Fitzgerald Tours
Day 1: DEPART THE UNITED STATES
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy inflight 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 travel into Dunelty to enjoy an authentic Irish lunch with your group at the Brehon Brewhouse which was founded by Dairy Farmer Seamus McMahon in 2014. Continue your drive into Belfast and stop to visit Titanic Belfast to learn about the evolution of the Titanic from concept until her illfated end in 1912. After embark on an orientation tour of Belfast to see the Albert Memorial the Opera House and Crown Liquor Saloon. Along the way also see political and religious murals scattered throughout the city which often tell of the conflict between the Catholic and Protestants. Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and settle into your room. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 3: GIANTS CAUSEWAY
This morning travel north to visit the Giants Causeway an impressive area of hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava which has given rise to many legends. Then continue on to visit the CarrickaRede Rope Bridge which spans a chasm of some eighty feet deep. This swinging rope bridge is not for the fainthearted but the coastal views are wonderful even without crossing the bridge. After drive into Bushmills and stop to visit the Bushmills Distillery which is Irelands oldest whiskey distillery. See how whiskey is distilled and try a sample at the end of your tour. Head back to your hotel in Belfast where the balance of the day is free for independent exploring and dining.
Day 4: DERRY SIGHTSEEING
Leaving Belfast journey into Derry and join a local guide for a walking tour to see the Guildhall St. Columbs Cathedral the Diamond and the 16th century walls. Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure to sightsee shop and dine on your own.
Day 5: DOAGH FAMINE VILLAGE
Today drive into Lagcurry to visit the Doagh Famine Village and Visitor Center where you will see a wide variety of attractions which showcases life in Ireland from the 1840s to the modern day. Next head to the Inishowen Peninsula and travel the 100mile route which mainly follows the coastline and provides wonderful views. Continue to the rugged promontory of Malin Head Irelands most northerly point. This spectacular headland offers distant views of the Scottish islands of Islay and Jura on a clear day. After journey into Buncrana the peninsulas largest town check into your hotel and settle into your room. Tonight meet your group in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal.
Day 6: GRIANAN OF AILEACH VISITOR CENTER
After breakfast visit Grianan of Aileach one of Irelands greatest circular ring forts. Archaeologists say that majority of the fort dates to around 500 BC. On site also visit Grianan of Aileach Visitor Center housed in a former 150yearold stone church. Next travel to visit the ruins of Burt Castle which dates back to 1560 and overlooks the stunning Lough Swilly. After continue on to visit Glenveagh Castle a Scottishstyle baronial mansion which contains fine antiquefilled rooms. Return to your hotel in Buncrana in time to dine with your fellow travelers in the hotel restaurant.
Day 7: DRUMCLIFFE CHURCHYARD
Departing Buncrana travel to visit Drumcliffe Churchyard to view W.B. Yeats grave. Next drive into North Roscommon and stop to visit the Arigna Mining Centre to experience what life was like for a coal miner in the Arigna Valley before the mines closed. After journey to just outside Manorhamilton to view the beautiful Glencar Waterfall. W.B. Yeats made this small enchanting waterfall famous in his poem The Stolen Child. Continue your drive into Ballyfarnon and check into the luxurious 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 group.
Day 8: STROKESTOWN HOUSE
This morning journey into Strokestown to visit the Strokestown Park House which dates from the 17th century. This fine mansion shows the lifestyle of the affluent owners and the conditions of those with a lot less money particularly during the Famine era of the 1840s. Next drive into Athlone and stop at Seans Bar Irelands oldest Pub to enjoy a drink with your fellow travelers. Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and spend some time at leisure before dining in the hotel restaurant with your group.
Day 9: VIKING BOAT TOUR
After breakfast board a replicated Viking ship and travel along the River Shannon to see lovely surrounding countryside and learn about Irelands Viking history as you sail to Clonmacnoise. Upon arrival stop to visit Clonmacnoise to see the monastic settlement which was founded in 545 and is delightfully set on the banks of the River Shannon. Learn about the history of the site and take a walk around to see the ancient monuments. Return to your hotel in Athlone where the rest of the day is free for individual pursuits and dining.
Day 10: DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
Leaving Athlone travel through the Irish countryside into Dublin. Upon arrival set off with a local guide for a walking tour of historical Dublin. See the Old Irish Parliament Dublin Castle City Hall the Medieval and Viking Quarter. Also walk along the pedestrianized Grafton Street Henry Street and Nassau Street all with busy shoppers roaming the streets. See the famous Temple Bar and many other key places within the city. Stop to tour Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this worldfamous stout was first created and why it is so popular today. Finish your visit in the rooftop bar where you can sample a draft of Guinness. Then continue on to visit the Old Jameson Distillery which was voted Worlds leading Distillery Tour in 2018 and 2019. While here enjoy a fully guided immersive tour to learn about the history and process of whiskey making. End with a comparative whiskey tasting and complimentary Jameson cocktail. Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and enjoy some time at leisure before this evenings festivities.Tonight join your group for tasteful cuisine prepared with the finest ingredients at Fallon and Byrne Restaurant.
Day 11: WICKLOW MOUNTAINS
Today drive south of Dublin to see the delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains. This mountain range runs north to south across County Wicklow with its highest peak Lugnaquilla at 3039 feet. The entire mountain region is frequented especially on weekends by Dubliners for its scenery and outdoor recreation. Stop to 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. Return to your hotel in Dublin and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure for independent 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
Grand Central Hotel, Belfast 2 nights
Ebrington Hotel, Derry 1 night
Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana 2 nights
Kilronan Castle Hotel, Ballyfarnon 1 night
Sheraton Hotel, Athlone 2 nights
Radisson Blu Royal 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 (10)
Lunches (01)
Dinners (06):
Table d'hôte dinners (05)
Dinner at Fallon & Byrne Restaurant
Guided walking tours of Derry & Dublin
Drink at Sean's Bar
Viking Boat Tour
Visits and admission fees to:
Titanic Belfast
Giant's Causeway
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Old Bushmills Distillery
Doagh Famine Village
Grianan of Aileach Visitor Centre
Burt Castle
Glenveagh Castle
Drumcliffe Churchyard
Arigna Mining Experience
Glencar Waterfall
Strokestown House
Clonmacnoise
Guinness Storehouse
Old Jameson Distillery
Glendalough Visitor Centre
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap