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Emerald Supreme 12 & 13 Day Coach Tours
Tour Highlights
- Ireland’s Best Deluxe & Castle Hotels
- Prize-Winning Dromoland & Ashford Castles
- Ring of Kerry Tour
- Cliffs of Moher
- Dublin’s Abbey or Gate Theatres
- Special Dining Experiences
- Giant’s Causeway
Day 1: Dublin & Russborough House
Your tour starts at Dublin Airport with a transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm take a short ride through the Wicklow Mountains for a guided tour around stately Russborough House, noted for its art and photography collections. In the evening discuss your itinerary with your tour director over a welcome drink and he will assist you in choosing a suitable restaurant to dine independently.
Day 2: Book of Kells & Theatre Evening
This morning see central Dublin’s public buildings, tranquil parks and bustling shopping streets. Drive past Leinster House, the seat of government, and St. Stephen’s Green. Cross the River Liffey and see the wide O’Connell Street with many monuments and pause at the Famine Memorial. Walk through Trinity College to see stately buildings and visit the Old Library where the priceless 8th century manuscript of the Book of Kells is housed. In the afternoon you may take an independent open-top bus tour and a visit to Guinness or Jameson. Dine in the hotel restaurant before heading to the world-famous Abbey or Gate Theatre for a performance. (B, D)
Day 3: Rock of Cashel & Sheep Farm Visit
Travel south to visit the Rock of Cashel, where Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12th century Cormac’s Chapel with its Hiberno-Romanesque decorations, the large cruciform cathedral and a round tower. At a nearby farmhouse sample home-made scones with tea and watch a farmer use his trained dogs to round up sheep. Drive south past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains, through the town of Mallow and on to Killarney, famous for its scenic location. Check into your hotel and enjoy a superb dinner in the fine restaurant. (B, D)
Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Killeen House Restaurant
Today experience the Ring of Kerry drive where every bend in 100 miles of road reveals breathtaking views of mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. You will have plenty of stops to admire or photograph scenic vistas. At the tip of the peninsula visit the Skellig Experience, which shows the austere conditions of early Christian monastic life on the nearby rocky islands. Today the islands provide sanctuary for sea birds. Return through the attractive village of Sneem and pause at Moll’s Gap for panoramic views of Killarney. In the evening enjoy a warm welcome and delicious cuisine at award-winning Killeen House Restaurant. (B, D)
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Dromoland Castle
Take a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary to visit the Cliffs of Moher, majestic walls of rock, which extend five miles along the coast. You may walk to O’Brien’s Tower at the highest point for a view of the Aran Islands in Galway Bay. Journey through part of the Burren to the lovely Dromoland Castle Hotel. Relax in the wonderful setting or take a short drive to Bunratty Village for an opportunity to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park or the 200-year-old pub of Durty Nelly’s. In the evening experience gourmet dining in the hotel’s elegant dining room. (B, D)
Day 6: Galway & Ashford Castle
Travel to Galway for a panoramic tour of Galway Cathedral, the Claddagh area and the Spanish Arch. Have free time to browse around the main areas near Eyre Square and the network of streets filled with shops, pubs and restaurants. Continue north to Cong for a two-night stay at the famous Ashford Castle Hotel, arriving in time to unwind in the wonderful surroundings or use some of the leisure facilities. Dine in Ashford’s lovely restaurant and afterwards listen to music in the Dungeon Bar. (B, D)
Day 7: Connemara & “The Quiet Man” Walk
Travel through Connemara to Leenane and embark on a catamaran cruise around Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. As you sip an Irish coffee, see remains of houses and potato patches abandoned during the 1840’s Famine as well as stunning scenery. Take a walking tour around Cong to see movie locations of the 1952 production of “The Quiet Man.” In the evening drive to the nearby village of Clonbur for an informal dinner with local entertainment at Eddie’s Pub. (B, D)
Day 8: Museum of Country Life & Belleek China
Outside Castlebar visit the Museum of Country Life to view exhibits of domestic goods showing how country people lived during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Travel north to County Sligo, associated with the Nobel prize-winning poet, W. B. Yeats. View his grave, situated near the distinctive outline of Ben Bulben Mountain. Tour the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how delicate china is formed and decorated by skilled craftspeople. Harvey’s Point Hotel is set in glorious scenery a few miles outside Donegal town and is noted for its outstanding cuisine and views. (B, D)
Day 9: Slieve League Cliffs & Donegal
Drive to the fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea cliffs, the highest in Europe reaching 1,972 feet. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves creating breathtaking views. Enjoy coffee or tea with home-baked scones before driving through the majestic Glengesh Pass to Ardara. County Donegal is renowned for its majestic and wild countryside as well as its mountain sheep which produce wool to make the famous Donegal tweed. Visit Triona Design to see demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting. Spend some time in Donegal town before returning to your hotel. (B, D)
Day 10: Derry Walk & Giant’s Causeway
Take a walking tour around Derry’s medieval walls, which completely encircle the old city. Learn about the history of the city as you pass the Diamond and St. Columb’s Cathedral. Pause for photos at the ruins of Dunluce Castle before visiting the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and bays along the “Nine Glens of Antrim” as you head towards Belfast. Check in to your elegant Victorian hotel, built as the headquarters of the Ulster Bank with many architectural details. Experience fine dining in the elegant Great Room Restaurant, once the main Banking Hall. (B, D)
Day 11: Belfast Tour & Titanic Quarter
A local guide will show you the highlights of Belfast, including Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall and the Shankill and Falls Road areas where late 20th century struggles were played out. See the newly-restored Titanic Quarter where the famous liner was built at the Harland and Wolff Shipyards in 1912. Drive south past the gentle slopes of the Mourne Mountains to Dublin and check in to your hotel. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Abbey Tavern’s Loft Restaurant in Howth followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs and a display of step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 12: Home ward bound or extra day in Dublin
For those of you on the 12 day tour, your tour ends with a transfer to Dublin airport. (B).
For the lucky people on the 13 day tour, the entire day is at leisure so you may schedule sightseeing as you wish. Use your open-top bus tour voucher to explore Dublin – you may get on and off at any of the 23 stops along the route, which include Dublin’s most popular attractions. Take a tour around either the Guinness Storehouse or the Old Jameson Distillery to see stout or whiskey production techniques and enjoy a drink of the finished product. (B)
Day 13: Tour Ends Dublin Airport.
Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport in good time for your flight home. (B)
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
- Group transfers at start and end of tour
- Sightseeing by luxury coach with professional tour director
- 11 or 12 nights in hotels listed below
- Full breakfast daily except on day 1 (B)
- 10 dinners (D) including:
- Dinner and entertainment at Eddie’s Pub in Clonbur
- Pre-theatre dinner in Dublin
- Killeen House Restaurant in Killarney
- Farewell dinner in the Loft Restaurant and traditional show at the Abbey Tavern
- 6 table d’hote dinners
- Welcome get-together drink
- Catamaran cruise of Killary Fjord with Irish coffee
- “The Quiet Man” walking tour of Cong
- Slieve League Sea Cliffs followed by home-baked scones with coffee or tea
- Walking tour of Derry
- Tour of Belfast and Titanic Quarter
- Dublin open-top bus tour with a visit and drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery
- Tour of Dublin with a local guide
- Abbey or Gate Theatre performance
- Farmhouse tea and scones with sheepdog display
- Ferry ride across the River Shannon
- Visits and admissions to Russborough House, Book of Kells at Trinity College, Rock of Cashel, Skellig Experience and Cliffs of Moher, Museum of Country Life, W. B. Yeats’ Grave, Belleek Pottery Factory, Triona Design and Giant’s Causeway
- Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
- All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
YOUR HOTELS
Deluxe & castles:
- Westbury Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
- Killarney Park Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
- Dromoland Castle Hotel, Newmarket-on-Fergus (1 night)
- Ashford Castle Hotel, Cong (2 nights)
- Harvey’s Point Hotel, Donegal (2 nights)
- Merchant Hotel, Belfast (1 night)
- Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin (1 or 2 nights)
Tour starts Tour ends 12Days 13Days Dublin Dublin* Fri Mar 29 Tue Apr 09 4197 4372 Fri Apr 12 Tue Apr 23 4286 4566 Fri Apr 26 Tue May 07 4486 4668 Fri May 10 Tue May 21 4586 4766 Fri May 24 Tue Jun 04 4677 4832 Fri Jun 07 Tue Jun 18 4758 4898 Fri Jun 21 Tue Jul 02 4758 4898 Fri Jul 05 Tue Jul 16 4758 4898 Fri Jul 19 Tue Jul 30 4758 4898 Fri Aug 02 Tue Aug 13 4758 4898 Fri Aug 16 Tue Aug 27 4758 4898 Fri Aug 30 Tue Sep 10 4758 4898 Fri Sep 13 Tue Sep 24 4758 4898 Fri Sep 27 Tue Oct 08 4368 4558 Fri Oct 11 Tue Oct 22 4136 4316 Fri Oct 25 Tue Nov 05 3867 4048 Fri Nov 08 Tue Nov 19 3598 3778 * 13 day tour returns from Dublin one day later than shown above Single room supplement: 12day $1898, 13 day $2098