A Taste of Ireland

Dublin, Blarney Stone, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, Killarney, Connemara & Kilkenny

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, airline taxes and fees, hotels, transfers, many meals, touring & more. *

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance A Taste of Ireland
Day	Destination
1	Depart USA
2	Dublin
3	Blarney Castle & Kerry
4	Ring of Kerry
5	Cliffs of Moher & Limerick
6	Kilkenny & Dublin
7	Dublin/USA

Departures	July – October 2013
Departs	Los Angeles (LAX), New York Kennedy (JFK), Miami (MIA), Washington Dulles (IAD), Newark (EWR), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Houston (IAH); other gateways on request
Highlights	Kiss the Blarney Stone, Ring of Kerry, Muckross House, Cliffs of Moher, Medieval Kilkenny
Included Features	Round-trip flights from JFK or Newark (EWR) to Dublin, including fuel surcharges and taxes and fees All ground transportation and transfers Accommodations in Superior First Class hotels 7 Meals: Irish breakfast daily, plus 2 dinners Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees Professional, English-speaking driver/guide
Travel Style	This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness.

Just about everyone can find something to love about Ireland, from its stunning, emerald green countryside, its friendly, helpful people, its castles, pubs and so much more. Join us on our 7-Day Taste of Ireland and discover why it’s one of the world’s most visited destinations. Your tour includes visits to Dublin, Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Kilkenny Castle and Limerick. And you’ll even get to kiss the Blarney Stone for good luck! But don’t wait too long to reserve your spot as this deal will sell out fast.

Throughout 2013, Ireland will open its arms to friends and family from all over the world, inviting them to join in locally organized gatherings and festivals in villages, towns and cities. This year-long homecoming celebration, named "The Gathering", is expected to draw a great many people of Irish descent from throughout the world, making this a wonderful year to visit Ireland.

As seen in:

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Dates, Prices & Options

All prices, fees and deposits are per person, subject to change at any time, and not guaranteed until we receive your final payment.

Want to stay longer? We may be able to arrange for you to extend your stay later than the scheduled dates, subject to availability. Contact us about dates, prices and restrictions.

Coming from somewhere else? Before you book, ask us about availability and prices for flights from other cities. Additional charges for flights from other cities are due within 24 hours of your booking.

To make a reservation, we only require a per-person deposit payment, which you can pay with your credit card. This non-refundable deposit will be applied towards the cost of your package. You can pay the balance due later by credit card, check or money order. Your final payment is due 75 days prior to departure, or within 72 hours of booking, whichever is later.

Ticketing: Airline tickets for this tour are usually issued within 24 hours of your booking, and once issued, cannot be changed, refunded or transferred. To issue tickets, we must receive photocopies of the signature and picture pages of your passport(s) within 24 hours of your booking, or your reservation may be subject to a higher airfare or cancellation.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting trip to Ireland begins today as you depart for Dublin.

Day 2: Dublin. Upon arrival in Dublin, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day to relax in your hotel or explore the city on your own. Tonight enjoy dinner at the hotel. Accommodations: Ballsbridge Hotel or similar. Dinner provided.

Day 3: Ireland's Midlands, Blarney Castle & Kerry. Today, you will board your touring coach, depart Ireland’s capitol and travel to County Kerry. En route, stop in the town of Blarney for a visit to Blarney Castle. Dating from 1446, the castle is a tower house built on solid limestone. At the top of the Tower you will find the legendary Stone of Eloquence (Blarney Stone). Kiss it and you will never again be lost for words.

Enjoy some time for shopping at Blarney Woolen Mills. The existence of the Woolen Mills during the famine shielded Blarney from the worst effects of the great famine, due to its employment of local workers. The success story at the mills continued until a disastrous fire in 1869. By August 1871, the mill was once again operational with a labor force of over 200 and in 1976 Chris Kelleher, himself a mill worker, bought the old mill property. Within a short period of time Chris and his family transformed the mill into what is perhaps the largest quality craft shop in Ireland.

Continue through Ireland’s Midlands to your hotel in the Kerry region. This evening enjoy dinner with your travel companions at the hotel’s restaurant. Accommodations: Travel Inn Killarney or similar. Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Muckross House. Today you can enjoy a superb tour of the Iveragh Peninsula, which will give you the opportunity to discover the Ring of Kerry, taking in the spectacular scenery; mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. Leaving Killarney, pass through Killorglin, famous for its Puck Fair and Glenbeigh, where the cliff road affords panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay. Passing through the peat bogs, arrive at the sea town of Waterville. Continue to Sneem Village, famous because of its brightly colored houses. The road continues through the mountains to Molls Gap and Ladies View with superb views of the famous Lakes of Killarney.

Visit Muckross House, which was built in 1843 by the Herbert Family, in Elizabethan style. This house is one of the most sumptuous residences of Ireland. Muckross, surrounded by beautiful gardens, is in the heart of the Killarney National Park, the first to be opened in Ireland.

This evening enjoy dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants or pubs in Killarney town. Breakfast provided.

 

Day 5: Burren & the Cliffs of Moher. Travel northwards to Tarbert and take a short boat ride across the mouth of the river Shannon, landing on Clare’s shore at Killimer. Travel along the coast to the Cliffs of Moher. The most majestic cliffs in Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher rise 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and extend over four miles in length. On a clear day, you can admire the Aran Islands, the Connemara Mountains and the many sea birds that colonize this place to nest in spring. Visit the Atlantic Edge Interpretive Center built into the natural landscape. The center is a huge domed cave that contains various exhibits showcasing the mighty Cliffs of Moher.

Later enjoy a tour of the Burren Region, a strange and unique region in Europe. “Burren” means “large stones”: in fact its name describes this impressive scenery perfectly well. Often described as lunar, the Burren is a high plateau of porous limestone situated in Northern Clare, between Ballyvaughan and Kilfenora. No trees grow here and no soil covers the stone, but the Burren is not deserted, as different types of flowers grow from the cracks all year round. The Burren Region is also historically rich, with many castles and monastic ruins.
Continue to Limerick and check-in at your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

Optional Excursion: Take advantage of an optional Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle on the banks of the Raite River including entertainment, a four-course meal and wine. ($79 per person) Accommodations: Clarion Hotel or similar. Breakfast provided.

Day 6: Cahir Castle, Ballyowen House, Kilkenny & Dublin. After breakfast, travel from Limerick to Dublin. Along the way, stop at Cahir Castle, set on a rocky island on the River Suir in County Tipperary. This impressive 15th century castle was considered impenetrable until the advent of heavy cannon. Once the stronghold of the powerful Butler family, the castle retains its keep, tower and much of its original defensive structure. After a tour of the castle and grounds continue eastward.

Next stop is the 16th century Ballyowen House. Enjoy a tour of the beautifully decorated main rooms, stables and grounds. Learn the history of this impressive estate and its role in Ireland’s sometimes turbulent past. Marvel at the elegant architecture and its numerous fine details. Guests will enjoy tea, coffee and fresh scones with local Irish butter and preserves in Ballyowen's main dining room at the end of the tour.

Last stop en route to Dublin is the medieval city of Kilkenny, perhaps the most attractive city in all of Ireland. Its status has more to do with its role in the past than in the present. Kilkenny is sometimes called the “Marble City” because of the local black limestone. It dominates the architecture of Irish town at the northern end of Parliament Street. Enjoy some free time to explore and do some last minute shopping.

Continue to Dublin and check-in at your hotel. Enjoy your final evening in Ireland at leisure. Accommodations: Ballsbridge Hotel or similar. Breakfast provided.

Day 7: Dublin/USA. After a final Irish breakfast, bid farewell to Ireland as your journey comes to an end. Transfer to the airport for your return flight. You will arrive in New York later today. Breakfast provided.

 

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