10 Days/9 Nights

Ireland, the Emerald Isle

Travel to the land of green hills, fascinating history and legendary hospitality! Stay a night in a 400-year-old castle, feast at a medieval banquet and enjoy plenty of authentic Irish food and fun. Visit the Waterford Crystal Factory and enjoy the view from the Cliffs of Moher. Don’t forget to kiss the Blarney Stone!

Tour Highlights

• Feast at a medieval banquet and enjoy authentic Irish entertainment in a 15th-century castle.
• Enjoy a cabaret dinner with Irish songs, dance and comedy.
• Thrill to the sights as you travel the circular route known as the Ring of Kerry.
• Enjoy a night in a historic 400-year-old castle.
• Relive history on a guided walking tour of legendary Kells and Waterford.

Itinerary

Days 1-2—Chicago/Dublin/Kingscourt: Welcome to Ireland, legendary land of gorgeous green hills, fascinating history and warm hospitality. Together, we’ll board our modern motorcoach at the airport for a leisurely drive to Cabra Castle Hotel.

During its 400-year history, this elegant castle has hosted many famous people, including King James II. We’ll enjoy a welcome reception,
followed by dinner. Meals included: In-flight meals, D.

Day 3—Kells/Galway: We’ll drive through the little town of Kells, where, about 1,200 years ago, monks labored to produce the priceless Book of Kells. We’ll see the elaborately carved Market Cross, dating back to the 9th century.

On the banks of the Shannon River, we’ll visit the 6th-century monastery at Clonmacnois. Then we’ll continue west to Galway, a city founded over 800 years ago by fourteen Norman tribes. Here you’ll see Lynch’s Castle, the 1594 Spanish Arch, and St. Nicholas Collegiate Church. Meals included: B, D.

Day 4—Cliffs of Moher/Bunratty: This morning we drive South to County Galway. Then, our route takes us to Rathbaun Farm, near Ardrahan. Our hosts will provide a fascinating farm tour and a sheep shearing demonstration.

From there, another breathtaking sight awaits—the majestic Cliffs of Moher, which stretch along the coast.

Next, we’re off to the medieval village of Bunratty. Tonight we step back 500 years to enjoy a medieval banquet and Irish entertainment in a 15th-century castle. Meals included: B, tea, D.

Day 5—Adare/Killarney: We’re off to the colorful village of Adare, often voted “the prettiest village in Ireland.” Its charming thatch-roofed cottages were created over 200 years ago. Later, we’ll stop at a magnificent Victorian mansion, the elegant Muckross House, for a guided tour.

Tonight, you may choose to attend a performance of traditional Irish dancing or relax on a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through Killarney.

Our home for the next two nights is Killarney, in the heart of Ireland’s beautiful lake district: Meals included: B, L, D.

Day 6—Ring of Kerry/Killarney: Today we’ll take in the sights along the Ring of Kerry, a wonderful, relaxing circular tour around the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula. Along the way, we’ll meet with a local sheep farmer and watch a sheep herding demonstration. Meals included: B, D.

Day 7—Blarney Castle/Waterford: We’ll travel over the Derrynasaggart Mountains, through the Valley of the Lee and on to Blarney Castle, where you’ll have the opportunity to kiss the famous stone. We’ll also see a private lacemaking demonstration, and you’ll have time to shop for gifts at the Blarney Woollen Mills.

This afternoon we’ll travel east to the medieval city of Waterford.You’ll be dazzled by a tour of the internationally renowned Waterford Crystal Factory! Meals included: B, D.

Day 8—Kildare/Dublin: Today we’ll visit the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship, a full-scale replica of a ship built at the start of the Great Famine of 1845.

Then we continue north to Dublin, our home for the next two nights. We’ll stop and see Europe’s largest collection of Bronze-Age gold jewelry and ornaments, at the National Museum of History and Archaeology.

The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore on your own. You may want to visit Trinity College, which houses the 9th century illuminated Book of Kells. Meals included: B.

Day 9—Malahide Castle: We’ll drive through the scenic fishing village of Howth to visit imposing Malahide Castle. Set on 250 acres of beautiful parkland, it houses an extensive collection of period furniture and Irish portrait paintings, and contains Ireland’s only original medieval Great Hall.

Enjoy the afternoon as you wish, then we’ll gather for a delightful farewell cabaret dinner. Reminisce with your traveling companions as you take in traditional Irish song, dance and comedy. Meals included: B, D.

Day 10—Dublin/Chicago: This morning, we’ll have breakfast together and then head for the airport. You’ll take marvelous memories home of amazing Ireland, the Emerald Isle. Meals included: B, In-flight meals.

Accommodations

• Day 1: en route to Ireland
• Day 2: Cabra Castle Hotel, Kingscourt
• Day 3: Forster Court Hotel, Galway
• Day 4: Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty
• Days 5 & 6: Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney
• Day 7: Dooley’s Hotel, Waterford
• Days 8 & 9: Mont Clare Hotel, Dublin
• Pre/Post-tour: Courtyard by Marriott, O’Hare