CRUISES AND TOURS UNLIMITED - FIBER GARDEN
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 Spend the balance of the afternoon at leisure in Dublin where you can choose from a wide variety of pursuits Use your Hop on Hop off pass to visit several places so you can get better acquainted with the city There are also plenty of museums of Irish interest such as the National Museum the National Gallery or the Writers Museum You may also want to shop along Nassau Street the pedestrianized Grafton Street or Henry Street Later in the day you might like to freshen up before tonights welcome festivities
This evening walk a short distance to Nancy Hands Restaurant to enjoy an authentic Irish dinner with your group
Day 3: DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
This morning 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 EPIC Ireland which celebrates the dramatic story of the spread of Irish culture around the globe and how Ireland has changed throughout the years Then head to a local venue to enjoy a Tunisian Crochet Trunk Show led by Irish Crochet teacher Aoibhe Ni Return to your nearby hotel and spend the remainder of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own
Day 4: CUSHENDALE WOOLLEN MILLS
Leaving Dublin travel to visit the Zwartbles Farm for a tour of the family farm and to learn about the Zwartbles Sheep While here also have an authentic Irish lunch with your fellow travelers Then continue on to visit the Cushendale Woollen Mills which is one of the oldest operating woollen mills in Ireland Enjoy some free time to shop for quality made Irish goods Transfer to your hotel in Kilkenny check in and settle into your room Tonight join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 5: BLARNEY CASTLE
Departing Kilkenny 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 Cork and stop to visit Hedgehog Fibers to learn about the art of yarn and fiber dyeing Transfer to your hotel in Killarney check in and enjoy some free time to freshen up before dining with your group in the hotel restaurant
Day 6: RING OF KERRY
Today 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 Head back into Killarney and embark on a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park Return to your hotel for some free time to freshen up before a festive evening with your group
Tonight travel to Kate Kearneys Cottage which is situated at the entrance of the Gap of Dunloe Your Irish Night will consist of a superb meal and entertainment
Day 7: APPLEOAK FIBRE WORKS
After breakfast travel to visit Appleoak Fibre Works a natural dyeing company using environmentally friendly dyes to color yarn and fabrics Enjoy a tour of the studio before seeing the process of dyeing fabrics naturally Next journey to the Mckernan Woollen Mills for a tour followed by some free time to browse through their selection of high-quality woven wool scarves and Irish goods Following drive into Bunratty and stop at Durty Nellys Pub which stands in the shadow of Bunratty Castle and has been in business for about two centuries It is a warren of small rooms and intimate bars with cozy fireplace seats There is usually a lively session of music and the atmosphere is spirited While here enjoy a traditional Irish lunch with your group Continue into Shannon and check into the charming Inn at Dromoland for your overnight stay This evening you might like to sample the local cuisine by dining at a nearby venue
Day 8: ARAN ISLANDS
This morning take a short ferry ride from Doolin to Inis Oirr the smallest of the three Aran Islands These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintained traditional fishing and farming The Irish language is still spoken widely Upon arrival stop to enjoy a knitting class led by Una McDonagh an Inis Oirr native While here also have lunch with your fellow travelers Head back to the mainland by ferry before transferring to your hotel in Galway and checking in for your stay This evening meet your group in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal
Day 9: GALWAY SIGHTSEEING
Today join a local guide for a gentle walking tour of Galway See the medieval city walls Lynchs Castle and the narrow streets Next drive into Lettershea and stop at Dan OHaras Homestead to learn how to bake a traditional Irish Bread followed by a tasting of what you just helped prepare Return to your hotel in Galway and spend the balance of the day at leisure In the evening you might like to dine in one of the citys lively dinner venues
Day 10: GALWAY TO DONEGAL
Leaving Galway journey into Ballina to visit Killala Woolcraft a craft studio dedicated to teaching traditional techniques of wool spinning and weaving Here enjoy a weaving demonstration with your fellow travelers Continue your drive into Donegal check into your hotel and settle into your room This evening dine with your group in the hotel restaurant
Day 11: SLIEVE LEAGUE SEA CLIFFS
After breakfast head to Studio Donegal which opened in 1979 and manufactures hand woven wools Enjoy The Mill Experience where you will go behind the scenes of the genuine working mill to learn the process of creating their handmade goods Next travel to 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 enjoy an Irish coffee with your group Head back to your hotel in Donegal town for a free evening Tonight you might like to dine in one of the many traditional or modern dinner venues located within the town
Day 12: DONEGAL TO CAVAN
Departing Donegal journey to Hand-Woven by Liz Christy for some free time to browse through the luxurious hand-woven Irish scarves designed by Liz Christy Next travel to visit The Lace Gallery to view delicate hand-stitched lace work done by lacemaker Mary ONeill using the traditional Carrickmacross lace method which originated in the early 1820s Continue your travel into Cavan check into your hotel and settle into your room This evening have dinner in the hotel restaurant with your group
Day 13: CRAFTS OF IRELAND
This morning journey to Crafts of Ireland to take part in a workshop with your group Here enjoy a delightful cup of afternoon tea while you learn how to master the art of wool painting as you create your own landscape picture Return to your hotel where the rest of the afternoon is at leisure This evening meet your fellow travelers for a wonderful farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 14: 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
Ashling Hotel, Dublin 2 nights
River Court Hotel, Kilkenny 1 night
Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney 2 nights
Inn at Dromoland, Shannon 1 night
Ardilaun Hotel, Galway 2 nights
Harveys Point Hotel, Donegal 2 nights
Farnham Estate Hotel, Cavan 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 12 nights
Full breakfasts (12)
Lunches (03)
Dinners (08):
Table d'hôte dinners (06)
Welcome dinner at Nancy Hands Pub
Kate Kearney's Irish Night w/dinner & entertainment
Dublin open-top bus tour
Tour of Dublin with a local guide
Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
Ferry to Inis Orr
Guided walking tour of Galway
Visits and admission fees to:
EPIC Ireland
Zwartbles Farm
Cushendale Woollen Mills
Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills
Hedgehog Fibers
AppleOak Fibre Works
McKernan Mill
Killala Woolcraft
Donegal Studio
Slieve League Cliffs
Crafts of Ireland
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap