Ireland: The Emerald Isle

• Itinerary
• Prices & Information
• Gallery
• Weather

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.

1. Home to Dublin

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

Day 2 – Dublin

After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities,we’ll meet our Irish driver/guide who will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the hotel. In the afternoon join a local guide for a half-day guided tour of Dublin to see elegant Georgian squares with colorful doorways,O’Connell Street and the evocative statues of the Famine Memorial. Visit Trinity College’s campus and the Old Library to view the illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells. Back at your hotel, enjoy a welcome drink and a briefing on your tour. You are free to dine independently this evening.

Hotel:Maldron Hotel Cardiff Lane, Dublin

Day 3 – Glendalough & Waterford

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 in to your hotel. In the evening take a brief walking tour around the narrow streets of the historic city center with a local guide. Dinner is included this evening.

Hotel: Dooley’s Hotel, Waterford

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 – Waterford Crystal, Cobh & Killarney

Visit the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre this morning to see how skilled craftspeople create masterpieces of glass. Then 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 with a chance to see the castle and shop the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. Journey west through rugged countryside to Killarney. Upon arrival check into your hotel for a two night stay and enjoy some time to relax before dinner.

Hotel: Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

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 birdsthat 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 Moll’s Gap with stunning views of the Lakes of Killarney. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 – Flying Boat Museum & Cliffs of Moher

Drive north through Listowel to Foynes to visit the Flying Boat Museum, which recalls the early days of air travel, during the 1930’s and early 1940’s, when Pan Am Clippers from the United States and Europe landed here.Travel through the outskirts of Limerick and have a look around Bunratty Village before heading to the coast of County Clare. View the Cliffs of Moher rising to heights of almost 700 feet above the wild Atlantic swells and walk along the top of the cliffs to O’Brien’s Tower for great views. Drive through the Burren and around the shores of Galway Bay. Take a short orientation tour of central Galway before checking in to your hotel.

Hotel: Ardilaun Hotel, Galway

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 – Yeats’ Grave & Derry Walk

Head northeast through County Sligo and stop to view W. B. Yeats’ 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. On arrival in Derry take a brief drive around the city, including the Bogside area, with a local guide before walking along part of the medieval walls, which date from 1613 AD and encircle the old city center. Check into your hotel and relax before dinner.

Hotel: City Hotel, Derry

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 – Giant’s Causeway, Titantic Dock, Dublin

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. Travel to Belfast and visit the Titanic Dock and Pump House for a guided tour of the facility for an in-depth understanding of the story of the dock. Visit inside the Pump-House and enjoy a walk along the full length of the dock to truly capture the size and scale of the Titanic, where you can also view the caisson gate. April 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of Titanic’s voyage. Travel south through Newry and Dundalk with views of the Mountains of Mourne in the background. Continue your drive into the metropolitan region of Dublin and check in. 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.

Hotel: Cassidys Hotel, Dublin

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 – Tour of Malahide & Dublin at Leisure

This morning drive to Malahide, a charming village, and join a local guide for a brief walk and some leisure time. Return to Dublin to use your independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass (valid for 24 hours) to see all around the city center. You may choose to visit either the Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery to see how their products are created. Tonight you are free to choose from the many restaurants and 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. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft and fly west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.

Included Meals: Breakfast