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Irish Pub & Folk 8 & 9 Day Coach Tour

Tour Highlights

  • 12th Century Brazen Head Pub Dinner
  • Guinness Storehouse
  • Kiss the Blarney Stone
  • Sheepdog Trials on Ring of Kerry
  • Pubs with Live Music in Kilkenny, Killarney and Westport

 

Day 1: Dublin Tour & Guinness Storehouse

Your tour starts at Dublin Airport with a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. In the afternoon get together with a local guide to tour Dublin city centre to see elegant Georgian squares with the famous colourful doorways and the peaceful St. Stephen’s Green. Cross the River Liffey to O’Connell Street and view the General Post Office where the 1916 Uprising started and pause to view the sombre figures of the Famine Memorial. Visit the Guinness Storehouse to explore the many levels of exhibitions, ending in the rooftop bar for a view over the city while you sip a creamy pint of stout. Back at your hotel discuss your itinerary over a welcome drink with your tour group and guide and you are free for dinner. Ryan’s of Parkgate Street, a traditional Victorian pub, is beside your hotel and the lively Temple Bar area is within easy reach.

Day 2: National Stud & Medieval Kilkenny

Depart Dublin and stop in Kildare to visit the Irish National Stud. Horseracing is a passion for the Irish and you will see some of the finest stallions and learn about breeding. Walk through the charming Japanese Gardens, created to symbolize life from birth to death. Arrive in Kilkenny and check in to your centrally-located hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure – Kilkenny is a fun place to explore on your own. You may like to tour Kilkenny Castle, first built in 1192 and constantly changed until the 19th century. The Kilkenny Design Workshop is near the castle and Kyteler’s Inn, a tavern established in 1324 and reputedly owned by a witch, is within easy walking distance. (B, D)

Day 3: Waterford Crystal & Blarney

Drive south to the ancient port of Waterford to visit the House of Waterford Crystal, located in the city centre. See how molten glass is transformed by skilled craftspeople into elegant glasses and magnificent trophies of all types. Drive along the south coast to visit Blarney Castle and climb to the ramparts to kiss the well-known “Stone of Eloquence.” Enjoy some time for shopping at the Blarney Woollen Mills or take a break in the pub hidden between the shops! Travel through County Cork and on to Killarney and check in to your hotel in the centre of the town. In the evening you may like to explore some of the cosy pubs where traditional Irish music is played. (B, D)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry Tour

Explore County Kerry’s popular scenic drive with Ireland’s highest mountains on one side and a varied Atlantic coastline on the other. Every turn will reveal new vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches. Stop at Kells to meet a local farmer, Brendan Ferris, for a taste of farm life as he demonstrates how dogs herd flocks of sheep and see different breeds of sheep. Stop at the Bridge Bar in Portmagee for lunch before taking the bridge to Valencia Island to visit the Skellig Experience. Learn about early Christian monks who braved a harsh existence on the rocky offshore islands. Continue your trip around the peninsula and stop in the colourful village of Sneem and pause at Moll’s Gap for a look at the Lakes of Killarney. You are free for dinner this evening. (B, L)

Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Connemara

Drive north and take a short ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. View the Cliffs of Moher that rise to heights of almost 700 feet above churning Atlantic swells. Pass through the Burren, around the shores of Galway Bay and through the lovely scenery of the Connemara region. Pass hills, little lakes and open country where mountain sheep roam freely. Stop in Leenane, renowned as the location of the movie, “The Field.” Continue to Westport, a charming town and check in to your hotel. Westport is a great town to walk around and has lots of interesting shops and traditional pubs, many with live music. (B, D)

Day 6: Westport House & Achill Island Excursion

Visit Westport House, an 18th century mansion, set in superb parkland with magnificent views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Achill Island. See stunning rooms with original priceless furnishings, paintings, books, silver artifacts and Waterford Crystal. Drive around Clew Bay to Achill Island, joined to the mainland by bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful views of steeply-sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100 stone cottages abandoned around the time of the 1840’s Famine. Return to Westport for a stroll around this attractive estate town, which was laid out in 1780. (B, D)

Day 7: Strokestown House & Brazen Head Pub

Travel to the centre of Ireland to visit Strokestown Park House in County Roscommon. There are three parts to see – the 18th century mansion with its original furnishings; the four-acre walled garden, restored to look as it would have during the heyday of the estate; and the Famine Museum, which explains the circumstances of the 1840’s Great Irish Famine through a combination of original documents and images.  Head to the Brazen Head Pub, Dublin’s oldest, dating back to 1198 for an evening of “Food, Folk and Fairies” where story-telling will reveal Ireland’s myths and beliefs in times past. (B, D)

Day 8: Depart for Home or Extra Day in Dublin

For clients 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. (B)

If you have booked our 9-day tour, spend an additional night in Dublin and enjoy an independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass (valid for 24 hours), a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery to learn how smooth whiskey is created and enjoy a sample.

Day 9: Tour ends at Dublin Airport

Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport on 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 Old Jameson Distillery (9-day tour only)
  • Professional tour director throughout
  • First class hotels with private bath/shower for 7 or 8 nights
  • Full Irish breakfast daily (B) except Day 1
  • 5 dinners (D) including:

-              Food, Folk and Fairies dinner/show at the Brazen Head Pub

-              4 table d’hote dinners

  • Lunch at Bridge Bar on Ring of Kerry (L)
  • Welcome get-together drink
  • Tour of Dublin with a local guide
  • Tour and a pint at the Guinness Storehouse
  • Sheepdog trials on Ring of Kerry
  • Ferry ride across the River Shannon
  • Day tour to Achill Island
  • Visits and admissions to Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens, House of Waterford Crystal, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher, Westport House, Strokestown House and Famine Museum
  • 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):

  • Ashling Hotel, Dublin (1 night)
  • Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny (1 night)
  • International Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
  • Wyatt Hotel, Westport (2 nights)
  • Ashling Hotel, Dublin (1 or 2 nights)
Please see 2013 departure dates and rates below (all rates in USD)
Tour starts             Tour ends               8 Days  9 Days
Dublin			Dublin*
Sat	Feb	16	Sat	Feb	23	1076 	1218
Sat	Feb	23	Sat	Mar	02	1076 	1218
Sat	Mar	02	Sat	Mar	09	1128 	1274
Sat	Mar	09	Sat	Mar	16	1128 	1274
Sat	Mar	16	Sat	Mar	23	1128 	1274
Sat	Mar	23	Sat	Mar	30	1128 	1274
Sat	Mar	30	Sat	Apr	06	1128 	1274
Wed	Apr	03	Wed	Apr	10	1268 	1418
Sat	Apr	06	Sat	Apr	13	1268 	1418
Wed	Apr	10	Wed	Apr	17	1268 	1418
Sat	Apr	13	Sat	Apr	20	1268 	1418
Wed	Apr	17	Wed	Apr	24	1268 	1418
Sat	Apr	20	Sat	Apr	27	1268 	1418
Wed	Apr	24	Wed	May	01	1398 	1558
Sat	Apr	27	Sat	May	04	1398 	1558
Wed	May	01	Wed	May	08	1515 	1698
Sat	May	04	Sat	May	11	1515 	1698
Wed	May	08	Wed	May	15	1515 	1698
Sat	May	11	Sat	May	18	1515 	1698
Wed	May	15	Wed	May	22	1515 	1698
Sat	May	18	Sat	May	25	1515 	1698
Wed	May	22	Wed	May	29	1515 	1698
Sat	May	25	Sat	Jun	01	1515 	1698
Wed	May	29	Wed	Jun	05	1515 	1698
Sat	Jun	01	Sat	Jun	08	1515 	1698
Wed	Jun	05	Wed	Jun	12	1515 	1698
Sat	Jun	08	Sat	Jun	15	1515 	1698
Wed	Jun	12	Wed	Jun	19	1515 	1698
Sat	Jun	15	Sat	Jun	22	1515 	1698
Wed	Jun	19	Wed	Jun	26	1515 	1698
Sat	Jun	22	Sat	Jun	29	1515 	1698
Wed	Jun	26	Wed	Jul	03	1515 	1698
Sat	Jun	29	Sat	Jul	06	1515 	1698
Wed	Jul	03	Wed	Jul	10	1515 	1698
Sat	Jul	06	Sat	Jul	13	1515 	1698
Wed	Jul	10	Wed	Jul	17	1515 	1698
Sat	Jul	13	Sat	Jul	20	1515 	1698
Wed	Jul	17	Wed	Jul	24	1515 	1698
Sat	Jul	20	Sat	Jul	27	1515 	1698
Wed	Jul	24	Wed	Jul	31	1515 	1698
Sat	Jul	27	Sat	Aug	03	1515 	1698
Wed	Jul	31	Wed	Aug	07	1515 	1698
Sat	Aug	03	Sat	Aug	10	1515 	1698
Wed	Aug	07	Wed	Aug	14	1515 	1698
Sat	Aug	10	Sat	Aug	17	1515 	1698
Wed	Aug	14	Wed	Aug	21	1515 	1698
Sat	Aug	17	Sat	Aug	24	1515 	1698
Wed	Aug	21	Wed	Aug	28	1515 	1698
Sat	Aug	24	Sat	Aug	31	1515 	1698
Wed	Aug	28	Wed	Sep	04	1515 	1698
Sat	Aug	31	Sat	Sep	07	1515 	1698
Wed	Sep	04	Wed	Sep	11	1515 	1698
Sat	Sep	07	Sat	Sep	14	1515 	1698
Wed	Sep	11	Wed	Sep	18	1515 	1698
Sat	Sep	14	Sat	Sep	21	1515 	1698
Wed	Sep	18	Wed	Sep	25	1515 	1698
Sat	Sep	21	Sat	Sep	28	1515 	1698
Wed	Sep	25	Wed	Oct	02	1515 	1698
Sat	Sep	28	Sat	Oct	05	1515 	1698
Wed	Oct	02	Wed	Oct	09	1398 	1554
Sat	Oct	05	Sat	Oct	12	1398 	1554
Wed	Oct	09	Wed	Oct	16	1268 	1554
Sat	Oct	12	Sat	Oct	19	1268 	1554
Wed	Oct	16	Wed	Oct	23	1268 	1409
Sat	Oct	19	Sat	Oct	26	1268 	1409
Wed	Oct	23	Wed	Oct	30	1268 	1409
Sat	Oct	26	Sat	Nov	02	1268 	1409
Sat	Nov	02	Sat	Nov	09	1128 	1269
Sat	Nov	09	Sat	Nov	16	1128 	1269
Sat	Nov	16	Sat	Nov	23	1128 	1269
Sat	Nov	23	Sat	Nov	30	1128 	1269
Sat	Nov	30	Sat	Dec	07	1076 	1218
Sat	Dec	07	Sat	Dec	14	1076 	1218 

   Single room supplement: 8 day $388, 9 day $446

* 9 day tour returns from Dublin one day later than shown above