Catholic Travel Pros
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 stop to have breakfast with your group at a local restaurant or pub Then journey into Newcastle check into your hotel and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure In the evening join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 3: TITANIC BELFAST
Today travel into Newry and stop at Father Damiens home Cathedral to celebrate Mass with your fellow travelers After drive into Belfast and stop to visit Titanic Belfast to learn about the evolution of the Titanic from concept until her ill-fated end in 1912 Return to your hotel in Newcastle where the remainder of the day is free for independent exploring and dining
Day 4: ULSTER AMERICAN FOLK PARK
This morning journey into County Tyrone to visit the Ulster American Folk Park which was once home to Thomas Mellon Stroll through his house a school a church and even a farm to see the rural way of life for the past few centuries Next travel into Enniskillen and stop at Blakes of the Hollow Pub one of the most famous and well recognized Victorian pubs in Ireland While here enjoy a drink with your group Continue your journey into Donegal check into your hotel and settle into your room Tonight meet your group in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal
Day 5: SLIEVE LEAGUE SEA CLIFFS
After breakfast visit the Slieve League Sea Cliffs where the highest point reaches 1972 feet making them the highest in Europe The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves below and you will see marvelous vistas While here have an Irish coffee with your fellow travelers Next drive into Ardara to see demonstrations of spinning weaving and knitting at Triona Designs After head to the nearby Nancys of Ardara which offers a warm atmosphere and traditional flavor Enjoy an authentic Irish dinner with your group before heading back to your hotel in Donegal for a free evening
Day 6: BELLEEK POTTERY
Departing Donegal drive into Belleek and stop to visit the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how skilled craftspeople form and decorate clay to produce delicate porcelain masterpieces Then visit Atlantic Sheepdogs where you will have the opportunity to experience farm life and see some of the worlds smartest sheepdogs working in their natural environment Continue into Westport to visit Westport House an 18th century mansion with magnificent views of Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean See stunning rooms with priceless furnishings paintings books and silver Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and spend the rest of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own
Day 7: KNOCK SHRINE
Today travel to the pilgrimage town of Knock 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 group Then travel into Galway and join a local guide for a gentle walking tour of the city See the medieval city walls Lynchs Castle and the narrow streets After enjoy some time at leisure to explore around the lively city on your own Continue your drive into Ennis check into your hotel and settle into your room This evening dine in the hotel restaurant with your group
Day 8: JOHN B KEANES BAR
Leaving Ennis journey 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 Next drive into Listowel and stop at John B Keanes Bar which is where the author who the pub is named after wrote many of his famous masterpieces While here enjoy a cup of tea and fresh baked scones with your group After drive into Dingle town and stop to enjoy some free time to explore the area on your own Dingle is an area situated below Slievanea Mountain and faces comfortably onto the sheltered harbor As a market town and fishing port Dingle has long been well supplied with pubs and opportunities to hear traditional Irish music Then continue on to visit Murphys Ice Cream for a private visit with a talk and tasting While here you might like to try the delicious brown bread or caramelized honeycomb flavors Transfer to your hotel in Killarney check in and enjoy some free time before meeting your group in the hotel restaurant for dinner
Day 9: RING OF KERRY
After breakfast set off to explore the Ring of Kerry which consist of over 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 Next 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 Killarney and spend the rest of the day at leisure for individual pursuits and dining
Day 10: BLARNEY CASTLE
Departing Killarney travel into the village of Fossa and stop at a local venue to celebrate 10am Mass with your group Next 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 Following journey along the outskirts of Portlaoise and through Naas into Dublin Upon arrival check into your hotel settle into your room and enjoy some free time before a festive evening with your group
Tonight drive to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs dancing and music
Day 11: DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
This morning set off with a local guide who will show you around Dublin The city has been molded through the centuries by economic political and artistic influences that has shaped its architecture Stop to visit EPIC Ireland which celebrates the dramatic story of the spread of Irish culture around the globe and how Ireland has changed throughout the years Following journey to the Mercy International Center which Catherine McAuley opened in 1827 under the name the House of Mercy The main purpose of the center is to shelter feed and educate women and girls While here celebrate Mass with your group Head back to your nearby hotel and spend the balance of the day free 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
Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle 2 nights
Harveys Point Hotel, Donegal 2 nights
Knockranny House Hotel, Westport 1 night
Old Ground Hotel, Ennis 1 night
Muckross Park Hotel & Spa, Killarney 2 nights
Morgan 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 (06):
Table d'hôte dinners (04)
Dinner at Nancy's of Ardara
Dublin Irish Night w/dinner & entertainment
Welcome get-together drink
Drink at Blakes of the Hollow Pub
Slieve League Sea Cliffs w/Irish coffee
Sheepdog trials at Atlantic Sheepdog
Guided walking tours of Galway & Adare
Tea & scones at John B. Keane's Bar
Tour of Dublin with a local guide
Visits and admission fees to:
Titanic Belfast
Ulster American Folk Park
Triona Design
Belleek Pottery
Westport House
Knock Shrine
Murphy's Ice Cream
Moriarty's Gift Shop
Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills
EPIC Ireland
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap