Full Itinerary

Sept. 30: Depart USA for Shannon

Dromoland Castle

Oct. 1: Upon arrival at Shannon Airport, we are met by our Irish escort and driven by private deluxe  motorcoach to the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet above the Atlantic breakers.  Return to the Shannon side region and check into our elegant  hotel, Dromoland Castle - a five star property. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in this luxurious setting.   In the evening meet your fellow travelers for a superb  dinner in the castle’s fine restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: DROMOLAND CASTLE HOTEL, SHANNON

Oct. 2: Muckross House & Killarney; Depart Dromoland and enjoy a short ferry ride across the wide estuary of the River Shannon to Tarbert and travel though Listowel and Castleisland to Killarney.  Take a horse drawn jaunting car ride though the grounds of the National Park and enjoy a guided tour of 19th century Muckross House, a fully furnished Victorian mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake.  Return to Killarney town and check into the spacious Killarney Park   Hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free  for you to explore the town.  This evening we’ll have  dinner at   award-winning Kileen House.
OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PARK HOTEL, KILLARNEY

Oct. 3: Ring of Kerry Tour; This drive around the unique and beautiful Kerry Peninsula includes seascapes, the stunning mountains called Magillycuddys Reeks, vistas of the Lakes of Killarney.  We’ll glimpse the craggy Skellig islands, once home to early Christian monasteries and  now bird sanctuaries.  Brightly painted cottages slate-roofed villages rim the coast.

After dinner in the excellent restaurant at our hotel, the evening is at leisure.  There are many singing pubs in Killarney  where you can hear traditional as well as modern music.
DINNER, OVERNITE: KILLARNEY PARK  HOTEL

Faithlegg House Hotel & Golf Resort

Oct. 4:  CRAFTS, COBH & TITANIC  TRAIL TOUR
After a stop at Blarney Woolen Mills where fine Irish knits and tweeds are made and sold, we’ll visit the harbor town of Cobh (pronounced “cove”).  As the last port of call for the Titanic, Cobh offers a Titanic Trail, revealing incidents related to the Titanic's history, as well as the site where the victims of the Lusitania, sunk by a German submarine in World War 1 landed.  We’ll drive through the town of Youghal, granted to Sir Walter Raleigh by Queen Elizabeth I, to historic FAITHLEGG HOUSE HOTEL AND GOLF RESORT, an 18th century mansion restored to luxury hotel standards.  Here we’ll have dinner and a leisurely evening.
DINNER & OVERNITE: FAITHLEGG HOTEL, WATERFORD.

Oct. 5:  WATERFORD TO DUBLIN - Today we visit the world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory to see a demonstration of glass blowing and cutting, an exhibit of their special trophies, and also take  advantage of their outlet store.  We’ll drive north, stopping at Nicholas Mosse Pottery where traditional and modern ceramics are created and sold.  On our way to Dublin, we’ll stop at the National Stud Farm to learn current trends of horse breeding and see some of these celebrated Irish race horses.  Our journey ends in Dublin, Ireland’s capital, where  we’ll have dinner at our hotel, joined by a representative of the Dublin International Theatre Festival, to  hear what’s going on at this exciting event this year.
DINNER & OVERNITE; DUBLIN

Oct. 6:  DUBLIN - This morning we’ll have a tour of Dublin.  This ancient city, founded by Vikings in the 9th century, is now known as the Celtic Tiger, one of the most successful and exciting cities in Europe.  The Liffey River runs through its center, arched by bridges.  We’ll pass Trinity College, founded by Queen Elizabeth I, which houses the Book of Kells; Kilmainham Jail, where the Irish  rebels of 1917 uprising were executed; Dublin Castle where daughters of the Ascendency (prominent landowners) debuted, and landmarks of the city’s artistic life.  Ireland is known for its writers.  Statues of Oscar Wilde and James Joyce grace the streets and parks.  The afternoon is free for you to sightsee or shop.  Tonight we’ll attend a performance at the Dublin Theatre Festival.
OVERNITE; DUBLIN

Dublin

Oct. 7: DUBLIN - Today is completely at leisure.  You may dip into Ireland’s history at the National Museum;  the National Art Gallery featuring paintings by Jack Yeats, brother of poet William Butler Yeats; or the Dublin Writers Museum, housed in the 18th century townhouse of the Guinness family.  Stroll through Merrion Square, rimmed with Georgian houses behind whose painted doors lived Oscar Wilde’s parents among others.  Shops and cafes, as well as street troupes who perform during the Festival, make this a fascinating time to be in Dublin.  Tonight we’ll take in another offering of the Dublin Theatre Festival.
OVERNITE; DUBLIN

Oct. 8: DUBLIN - Sunday morning some of us will attend a service at St. Patrick's Protestant Cathedral, where Jonathan Swift, author of “Gulliver’s Travels” was Dean.  This beautiful and historic church has monuments ranging from the Middle Ages to World War II.  We’ll have a backstage tour of Ireland's national theatre, The Abbey.  Founded by William Butler Yeats and Lady Gregory in 1904, it specializes in Irish plays, like it or not.  When an audience booed one of Sean O’Casey’s social protest plays, Yeats stormed on stage and roared at them “You have disgraced yourselves again!”  Tonight we’ll have our farewell dinner at one of Dublin’s premiere restaurants, followed by a last production at the Dublin Theatre Festival.
DINNER & OVERNITE; DUBLIN

Oct. 9: DUBLIN—USA - We’ll transfer to Dublin Airport in good time to check-in for your flight and do final shopping at the duty-free stores.  Then you’ll board your flight for home, rich in memories of this beautiful, friendly, and exciting country that will last a lifetime.