Irish Gold 8 & 9 Day Coach Tour

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Tour Highlights:

• Gourmet Killeen House Restaurant
• Traditional Show & Dinner in Dublin
• Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
• Killary Fjord Catamaran Cruise
• Cliffs of Moher
• Ring of Kerry

Day 1: Dublin Tour & Book of Kells

Your tour starts at Dublin Airport with a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm your tour director will introduce you to Dublin’s River Liffey, the wide O’Connell Street, tranquil St. Stephen’s Green, the seat of government at Leinster House and other public buildings. See some of Dublin’s famous Georgian houses and pause at the Famine Memorial, a reminder of the mid-19th century disaster. Visit Trinity College’s campus and the Old Library to view the priceless Book of Kells. Join your fellow travellers for a welcome drink and your tour director will advise where to dine independently.

Day 2: Clonmacnoise Monastic Site & Galway

Leave Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland’s heartland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is set on the banks of the tranquil River Shannon. See elaborate high crosses as well as many church ruins and round towers. Drive to Galway and view the main sights of the city before checking into your hotel, located within easy reach of the lively pedestrian areas in the city centre. Enjoy some free time to browse around Galway’s fun specialty stores, cafés and pubs on your own before dining in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 3: Tue: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise

Drive through the heart of Connemara, past granite hills and sparkling lakes on the way to Leenane to embark on a short cruise of Killary Harbour, a 9-mile fjord (Apr 8 – Oct 28 departures). Enjoy views of hills where traces of “lazy beds” of potato ridges from the 19th century and earlier can still be seen. Keep an eye out for seabirds as you pass mussel and salmon farms. Rejoin your coach and stop for photos at the Kylemore Abbey Visitor Centre. Drive through lovely countryside where sheep graze freely to Clifden, the principal town of the region, and stop to take a walk around before returning to Galway. (B, D)

Day 4: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney’s Jaunting Car

Travel south around Galway Bay to see the Cliffs of Moher, which rise almost 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic surf. Then drive through the outskirts of Limerick and stop in the picturesque village of Adare for photos. Drive to Killarney, a little town that world-famous due to its exquisite location beside lakes and mountains. Check in to your deluxe hotel, in a peaceful setting just outside the town. Head out to view stunning scenery by taking a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park to Muckross House. Tour this mansion to see period furnishings and learn of its important guests and owners. Then stroll through the mature gardens before returning to your hotel. (B, D)

Day 5: Ring of Kerry & Killeen House Restaurant

Embark on Ireland’s most popular scenic drive – the Ring of Kerry. This circular tour will reveal constantly-changing vistas of mountains, open Atlantic Ocean, beaches and cliffs. At the tip of the peninsula visit the Skellig Experience, which explains the history, flora and fauna on the nearby rocky islands. Return through the attractive village of Sneem and pause at Moll’s Gap for panoramic views of Killarney. Back in Killarney enjoy free time before dinner. Return to your hotel and enjoy free time to use the hotel’s leisure facilities or relax. This evening head to the award-winning Killeen House Restaurant for a warm welcome and a superb dinner. (B, D)

Day 6: Blarney Castle & Traditional Music Session

Drive through the mountains of Kerry and West Cork into richer farming country on the way to Blarney. Climb to the ramparts of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” You may do some shopping at the Blarney Woollen Mills before driving along the coast to Dungarvan. Stop at the Marine Bar for a creamy Irish coffee and an informal traditional music session. Continue along the south coast to Waterford and check into your historic hotel, located on the waterfront of this ancient port city. After dinner in the hotel, take a fun walking tour around the narrow streets and historic buildings to learn about the Waterford’s long history. (B, D)

Day 7: Waterford Crystal & Taylor’s Three Rock

After breakfast tour the House of Waterford Crystal to watch glass blowing and cutting by master craftspeople and see a huge collection of elegant tableware and magnificent trophies on display. In nearby New Ross visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship. This is a replica of a 19th century vessel used to transport emigrants fleeing from the dreadful conditions during the 1840’s Famine. Then travel north to your deluxe manor house hotel, which dates back to 1750 and set in extensive gardens. In the evening drive to a Dublin pub for dinner and a lively show with traditional Irish music, story-telling and step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 8: Depart for Home or Extra Day in Dublin

For those booked on our 8-day tour, complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. After check-in, you’ll have time to shop at the duty-free shops before boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)

If you have booked our 9-day tour, spend an additional day in Dublin with an independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass (valid for 24 hours), plus a visit to Guinness or Jameson.

Day 9: Homeward bound

Taxi transfer to Dublin Airport on the final day. (B)

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES

• Group transfers at start and end of tour
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Dublin open-top bus tour with complimentary visit and a drink at Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery (9-day tour only)
• Professional tour director throughout
• Deluxe & superior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 7 or 8 nights
• Full Irish breakfast daily (B) except Day 1
• 6 dinners (D) including:

-              Dinner at award-winning Killeen House Restaurant

-              Dinner and traditional show in Dublin

-                                               4 table d’hote dinners

• Welcome get-together drink
• Tour of Dublin with your tour director
• Catamaran cruise of Killary Fjord (Apr 8 – Oct 28 departures)
• Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
• Irish coffee and music session at the Marine Bar in Dungarvan
• Walking tour of Waterford
• Visits and admissions to Book of Kells at Trinity College, Clonmacnoise Monastic Site, Kylemore Abbey Visitor Centre, Cliffs of Moher, Muckross House & Gardens, Skellig Experience, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, House of Waterford Crystal and Dunbrody Famine Ship
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

YOUR HOTELS

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin (1 night)
• Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway (2 nights)
• Brehon Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Granville Hotel, Waterford (1 night)
• Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel, Dublin (1 or 2 nights)

Irish Gold 8 Day Tour

Departure Date                                  End Date                                          Per Person