Molly Maguire Pub
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. Have breakfast with your group at a local restaurant or pub. Continue into Kilbeggan and visit the Kilbeggan Distillery which was established in 1757. While here enjoy a tour and tasting of the finished product. Next travel into Galway and join a local guide for a gentle walking tour. See the medieval city walls Lynchs Castle and the narrow streets. Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and settle into your room. In the evening meet your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3: CONNEMARA SIGHTSEEING
This morning travel through the Connemara Region to admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. Continue into the town of Moycullen and stop to visit the Connemara Marble Factory. Quarried in Connemara the soft green shades of the marble echoes the colors of the countryside from which it is cut. See how it is made into many decorative items. Next drive into Cong and embark on a walking tour of the village a place made famous by the 1952 movie of The Quiet Man featuring John Wayne and Maureen OHara. Discover places featured in the movie and see some of the movie memorabilia in the Quiet Man Heritage Cottage. Return to your hotel in Galway where the rest of the day is free for individual pursuits and dining.
Day 4: CLIFFS OF MOHER
Leaving Galway drive along the coast of scenic 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 journey into Killarney check into your hotel and settle into your room. You may like to rest or explore some of the town before dining with your group in the hotel restaurant.
Day 5: DINGLE PENINSULA
Today discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula once described by the National Geographic Traveler as the most beautiful place on earth. Drive along the south shore of the peninsula for plenty of vistas of heathery mountains sandy stretches of beach stunning green landscapes and rocky headlands. Pause at strategic locations to admire the views and take photos. Return to Killarney in time for dinner.
Day 6: RING OF KERRY
After breakfast set off to explore the Ring of Kerry which consist of over a 100 miles of marvelous scenery. See some of Irelands highest peaks on one side of the road and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. There will also be plenty of stops to take-in the scenery and to snap photos. Have lunch with your group at a local venue before returning Killarney. The balance of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Day 7: KILLARNEY AT LEISURE
Spend the day completely free to explore Killarney on your own. You may like to visit St. Marys Catholic Cathedral 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: BLARNEY CASTLE & WOOLLEN MILLS
Departing Killarney drive into Blarney where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence. Then 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. Continue your travel into Kinsale check into your hotel and settle into your room. Tonight dine with your fellow travelers in the hotel restaurant.
Day 9: GLENDALOUGH
Today travel into County Wicklow and visit the 6th century monastic ruins of Glendalough. The visitor centre explains how St. Kevin founded this settlement at a time when Christianity was burgeoning throughout Ireland. Then continue your journey through Irelands countryside into the lively city of Dublin check into your hotel and settle into your room. Enjoy some time at leisure to explore the city before meeting your group for dinner.
Day 10: DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast set off with a local guide who will show you around Dublin. Stop to tour Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this world famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today. Finish your visit in the roof-top bar where you can sample a draft of Guinness. Continue on to visit Kilmainham Gaol to see what punishment was like during its years of operation from 1796 to 1924. Learn about political prisoners especially from the 1916 Rising detained here because of their efforts to shape Irelands history. Return to your nearby hotel and spend some time to relax or freshen up before tonights farewell festivities. This evening drive to Taylors Three Rock for dinner followed by a lively show.
Day 11: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
Transfer to Dublin Airport and check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying back to the United States.
CONFIRMED HOTELS
Hotel Meyrick, Galway- 2 nights
Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney- 4 nights
Actons Hotel, Kinsale- 1 night
Camden Court Hotel, Dublin- 2 nights
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 09 nights
Full breakfasts (10)
Breakfast upon arrival at a local restaurant or pub
Lunch (01)
Lunch at a local restaurant or pub along the Ring of Kerry
Dinners (06):
Table d'hôte dinners (05)
Dinner at Taylor's Three Rock
Guided walking tour of Galway
'The 'Quiet Man' walking tour of Cong
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Tour of Dublin with a local guide
Visits and admission fees to:
Kilbeggan Distillery
Connemara Marble
Cliffs of Moher
Blarney Castle & Woolen Mills
Glendalough Visitor Centre
Guinness Storehouse
Kilmainham Gaol
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap