Irish Explorer 9 day Coach tour 2009

Highlights

• Kate Kearney's Cottage Dinner and Show


• Celtic Crosses at sixth century Monasterboice


• Belleek China & Connemara Crystal


• Slieve League - Europe's Highest Sea Cliffs


• "The Quiet Man" Walking Tour


• Ring of Kerry Tour


• De Luxe Clontarf Castle Stay & Farewell Dinner

Your Hotels

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Herbert Park Hotel - Dublin - 1 night(s)


• Mill Park Hotel - Donegal Town, Co Donegal - 2 night(s)


• Connemara Coast Hotel - Furbo, Co Galway - 2 night(s)


• Killarney Avenue Hotel - Killarney, Co Kerry - 2 night(s)


• Clontarf Castle Hotel - Dublin - 1 night(s)

Itinerary:

Day 1: City Touring & Book of Kells

Arrive at Dublin Airport and pass through immigration and collect your luggage. Head to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel, located in Ballsbridge on the south side of the city, between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than noon, you will transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm tour the city centre to see elegant Georgian squares with rows of townhouses and colorful doorways as well as many public buildings and charming parks. Visit Trinity College's Old Library where the priceless 8th century Book of Kells is housed. Learn about the monastic tradition of creating Biblical manuscripts and see the intricate workmanship of the book itself. Enjoy a welcome drink to get to know your fellow travellers and talk about your trip. This evening is free and your tour director can advise on places to eat.

Day 2: Celtic Crosses & Belleek

Travel north from Dublin to visit the ruins of Monasterboice, which was founded by St. Buite in 521. See the round tower and the two most famous Celtic crosses - the Tall Cross measuring 21 feet high, and Muiredach's Cross with numerous well-preserved Biblical scenes. Drive north via Enniskillen and along the picturesque shores of Lower Lough Erne. Stop in Belleek to visit the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how the craftspeople mould, shape and decorate clay, creating the world-famous fine china. Continue to your hotel on the outskirts of Donegal town where you will have time to relax or use the extensive leisure facilities before dining with your group. (B, D)

Day 3: Slieve League Cliffs & Donegal

Donegal, with its windswept hills where only sheep can thrive, is renowned for wool production.
Drive to the fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea cliffs, where the highest point reaches 1,972 feet making them the highest in Europe. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves below and you will see marvelous vistas. Continue through the majestic Glengesh Pass to Ardara to visit Triona Design. See demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting and enjoy tea with scones. A short drive will take you back to Donegal town where you will have free time in the town centre before returning to your nearby hotel. (B, D)

Day 4: Yeats' Grave & Museum of Country Life

Travel south around Donegal Bay and stop at Drumcliffe Churchyard to view the grave of W. B. Yeats, the Nobel prizewinning poet, who based many poems on the delightful countryside around Sligo. Continue through County Mayo to Castlebar to visit the Museum of Country Life. An open-plan building houses collections of domestic goods, once used as part of daily life from 1850 to 1950. Exhibits and a movie explain how Irish people made a living from the soil before the machine age. Drive to Galway, the capital of the west of Ireland. Check into your hotel, which overlooks Galway Bay, the Aran Islands and the Burren. (B, D)

Day 5: "The Quiet Man" Tour & Connemara

Tour Connemara to admire sweeping views of hills and sparkling lakes. Drive along the shores of Galway Bay and through Maam Cross, located in the heart of Connemara. Continue to the charming village of Cong, which was the location of the 1952 movie, "The Quiet Man." A local guide will escort you around places associated with the production and see movie memorabilia in the Quiet Man Cottage. In Moycullen visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, where skilled craftsmen hand-cut fine crystal with Celtic motifs. Drive to Galway to look around the city center before returning to your hotel on Galway Bay. (B, D)

Day 6: Flying Boat Museum & Killarney

Drive around Galway Bay and make a stop in Bunratty. Here you may visit the Bunratty Folk Park, have a drink in Durty Nelly's Pub or shop at the Bunratty Woollen Mills. Continue through Limerick and along the Shannon Estuary to Foynes to visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum . During the 1930's and early 1940's, this was the landing place for Pan Am Clippers from the United States and Europe. The museum's displays recall the early days of aviation. Travel to Killarney and enjoy some leisure time. In the evening drive to the Gap of Dunloe to Kate Kearney's Cottage, a cosy venue for dinner and some lively traditional Irish entertainment. (B, D)

Day 7: Ring of Kerry Tour

Enjoy the Ring of Kerry drive where every bend in 100 miles of road reveals breathtaking views of mountains and Atlantic Ocean. Depart Killarney and travel through Killorglin and Cahirciveen. All along the route you will have opportunities to get out of the coach to admire or photograph scenic vistas. Return through the attractive village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap for a panoramic view of the Three Lakes of Killarney. Take a stroll through the elegant Muckross Gardens, set on the shores of Muckross Lake and containing fine specimens of mature trees. (B, D)

Day 8: Blarney & Clontarf Castle Hotel

Leave Killarney and drive via Ballyvourney and Macroom to Blarney to visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where quality Irish-made products are gathered under one roof. If you wish, you may climb the steps of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone independently. Drive north and pause at the Rock of Cashel for photos before continuing to Dublin once more. Check into Clontarf Castle, a luxurious haven located in a quiet area, yet just a short distance from the city centre. The castle dates back to 1172 and is steeped in Irish history. Today it offers guests all the splendour and charm of a unique and royal experience. Enjoy a special farewell dinner in the hotel's old-world dining room. (B, D)

Day 9: Homeward bound

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 stores before boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)

Hotels:

Herbert Park Hotel
Dublin - 1 night(s)

Mill Park Hotel
Donegal Town, Co Donegal - 2 night(s)

Connemara Coast Hotel
Furbo, Co Galway - 2 night(s)

Killarney Avenue Hotel
Killarney, Co Kerry - 2 night(s)

Clontarf Castle Hotel
Dublin - 1 night(s)

Dates & Rates:

Rates include Accommodation, Breakfast & Evening Meals where listed (B&D), Entry to Attractions and all Taxes and Tolls.




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