2021 Irish Spirit- 8 Days/7 Nights

Day 1: Dublin Panoramic Tour | GPO Museum
You tour starts at 2:00 PM at your hotel. Head out for a panoramic tour of Dublin with a local guide, seeing its grand Georgian buildings and squares, the River Liffey, and historic O'Connell Street. Visit the GPO Museum, possibly Ireland's most important historic building. Learn how this working post office was once the site of the influential rebellion that set Ireland on the path to independence. Have a welcome drink there, and then you will be free to discover the city and dine at your leisure.

Day 2: Glendalough | Johnstown Castle
Set off for Glendalough, a valley in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. Tour the picturesque ruins of the ancient monastery there; it thrived for centuries after being established by St Kevin in the sixth century. See several stone churches, large carved Celtic crosses, and an iconic round tower. Then, head to Wexford and visit Johnstown Castle, a romantic Gothic Revival castle in an idyllic setting. Tour the luxurious castle and its splendid gardens, both designed by one of the leading architects of the 19th century. Head on to your hotel for dinner with your group.
(B, D)

Day 3: House of Waterford Crystal | Blarney Castle
Depart for Waterford, where you will visit the House of Wateford Crystal, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Watch superb artisans create sparkling masterpieces on a factory tour. Next, visit Blarney Castle, where you can climb the winding staircase to kiss the famous Blarney Stone for the legendary gift of the gab, or enjoy the tranquil gardens. Take some free time and then head to Killarney, where you'll dine with your group in your hotel tonight.
(B, D)

Day 4: Jaunting Car Ride | Ring of Kerry Highlights | Kenmare
Take a jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane and the Macgillycuddy's Reeks. Head out to see the highlights of the Ring of Kerry, Ireland's famed scenic drive. Stop in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe to visit our CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, Moriarty's. Stop in the charming town of Kenmare for lunch, before returning to Killarney where you will enjoy the rest of the day and evening at your leisure
(B, L)

Day 5: Cliffs of Moher | Kilronan Castle
Depart Killarney today and head north to the Cliffs of Moher. Visit the Cliffs, taking in the glorious views from 700 feet above the churning Atlantic below. Arrive at your accommodation for the next two nights, the fairytale Kilronan Castle, sitting on 40 acres of parkland. Lovingly restored in 2006, this beautiful castle hotel dates back to the 18th century and was home to the same family for three centuries. Dine with your group tonight in the splendid dinning room.
(B,D)

Day 6: Arigna Mining Experience| Sligo | Sheepdog Demonstration
Visit the Arigna Mining Experience to explore the fascinating, arduous work of coal miners and discover the impact of the industry on the local area from the 1700s through the closure of the mine in 1990. Visit Sligo for some free time to explore. Next, immerse yourself in farm life, as you visit a traditional, family-owned farm in the shadow of beautiful Ben Bulben, the famed mountain that inspired William Butler Yeats. Watch skilled sheepdogs hard at work herding their flock. Return to enjoy your castle accommodations for the evening.
(B)

Day 7: Slane Castle | Slane Distillery | Newbridge House | Irish Night
Visit Slane Castle and learn the colorful history of this estate, home to the Coyningham family since 1703, and how it has been the setting for legendary rock concerts by world-famous artists. Next, walk next door to Slane Distillery, housed in a 250-year-old farm building, for a tour and a tasting of their signature triple-casked whiskey. The Coyninghams teamed up with an historic American whiskey family to establish the distillery in 2016, with the goal of creating the most environmentally-friendly distillery in the world. Proceed on to Newbridge House and discover this magnificent Georgian house, with its ornate plasterwork and original furnishings and art. Head to Dublin, where you will delight in a lively evening of traditional Irish music, song and dance and dinner at the Abbey Tavern.
(B, D)

Day 8: Tour ends
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Authentic Local Experiences:

• Visit Johnstown Castle, a gem of the Gothic Revival era, and get a glimpse of the splendor of 19th century aristocratic life as you have dinner in the dinning room.
• Tour Newbridge House to discover life in the Georgian era - and see 'The Cabinet of Curiosities' a tiny museum with oddities collected by the family in the 18th and 19th century

Dining Experiences:

• 7 breakfasts (B) 1 lunch (L) and 4 dinners (D)

Trip Highlights:

• GPO Museum
• Glendalough
• Johnstown Castle Dinner
• Blarney Castle
• Ring of Kerry Highlights
• Cliffs of Moher
• Arigna Mining Experience
• Sheepdog Demonstration
• Slane Castle & Distillery
• Newbridge House
• Kilronan Castle Stay
• Irish Night in Dublin

Hotels - 7 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.

  | Dublin (1 night)
  
  

  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.

• Clayton White's Hotel| Wexford (1 night)
  
  

  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 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.

• Kilronan Castle Hotel | Ballyfarnon (2 nights)
  
  

  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 (1 night)
  
  

  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.