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UNITED STATES TO DUBLIN
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
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DUBLIN ARRIVAL & HIGHLIGHTS
After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Then your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Stop for a welcome breakfast before driving into Dublin city center for a city tour. Dublin is one of the liveliest capitals in Europe but there are plenty of historical places also. Stop to visit the Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this world famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today. Finish your visit in the rooftop bar, Gravity, overlooking the city center where you can sample a draft Guinness and enjoy the view of the city. Next visit Kilmainham Gaol to see what punishment was like during its years of operation from 1796 to 1924. Learn about political prisoners, especially from the 1916 Rising, detained here because of their efforts to shape Ireland’s history. Then drive to your hotel and check in. After you settle into your room you may like to rest or explore some of the city on your own before dinner.
This evening drive to Rathfarnham to Taylor’s Three Rock. After dinner is served enjoy the lively show of Irish songs and music.
OVERNIGHT: ASHLING HOTEL, DUBLIN
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GLENDALOUGH & NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS
This morning drive south from Dublin through the Wicklow Mountains to Glendalough. The Visitor Center explains the history of this early Christian site, which was an important center of learning and well known throughout Europe. St. Kevin founded it in the 6th century, a time of great monastery building. Then take a guided tour around the settlement to see the round tower and remains of several churches. Drive north back to Dublin and in the afternoon visit the National Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1795, the gardens contain wonderful Victorian glasshouses. Stroll around the many different types of gardens containing numerous collections of plants and trees from all over the world. Return to your hotel for a free evening. You are free to choose from the many restaurants and pubs that Dublin has to offer.
OVERNIGHT: ASHLING HOTEL, DUBLIN
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SEVEN WONDERS OF FORE & DONEGAL
Depart Dublin heading northwest through farming country of the midlands. In County Westmeath visit the Seven Wonders of Fore where you will learn about the water that will not boil, the wood that will not burn-- to name a few. Continue to Cavan, a region dotted with many lakes. Travel on to Enniskillen and drive along the shores of the surrounding lakes which provide enchanting views. At Ballyshannon, reach the Atlantic shoreline and drive around Donegal Bay and on into the town of Donegal. Upon arrival check into your hotel and enjoy some time to settle in before joining your group for dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: MILL PARK HOTEL, DONEGAL
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DONEGAL SIGHTSEEING
Donegal, with its windswept hills where only sheep can thrive, is renowned for wool production. Drive to the fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea cliffs, where the highest point reaches 1,972 feet making them the highest in Europe. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves below and you will see marvelous vistas. Continue through craggy scenery to visit Glencolumcille Folk Village. Visit traditional cottages showing period furnishings and farming equipment to get a flavor of country life in past centuries. Continue through the majestic Glengesh Pass to Ardara to visit Triona Design. See demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting and enjoy tea with scones. Feast your eyes on hilly scenery as you return to Donegal town. Enjoy some free time in the town center before returning to your hotel to dine with your fellow travelers.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: MILL PARK HOTEL, DONEGAL
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CREEVYKEEL & DRUMCLIFFE CHURCHYARD
Depart Donegal this morning and drive along the scenic shores of Donegal Bay. Travel into County Sligo and stop at Creevykeel, which is one of the most impressive court tombs of 350 and thought to be about 5,000 years old. Drive a short distance to the Drumcliffe Visitor Centre and see the grave of one of Ireland’s most influential poets, W.B. Yeats, and a display about his life and work. Continue south passing through County Mayo and onto the bustling city of Galway. Check into your hotel with some time to relax or explore before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GALWAY BAY HOTEL, GALWAY
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CONNEMARA SIGHTSEEING & LEISURE TIME IN GALWAY
Today tour Connemara and admire the sweeping views of bog lands and misty mountains. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and also tracts of bog land where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Also see Connemara National Park, which covers approximately 3000 hectares and contains some of the mountains, which make up the famous Twelve Bens. After sightseeing, return to your hotel with some free time before tonight’s dinner. Eyre Square forms the hub of the city and contains the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park where you can sit and people- watch. Many of the narrow streets, such as Shop Street, are pedestrianized and contain shops, pubs and teashops.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GALWAY BAY HOTEL, GALWAY
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CLARE COAST & KILLARNEY
Drive around Galway Bay and through the Burren Country, a unique region of limestone hills renowned for its flora and prehistoric stone monuments. Take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary to the mountainous countryside of Kerry. Arrive in Killarney and check into your hotel. Then you will have the afternoon free to relax or stroll around town before dining in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: ARBUTUS HOTEL, KILLARNEY
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DINGLE PENINSULA & KATE KEARNEY’S IRISH NIGHT
Today discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula, made famous by David Lean’s movie, “Ryan’s Daughter.” Drive along the south shore of the peninsula for plenty of vistas of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach and rocky headlands. There will be frequent stops at strategic locations to admire the views and take photos. Stop in Dingle before continuing to the western tip of the peninsula. Visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who eked out a living by farming and fishing. Return to Killarney in time for dinner.
This evening enjoy dinner and entertainment at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, which is picturesquely situated at the entrance to what must be the most beautiful glaciated valley in Ireland, the Gap of Dunloe. The Irish night consists of a superb meal and traditional entertainment, which includes songs and musicians playing a wide array of instruments along with costumed dancers doing the jig and other traditional sets.
OVERNIGHT: ARBUTUS HOTEL, KILLARNEY
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CAHIR CASTLE & ROCK OF CASHEL
Head east from Killarney stopping to visit Cahir Castle, stronghold of the powerful Butler family. The castle is located on an island site with buildings dating from the 13th – 19th centuries. Much of the defensive walls, keep and tower are original and great hall is furnished, as it would have looked when first built. Continue on rich farming areas and bustling towns. Stop at the Rock of Cashel for a guided tour of these majestic church ruins, which are clustered high on a limestone outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside. Of particular note are the highly decorated Cormac's Chapel, which was built during the 12th century, the large cruciform cathedral from the 13th century and a round tower. Continue your drive through farming country and marketing towns to the village of Dunboyne, just to the north west of Dublin, where your delightful hotel is located. Arrive in time to enjoy some of the facilities and relax in elegant surroundings. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: DUNBOYNE CASTLE HOTEL, DUNBOYNE
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RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to the end. Transfer to Dublin Airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear security and claim your VAT refund. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores and clear U.S. Immigration before flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
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