2021 The Irish Pub Tour - 9 Days/8 Nights

Day 1: Dublin City Tour | Welcome Drink & Dinner
Your tour starts at 2:00 PM at your Dublin hotel. A local guide will bring you for a panoramic 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. 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 | Marine Bar | Killarney
Visit the Marine Bar in Dungarvan, in a CIE Tour Exclusive, and enjoy a drink with traditional music in this centuries-old, family run pub. 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 Experience
Visit Moriarty's at the Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, before heading to the Dingle Peninsula. You may know this beautiful region from films like “Ryan's Daughter” and “Far & Away,” Visit a farm for an immersion into traditional farming life and watch skilled sheepdogs demonstrate their talents at herding. Enjoy some free time 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 | O'Connor's Pub Storytelling
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 dinner at your hotel, then head out for a CIE Tours Exclusive: Private early access for a special evening of storytelling by the turf fire at O'Connor's famous pub in Salthill
(B, D)

Day 6: Sean's Bar | Lough Ree Cruise
Spend a leisurely morning exploring vibrant, artistic Galway as you please. In Athlone, where you will enjoy a 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 for a private tour and tasting. In a CIE Tours Exclusive, enjoy a special after-hours experience: a traditional band will play lively tunes, for your group as you relax over a drink and finger foods.
(B)

Day 8: Independent Touring 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

CIE Tours Exclusives:

• Sit by a cozy turf fire with a drink as you listen to story telling at O'Connor's Bar in Salthill, in a private early opening
• Enjoy a private tour and tasting at the Irish Whiskey Museum, then relax over a drink and finger foods while you listen to a lively traditional band.
• Raise a glass at Sean's Bar, in the Guinness Book of Records as Europe's oldest pub, it's been serving thirsty customers since the 900's.

Dining Experiences:

• 8 breakfasts (B) and 6 dinners (D)

Trip Highlights:

• Blarney Castle
• Cliffs of Moher
• Guinness Storehouse Tour
• Irish Whiskey Museum - CIE Tours Exclusive
• Celtic Whiskey Bar in Killarney
• Marine Bar in Dungarvan - CIE Tours Exclusive
• Storytelling at O'Connors Pub - CIE Tours Exclusive
• Smithwicks Experience
• Sean's Bar in Athlone - CIE Tours Exclusive
• Dingle Peninsula
• Sheepdog Demonstration

Hotels - 8 Nights:

• Hilton Garden Inn Custom House or Croke Park Hotel | Dublin (1 night)

  
  

  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 night)
  
  

  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 nights)
  
  

  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.

• Galway Bay Hotel| Galway (1 night)
• Sheraton Hotel| Athlone (1 night)
• Ashling Hotel | Dublin (2 nights)
  
  

  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.