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Irish Castles & Manors Tour
Deluxe & Superior First Class Hotels - 11 Days
From US$1,898.00 land only
• Group transfers on arrival and departure
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Services of a professional Irish tour director
• Deluxe and castle hotels with private bath/shower for 9 nights
Ballintubber Abbey, W. B. Yeats' Grave,
Donegal Castle, Giant's Causeway, Tower Museum
and Ulster American Folk Park
- "Shindig" at the Old Jameson Distillery in Dublin
- Killeen House Restaurant in Killarney
- Pullman Restaurant, Orient Express railway carriages
- Coach House Bistro dinner in Limavady
- Farewell dinner at Clontarf Castle Hotel
- 4 table d'hôte dinners
- Doyle's Irish Cabaret and dinner
for one suitcase per person
Take an overnight flight across the Atlantic and relax as you start your vacation.
Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities and pick up your luggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel, 30 minutes from Dublin, at 7:00 am, 10:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. The balance of the day is at leisure to explore the facilities of your delightful resort hotel, where the movie, "Barry Lyndon," was filmed. You may head for the spa, the golf course or walk around the spacious grounds. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink and discuss your itinerary with your guide and fellow travelers. Afterwards dine in your hotel. (D)
This morning discover the delights of central Dublin on a guided tour. See major buildings, parks and, of course, Dublin's famous Georgian doors. Stop at Dublin Castle for a guided tour around the State Apartments, dignified chambers where many historic events have been held. Return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure or, if you prefer, stay in central Dublin. In the evening attend a "Shindig" at the Old Jameson Distillery. See whiskey-making processes as you tour the distillery before sitting down to a dinner of Irish specialties, followed by a fun entertainment program. (B, D)
Depart Dublin and drive south into the countryside. Agriculture is one of Ireland's economic mainstays and you will see many different types of farms along the way. Stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a limestone outcrop, where a collection of churches has stood for nearly 1,000 years. Continue past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains and through prime dairy country. Just outside Cork visit Blarney Castle where you can climb to the battlements to kiss the "Stone of Eloquence." Continue towards the mountainous country of Kerry and to Killarney. Enjoy a two-night stay in a delightful deluxe hotel, located near the scenic Gap of Dunloe, a few miles outside Killarney. (B, D)
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to view lakes and mountains on the way to Muckross House. Tour the delightful 19th century furnished mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake while the guide tells you about the influential owners and visitors. Take a walk around the charming gardens. Drive to the market town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are brightly painted and enhanced with flowers. Drive up through Moll's Gap, a wonderful vantage point on the Ring of Kerry and stop at Ladies' View before returning to Killarney. The afternoon is free for cycling, horse riding, golf or other activities. In the evening take a short drive to Aghadoe Heights to dine on Killeen House Restaurant's award-winning cuisine. (B, D)
Drive north from Killarney and take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary and along the County Clare coast to view the Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises almost 700 feet above the Atlantic breakers and you can see the Aran Islands on a clear day. Continue through the outskirts of Galway city to the shores of Lough Corrib where your distinctive hotel, which was formerly an abbey, is located. Arrive by mid-afternoon so that you can relax and enjoy the hotel's great setting and facilities. In the evening enjoy a special dining experience in the Pullman Restaurant, luxury railroad cars built in 1927 for the Orient Express. (B, D)
Drive through the open countryside of Connemara to admire sweeping views of misty mountains and shimmering lakes. Explore the Inagh Valley where sheep graze freely and people hand-cut peat from the bogs. Visit the 19th century neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey, now a prestigious girls' school. See the exquisite chapel and reception rooms and stroll through the peaceful grounds. Embark on the "Connemara Lady" catamaran for a short cruise through scenic Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. Return through Maam Cross to your hotel and tonight dine in the elegant River Room Restaurant with views of Lough Corrib. (B, D)
Journey north through part of Connemara to visit Ballintubber Abbey, known as "the Abbey that refused to die." It has been used continuously for worship since 1216, even when burned down by Cromwell in 1653. Continue through the hills and boggy fields of County Mayo to County Sligo, called "Yeats' Country" as the poet spent time there. Pause to view his grave in Drumcliffe Churchyard before driving around Donegal Bay to visit Donegal Castle in the town center. The castle was built by the O'Donnell chieftain in the 15th century, expanded in the 17th century and today has been renovated and furnished. Drive through Derry to Limavady to your next country estate hotel and dine in the Coach House Brasserie. (B, D)
This morning drive along the north coast of Ireland to explore the Giant's Causeway, huge hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. The oversized rocks have given rise to many legends, especially involving the giant, Finn McCool. Return to Derry for a guided walking tour around central Derry, which will include the Guildhall, St. Columb's Cathedral, the Diamond and 16th century city walls. Spend some time in the Tower Museum with its local history exhibits. After a look around on your own, return to your lovely hotel in Limavady so that you may relax or use the sport and spa facilities before dinner in Green's Restaurant. (B, D)
Drive past the Sperrin Mountains to visit the Ulster American Folk Park. See many cottages including the boyhood home of Thomas Mellon, who emigrated to Pittsburgh in 1818 and later founded Mellon Bank. The Park traces the story of Ulster emigrants by showing how they lived in the "Old Country" and sailed across the Atlantic to settle in the "New World" in Colonial times. Travel south to Dublin to Clontarf Castle Hotel, which dates back to 1172 and is steeped in Irish history. End your tour on a high note with a delightful farewell dinner. (B, D)
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am and 12:00 noon. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)
