Special Interest Packages
Bernie Schmidt's 2010 Tour of Ireland
Full ItineraryB=Breakfast included D=Dinner included
Day 1 - Wednesday, August 11: Departure Chicago
Depart from Chicago for overnight flight to Ireland
Day 2 - Thursday, August 12: Arrive Dublin – City Tour
Following an early morning arrival at Dublin Airport, you will be met by your Driver/Guide and escorted to your motor coach. On leaving the airport you will be taken on a tour of Dublin - Ireland’s capital city on the banks of the River Liffey. The first stop will be to visit Trinity College for a viewing of the Book of Kells and the library. After free time for lunch the tour resumes passing the Georgian Squares with their 18th Century houses, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Phoenix Park (the biggest town park in Europe), statue filled O’Connell Street and the fashionable Grafton Street. In the afternoon you will check into your hotel. (D)
Day 3 - Friday, August 13: Glendalough & Avoca Excursion- Dublin
Today, you will travel south to County Wicklow known as “The Garden of Ireland”. Your first stop is Glendalough (Valley of Two Lakes) where you go back in time to the 7th century with a guided tour of this remarkable early monastic settlement. You then continue your journey through the beautiful Vale of Avoca where you visit the Avoca hand weavers (the oldest in Ireland) and a demonstration of this very old craft. There will be time for shopping and lunch in Avoca before returning to Dublin via the Glen of the Downs. The remainder of the day and evening you are free to explore Dublin. Enjoy a relaxing dinner on your own or participate in an optional traditional Irish Night that includes dinner, song and dance. (B)
Day 4 - Saturday, August 14: Kilkenny Castle - Kinsale
After breakfast you bid farewell to Dublin and you will travel to Kilkenny city on the banks of river Nore for a tour of Kilkenny Castle. This 12th century Victorian castle and beautiful landscaped grounds overlook the city. The castle includes a library, drawing room, and bedrooms decorated in 1830’s splendor as well as the beautiful Long Gallery. After lunch travel to Kinsale, a historic fishing town on the southern coastline of County Cork. It is renowned for its restaurants and many interesting shops and pubs. (B,D)
Day 5 - Sunday, August 15: Queenstown Story & Blarney Castle Excursion - Kinsale
In the morning you will visit Cobh one of the main points of emigration during the great famine and the last port of call of the Titanic. “The Queenstown Story” visit, which portrays the hardship of emigration during the famine, will leave you with a better understanding of Irish history. The afternoon is a visit to Blarney Woollen Mills and an opportunity to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone.(B)
Day 6 - Monday, August 16: West Cork- Kenmare - Killarney
Today the motor coach travels through the beautiful Irish countryside. You travel through the towns of Rosscarbery and Skibbereen to Bantry. You continue along the shores of Bantry to Glengarriff, and over the Caha Mountains to the town of Kenmare. From here it’s on to Killarney for a three night stay. (B,D)
Day 7- Tuesday, August 17: Ring of Kerry Excursion - Killarney
Today you embark on one of Ireland’s most famous tours – The Ring of Kerry. Your first visit this morning will be to Mackens of Ireland for some optional shopping and a complimentary Irish Coffee. You continue through the wild and rugged landscape of The Iveragh Peninsula, which has some breathtaking views of the Atlantic coastline. Your next stop is in Sneem where you will have tea and scones in the Old Bank House, a privately owned Georgian house filled with antiques and old world charm in the heart of one of Ireland’s most picturesque villages. Dinner is on your own. (B, Afternoon Tea & Scones)
Day 8 - Wednesday, August 18: Dingle Peninsula Excursion - Killarney
This morning you depart Killarney and head for Sleahead. Today you will enjoy the beauty of The Dingle Pennisula. Your tour will take you to the most westerly point of Ireland where you can view The Blasket Islands. You will also see some of the locations for such films as “Ryan’s Daughter” and the more recently filmed “Far and Away” which starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. A visit to the quaint fishing village of Dingle is a wonderful ending to your scenic drive. Return to Killarney in the late afternoon. This evening you are free to enjoy your final night in Killarney. (B)
Day 9 - Thursday, August 19: Tralee - Shannon Ferry – Cliffs of Moher - Galway
Upon leaving Killarney you will travel to Tralee, capital town of County Kerry and famous for The Rose of Tralee Festival. You continue to Tarbert where you board the Shannon Ferry, which crosses the Shannon Estuary to Killimer. From here you take the coast road to the majestic Cliffs of Moher which rises to a height of 600 ft over the Atlantic Ocean. (B,D)
Day 10 - Friday, August 20: Aran Island Excursion - Galway
After breakfast you will travel to Rossaveal where you will board a ferry to Inishmore the largest of the Aran Islands. On arrival on Inishmore you will take a mini coach tour of the island. There are many ancient remains preserved on the island for you to view. A beautiful walk to the spectacular pre-historic fort of Dun Aengus is an adventure to remember. In Seven Churches you will view Roman graves, chapel ruins, 8th through 11th century crosses and monastic houses. The thatched cottage used in the 1930’s silent movie “Man from Aran” is a majestic sight. After the tour enjoy free time for lunch and shopping in the harbor village of Kilronan. In the late afternoon you will board the ferry for a return voyage to Rossaveal where your coach will take you to Galway city. (B)
Day 11 - Saturday, August 21: Connemara Excursion
A tour of the Connemara area, which is a glorious mix of mountains, streams, pastoral scenery and boglands, begins your final day in Ireland. You will encounter sheep, wild and rugged landscape, and view the locations for many famous films including: “The Quiet Man” (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara) and “The Field” (Richard Harris). The spectacular Connemara scenery is breathtaking. Your tour today will include a visit to Kylemore Abbey, built in 1866. Today Kylemore is the home of Benedictine Nuns. You continue to Cong, one of the main locations for the “Quiet Man” film. In Cong you will see a 14th century cross, the ruins of Cong Abbey, founded in 1128 and the monk’s fishing hut. Your journey continues along the banks of Lough Corrib, the largest lake in Ireland, to the Connemara Marble Factory. Following an explanation of this famous marble you continue to Galway City. Tonight you will enjoy a farewell dinner. (B,D)
Day 12 - Sunday, August 22: Depart Shannon
Today you sadly bid farewell to the Emerald Isle. You travel to Shannon Airport (1hr 30 mins). Here you will have ample time for duty free shopping before you board your flight home. (B)
Tour of Ireland Cost and Inclusions
General Tour of Ireland information
Download Tour of Ireland brochure
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