Ireland Group

8 Days

Tour cost begins from $1,990.00 plus taxes

Dublin, Waterford, Blarney, Ring of Kerry, Knock, Galway

ITINERARY:

Day 1: DEPARTURE FROM USA
Dinner and breakfast will be served on board.
Day 2: ARRIVAL TO DUBLIN
After arrival have an orientation tour of the city. Continue to hotel for check in. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.
Day 3: DUBLIN – WATERFORD
After breakfast meet your local Dublin City guide at the hotel and begin on a full day tour of the sights of Dublin. Visit St. Patricks Cathedral and the Book of Kells in Trinity College. In the afternoon travel south to Co. Wicklow to visit Glendalough, which is a ruined monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 16th century. The ruins consist of several churches scattered throughout the valley, a 10th century round tower beautifully preserved, a rootless cathedral which are all situated between 2 lakes in scenic surroundings. Here you can also see an audio-visual, which will help you understand monasticism to general in Ireland and especially Glendalough. Continue to Waterford for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: WATERFORD – BLARNEY – TRALEE
After full Irish breakfast, we drive to visit the famous Waterford Crystal Factories then continue to Cork and Blarney. Blarney is of course famous for it’s castle and Blarney Stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word Blarney means pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending. The battlements crowning the castle keep are typically Irish in form. Having climbed more then 100 steps, the famous Stone is set in the wall below the parapet, and to kiss it one has to lean backwards from the parapet walk of the battlements. You also have some free time at the Blarney Woolen mills for some fine quality Irish produce. Continue over the Cork & Kerry Mountains in Tralee. Dinner and overnight in Tralee.
Day 5: TRALEE – RING OF KERRY -DINGLE BAY
After full Irish breakfast, join the “Ring of Kerry” at Killorglin on Dingle Bay for a 100 mile Panoramic drive around Ireland’s south-western tip. Visit the Muckross House and Gardens. Muckross House is a 19th century manor house, beautifully situated close to Muckross Lake, second largest of Killarney’s 3 lakes. Now a major visitor center, the House has two main themes, the environment of the National park and the folklore of County Kerry in the 19th and 20th centuries. Skilled craft workers carry on some of the traditional crafts of Kerry as their predecessors did in bygone days. The garden informal in size, are noted for their fine collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, extensive water gardens and an outstanding rock garden of natural limestone. Return to Killarney for dinner & overnight.
Day 6: KILLARNEY – CLIFS OF MOHER – GALWAY-KNOCK
After full Irish breakfast, we take the road Tarbest where you will cross the Shannon Estuary to Killimer in Co. Clare. Drive up the beautiful coastline of Co. Clare via Miltown Malbay and Lahinch to the Cliffs of Moher. These great dark sandstone cliffs rise majestically from the Atlantic for almost five miles. Through of scratching sea birds make their homes precariously on the ledges of wheel and swoop about the waves. Some of the best views can be enjoyed from O’Brien’s Tower, built in the 1853 by Cornelius O’Brien. One a clear day you can see Aran Island and beyond. The views will leave you breathless. Depart the Cliffs and continue northward through the region of Co. Clare known as the Burren. This limestone plateau that covers much of Co. Clare. The limestone is deeply fissured and most of the river gone underground creating an extensive cave system. 4000 years of farming has largely denuded the country of trees and vegetation but the Burren is noted for the “opposite” contrasts of its flower population with Mediterranean and Alpine species flourishing side by side. Drive northwest through County Roscommon to Knock. We will celebrate mass at the Holy Shrine in Knock. The Pope himself by his words and deeds made it clear that Our Lady’s Shrine at Knock is recognized by the Church to be one of the major Marian Shrines in the world. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Knock.
Day 7: KNOCK – GALWAY
After full Irish breakfast, we will have some free time for prayer and reflections. After celebrating 11:45 AM mass at Knock Shrine we will drive to the Galway, known as city of the Tribes, and enjoy a panoramic tour viewing Eyre Square, St Nicholas church and the Spanish Arch. Galway is noted for its traditional Irish music and song. It nestles at the neck of Galway Bay and is reputed to have been Columbus’ final point of departure on his epoch-making voyages of discovery. St Nicholas Church, a medieval church that is dedicated to the patron saint of sailors, was begun in 1320. Spanish Arch, the name is a reminder of the city’s trading links with Spain. Part of the medieval town wall is visible on the south side if the arch. Eyre Square – this is the focal point of the modern city between the old town and the dock centers on a small park, named after John F. Kennedy. Dinner and overnight in Galway.
Day 8: GALWAY – SHANNON-USA
Transfer to the airport for our flight home