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Itinerary
Sat, April 14 UNITED STATES TO DUBLIN
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Sun, April 15 DUBLIN ARRIVAL
After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Then your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Stop for breakfast at the Man O’ War restaurant and pub which has been standing on a hill on original Dublin to Belfast Road since 1595. Depart 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 delightfully set on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue your drive to Galway and embark on a panoramic tour to 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 the
remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You may choose to relax in your hotel or spend
some time around Eyre Square, the hub of the city. Most of the shops are within easy
reach and there are also many quaint pubs where Irish traditional music is played. In
the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL MEYRICK, GALWAY
Mon, April 16 CONNEMARA, KYLEMORE ABBEY & CELTIC CRYSTAL
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. After your visit continue your drive to the town of Moycullen to visit the
Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory. This family business specializes in designs based
on the shamrock, Claddagh ring and harp, often in colored crystal. Watch a
craftsman demonstrate the cutting of designs and see the full range of products in
the showrooms. Return to Galway and enjoy some time at leisure before dining in
your hotel.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL MEYRICK, GALWAY
Tue, April 17 CLIFFS OF MOHER & KILLARNEY
Drive around Galway Bay and through the Burren Country, a unique region of
limestone hills renowned for its flora and prehistoric stone monuments. Stop to view
the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the
foaming Atlantic Ocean. Take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary to
the mountainous countryside of Kerry. Arrive in Killarney and check into your hotel.
Then you will have the afternoon free to relax or stroll around town before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Wed, April 18 MUCKROSS HOUSE & RING OF KERRY
Just outside Killarney visit the delightful Muckross House, a 19th century furnished
mansion with an interesting history and U.S. connections. Then journey around the
Ring of Kerry, a full day tour of constantly changing mountain and coastline scenery.
The road winds between the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountains in Ireland,
and the Atlantic Ocean and you will enjoy plenty of stops to admire views. Travel
through Caherdaniel and Waterville at the western end of the peninsula and enjoy the
bracing Atlantic breezes. Continue your drive through the colorful village of Sneem and
the vantagepoint of Moll’s Gap. Return to Killarney in time to relax or walk around the
town before dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Thu, April 19 BLARNEY, COBH HERITAGE CENTRE & KINSALE
Leaving Killarney drive into the rich farming country of Cork. At Blarney, stop to climb
to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence." Also
visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all
types. Then drive a short distance to the east of Cork to Cobh, the harbor town for
large ships. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which depicts the varied history of
emigration from Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the
past 150 years. Cobh was the last port of call for the "Titanic" and many liners that
carried emigrants to the New World. This informative display is housed in the rail
station through which all of the Irish emigrants had to pass. Motor along the south
coast to the town of Kinsale and check into your hotel. Enjoy some time at leisure
before joining your group for dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TRIDENT HOTEL, KINSALE
Fri, April 20 ROCK OF CASHEL & DUBLIN
Depart Kinsale this morning and travel northeast via the outskirts of Cork city and into
County Tipperary to reach Cashel. Stop at the Rock of Cashel for a guided tour of
these majestic church ruins which are clustered high on a limestone outcrop
overlooking the surrounding countryside. Of particular note are the highly decorated
Cormac's Chapel which was built during the 12th century, the large cruciform
cathedral from the 13th century and a round tower. After your visit, head over to a
local farmhouse to sample freshly-baked scones with tea. You will have an
opportunity to chat to the owners and learn how Irish farms are run. Then board
the coach and drive through the midland region where you will see many farms and
marketing towns. Your route will take you past the towns of Portlaoise and Kildare
and into the metropolitan area of Dublin. Upon arrival check into your hotel and enjoy
the balance of the day free. You will have two transfers into town for evening
programs on your own.
OVERNIGHT: GREEN ISLE HOTEL, DUBLIN
Sat, April 21 DUBLIN - CAPITAL CITY OR All Ireland Friends of Bill W Convention
This morning enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Dublin, an elegant and artistic city with
spacious Georgian squares. Stop to tour St. Patrick's Cathedral, which is almost as
old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean
Jonathan Swift. Next visit Kilmainham Gaol to see what punishment was like during
its years of operation from 1796 to 1924. Learn about political prisoners, especially
from the 1916 Rising, detained here because of their efforts to shape Ireland’s
history. The afternoon is at leisure so that you can browse, shop and sightsee
independently. In the evening you are free to choose from the many restaurants,
theaters and pubs that Dublin can offer. You will have two transfers into town for
evening programs on your own.
OVERNIGHT: GREEN ISLE HOTEL, DUBLIN
Sun, April 22 PROGRAM EVENTS & GLENDALOUGH TOUROR All Ireland Friends of Bill W Convention
This morning you are free to attend program events on your own. In the afternoon
drive across the Wicklow Mountains to see the 6th century monastic ruins of
Glendalough, where the peacefulness of the valley conjures up the spirit of the
monks. The Visitor Centre explains how St. Kevin founded this settlement at a time
when Christianity was burgeoning throughout Ireland. Today the monks have long
gone, leaving the ruins of numerous churches and a round tower. Return to Dublin
where the balance of the day and evening are at leisure. You will have two transfers
into town for evening programs on your own.
OVERNIGHT: GREEN ISLE HOTEL, DUBLIN
Mon, April 23 RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to the end. Transfer to Dublin Airport
in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear security and claim your VAT refund.
You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores. Then clear U.S.
Immigration before boarding your aircraft and fly west across the Atlantic Ocean back
to the United States.
Just for fun, and a taste of things to come on our trip –
Check out this link to Irish Blessing:
Click here: Traditional Irish Blessing - E-Water
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