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Itinerary

Fri, April 11 – UNITED STATES TO DUBLIN

Depart US Gateway Friday evening for Dublin and enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service.

 
Sat, April 12 – DUBLIN ARRIVAL & SIGHTSEEING

At Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities.  Take an orientation drive around Dublin city center.  In Dublin see the main thoroughfares of O’Connell Street and Nassau Street, the shopping streets and some lovely public parks. Stop to tour St. Patrick's Cathedral, almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift.  Next tour Dublin Castle.  After you settle into your room you may like to rest or explore some of the city on your own before dinner.   DINNER & OVERNIGHT: FITZPATRICK’S CASTLE HOTEL, DUBLIN

Sun, April 13 – GLENDALOUGH VISITOR CENTER & DALKEY’S CASTLE

This morning drive through the Wicklow Mountains to visit Glendalough Visitor Centre that explains the Irish monastic tradition.  See the round tower, church ruins and Celtic crosses of St. Kevin’s 6th century monastery.  Then return to Dublin and stop at Dalkey’s Castle and Heritage Centre. View scaled models and panels of information on Dalkey's vast history. Dalkey is famous for its literary associations. Return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of afternoon at leisure to browse, shop and sightsee independently.  This evening drive to the town of Rathfarnham to The Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music.  OVERNIGHT: FITZPATRICK’S CASTLE HOTEL, DUBLIN

Mon, April 14 – BLARNEY CASTLE & KILLARNEY

Drive through the farming country and marketing towns of the midland region of Ireland.  Journey south past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains to visit Blarney Castle where you may climb to the battlements to acquire the “gift of eloquence” by kissing the famous stone.  Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types.  Travel through the rugged countryside of County Kerry where the town of Killarney is charmingly located with a backdrop of mountains and lakes. Check into your hotel and enjoy some leisure time to relax or explore the town on your own before dining in your hotel.  DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY TOWERS HOTEL, KILLARNEY

Tues, April 15 – RING OF KERRY & SKELLIG EXPERIENCE

Today admire breathtaking vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches on Ireland’s most popular drive. See a variety of natural beauty as you drive 100 miles around this scenic route.  Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience, which describes the way of life of early Christian monks who built their monastery on one of the offshore islands.  Also learn about the many birds that nest in the Skelligs. A number of stops will allow you to admire the spectacular scenery and take a brief walk around the colorful village of Sneem. Head back to Killarney through Moll’s Gap with stunning views of the Lakes of Killarney.  DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY TOWERS HOTEL, KILLARNEY

Wed, April 16 – CLIFFS OF MOHER & GALWAY

Depart Killarney this morning and travel via Tralee and Listowel to Tarbert where you take the ferry across the wide mouth of the River Shannon.  Drive via Lahinch to view the Cliffs of Moher.  The impressive wall of rock rises to a height of almost 700 feet about the churning Atlantic Ocean and stretches for five miles along the coast.  Pass through the Burren Country, an area of rocky limestone hills where a number of unique flowers thrive. This region also contains many dolmens, prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs. Drive around Galway Bay into Galway and see the principal sights of the city.  A drive around will take you to the large modern cathedral set on an island on the River Corrib.  See the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, formerly a fishing village, the City Museum, National University of Galway and the Cathedral of Our Lady, which is built on the site of the former county jail.  Then check into your hotel and enjoy some time at leisure before dining in your hotel.  DINNER & OVERNIGHT: WESTWOOD HOUSE HOTEL, GALWAY

Thurs, April 17 – CONNEMARA & KYLEMORE ABBEY

Today tour Connemara and admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. Stop in the quaint village of Spiddal, which retains the Irish language and many traditional lifestyles. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and also tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating.  Stop to visit Kylemore Abbey, a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion overlooking Kylemore Lake. Originally a private residence, it is now a prestigious girls' school.  Visit the chapel and the restored Victorian gardens, which have won awards.  Return to Galway and enjoy some time at leisure before dining in your hotel.   DINNER & OVERNIGHT: WESTWOOD HOUSE HOTEL, GALWAY

Fri, April 18 – CLONMACNOISE & MULLINGAR

Depart Galway this morning 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 delightfully set on the banks of the River Shannon.  Then continue your journey across the country to the marketing town of Mullingar.  Check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to shop, sightsee and explore the town independently.  Motor Coach will be available throughout the day to transfer as needed to the Mullingar Park Hotel where the All Ireland AA Convention is being held.

OVERNIGHT: ANNE BROOK HOUSE HOTEL, MULLINGAR

Sat, April 19 –  ALL IRELAND AA CONVENTION MULLINGAR

The next two days are completely at leisure to enjoy the All Ireland AA Convention and the surrounding sites of Mullingar independently.  Motor Coach will be available throughout the day to transfer as needed to the Mullingar Park Hotel where the All Ireland AA Convention is being held.  OVERNIGHT: ANNE BROOK HOUSE HOTEL, MULLINGAR

Sun, April 20 ­– RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES

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