2020 Elegant Ireland - 10 Days/9 Nights

2020 ELEGANT IRELAND 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS / 18 MEALS

Day 1: Dublin Arrival & Book of Kells
Tour begins 2:00 PM at your Dublin hotel. Join your group for a guided walking tour of Trinity College, where you’ll view the Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s most important cultural treasures – a beautiful manuscript created by monks in the ninth century. Enjoy a welcome drink before heading to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner and a lively show. (D)

Day 2: Clonmacnoise & Galway
Journey across the rolling pastures to visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement founded in 544 AD and set on the banks of the River Shannon. Journey on to Galway, and enjoy a walking tour of Galway with a local guide. Walk the medieval streetscape and see the Claddagh, once a shing village, where the famous ring originated.
(B, D)

Day 3: Lough Corrib Cruise & Connemara
Embark for a cruise on Lough Corrib to enjoy the scenery and sip an Irish coffee while enjoying an Irish dancing demonstration. Drive through scenic Connemara. At Kylemore Abbey, visit elegant rooms and the charming lakeside church. Enjoy lunch and more views of Connemara before returning to Galway where the evening is free to explore and dine on your own.
(B, L)

Day 4: Cliffs of Moher & Ennis
Visit a traditional farm to watch sheepdogs demonstrate their talents at herding sheep and enjoy tea and homemade scones. Travel through the rugged beauty of the Burren to visit the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Take a walking tour of Ennis with a local guide; this town of narrow streets, dating back to the 11th century, is known for its lively traditional music scene.
(B, D)

Day 5: Flying Boat & Maritime Museum & Killarney
Cross the River Shannon on a short ferry ride and drive along the shore to visit the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum. Stop in Listowel to explore and have lunch independently before heading to picturesque Killarney. Dine at the award-winning Rozzers Restaurant in Killeen House.
(B, D)

Day 6: Dingle Peninsula & Gallarus Oratory
Explore the scenic Dingle Peninsula for views of heathery mountains, sandy beaches and rocky headlands. Visit the Gallarus Oratory, a stone chapel that was also a shelter for pilgrims. Stop in Dingle to explore and have lunch on your own. Return to your hotel in Killarney for dinner.
(B, D)

Day 7: Killarney’s Jaunting Car & Cork Coastline
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park and along the shores of Lough Leane. Stop at Ross Castle and Kenmare Estate to admire the unspoiled scenery. Drive to Kenmare to have lunch and explore on your own. Continue along the scenic West Cork coast before arriving in Bantry.
(B,D)

Day 8: Charles Fort & Historic Kinsale
Travel along the West Cork coast to visit Timoleague Franciscan Friary, founded in 1240, with picturesque ruins of the church and living quarters. Head to Kinsale, renowned since medieval times for its seafaring trade, and now a picturesque town beloved by foodies and art-lovers. Join a local guide at the star-shaped Charles Fort before taking a gentle stroll through town.
(B,D)

Day 9: Blarney Stone & Dunboyne Castle
Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or enjoy a stroll through the grounds. Enjoy a farewell dinner in Dublin’s trendy Beef and Lobster Restaurant before continuing north to your hotel in nearby Co. Meath.
(B,D)

Day 10: Tour Ends at Dunboyne Castle
Your program 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

• Discover the rich heritage of Dublin’s Trinity College, visting the library to see the Book of Kells, a splendid medieval manuscript.
• Take a walking tour of Kinsale and learn the history of this former fishing port, which is haven for foodies and art-lovers today.

Dining Experiences

• 9 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 8 dinners (D) including Merry Ploughboy Pub dinner and show, Rozzers Restaurant in Killeen House and a farewell dinner at a Dublin restaurant..

Trip Highlights

• Dingle Peninsula
  
  

  Dingle Peninsula

  The Dingle Peninsula stretches 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from Ireland’s south-west coast and is dominated by the Slieve Mish Mountains and Mount Brandon, Ireland’s second highest peak. The steep sea-cliffs and sandy beaches provide spectacular views.

• Book of Kells

  Book of Kells

  Visitors walk through the city-center campus of Trinity College to view this world-famous 9th century gospel manuscript housed in the magnificent Old Library. See the ’Turning Darkness into Light’ exhibition, the Book of Kells and other related manuscripts in the Treasury and the magnificent 18th century Long Room.
• Charles Fort

  Charles Fort

  A star fort located on the water’s edge, at the southern end of the village of Summer Cove, on Kinsale harbour, County Limerick, Ireland. James’ Fort is located on the other side of the harbour. Charles Fort is built on the site of an earlier stronghold known as Ringcurran Castle, which featured prominently during the Siege of Kinsale in 1601. The fort, which is named after Charles II, was designed by the Surveyor-general Sir William Robinson – architect of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
• 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.

• Ring of Kerry Highlights
• 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.
• Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum

  Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum

  On July 9th 1939, the luxury Pan Am Flying Boat, the ’Yankee Clipper’ landed at Foynes and the Museum is dedicated to recalling the time when Foynes became the center of the aviation world from 1939 to 1945. Irish Coffee was first created here in 1942
• Kylemore Abbey

  Kylemore Abbey

  This Abbey is home to an order of Benedictine Nuns. See the fairy tale castle and Abbey set in an area of great natural beauty in Connemara. Visit the restored rooms of the Abbey and learn about its history and tales of tragedy and romance.
• Timoleague Franciscan Friary

  Timoleague Franciscan Friary

  Timoleague Franciscan friary is located in a village on the bank of the River Argideen overlooking Courtmacsherry Bay. It was built on the site of an earlier church dedicated to St Molaga whose feast was celebrated here until the seventeenth century. The foundation of the friary has been attributed to Domhnall Got MacCarthy (d. 1252) in 1240 and also to William de Barry (d. 1373),

Hotels:

• Radisson Blu St Helen's Hotel | Dublin (1)
  
  

  Radisson Blu St Helens Hotel
  Dublin | 5*

  This gorgeous hotel is located on a sprawling estate dating back to 1750. The accommodation is a sumptuous retreat from bustling Dublin life. Choose from 151 rooms and suites offering lavish amenities, and be sure to try award-winning cuisine at the numerous on-site dining venues. A fitness center, beauty treatments and meeting rooms are all available as well. It is located on Stillorgan Road, 5 miles south of Dublin city center and 12 miles from Dublin Airport with good city bus services nearby. Hotel parking.

• IE-GAL-SAL| Galway (2)
• Old Ground Hotel | Ennis (1)
  
  

  Old Ground Hotel | Ennis | 4*

  A long-established, traditional hotel where the warmth of a country house blends with the style of a contemporary hotel. Enjoy traditional decor and blazing fires in the public spaces. The elegant dining room and Town Hall Bistro are renowned for excellent cuisine. Guest rooms offer every amenity for a comfortable stay. Located in the center of the charming market town of Ennis and within easy walking distance of shops, cafes and pubs. Shannon Airport is 15 miles away. Hotel parking.

• Aghadoe Heights Hotel | Killarney (2)
  
  

  Aghadoe Heights Hotel | Killarney | 5*

  A 5-star luxury resort, this hotel is both beautiful and relaxing. There are many room options, some with private balconies and views of Killarney’s lakes. Hotel amenities include spa facilities, an indoor heated pool, an outdoor tennis court, complimentary wifi and parking, gym facilities, a hair salon, and a media room. Enjoy fine or casual dining at one of the many restaurants the hotel has to offer. In addition, this hotel is situated on Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way, a beautiful site. Local attractions include, Killarney National Park, Torc Falls, Ross Castle, and Muckross House & Gardens, among others.

• Maritime Hotel | Bantry (2)
  
  

  Celtic Ross Hotel | Rosscarbery | 3*

  This hotel offers over 100 designer bedrooms, many offering sea views and balconies, while others overlook mature woods. Enjoy great food, drink and atmosphere in the Ocean Restaurant and The Maritime Bar as well as a state-of-the-art leisure center.
  
  LOCATION: 53 miles west of Cork city and 40 miles south of Killarney. In the town of Bantry with stunning views of Bantry Bay. Hotel parking.

• Dunboyne Castle Hotel | Dunboyne (1)
  
  

  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.