2020 The Irish Pub Tour - 9 Days/8 Nights

2020 The Irish Pub Tour 9 Days / 8 Nights / 14 Meals

Day 1: Dublin Tour & Welcome Drink
Tour starts 2:00 PM at your Dublin hotel. Set out on an introductory tour of central Dublin, a friendly city famed for its wit and sense of fun. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your group at The Church Café Bar and Restaurant; this converted building is where brewer Arthur Guinness was married, playwright Sean O’Casey was baptized, and where Handel practiced the organ before the first-ever public performance of his “Messiah” in 1742. (D)

Day 2: Kilkenny & Smithwick’s Experience
Head to the small, historic city of Kilkenny for a guided walking tour along its Medieval Mile to experience its rich heritage, narrow streetscapes, and well-preserved merchants’ houses. Stop at one of its classic pubs. Smell the hops and enjoy a sample on a tour of Smithwick’s Experience, telling the story of the popular brewery in the heart of the city since 1710. Spend some free time browsing in charming Kilkenny before dinner.
(B, D)

Day 3: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Visit the Dungarvan Brewing Company and learn about their traditional, bottle-conditioned ales and stouts. Travel on to visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone, which legend promises will bestow the “Gift of the Gab” or explore the beautiful gardens. Pass through County Cork to the lively town of Killarney – a draw for visitors to Ireland since the 18th century - where you will have free time after dinner to explore some of its friendly pubs, many with live music.
(B, D)

Day 4: Dingle Peninsula & Celtic Whiskey Bar
Head to the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies, “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away,” which showcased the wonderful scenery. Visit the South Pole Inn for an Irish coffee and learn about Tom Crean, an early explorer who bravely journeyed to the South Pole and opened the pub in 1927 after his return to Ireland. Visit a farm for an immersion into traditional farming life and watch skilled sheepdogs demonstrate their talents at herding. Enjoy some free time and lunch on your own in the town of Dingle. In the evening, head to the Celtic Whiskey Bar in Killarney for a tasting, chocolate pairing, and dinner.
(B, D)

Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Embark on a ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Take in the spectacular beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic surf. Walk along the top of the cliffs for views across Galway Bay to Connemara and the Aran Islands. In the evening, have an early dinnerat your hotel, then head out for a CIE Tours Exclusive: Private early access for a special evening of storytelling and traditional music by the turf fire at O’Connors Famous Pub in Salthill.
(B, D)

Day 6: Sean’s Bar & Lough Lee Cruise
Spend a leisurely morning and lunchtime exploring vibrant, artistic Galway as you please. In Athlone, njoy your choice of Irish coffee, whiskey or beer as you cruise Lough Ree in a replica Viking longship.Then head to Sean’s Bar in Athlone for a CIE Tours Exclusive. Sean’s Bar is not only the oldest in Ireland; dating back to 900 AD, it’s the oldest in Europe, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The sloped floors (often covered with sawdust), candlelight, and turf fire pay nostalgic tribute to this pub’s rich history. Enjoy dinner in your Athlone hotel this evening.
(B, D)

Day 7: Guinness Storehouse & Irish Whiskey Museum
Enjoy the scenery of central Ireland as you head to Dublin on the east coast. Visit the Guinness Storehouse in the heart of the city - one of Ireland’s most popular attractions –and enjoy a sample of Ireland’s iconic brew as you enjoy the panoramic view from the seventh-floor Gravity Bar. In the evening, head to the Irish Whiskey Museum, where you will take a short private tour and savor a tasting. In a CIE Tours Exclusive, you'll enjoy a special after-hours experience with an information dinner and music from a traditional band - and they'll provide instruments so you can learn to play along.
(B)

Day 8: Independent Tour in Dublin
Spend the day independently on the Dublin Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour, plus your choice of a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions: EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, GPO Witness History, or Trinity College and the Book of Kells.
(B)

Day 9: Tour ends in Dublin
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

• In a CIE Tours Exclusive, enjoy a private early opening to enjoy a drink by a cozy turf fire as you listen to live traditional music at O'Connors in Salthill, Galway. It was recently made famous as the setting for Ed Sheeran’s “Galway Girl” video.
• Raise a glass at Sean’s Bar, in a special CIE Tours Exclusive; featured in the Guinness Book of Records as Europe’s Oldest Pub, it’s been serving thirsty customers since the 900's.

Dining Experiences

• 8 hot breakfasts (B) and 6 dinners (D) including The Church Cafe Bar and Restaurant, Celtic Whiskey Bar (including a Tasting and Chocolate Pairing) and a farewell evening at the Irish Whiskey Museum, including live music, a private bar, whiskey tour and hors d’oeuvres.

Trip Highlights

• Blarney Castle
  
  

  Blarney Castle

  Built nearly 600 years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, this stronghold has been attracting attention ever since. Millions have flocked to Blarney to kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of the tower, making it one of Ireland’s greatest treasures.

• 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.

• Guinness Storehouse Tour
  
  

  Guinness Storehouse Tour

  This building was constructed in 1904 to house the fermentation process. In November 2000 it opened as a tourist attraction where you can follow the various stages of producing Guinness on five floors before ending in the rooftop Gravity Bar to sample a pint of draft Guinness.

• Smithwick’s Experience
  
  

  Smithwick’s Experience

  This new experience will take you on a journey through the medieval origins of brewing and right up to the present day. Visitors will be fully immersed in the history of Smithwick’s, Ireland’s oldest beer brand.

• Sean’s Bar – Oldest Pub in Europe (CIE Tours Exclusive)
• South Pole Inn with Irish coffee
  
  

  South Pole Inn with Irish coffee

  This landmark building, located in Annascaul, County Kerry, Ireland, contains a collection of Tom Crean memorabilia. As well as paying tribute to Tom, the South Pole Inn now commemorates the village’s other famous son: Jerome Connor, a major Irish-American sculptor. A purpose-built gallery exhibiting his work was opened in April 2014.

• 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.

• Sheepdog Demonstration
  
  

  Sheepdog Demonstration

  Sheep farming is an important part of country life and watch a farmer with his working dogs control a flock of sheep. See how agile dogs obey various commands to round up sheep, especially useful in mountainous regions.

Hotels

• IE-DUB-JCH or Croke Park Hotel | Dublin (1)

  
  

  Croke Park Hotel | Dublin | 4*

  This modern hotel offers 232 spacious and comfortable guestrooms, all of them offer a tranquil environment in which you can unwind and relax. Dine in the Sideline Bistro and Bar where guests can enjoy stylish surroundings and a tempting choice of unique cuisine. The hotel also offers a fully equipped gymnasium where guests can maintain their usual fitness regime. You can walk to local shops and pubs. Located right beside Croke Park Stadium and close to city bus service to central Dublin. Only a 20-minute drive to Dublin Airport. Hotel parking.

• Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel | Kilkenny (1)
  
  

  Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel | Kilkenny | 4*

  This hotel offers cozy rooms with crisp bedding, rich furnishings and little touches to create a sense of relaxed luxury. A light-filled and inviting space, Savor Restaurant offers award-winning standards of food and service for breakfast, lunch or dinner while O'Reilly's Bar & Restaurant provides a relaxed ambience, for a drink and some excellent food. Great leisure facilities. Located in the center of this compact medieval city within easy walking distance of Kilkenny Castle, Rothe House, shops and pubs. 75 miles SW of Dublin city. Parking nearby.

• International Hotel | Killarney (2)
  
  

  International Hotel | Killarney | 4*

  One of Killarney's long-established and traditional hotels, it blends the charm of times past with the warmest of welcomes to guests. 90 bedrooms provide everything for a comfortable stay. Hannigan’s award-winning restaurant offers great food and the cozy bar often features live music. Located right in the center of Killarney town within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants and pubs. Also close to the jaunting car stand and Killarney National Park. Hotel parking.

• IE-GAL-SAL | Galway (1 night)
• IE-WES-SAT | Athlone (1 night)
• Ashling Hotel | Dublin (2)
  
  

  Ashling Hotel | Dublin | 4*

  This contemporary property offers 225 spacious and well-equipped guest rooms as well as stylish, modern restaurants, bar and public spaces. The hotel offers a wide range of services and amenities. Located on the north bank of the River Liffey near Phoenix Park, the hotel is well placed for exploring Dublin. It’s a 20-minute walk to the city center and Temple Bar or just 5 minutes by Luas tram which stops close to the hotel. Hotel parking.