2020 Irish Spirit - 9 Days/8 Nights

2020 IRISH SPIRIT - 9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS / 14 MEALS

Day 1: Dublin Tour & GPO Witness History
Tour begins 2:00 PM at your Dublin hotel. Meet your guide and set off on a tour of central Dublin. Highlights include the shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, Dublin’s elegant Georgian squares, and a drive along wide O’Connell Street. Visit GPO Witness History, where you will enjoy a welcome drink in one of Ireland’s most important historic buildings before dining independently at one of Dublin’s many restaurants or pubs.

Day 2: Kilkenny Castle & Waterford Crystal
Enjoy the Irish countryside as you head to the city of Kilkenny to visit Kilkenny Castle, which was the principal residence of the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years. Immerse yourself in its rich history through its collection of portraits and artifacts. Then, proceed to Waterford, where you will witness the creation of crystal masterpieces by skilled glass blowers and cutters during your visit to the House of Waterford Crystal. After dinner, take a gentle walking tour of the historic city with a local guide to learn about the region’s history.
(B, D)

Day 3: Jameson Experience & Blarney Castle
Head out to County Cork to Midleton for a tour of the Jameson Experience, a journey through the story and making of Irish whiskey complete with a sample at the end. Next up, visit the famous Blarney Castle with a climb to the top to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence” or enjoy a walk through the lovely parklands and gardens. Head to Killarney, a small town that’s big on glorious scenery. After dinner, you may want to explore the town on your own, perhaps sampling a lively pub or two.
(B, D)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry Highlights & Irish Night
Start your day with a jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane and the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountains.Then set out to enjoy the highlights of Ireland's most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry. Spend some free time in the picturesque town of Kenmare and have lunch independently and then stop at Moll’s Gap for panoramic mountain views. In the evening, head out for an Irish night of dinner and a traditional show.
(B, D)

Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & The Lodge at Ashford Castle
Embark on a memorable ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Take in the spectacular beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic surf. Relax as you travel through the Burren and on to Cong where your hotel, the Lodge, sits on the magnificent 350-acre estate of Ashford Castle. Take time to relax before dinner in your hotel. You may choose to explore the beautiful gardens and grounds, or the castle itself, which is open to guests as long as there are no special events taking place.
(B, D)

Day 6: "The Quiet Man" & Connemara
In Cong take a walking tour with a local guide to see locations for “The Quiet Man,” the classic film made in the village in 1952 starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Dine on a casual lunch at Eddie's of Clonbur, a traditional pub. Explore scenic Connemara and the crossroads known as the Maam Cross. Return to the Lodge at Ashford to enjoy many of the facilities it has to offer.
(B, L)

Day 7: Clonmacnoise Monastic Site & Dublin’s Abbey Tavern
Head to the center of the country to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is set on the banks of the mighty River Shannon. See elaborate High Celtic crosses decorated with biblical scenes. Continue your journey to Dublin and enjoy the fishing village of Howth on the north side of the city. Finish up the day at the popular Abbey Tavern with a hearty dinner and a lively show of traditional music, songs and step-dancing.
(B, D)

Day 8: Independent Day in Dublin
Enjoy a day in Dublin with an independent open-top bus tour and a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions -- Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC Ireland, or GPO Witness History. In the evening, dine at one of the many restaurants or pubs that Dublin has to offer.
(B)

Day 9: 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

• Enjoy 350 acres of marvelous grounds as you stay in the Lodge at Ashford Castle, an elegant art-filled country house.
• See where John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara brought “The Quiet Man” to life as you tour the classic film’s locations in the quiet village of Cong.
• Visit the Jameson Experience Midleton and learn the story of Irish whiskey.

Dining Experiences

• 8 breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) at Eddie’s of Clonbur and 5 dinners (D) including a fun Irish Night in Killarney, and a traditional Irish dinner and show at the Abbey Tavern

Trip Highlights

• Blarney Castle
• 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.

• 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.

• Kilkenny Castle
  
  

  Kilkenny Castle

  Stands dramatically on a strategic height that commands a crossing on the River Nore and dominates the 'High Town' of Kilkenny City. Over the eight centuries of its existence, many additions and alterations have been made to the fabric of the building, making Kilkenny Castle today a complex structure of various architectural styles.

• Ring of Kerry
  
  

  Ring of Kerry

  One of Ireland’s most popular circular drives around the Iveragh Peninsula, starting and ending in Killarney. The 100-mile route of ever-changing scenery of mountains and shoreline combined with varying weather conditions ensures splendid views.

• Jameson Experience Middleton
  
  

  Skellig Experience

  You can experience many aspects of those offshore Skellig islands while remaining on the dry land, in a custom built, stone clad, grass roofed, prize winning building located right on the waterfront beside the Valentia Island bridge at Valentia, County Kerry!

• Ashford Castle Estate

Hotels - 9 Nights

• Ashling Hotel
  
  

  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.

  or 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.

  or
• Dooley’s Hotel | Waterford (1)
  
  

  Dooley’s Hotel | Waterford | 3*

  This charming family-run hotel offers a warm welcome to all guests. It blends its traditional façade and many other cozy attributes with updated guest rooms and facilities. Enjoy delicious and wholesome food in the Ship Restaurant or the Dry Dock Bar, which offers live music at weekends. Set on the waterfront in the heart of Waterford city. Within easy walking distance of shopping, Reginald’s Tower and the House of Waterford Crystal. Parking nearby

• Killarney Towers Hotel | Killarney (2)
  
  

  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.

• The Lodge at Ashford Castle| Cong (2)
  
  

  The Lodge at Ashford Castle | Mayo | 4*

  Overlooking Lisloughrey Quay, this upscale hotel, built in 1865, is 2.3 km from Cong Abbey and 2.4 km from the Quiet Man Cottage Museum. The refined rooms feature en suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffeemaking equipment. Suites add separate living areas and private balconies.

• Grand Canal Hotel | Dublin (2)
  
  

  Grand Canal Hotel | Dublin | 3*

  This contemporary hotel offers 142 spacious rooms equipped with plenty of conveniences, including tea/coffee makers. The Epic Restaurant serves international dishes and the Glassworks Bar offers a pleasant atmosphere for a drink with sports programs on plasma TVs. A fitness center and free Wi-Fi add to clients’ enjoyment. It is located to the south of the city center near the Grand Canal. It’s a 15-minute walk to Grafton Street, Trinity College, National Gallery of Art and many other attractions. DART train service nearby. Hotel parking.