NACTA Shamrock Imports
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. Next journey into Newbridge and stop to visit Newbridge Silverware which has been designing and producing quality jewelry homeware and giftware products for over 80 years. While here enjoy an authentic Irish breakfast with your group. Then continue your travel into Kilkenny and set off on a guided walking tour of the town. The humorous and informative guide will show you many sites which help make stories about the past come to life. Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and settle into your room. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3: DUNBRODY EMIGRANT SHIP
This morning drive into New Ross to visit the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship a replica of a sailing vessel built in 1845 to transport emigrants from Ireland to North America. The visit will give you an insight as to what life on board ship was like as well as filling you in on the history of the famine years. Then journey into Inistioge and stop to enjoy some free time to explore the historic village on your own. Inistioge is one of the most charming villages in Ireland and doubled as a filming location for a number of films including Circle of Friends The Secret Scripture and Widows Peak. Head back to your hotel in Kilkenny and enjoy the remainder of the day free for individual pursuits and dining.
Day 4: ROCK OF CASHEL
Leaving Kilkenny travel into County Tipperary to visit the Rock of Cashel. While here see majestic church ruins that are clustered high on a limestone outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside. After drive into Adare and set off on a guided walking tour to see the highlights of the village. Adare is famous for its attractive main street of thatched houses and colorful gardens. Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and settle into your room. Tonight meet your group in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal.
Day 5: MORIARTYS GIFT SHOP
Today journey into Killarney and set off on a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park. After enjoy some time at leisure to explore around the charming town on your own. Then continue your travel to the Gap of Dunloe to visit Moriartys Gift Shop. Since the shop opened in 1964 Moriartys has become a landmark destination for shoppers. Return to your hotel in Adare for an evening at leisure.
Day 6: CLIFFS OF MOHER
Departing Adare drive into Tarbert and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Next travel along the coast of scenic County Clare 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. Continue your journey into Galway check into your hotel and settle into your room. This evening have dinner in the hotel restaurant with your fellow travelers.
Day 7: GALWAY SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast join a local guide for a gentle walking tour of Galway. See the medieval city walls Lynchs Castle and the narrow streets. Then head to Lough Corrib and set off on a cruise along the Lough which is the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland. Measuring 68 square miles and with 365 islands this lake is one of the cleanest and most scenic in all of Europe. Lough Corrib contains many islands with historic ruins and a wealth of wildlife. While on-board also enjoy a cup of Irish coffee with your group. Head back to your hotel in Galway and spend the rest of the day free to sightsee shop and dine independently.
Day 8: CONNEMARA SIGHTSEEING
Leaving Galway travel through the Connemara Region to admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Stop to visit Kylemore Abbey for a tour of the elegant mansion and church set beside a tranquil lake. Learn of the tales of tragedy romance and royal visits. Also walk through the magical Victorian walled garden. Continue your drive into Westport check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. In the evening join your group for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 9: ACHILL ISLAND TOUR
Today set off around Clew Bay through Newport and along Curraun Peninsula to reach Achill Island joined to the mainland by a bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful and wild scenic views of steeply sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Return to your hotel in Westport where the balance of the day is free for independent exploring and dining.
Day 10: SEANS BAR
This morning drive into Athlone and stop at Seans Bar Irelands oldest Pub to enjoy a drink with your fellow travelers. After travel through Irelands rolling hills into Dublin check into your hotel and settle into your room. You might like to relax or freshen up before a festive evening with your group.
Tonight head to Taylors Three Rock for quality Irish food that is accompanied with lively music and dance.
Day 11: GLASNEVIN MUSEUM
After breakfast visit the Glasnevin Museum Irelands national necropolis for a guided tour of the final resting place of some of the most prominent people in Irelands history. Then continue on 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. Return to your nearby hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure for individual sightseeing shopping dining pubs and more.
Day 12: 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 back to the United States.
CONFIRMED HOTELS
Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny 2 nights
Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel, Adare 2 nights
Galway Bay Hotel, Galway 2 nights
Castlecourt Hotel, Westport 2 nights
Green 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 10 nights
Full breakfasts (11)
Dinners (05):
Table d'hôte dinners (04)
Dinner at Taylor's Three Rock
Guided walking tours of Kilkenny, Adare & Galway
Welcome get-together drink
Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Lough Corrib Cruise
Achill Island
Drink at Sean's Bar
Visits and admission fees to:
Newbridge Silverwear
Dunbrody Emigrant Ship
Rock of Cashel
Cliffs of Moher
Kylemore Abbey
Glasnevin Museum
Guinness Storehouse
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap