2009 Irish Tradition
Highlights
Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet Merry Ploughboy Pub Traditional Dinner/Show Historic Derry & Ennis Walking Tours Trinity College's Book of Kells St. Patrick's Grave Giant's Causeway Tour Central Belfast Old World Deluxe Hotels in Dublin and Killarney Stay in 17th Century Ballygally Castle Hotel
What's Included
Group transfers on arrival and departure Welcome get-together drink Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout "The Quiet Man" walking tour of Cong Services of a professional Irish tour director Walking tours of Derry and Ennis with local guides Deluxe & superior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 11 nights Tour of Belfast with a local guide 11 full Irish breakfasts (B) Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney 9 dinners (D) including Ferry ride across the River Shannon - Medieval Banquet and entertainment in Bunratty Castle Visits and admissions to Cliffs of Moher, Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, Museum of Country Life, Knock Shrine, W. B. Yeats' Grave, Belleek Pottery Factory, Glenveagh Castle, Giant's Causeway, St. Patrick Centre, Down Cathedral, Book of Kells at Trinity College, Blarney Woollen Mills and Muckross Gardens - Dinner and traditional Irish entertainment at the Merry Ploughboy Pub Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap - 7 table d'hote dinners All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
What's Included
Call (661) 399-9515 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7176530
- Tour Operator
- CIE Tours
- Offer
- Offer valid through 12/31/2008
- Duration
- 13 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Depart U.S. for Shannon | Depart U.S. for Shannon : Travel to Shannon on an overnight flight to start your vacation. Relax with inflight meals and entertainment. |
| Day 2 | Bunratty | Bunratty Banquet & Durty Nelly's : Land at Shannon Airport and locate the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall for a group transfer to nearby Bunratty. Complimentary transfers are available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. In the afternoon you may explore Durty Nelly's Pub or the Bunratty Folk Park, near your hotel. Sip a get-together drink with your tour director and fellow travelers to discuss your trip. This evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a medieval-style banquet. Sit in the Great Hall for an excellent meal with wine and music to carry you to the Middle Ages in spirit. (D) |
| Day 3 | Galway | Cliffs of Moher & Galway : Travel to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall of limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers. See the rounded limestone hills of the Burren and drive down Corkscrew Hill for views of Galway Bay. Stop in the attractive village of Ballyvaughan for a stroll and continue your journey into Galway. Take a drive around Galway before checking into your old-world, which is located overlooking Galway Bay and clost to Eyre Square. Enjoy some time on your own as the compact city center is great for browsing. (B, D) |
| Day 4 | Galway | Connemara & "The Quiet Man" Tour : Drive through Headford to Cong, a charming village that was the location for the 1952 movie, "The Quiet Man." A short walking tour will show you movie locations throughout the village as well as the ruins of Cong Abbey. Travel through Connemara, a region of misty hills and shimmering lakes. See rugged mountain sheep and tracts of land where people cut peat for home fires. In Moycullen, visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, which specializes in intricate designs in colored crystal, before returning to Galway. (B, D) |
| Day 5 | Ballybofey | Yeats' Grave & Belleek China : Head north to Castlebar to visit the Museum of Country Life. See collections of domestic goods, once used as part of daily life when most Irish people made a living from the soil. Stop at Knock Shrine to see the church where locals saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Cross into County Sligo and stop at the grave of W. B. Yeats before continuing to Belleek for a tour of the Belleek Pottery Factory. Watch skilled craftspeople create intricate basket-weave designs in delicate china. Continue your journey past the hazy Blue Stack Mountains to Stranorlar. (B, D) |
| Day 6 | Ballybofey | Grand Atlantic Drive & Glenveagh Castle : Today experience the glorious natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic Drive, which winds through Downings and Rosapenna and past golden beaches and rocky headlands. Travel inland to Glenveagh National Park. Tour Glenveagh Castle, built in 1870 by Captain Adair who evicted 225 tenants in order to enhance his estate. Learn about the history of the mansion, owners and guests as you view the many rooms. Then walk through some of the gardens filled with exotic plants. Pass Letterkenny on your return to Stranorlar in ample time for dinner. (B, D) |
| Day 7 | Ballygally | Giant's Causeway & 17th Century Ballygally Castle Hotel : Travel to Derry to join a local guide for a walking tour around the city center to see medieval city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Next, visit the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and bays as you travel along the "Nine Glens of Antrim." Check into Ballygally Castle, overlooking Ballygally Bay. It is Northern Ireland's only 17th century building still used as a residence - ask to see "The Ghost Room." (B, D) |
| Day 8 | Dublin | Belfast & St. Patrick's Grave : Tour Belfast with a local guide to see Victorian buildings, the Harland & Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built and the Falls Road and Shankill residential areas. Drive south to the St. Patrick Centre where you will learn about Ireland's Patron Saint and view his reputed grave at Down Cathedral. Travel past the gentle slopes of the Mountains of Mourne and continue to Dublin. Check into your lovely deluxe hotel, set in spacious grounds. The evening is free for you to dine in your hotel or your tour director will suggest a suitable restaurant. (B) |
| Day 9 | Dublin | Book of Kells & Merry Ploughboy Pub : This morning tour Dublin city center to see elegant Georgian squares with the famous colorful doorways, pass the peaceful St. Stephen's Green and the bustling shopping areas around Nassau Street, cross the River Liffey to O'Connell Street and view the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion started. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the 8th century manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation. The afternoon is free to enjoy your delightful hotel or discover more of Dublin. In the evening head to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner, which is followed by a show of traditional music and step-dancing. (B, D) |
| Day 10 | Killarney | Blarney & Lakes of Killarney : Drive south through the center of Ireland, where prime agricultural lands are located. Pause for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a stately limestone outcrop topped with medieval ruins. Continue south to the Blarney Woollen Mills if you like to shop or take a look around the village green. If you wish, you may climb to the top of the castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence" independently. Continue your journey to Killarney, famous for its beauty and check into your deluxe downtown Victorian-era hotel. (B, D) |
| Day 11 | Killarney | Jaunting Car Ride & Muckross Gardens : Travel at a leisurely pace by traditional horse-drawn jaunting car to Ross Castle for views of Killarney's largest lake, Lough Leane. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily painted and enhanced with flowers. Pass through Moll's Gap, a wonderful vantage point on the Ring of Kerry and stop at Ladies' View. Take a walk around the charming Muckross Gardens, which were laid out in the 19th century on the shores of Muckross Lake. See a variety of mature trees and colorful plants before returning to Killarney. (B) |
| Day 12 | Ennis | Shannon Ferry & Ennis : Enjoy free time in Killarney before driving north to cross the wide River Shannon Estuary on a short ferry ride. Drive through County Clare to the charming marketing town of Ennis. Your hotel is in the center of the town within easy reach of shops and pubs. Join a local guide for a walking tour around the main points of interest, including Ennis Friary, before sitting down with your group for a farewell dinner in your hotel. (B, D) |
| Day 13 | Home from Shannon | Home from Shannon : Complimentary group transfers are provided to Shannon 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) |
- Dates/Pricing
- Lodging
Bunratty Castle Hotel - Bunratty, Co Clare - 1 night(s) Radisson SAS Hotel - Galway City, Co Galway - 2 night(s) Kees Hotel - Ballybofey, Co Donegal - 2 night(s) Ballygally Castle Hotel - Ballygally, Co Antrim - 1 night(s) Radisson SAS - Stillorgan, Co Dublin - 2 night(s) The Malton Hotel - Killarney, Co Kerry - 2 night(s) Temple Gate Hotel - Ennis, Co Clare - 1 night(s)
- Disclaimer
- Coach Tour and River Cruise prices are based on two people sharing rooms; for single prices.
- Taxes, security fees and fuel surcharges are not included.
- This list indicates brochure rates and dates. If your date of choice is marked "On Request" or appears in the brochure but not on this page please contact your travel agent for information.
- Air price is based on departures from New York. Additional add-on airfares from other cities are available. The air inclusive prices are for general information only and not a reflection of current seat availability.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline's checked baggage policies.
- We highly recommend that you review our general conditions for full details on terms, conditions, and penalties.
