Tour Duration: 7 days Tour Code: GR2012 Tour Type: Prices From: A$1089 [Tour Dates]
Tour Itinerary
Day
Description
1
ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND. Check into your hotel. At 3 pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and past St. Patrick's Cathedral and Oscar Wilde's Trinity College. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
2
DUBLIN-KILDARE-LIMERICK-ENNIS. Horse-racing country this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose fine thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Lots more to see: the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached; Tipperary, made famous in a wartime marching song; and Limerick, where an orientation drive acquaints you with St. Mary's Cathedral, King John's Castle, and the Stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. Tonight's suggestion for a very special night out: attend an optional banquet at Bunratty Castle. (B)
3
ENNIS. WEST COAST EXCURSION. Your day excursion along Ireland's spectacular Atlantic coastline begins with a drive to the 204 metre (668 feet) CLIFFS OF MOHER, where you savour the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. A scenic route across the limestone plateau of The Burren takes you to Galway, a vibrant city with a great seafaring tradition where you hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Drive into the unspoiled region of Connemara and at Moycullen, visit the Joyce family at their MARBLE WORKSHOP. This afternoon, a special treat: at RATHBAUN FARM, watch the farmer shear a sheep and manoeuvre a flock with the help of a sheep dog. Then, enjoy a traditional tea in the 150-year old thatched farmhouse. (B)
4
ENNIS-RING OF KERRY-KILLARNEY. After a short drive via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer, cross the Shannon estuary by FERRY. Continue on to Killorglin on Dingle Bay to join the spectacular RING OF KERRY for a 161 kilometre (100 mile) panoramic drive around the island's southwestern tip. Take your photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View, then spend the night in the popular resort of Killarney. (B,D)
5
KILLARNEY-BLARNEY-WATERFORD. Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed via Cork to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings, and look forward to a guided tour of the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL. Before dinner, why not join an optional pub tour? (B,D)
6
WATERFORD-AVOCA-DUBLIN. An exciting agenda today: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; Ireland's oldest HANDWEAVING MILL at Avoca; the Wicklow Mountains; and GLENDALOUGH, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. See the engaging audiovisual Ireland of the Monasteries, then let your Local Guide show you the remains of this ecclesiastical settlement. Back in Dublin tonight, a fitting farewell to Ireland would be an optional cabaret evening with dinner, followed by dance, song, and laughter. (B)
7
DUBLIN. Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
ROCK OF CASHEL: Take photographs of this famous landmark.
LIMERICK: Orientation drive.
CLIFFS OF MOHER: Savour the spectacular views.
GALWAY: Orientation.
CONNEMARA: Visit a marble workshop.
RATHBAUN FARM: Visit and Afternoon Tea.
KILLIMER-TARBERT: Cross the Shannon estuary by ferry.
RING OF KERRY: Scenic peninsula drive.
KILLARNEY: Visit the popular resort town.
BLARNEY: Visit the famous village.
WATERFORD:Guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal.
AVOCA: Guided tour of the handweaving mill.
GLENDALOUGH: Guided tour of St. Kevin's centre of Irish Christianity.
MEALS: Full Irish breakfast (B); 3 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Dublin.
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Meals Breakfast - 6 Lunch - 0 Dinner - 3
Optional Excursions
To help plan your leisure time, as well as your pre-tour budgeting, here is a list of optional excursions that may be offered on this tour.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, group interests, and general feasibility for your tour. Please note prices may be based on the previous year and are subject to change. Full terms and conditions are contained in the important travel documents.
Cost
Description
77
EUR
Name:BUNRATTY CASTLE BANQUET Location:ENNIS Details:At 13th-century Bunratty Castle receive a goblet or two of mead and listen to the history of the castle, before enjoying a medieval Madrigal by the Castle Singers and dinner with wine.
27
EUR
Name:MUCKROSS HOUSE AND LAKE VIEW DRINK Location:KILLARNEY Details:This afternoon tour takes in historic Muckross House and ends with a drink overlooking the Lakes of Killarney.
33
EUR
Name:PUB EVENING Location:WATERFORD Details:Drive to a nearby village where entertainment is provided while you enjoy two drinks of your choice at the local pub.
82
EUR
Name:IRISH CABARET MAY TO OCTOBER Location:DUBLIN Details:After a full choice dinner with wine and Irish coffee, enjoy a traditional Irish cabaret evening including dance, song and laughter.
Optional Excursions
