2020 Irish Legends - 10 Days/9 Nights

2020 Irish Legends 10 Days / 9 Nights / 17 meals

Day 1: Dublin Arrival & Malahide Castle
Your tour begins at 2:00 PM at Dunboyne Castle Hotel. We strongly recommend you book an airport transfer when you buy your tour. Head out to visit Malahide Castle, first built in 1185 and filled with medieval artifacts. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner.
(D)

Day 2: Irish National Stud & Kilkenny Walk
Visit the home of equine royalty, the Irish National Stud, where you’ll see some of the world’s finest thoroughbreds. Take a walk around the grounds to see St. Fiachra’s Garden and the miniature Japanese Gardens. Enjoy lunch in the Kilkenny Design Centre. Take a walking tour of Kilkenny with a local guide along the Medieval Mile, the city’s main road to see historic streets and buildings. The evening is free for dining on your own.
(B, L)

Day 3: Waterford Crystal & Dunbrody Famine Ship
Witness the creation of crystal masterpieces during your visit to the House of Waterford Crystal. Then join a local guide for a gentle walking tour to hear stories about Waterford’s long history and some of its colorful characters. Explore more of the town with time for lunch on your own, then head to New Ross to explore the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a replica of the vessel used during the 1840s famine to transport emigrants to North America.
(B, D)

Day 4: Cobh Heritage Centre & Blarney Castle
Travel south to Cobh, the last port of call of the Titanic and where many places associated with the liner still exist. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration over a number of centuries from Ireland to North America. Head to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone or stroll through the spacious parklands to view Blarney House before traveling on to Killarney.
(B, D)

Day 5: Killarney & Dingle Peninsula
Spend the morning at leisure in Killarney, a little town with an ideal location beside Ireland’s highest mountains. Discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula as you drive along the south shore to admire views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, and rocky headlands. Stop at the South Pole Inn to learn about Tom Crean, an early Irish explorer who braved the South Pole. Browse around the town of Dingle and enjoy a drink, dinner and entertainment at Foley’s Bar and Restaurant before returning to Killarney.
(B, D)

Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Galway Panoramic Tour
Embark on a memorable ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. View the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs where on a clear day you can see great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Immerse yourself in farm life at Rathbaun Farm and watch a farmer demonstrate how his trained dogs herd sheep. Enjoy tea and homemade scones at the farm. Head to Galway for a panoramic city tour.
(B, D)

Day 7: Aran Islands Excursion & Pre-Historic Dun Aengus Fort
Set out across the Galway Bay for Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintain traditional fishing and farming methods. Head to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs, which fall away to the Atlantic Ocean below. Explore Kilronan, the main town, and enjoy a casual lunch before returning by ferry.
(B, L)

Day 8: Clonmacnoise Monastic Site & Sean's Bar
Visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement founded in 545 AD and set on the banks of the River Shannon. Marvel at elaborate High Celtic crosses decorated with biblical scenes, walk around the many church ruins and two round towers. Head to nearby Athlone and stop at Sean’s Bar for an Irish coffee, a CIE Tours Exclusive experience. This pub has a documented history going right back to 900 AD – and is featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest pub in Europe. During renovations in 1970, ancient walls and old coins dating back centuries were discovered. In the evening, head to Dublin’s Abbey Tavern for an Irish dinner and lively show.
(B,D)

Day 9: Independent Bus Tour
Enjoy your day in Dublin independently on the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour and a visit to your choice of one of Dublin’s top attractions – Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, or the GPO Witness History Visitor Centre.
(B)

Day 10: Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

All components of this tour (hotels, visits and attractions) for 2020 itineraries are subject to change until finalized in September 2019.

Authentic Local Experiences

• Visit Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands and discover this stronghold of traditional Irish culture and language. You’ll visit Dun Aengus, a prehistoric fort on the edge of a 100- meter cliff.
• Explore Irish emigration at the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a replica of the vessel that carried Irish refugees to North America in the 1840s.

Dining Experiences

• 9 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 6 dinners (D) including Dunboyne Castle Hotel welcome dinner, a drink with dinner and entertainment at Foley’s Bar and Restaurant, and a traditional Irish dinner and show at the Abbey Tavern.

Trip Highlights

• Cliffs of Moher
  
  

  Cliffs of Moher

  One of Ireland’s top visitor attractions, the cliffs are 700 feet high and extend for 5 miles over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly on a headland and one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and Connemara. The cliffs are home to major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds.

• Aran Islands Excursion
• Cobh Heritage Centre
  
  

  Cobh Heritage Centre

  From 1848 to 1950 over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland - over 2.5 million departed from Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration. See ”coffin ships” as well as other vessels, including the Titanic, that stopped in Cobh.

• Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
  
  

  Clonmacnoise Monastic Site

  This great monastery was founded in 548 by St Ciaran and was a great centre of learning in medieval times. Many manuscripts were written there. Today see three high crosses and the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches and two round towers set on a mound beside the River Shannon.

• Sean’s Bar, the Oldest Pub in Europe (CIE Tours Exclusive)
  
  

  Sean’s Bar, the oldest pub in Ireland

  Situated in the Heart of Ireland, Sean's Bar plays host to visitors from all around the world. Whether absorbing the history, listening to music, visiting with friends and family or simply enjoying the perfect pint, the appeal is equally strong for everyone.

• Dun Aengus Fort
• Dunbrody Famine Ship
  
  

  Dunbrody Famine Ship

  The present ship is a reconstruction of the Dunbrody, built in Quebec in 1845. The original was a 458 ton three-masted barque, designed to carry cargo but adapted to carry passengers desperate to escape harrowing conditions during the Famine years.

• Irish National Stud & Gardens
  
  

  Irish National Stud & Gardens

  Established in 1946, the Irish National Stud promotes the development of Irish bloodstock and is the only Irish stud farm open to the public where visitors can see some of Ireland’s finest thoroughbreds. The Japanese Gardens were created in the early 20th century and symbolize the ’Life of Man’ while St. Fiachra’s was created to celebrate the Millennium with a strong focus on rock and water.

Hotels - 9 Nights

• Dunboyne Castle Hotel | Dunboyne (1 night)
  
  

  Dunboyne Castle Hotel | Dunboyne | 4*

  This 18th century mansion has been lovingly restored and carefully expanded to create a spacious, modern property for a pleasant stay. Large guest rooms are designed for a tranquil night’s rest. Guests can enjoy full Irish breakfasts and fine dining in the elegant restaurant or relax in one of the cozy bars. The spa and leisure center offers excellent facilities. Located beside Dunboyne village, just 15 miles from Dublin Airport and 14 miles from Dublin city center. Hotel parking.

• Newpark Hotel | Kilkenny (2 nights)
  
  

  Newpark Hotel | Kilkenny | 4*

  This hotel combines the best traditions of Irish hospitality with modern facilities, dedicated professionalism and friendly service. Set on 20 acres of parkland, the hotel has a rural atmosphere. There is a wide range of dining options, including the Dove Bistro. Relax in one of the 129 superior guest rooms and enjoy the extensive health club facilities. Newpark is located on Castlecomer Road on the outskirts of this compact medieval city. 20 minutes walk to center. 75 miles SW of Dublin city. Hotel parking

• Killarney Towers Hotel | Killarney (2 nights)
  
  

  Killarney Towers Hotel | Killarney | 4*

  This modern hotel provides guests with 182 rooms that are comfortable and include satellite TV and video facilities. An excellent restaurant serves great Irish breakfasts and carvery dinners while the choice of bars offer live music most nights. Enjoy a strenuous workout or leisurely dip in the pool in the extensive leisure center. Located in the center of Killarney town within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, pubs and the Killarney National Park. Hotel parking.

• Salthill Hotel | Galway (2 nights)
  
  

  Salthill Hotel | Galway | 4*

  Modern amenities, a spectacular setting and luxurious interiors combine with traditional Irish hospitality and personalized service to create a great experience. Classically decorated guest rooms provide a simple, comfortable base for today’s discerning guest. Choose from the Amber or Prom Restaurants for dining and relax in the Blackrock Lounge. Fitness and spa facilities add to your stay. Salthill Hotel is situated on the spectacular Salthill Galway promenade, with panoramic views of Galway Bay and the Clare hills, just two miles from Galway city center. Hotel parking.

• North Star Hotel | Dublin (2 nights)
  
  

  North Star Hotel | Dublin | 4*

  This newly refurbished hotel is supremely located in the heart of Dublin and within walking distance of a host of tourist attractions. The property boasts 160 exceptionally appointed guest rooms offering every amenity to ensure a comfortable and luxurious stay to each guest. Each bedroom is tastefully decorated, warm, inviting and designed to international standards. The extensive buffet selection offers both a Continental breakfast choices or a traditional hot Irish buffet using only the highest quality of freshly cooked products and is sure to satisfy every taste.