Travel Central
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 Transfer to your hotel independently check in and settle into your room At 1pm meet your CIE Tours driver/guide in the lobby of your hotel before boarding your luxury motorcoach Next 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 Trinity College to see the Book of Kells an 8th century illuminated manuscript of the gospels and the Old Library Then continue on 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 Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure
Day 3: EASTER RISING TOUR
Today set off with a local guide who will show you around the prominent locations in Dublin associated with the 1916 Uprising This event is known as the Easter Rising which consisted of a violent battle that resulted in many deaths and the destruction of many parts of Dublin Stop to visit the General Post Office on OConnell Street to learn about its role in the Easter Rising and how it was left in ruins Since the events of the Uprising this historic landmark has been restored to its former glory Next 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 After head to Nancy Hands Restaurant to enjoy an authentic Irish lunch with your group Then continue on to visit Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this world-famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today While here enjoy the Academy Experience where you will learn how to pour the perfect pint Return to your nearby hotel and spend the balance of the day free for independent exploring and dining
Day 4: DUBLIN TO KINSALE
Leaving Dublin travel into County Tipperary for photos of the Rock of Cashel These majestic church ruins are clustered high on a limestone outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside Then drive into Midleton to visit the Midleton Distillery Experience Discover how whiskey is made as you walk through the old buildings At the end of your tour enjoy a sample of the finished product Next journey into Kinsale and set off to explore the captivating history of the towns culinary rise to mastery Also try many tantalizing treats as you leisurely walk through this harbor town on an adventure that is sure to please even an avid foodie Motor a short distance to your hotel check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure Kinsale is dubbed the Gourmet Capital of Ireland so there are many wonderful places to choose from to dine this evening
Day 5: KINSALE TO KILLARNEY
After breakfast enjoy some time at leisure to rest or sightsee around Kinsale on your own In the afternoon head to ODonnabhains Bar to enjoy a classic Irish lunch with your group Continue your drive through the Irish countryside into Killarney check into your hotel and settle into your room This evening join your group for dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 6: DINGLE PENINSULA DRIVE
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 Continue on to Slea Head at the western tip of the peninsula This excursion will give you excellent views of mountains and coastline and looking over to the Iveragh Peninsula Next stop to visit Gabriel Kavanagh Farm where you will have the opportunity to see some sheepdogs work in their natural environment After journey to Paidi O Ses Pub to enjoy lunch with your fellow travelers before continuing on to visit Murphys Ice Cream for a private visit with a talk and tasting You might like to try the delicious brown bread or caramelized honeycomb flavors Return to your hotel in Killarney and enjoy the remainder of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own
Day 7: SKELLIG ISLAND EXPERIENCE
This morning set off on an independently arranged visit to Skellig Michael Journey to the magnificent island one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ireland Here learn about the lives of the early monks who lived on the island and slept in beehive-shaped huts made of stone many of which remain to this day Also enjoy a boxed lunch with your group as you take in the sights of the Island Return to the mainland before heading back to your hotel in Killarney for a free evening
Day 8: CLIFFS OF MOHER
Departing Killarney travel into Tarbert and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary Next drive 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 After travel to visit Poulnabrone Dolman a dramatic stone grave marker built about 4000-years-ago Then head to a local pub to enjoy a traditional Irish lunch with your group Following pass through the Burren an area of rocky limestone hills where several unique flowers thrive This region also contains many dolmens prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs Continue your drive into Galway where your driver will leave you at Manor House for your independently booked stay Spend the rest of the day free for individual pursuits and dining
Day 9: GALWAY AT LEISURE
Spend the next three days completely at leisure for independently arranged pursuits In the evening you may like to dine in one of the many restaurants or pubs that Galway has to offer (No CIE Tours services included)
Day 10: GALWAY AT LEISURE
Spend the next two days completely at leisure for independently arranged pursuits In the evening you may like to dine in one of the many restaurants or pubs that Galway has to offer (No CIE Tours services included)
Day 11: GALWAY AT LEISURE
Spend today completely at leisure for independently arranged pursuits In the evening you may like to dine in one of the many restaurants or pubs that Galway has to offer (No CIE Tours services included)
Day 12: CONNEMARA SIGHTSEEING
Today board your luxury motorcoach before traveling 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 Next spend some time at leisure to hike around Connemara National Park which has scenic mountains grasslands woodlands and expanse of bogland After head to a local venue to enjoy lunch with your group before returning to your independently arranged hotel for an evening at leisure
Day 13: ASHFORD CASTLE
This morning travel through Irelands rugged countryside into Cong and stop at the spectacular Ashford Castle While here enjoy full afternoon tea along with a fine assortment of sandwiches and pastries to snack on After discover the ancient form of falconry at the oldest established Falconry School in Ireland You will be introduced to the lovely Harris Hawks along with other beautiful captive bred birds Head back to your individually booked hotel in Galway where the remainder of the day is at leisure
Day 14: GALWAY AT LEISURE
Enjoy the day completely at leisure for independently arranged activities Later in the day you may wish to spend some time around Eyre Square the hub of the city Most of the shops are within easy reach and there are also many quaint pubs where Irish traditional music is played This evening you might like to sample one of the many dinner venues scattered throughout the city (No CIE Tours services included)
Day 15: RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon your vacation has come to its final day Transfer to Shannon 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
Trinity City Hotel, Dublin 2 nights
Trident Hotel, Kinsale 1 night
Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney 3 nights
Own Accommodations, Galway 7 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 06 nights
Full breakfasts (06)
Lunches (06)
Dinners (01)
Tour of Dublin with a local guide
Kinsale Food Tour
Sheepdog trials at Gabriel Kavanagh Farm
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Afternoon tea & falconry demonstration at Ashford Castle
Visits and admission fees to:
Trinity College (Book of Kells)
Guinness Storehouse w/Academy Experience
Kilmainham Goal (subject to availability at time of booking)
EPIC Ireland
Rock of Cashel (Photo Stop)
Jameson Midleton Distillery
Murphy’s Ice Cream
Cliffs of Moher
Kylemore Abbey
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap