2008 Irish Spirit
Highlights
Dublin City Tour and Overnight Book of Kells at Trinity College Rock of Cashel Blarney Castle Blarney Woolen Mills Skellig Experience Ring of Kerry Cliffs of Moher Celtic Connemara Crystal Factory Killary Fjord Catamaran Cruise Abbey Tavern Dinner & Show Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
What's Included
Round trip flights between U.S. & Dublin Welcome get-together drink Group transfers on arrival and departure Tour of Dublin with a local guide Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout Ferry ride across the River Shannon Voucher for open-top bus tour in Dublin (pre-night extension only) Catamaran cruise of Killary Fjord (March 26 - October 25 departures) Services of a professional Irish driver/guide Visits and admissions to Book of Kells at Trinity College, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher, Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory and Clonmacnoise First class hotels with private bath/shower for 6 or 7 nights Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap Full Irish breakfast daily (B) All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person 5 dinners (D) including - Traditional Irish evening with dinner and entertainment at the Abbey Tavern - 4 table d'hote dinners
What's Included
Call (877) 218-8320 for more information or to book today! Mention code 7191660
- Tour Operator
- CIE Tours
- Offer
- Offer valid through 9/30/2008
- Duration
- 9 Days
- Escorted
- Escorted - Yes
| Day | Destination | Description |
| Day 1 | Depart U.S for Dublin | Depart U.S for Dublin : Depart the U.S gateway city in the evening and fly through the night to Ireland to start your vacation. |
| Day 2 | Dublin | Dublin Arrival & Sightseeing : Arrive at Dublin Airport, proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where personnel will arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Today you are on your own so you may opt to join your open-top sightseeing bus tour whenever you wish. This bus service operates daily from 9.30 am to 6:30 pm and you can join at any of 20 stops, each conveniently located near a popular Dublin attraction. You may get off wherever you wish, then just join a later bus and continue to the next place that interests you. Dine independently this evening, either right in your hotel or hotel staff can advise you of places nearby. |
| Day 3 | Dublin | Dublin Tour & Book of Kells : The morning is at leisure. At 2:00 pm join your group for an introductory look around central Dublin. See the fashionable shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view the many elegant Georgian townhouses and pass the Dail where the government convenes. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the 8th century Book of Kells with exquisite illustrations and learn about its origins and monastic traditions. Back at your hotel meet with your tour director and fellow travelers for a welcome drink and discuss your itinerary. |
| Day 4 | Killarney | Rock of Cashel & Blarney Castle : Depart Dublin to travel through the Irish countryside where you can see the "Forty Shades of Green" as you pass many farms. Stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a magnificent limestone outcrop with church ruins. Just outside Cork visit Blarney Castle where you may kiss the popular stone in the ramparts of the castle. Take some time to walk through the gardens, around the village green or shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills, renowned for their quality Irish merchandise. Continue your drive into the mountains of County Kerry to your hotel in the center of Killarney. After dinner you may like to take a stroll around this compact town and sample one of the many singing bars for some entertainment. (B, D) |
| Day 5 | Killarney | Ring of Kerry & Valentia Island : Today you will discover the wonderful scenery of Killarney as you drive around the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views and you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience to learn about early Christian monks who braved a harsh existence on the rocky offshore islands. Continue your trip through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville. On the return, pass through the colorful village of Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before dinner in your hotel. (B, D) |
| Day 6 | Galway | Cliffs of Moher & Galway : Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Tarbert. Take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon and drive along the coastline of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher. This wall of limestone rises to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. The new Visitor Centre explains the history and geology of the cliffs and surrounding region. Drive through the Burren, an area of rounded limestone hills where rock has weathered into amazing rock formations. Drive around the shores of Galway Bay and take a short drive around central Galway before checking into your hotel. (B, D) |
| Day 7 | Galway | Connemara & Catamaran Cruise : Today explore another of Ireland's famous scenic regions - Connemara, where the constantly-changing cloud formations give hills, lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Travel alongside Galway Bay to Spiddal where most locals speak the Irish language. Travel past granite hills and sparkling lakes on the way to Leenane to embark on a short cruise of Killary Harbour, a 9-mile fjord (March 26 - October 25 departures). Enjoy views of hills where traces of pre-Famine "lazy beds" of potato ridges can still be seen. Keep an eye out for seabirds and pass mussel and salmon farms. On your return to Galway stop in Moycullen at the Celtic Connemara Crystal Factory, which specializes in Celtic designs cut into colored creations. (B, D) |
| Day 8 | Dublin | Clonmacnoise & Abbey Tavern : Enjoy some leisure time in Galway and depart mid-morning to visit Clonmacnoise. This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, when Christianity flourished throughout Ireland. See round towers, church ruins and Celtic crosses with elaborate carvings, all in a picturesque setting on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to the greater metropolitan area of Dublin once more and check into another city center hotel, which is conveniently located off O'Connell Street. In the evening drive to the Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner followed by a lively show of traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D) |
| Day 9 | Dublin to the U.S.A. | Dublin to the U.S.A. : Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin 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
Mespil Hotel - Dublin - 2 night(s) Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre - Killarney, Co Kerry - 2 night(s) Courtyard by Marriott, Galway - Galway City, Co Galway - 2 night(s) Academy Plaza Hotel - Dublin - 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 for detailed information regarding your airline's checked baggage policies.
- We highly recommend that you review our general conditions page for full details on terms, conditions, and penalties.
