput. Also within the main Centre is Armagh Ancestry, which provides a specialist genealogical research service for the County of Armagh.
From the Trian Centre, board the
coach and travel to Downpatrick, Co Down
and visit St Patricks Centre and
enjoy the splendour of this exciting interpretative centre. The Saint
Patrick Centre is an exciting interpretative exhibition which tells the
fascinating story of Ireland's Patron Saint. Through Patrick's own words a
light is shone on the arrival of Christianity in Ireland and its development
through his mission. A series of interactive displays allow visitors to explore
how Patrick's legacy developed in early Christian times and reveal the fabulous
artwork and metalwork which was produced during this Golden Age. The exhibition
also examines the major impact of Irish missionaries in Dark Age Europe - a
legacy which remains to this day.
From St Patrick's Centre travel
to Newcastle for check in to the Beautiful Slieve
Donard Hotel overlooking the ocean. Enjoy an evening of relaxation by
sampling their wonderful spa treatments together with a group meal at the Hotel
Restaurant. (Note: Spa to be booked in
advance for those wishing to avail of treatments). After dinner, enjoy an
evening stroll along the beach located by the hotel.
Day 5 (October 16 2008)
Breakfast at hotel and check out.
From Newcastle through the nine Glens of Antrim with stops along the way to the
Giants Causeway and Bushmills
Distillery. Walking tour of the Giants Causeway is included. (Appropriate
clothing required)
The Giants Causeway
The coastal scenery adjacent to the causeway is some of the most
beautiful and awe inspiring that you are likely to find anywhere. The majestic
cliffs and inaccessible bays combine with myth and legend to inspire, but look
carefully amongst this breathtaking landscape and you will find echoes of
another reality, isolated ruins, kelp walls and shoreline fields bear
testament to the harder life of subsistence farming and fishing endured by past
generations.
Arrive to your hotel Radisson Roe
Park, situated in Limavaddy, Co Derry . In the evening have a relaxing dinner
followed a nightcap in the hotel bar.
Day 6 (October 17 2008)
Breakfast at hotel and check out.
On the way to Donegal stop in Derry City for a walking tour of this famous town
known as the ‘walled city'. Your tour will be led by the very informative and
knowledgeable guide - Ronan McNamara
who has been conducting tours of Derry City for the last number of years. If time permits a visit to the Tower Museum in
Derry is also included.
The River Foyle curves
picturesquely around the old walled town of Derry, creating a cosy setting
which jars horribly with the reality of this city's recent troubled history.
The old centre of Derry is the small walled city on the west bank of the river,
with the square called the Diamond at its heart. Barbed-wire barriers detract
from the magnificence of the city walls, though also giving resonance to their
history. From the top there are good views of the Bogside and its defiant murals
- 'No Surrender!' - and the Free Derry monument. Inside the walls, the Tower
Museum tells the story of Derry from the days of St Columcille to the present.
St Columb's Cathedral stands within the walls of the old city and dates from
1628; it's usually surrounded by barbed wire and surveillance cameras. Last
century, Derry was one of the main ports from which the Irish emigrated to the
USA. From Derry travel onwards to Co Donegal and check into the Mill Park
Hotel.
The Mill Park Hotel is situated
in the historic town of Donegal overlooking Donegal Bay and the hotels location
makes it the perfect base from which to discover the many tourism attractions
of Donegal, Sligo, Fermanagh and Ireland's North West. Relax at the hotel with
dinner and enjoy the leisure facilities of the hotel.
Day 7 (October 18 2008)
Breakfast at hotel and check out.
Today travel from Donegal to Co Mayo. Travel via Co Sligo into Mayo. In Mayo
visit Knock shrine, Croagh Patrick and Ballintubber Abbey.
The Story of Knock began on
the 21st August 1879 when the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John
the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. The
apparition was witnessed by fifteen people, young and old. From this miraculous
occurrence Knock has grown to the status of an internationally recognised
Marian Shrine. The personal pilgrimage of Pope John Paul II in 1979, commemorating the
centenary of the apparition, inspired an even greater devotion to the Shrine
and endorsed the indelible seal of Vatican approval. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
visited the Shrine in June of 1993. One and a half million pilgrims visit the
Shrine annually.
The Pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick is located close
to Westport town. In 441 AD St. Patrick reached the summit of Croagh Patrick and
fasted for 40 day. St. Patrick is also noted for banishing the snakes from
Ireland. Croagh
Patrick is situated five miles from the picturesque town of Westport and the
mountain's conical shape soars majestically above the surrounding countryside. Magnificent views of Clew Bay and the surrounding
south Mayo countryside are to be had from all stages of the ascent of the
mountain. Follow the steps of Patrick and in doing so meet people from far and
near.
Ballintubber Abbey, dating from the 13th century, is unique. Not only is it the
only church in Ireland still in use which was founded by an Irish King, but it
is also the one Irish church where for over 781 years Mass has been offered
without a break. Its story is graphically told in a video documentary on show
at the abbey. Founded in 1216 by the last King of Connaught, Cathal Crovdearg
O'Connor, for the Canons Regular of St. Augustine order, the Abbey had large
tracts of land in the district until the dissolution of the Monasteries by King
Henry VII. Retreats, pilgrimages and tours are available today. The Celtic
Furrow Visitors Centre provides guided tours of the region, tracing 5,000 years
of Irish culture.
Arrive to Park Hotel Kiltimagh and check in. Relax with
Dinner and afterwards avail of fitness club which includes a spa, sauna and
steamroom as well as a fitness room.
Day 8 (October 19 2008)
Breakfast at
hotel and check out.
Today travel from Co Mayo to Galway .
En route drive
through Connemara National Park and
visit Kylemore Abbey. Kylemore Abbey is the Monastic home of the Benedictine Order of Nuns in
Ireland. As you walk though the Abbey you will be introduced to a world steeped in the
Benedictine tradition of warmth and hospitality spanning over 1500 years. From Kylemore Abbey continue to Galway City and check into the centrally
located Hotel Meyrick in the centre of Eyre Square.
Galway City at the mouth of
Galway Bay is both a picturesque and lively city with a wonderful avant-garde
culture and a fascinating mixture of locally owned speciality shops, often
featuring locally made crafts. Indeed local handcrafts are a feature of the
entire region including hand knits, pottery, glass, jewellery and woodwork. The city has many relics of its medieval past and is worth taking time
to explore. It has changed considerably over the last number of years and
features a fascinating juxtaposition of new and ancient architecture. The
centre of the city is conveniently compact enough to ramble around comfortably.
Day 9 (October 20 2008)
Breakfast at hotel. This morning
enjoy a walking tour of this historic city with a Local Tour Guide. Rest of the
day is free to explore the city and it's many shops, restaurants, galleries
etc. Finish the evening by listening to an Irish storyteller of traditional
Irish tales and Irish Folklore.
Day 10 (October 21 2008)
Breakfast at hotel and check out. Today travel from Galway to Bunratty
for your last night before leaving Ireland. En route visit the famous Cliffs of Moher and Burren area.
Situated in County Clare and
bordering the Burren Area, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most
spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point
and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a
clear day, the Aran
Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara.
The Burren lies
south of Galway in County Clare, Ireland. The name Burren is from the Irish -
bhoireann meaning a stony place. Its formation has lain unspoiled since the
ice-age and is composed of karstic limestone, the largest area of such in
western Europe. It is a place of
surprise and delight to botanists, archaeologists and ecologists alike and
occupies an area of approximately 300 sq. kilometres. The area itself is very
bleak in appearance with glacial soil loss at a maximum. However is does have
sufficient soil to grow a wide variety of the most unusual and rarest of
plants, many of them strange bedfellows.
From Burren travel onwards to Bunratty, Co Clare for check in to the
wonderful Bunratty Castle Hotel. Adjacent to the hotel is the Bunratty Castle where the group can
visit the Folk Park before having dinner and a medieval banquet at the Castle
for the last evening.
Day 11 (October 22 2008)
Breakfast at hotel and check out. Transfer to Shannon Airport for return
journey back to USA.
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