MARK FORREST
Day 1: DEPART THE UNITED STATES
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.
Day 2: DUBLIN ARRIVAL
After landing at Dublin Airport complete customs and immigration formalities. Your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Stop to have breakfast at the Coachmans Inn before continuing on to celebrate mass with your group. After journey into Ballyfarnon and check into the Kilronan Castle Hotel. Spend the balance of the afternoon at leisure to enjoy Kilronan Castle. You may be interested in using the spa which is dedicated to offering the ultimate in luxury pampering treatments. Or perhaps you may enjoy taking a leisurely walk around the magnificent estate. There is also the leisure club golfing biking and sailing available to the hotel guest. This evening enjoy dinner in Kilronan Castles fine restaurant with your fellow travelers.
Day 3: KNOCK SHRINE
This morning drive into the pilgrimage town of Knock and stop to visit Knock Shrine one of the worlds leading shrines where the Virgin Mary appeared to 15 people on August 21 1879. While here celebrate mass with your fellow travelers. After return to your castle hotel where the remainder of the afternoon is free to relax or explore the castle grounds. In the evening join your group for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 4: GALWAY SIGHTSEEING
Leaving Ballyfarnon travel into Galway and embark on a panoramic tour to see the principal sights of the city. See the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area the City Museum and the Cathedral of Our Lady which is built on the site of the former county jail. After enjoy some time at leisure to explore the city on your own. Continue your journey into Ennis check into your hotel and settle into your room. Tonight dine with your fellow travelers in the hotel restaurant.
Day 5: CLIFFS OF MOHER
After breakfast drive along the coast of County Clare and stop to visit the Cliffs of Moher one of Irelands most beloved natural landmarks. See magical vistas overlooking the shimmering Atlantic Ocean along with Irelands Western coastline. After your visit take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Then continue your travel into Killarney check into your hotel and enjoy some free time before dining with your group in the hotel restaurant.
Day 6: RING OF KERRY
This morning celebrate mass with your group. Then set off to explore the Ring of Kerry 100 miles of marvelous scenery consisting of the highest peaks in Ireland on one side and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. Enjoy plenty of stops to view the scenery and take photos. Return to your hotel in Killarney where you may like to rest or explore some of the town before meeting your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 7: BLARNEY & KILLARNEY AT LEISURE
Today journey near Blarney and stop to celebrate mass with your group. Then continue on to visit the Blarney Woollen Mills which has an excellent range of Irish products. You will also have time to browse around the village charmingly set around a large village green. Return to Killarney where the balance of the day is at leisure to browse shop and sightsee independently. You may like to visit St. Marys Catholic Cathedral with its soaring spire or the Franciscan Friary with superb stained glass windows. You could also visit the Transport Museum containing a fine collection of vintage cars or take a walk to Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane. Another possible short excursion would be a Jaunting Car Ride to Muckross House. In the evening you may like to dine in one of the many restaurants or pubs that Killarney has to offer.
Day 8: DUBLIN
Departing Killarney travel through Irelands green pastures into the bustling city of Dublin check into your hotel and settle into your room. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the city at your own pace. This evening joining your group for a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 9: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon your vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Dublin Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
CONFIRMED HOTELS
Kilronan Castle Estate, BALLYFARNON 2 nights
Old Ground Hotel, ENNIS 1 night
Killarney Plaza Hotel, KILLARNEY 3 nights
Ashling Hotel, DUBLIN 1 night
TOUR INCLUDES
Exclusive transport by luxury motorcoach with a driver/guide
Meet and greet service with one group transfer upon arrival and departure at the airport
Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath as listed for 7 nights
Full breakfasts (8) including a traditional Irish breakfast at the Coachman's Inn
Table d'hôte dinners (6)
Visits and admission fees to:
Celebrate Mass (4)
Knock Shrine
Cliffs of Moher
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Rock of Cashel (photo stop)
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap