2017 Irish Legends 9 Days / 8 Nights
Day 1:
Your Irish trip starts at your hotel at 2:00 pm when you meet your tour director. Dunboyne Castle is located 15 miles north east of Dublin Airport so ensure that you book an appropriate transfer as there is no public transportation service there. Head out to visit Malahide Castle, first built in 1185 by the Talbot family who lived there until 1975. The Castle has been remodeled over the years and today is filled with medieval artifacts and family portraits. Also take a stroll around the delightful gardens and visit the Avoca store, an Irish family-run business that spans one of the world's oldest surviving manufacturing companies. Stop in nearby Malahide, now an upscale suburb of Dublin that still retains its village ambience. Return to your hotel for a welcome get-together drink with your tour director and discuss your itinerary before dinner.
(D)
Day 2:
Travel to Kildare to visit the Irish National Stud to learn about the valuable horse breeding industry and see some of the magnificent animals that thrive on the lush pastureland in that area. Irish people love horses and the stud is located on prime grazing lands. Take a walk around the delightful grounds to see St. Fiachra’s Garden, created in 1999 and the miniature Japanese Gardens, which date back to 1906 and represent the “Life of Man.” Drive through the Irish countryside to Kilkenny and sit down to a casual lunch at the Kilkenny Design Centre, housed in the former stables of Kilkenny Castle. Take a walking tour along the Medieval Mile, the main thoroughfare to see historic streets and buildings. Check in to your hotel and the evening is free for dining on your own. Choose one of the many restaurants and pubs in the city center or relax in your hotel.
(B, L)
Day 3:
Travel south to visit the House of Waterford Crystal to see the many steps in glass blowing and cutting. Talk to some of the craftspeople as they work on one-of-a-kind masterpieces and see a wide range of trophies and tableware in the showrooms. Then join a local guide for a gentle walking tour to hear stories about the city’s long history and some of its colorful characters. After some time to browse around on your own and get some lunch, drive to New Ross to explore the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a replica of the vessel used during the 1840’s Famine to transport emigrants to North America. See the cramped quarters and difficult conditions that travelers endured for weeks on their voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. Return to Kilkenny in time for dinner in your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 4:
Travel south to Cobh, the port near the city of Cork. This town is famous as the last port of call of the Titanic and many of the places associated with the liner are still extant. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration over a number of centuries from Ireland to North America. A guide will fill explain about travel conditions on early sailing ships and steam vessels. At Blarney Castle climb the ramparts to kiss the famous stone and gain the “Gift of Eloquence.” If you do not wish to climb the castle, take a walk through the spacious parklands to view Blarney House, stately old trees and colorful borders. You may also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which are beside the castle and offer excellent Irish-made products. Drive through Macroom to Killarney and check in to your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 5:
Spend the morning at leisure in Killarney, a little town that is famous for its ideal location beside Ireland’s highest mountains. You’ll have time to browse around the town, take a jaunting car ride on your own or walk through the Killarney National Park. In the afternoon set out to discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula as you drive along the south shore to admire views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach and rocky headlands. Stop at the cozy South Pole Inn for an Irish coffee and learn about Tom Crean, an early explorer who braved the South Pole with “Scott of the Antarctic.” Drive to Slea Head at the westernmost tip of the peninsula for panoramic views. Browse around the town of Dingle and sit down to an early pub dinner before returning to Killarney.
(B, D)
Day 6:
Drive north through the town of Listowel and take a ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Travel along the coast of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher, which rise to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs to O’Brien’s Tower, located at the highest point and on a clear day you can get great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Stop at Rathbaun Farm to see traditional farm animals and farming practices. Watch a farmer demonstrate how his trained dogs herd mountain sheep and then sit down to tea or coffee with some home baking. Drive to Galway for a panoramic city tour and check in to your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 7:
Take a short ferry ride across Galway Bay from Rossaveal to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintain traditional fishing and farming methods and where the popular intricately patterned fishermen’s sweaters originated. The Irish language is still spoken widely amongst islanders today. These islands are divided up into tiny fields by stone walls but farming is difficult as the winds tend to carry away the soil. Take a minibus ride to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs, which fall away to the Atlantic Ocean below. Return to Kilronan, the main town, for a casual lunch and have a look around on your own before returning to the mainland by ferry.
(B, L)
Day 8:
Drive to the center of Ireland 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. Walk around the many church ruins and two round towers. Head to nearby Athlone and stop at Sean’s Bar for an Irish coffee. This pub has a documented history going right back to 900 AD. During renovations in 1970, ancient walls and old coins dating back centuries were discovered. Drive to your Dublin hotel. In the evening drive to Abbey Tavern for a dinner with Irish specialties, followed by a lively show with music, songs and step-dancing.
(B, D)
Day 9:
Your program ends after breakfast.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner