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 stop to visit Newbridge Silverware which has been designing and producing quality jewellery homeware and giftware products for over 80 years While here enjoy a traditional Irish lunch with your group Then continue your travel into Kilkenny and embark 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 dinner in the hotel restaurant
Day 3: DUNBRODY EMIGRANT SHIP
Today 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 After journey into Kilkenny and stop to visit the Smithwicks Experience to uncover over 300 years of Smithwicks history along with discovering the businesss innovative brewing practices While here enjoy a tasting of the finished product Transfer to your nearby hotel check in and spend the remainder of the day free for individual pursuits and dining
Day 4: BLARNEY CASTLE
Departing Kilkenny drive into Blarney where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence Continue your travel into Killarney check into your hotel and enjoy some free time before dining in the hotel restaurant with your group
Day 5: RING OF KERRY
This morning 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 to your hotel in Killarney and spend the rest of the day free to sightsee shop and dine on your own
Day 6: CLIFFS OF MOHER
Leaving 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 Transfer to your hotel in Galway check in and settle into your room You might like to relax or freshen up before meeting your group for dinner in the hotel restaurant
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 Next set off on a cruise along Lough Corrib 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 enjoy a cup of Irish coffee with your group Return to your hotel in Galway and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure for independent exploring and dining
Day 8: KYLEMORE ABBEY
Today 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 settle into your room This evening meet your fellow travelers in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal
Day 9: ACHILL ISLAND TOUR
This morning 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 Head back to your hotel in Westport for a free evening
Day 10: WESTPORT TO TRIM
Departing Westport travel into Carrick-on-Shannon and set off on a Moon River Cruise While on board enjoy the breathtaking scenery associated with the River Shannon Next journey into Trim to visit Trim Castle a large 12th century Anglo-Norman castle that sits on the River Boyne and was constructed Hugh de Lacy along with his son Walter Following check into the nearby beautiful Trim Castle Hotel You might like to rest or explore some of the castle grounds before meeting your group for dinner in Trim Castles fine restaurant
Day 11: SEANS BAR
After breakfast drive into Kilbeggan to visit the Kilbeggan Distillery which was established in 1757 and is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in the world While here enjoy a tour and tasting of the finished product Then travel into Athlone and stop at Seans Bar Irelands oldest Pub to have a drink with your fellow travelers Return to your castle hotel and spend the remainder 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
Great Southern Hotel, Killarney 2 nights
Galway Bay Hotel, Galway 2 nights
Castlecourt Hotel, Westport 2 nights
Trim Castle Hotel, Trim 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)
Lunches (01)
Dinners (05)
Guided walking tours of Kilkenny & Galway
Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
Lough Corrib Cruise
Achill Island
Visits and admission fees to:
Dunbrody Emigrant Ship
Smithwick's Experience
Blarney Castle
Cliffs of Moher
Kylemore Abbey
Clonmacnoise
Trim Castle
Slane Distillery
Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap