Ireland: The Emerald Isle

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Ireland – A gem worth discovering!  It is a verdant jewel of an island, blessed with some of the most magical scenery in the world: from white sand beaches of county Donegal to the green valleys of county Wicklow, from soaring seacliffs to tranquil forests, and charming villages with some of the friendliest people in the world.

Day 1 – Home to Dublin

Depart Mpls. with an R&J Tour Director and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

Day 2 – Dublin

After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Your Irish driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Next, set off with a local guide who will show you around the prominent historic buildings and monuments of Dublin. Dublin is an ancient settlement, founded by the Vikings in the 9th century. The city has been molded through the centuries with many architectural styles, reflecting the economic, political and artistic influences. In Trinity College view the 8th century Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the gospels. Drive a short distance to your hotel, check in and relax or settle in. Then enjoy a welcome get-together drink in the hotel lobby before enjoying the remainder of the afternoon and evening free for independent activities, sightseeing, shopping, dining, pubs and much more.

Hotel: Academy Plaza Hotel, Dublin

Day 3 – Glendalough, Dunbrody Emigrant Ship, Waterford Walk

This morning leave Dublin to see the delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to Glendalough. Learn about St. Kevin’s 6th century monastery in the Glendalough Visitor Centre and walk through the site to see its round tower, church ruins and Celtic crosses. Continue your drive south to Dunbrody where a walk through a reconstructed Famine Ship will demonstrate the harsh conditions that emigrants endured during the 19th century. Drive to Waterford and check into your city center hotel and relax or freshen up before a traditional Irish dinner in the hotel restaurant with your group. This evening take a short walking tour through the older sections of Waterford with a local guide. Walk along Merchant’s Quay where ships docked in former times and see the Clock Tower. Pass the Norman stronghold of Reginald’s Tower and stroll along the Mall to see the City Hall, Theatre Royal and many other places.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Dooley’s Hotel, Waterford 

Day 4 – House of Waterford Crystal, Cobh, Blarney Woollen Mills

After a hearty Irish breakfast, visit the House of Waterford Crystal to learn about glass blowing and cutting and see one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Then depart Waterford and travel along the south coast via Dungarvan and Youghal to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Tour the Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the former train station from where passengers embarked for the United States. The exhibition traces the history of emigration from the age of the sailing “coffin ships” during the Famine years of the 1840s to the advent of steamships. Then drive through the outskirts of Cork to Blarney where you will see the castle and visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Then journey west through the rugged countryside to Killarney, widely celebrated for its setting overlooking lakes and mountains. Upon arrival check into your hotel and enjoy some time to relax or freshen up before joining your group for dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2 Nights) 

Day 5 – Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience

Today admire breathtaking vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches on Ireland’s most popular drive. See a variety of natural beauty as you drive 100 miles around this scenic route. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience, which describes the way of life of early Christian monks who built their monastery on one of the offshore islands. Also learn about the many birds that nest in the Skelligs. A number of stops will allow you to admire the spectacular scenery and take a brief walk around the colorful village of Sneem. Head back to Killarney through Lady’s View with stunning views of the Lakes of Killarney. In the evening enjoy an authentic Irish dinner at your hotel with your fellow travelers.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 6 – Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Cliffs of Moher, Galway

This morning, depart Killarney and travel northeast to Foynes and visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. During the 1930s and early 1940s, the port of Foynes was the fulcrum point for air traffic between the United States and Europe. The famous flying boats were frequent visitors, carrying passengers who ranged from celebrities to refugees. The Foynes museum recalls the era with a comprehensive range of exhibits and graphic illustrations. From Foynes, drive to the Village of Bunratty. Upon arrival, visit the Bunratty Folk Park, which comprises a collection of farmhouses from different regions of Ireland and a 19th century village street with a pub, school, general store and many other buildings where traditional lifestyles and crafts are demonstrated. Continue your drive to the coast of Clare and view the Cliffs of Moher, an impressive wall of rock which rises to a height of 700 feet above the wild Atlantic waves and stretches for a distance of about five miles along the coast. Pass through the Burren Country, an area of rocky limestone hills where a number of unique flowers thrive. Drive around Galway Bay before arriving at your hotel in Galway. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax or do some exploring on your own before joining your group for dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Ardilaun House Hotel, Galway

Day 7 – Derry Walking Tour

After a hearty Irish breakfast, journey through the rolling hills and rugged countryside to County Sligo, called “Yeats’ Country” as the poet spent time there. Pause to view his grave in Drumcliffe Churchyard in the shadow of Ben Bulben Mountain . Follow the shoreline of Donegal Bay to Donegal town and past the lovely Blue Stack Mountains to Derry. Upon arrival, embark on a walking tour to see the principal sights. See the 17th century city walls, which are some of the best-preserved in Europe, and the Diamond, the main central square. Also pass the 17th century St. Columb’s Cathedral, the Tower Museum with local history displays and the Guildhall where the history of Derry is depicted in stained-glass windows. After your tour, check into your hotel where the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure for independent activities or relaxation. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Maldron Hotel, Derry 

Day 8 – Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Belfast, Dublin

Today, depart Derry and drive along the north coast of Ireland to explore the Giant’s Causeway, huge hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. The huge rocks have given rise to many legends, especially involving Finn McCool. Admire the beautiful scenery on your way to Belfast. In the Titanic Quarter, visit Titanic Belfast. Embark on a journey through the life of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end. Through state of the art technology, the exhibitions nine interactive galleries take you back to the sights, sounds and stories of Titanic as well as the city and people which made her. The exhibition also explores the discovery of the wreck and has live links to current marine expeditions. Continue through the rolling hills and rugged countryside of Ireland’s pastures and into Dublin. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax or freshen up before a festive evening with dinner and entertainment. This evening drive to the town of Rathfarnham to The Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Camden Court Hotel, Dublin (2 Nights) 

Day 9 – Malahide Walking Tour, Dublin Hop On/Hop Off

Today, enjoy a walking tour of Malahide, a suburban town near Dublin and one of Ireland’s well known towns which has won many prestigious awards. Malahide prides itself as a heritage village situated along Dublin Bay’s scenic coastline and is home to the historic 12th century Malahide Castle which was home to the Talbot Family for over 800 years and attracts tourists from around the globe. Return to Dublin and enjoy the city at your leisure, where you may choose from a wide variety of pursuits. Use your Hop on Hop off pass to visit a number of places. There are plenty of museums of Irish interest such as the National Museum, the National Gallery or the Writers Museum. There are plenty of shops along Nassau Street and the pedestrianized Grafton Street or Henry Street or you may like to explore Temple Bar or visit some of the traditional pubs. Use your vouchers to visit either 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 roof-top bar, Gravity, overlooking the city center where you can sample a draft Guinness and enjoy the view of the city. Or you may choose to visit Old Jameson Distillery where you can learn about distillation processes for this “water of life”. Displays explain how barley and water are combined, distilled, aged and bottled and at the end of the tour enjoy a sample. Tonight you are free to choose from the many restaurants & pubs that Dublin has to offer.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 – Dublin to Home

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 before boarding your aircraft and flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.

Included Meals: Breakfast