Celebrating 70 Years
Of Great Vacations

ESCORTED COACH TOURS - IRELAND

From $1,214
(Including Land & Air)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Bunratty Castle Banquet
• Abbey Tavern Ballads & Dinner
• Farmhouse Tea & Scones
• Blarney Castle & Cobh Heritage Centre
• Waterford Walking Tour
• Waterford Crystal Factory
• Glendalough 6th Century Monastic Site
• St. Patrick's Cathedral & Dublin Castle

Click on the phrases below for full details:

• Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
• What Your Tour Includes
• Your Hotels
• Departure Dates & Rates
• Early Payment Discount
• General Conditions for All Tours

"My wife booked the Irish Discovery as my 40th birthday present. I had wanted to visit Ireland for years and this tour was terrific — we saw so much in one week, had great meals and still had time to visit some neat little taverns."
~ Jim B., North Easton MA

Day 1 - Sun: Depart U.S. for Shannon
Travel on an overnight flight from the United States to Shannon. Sit back and relax while meals are served and watch a movie.

Day 2 - Mon: Bunratty Castle Banquet
Land at Shannon Airport where you go through immigration inspection and pick up your baggage. Find the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a transfer to your hotel. If you have booked flights independently, complimentary transfers will be offered from the CIE Tours desk at Shannon Airport between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later you will transfer to the hotel at your own expense. In the afternoon you are free to rest after your journey. If you wish you may explore Bunratty Folk Park or Durty Nelly's or do some shopping — all activities are right beside your hotel. Meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and visit Bunratty Castle for a medieval-style meal and entertainment. (D)

Day 3 - Tue: Killarney & Muckross House
This morning drive through Limerick, set on the River Shannon, and stop in the delightful village of Adare. The main street is lined with thatched cottages and tidy gardens and the outskirts have a number of ruined churches and friaries. Continue your journey into the mountainous scenery of Kerry to Killarney, renowned for its marvelous natural location. Just outside Killarney visit Muckross House, set on the shores of Muckross Lake, to see the magnificently furnished rooms and learn about its history. Enjoy some free time in the afternoon to take a look around Killarney and perhaps take a jaunting car ride or a walk to Ross Castle. (B, D)

Day 4 - Wed: Ring of Kerry Tour
Today enjoy one of Ireland's most popular scenic drives, the Ring of Kerry, which winds between lofty peaks and a magnificent Atlantic coastline. Stop often to savor the varied views and take photos. At the western end of the peninsula cross to Valencia Island to visit the Skellig Experience which shows how early Christian monks lived on the nearby islands. Drive through the remote villages of Glenbeigh and Waterville and see the colorful houses of Sneem. Stop at Moll's Gap and Ladies' View for vistas of the three famous Lakes of Killarney with the town in the distance. (B, D)

Day 5 - Thu: Blarney Castle & Cobh Heritage Centre
Travel from the mountainous country into the pasturelands of County Cork to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "stone of eloquence." Pass through the outskirts of Cork city on the way to visit the Cobh Heritage Centre. Cobh was the last port of call for many transatlantic liners, including the ill-fated "Titanic." The Centre is located in the rail station through which all emigrants passed to embark and it details the history of emigration and shipping between Ireland and the United States. Near Dungarvan visit a farmhouse for tea and home-baked scones and continue to Waterford to your hotel. After dinner join a local guide on a brief walk around the historic town center. (B, D)

Day 6 - Fri: Waterford & Glendalough
Tour the famous Waterford Crystal Factory to see how skilled craftspeople transform molten glass into sophisticated tableware. Follow each stage of the blowing, cutting and polishing of the product before examining the vast display of trophies and stemware in the showrooms. Then drive north through Enniscorthy and Arklow and into the Wicklow Mountains with their gently rounded peaks. Visit Glendalough Visitor Centre to learn about the 6th century monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin. Then see the round tower, ruins of the many churches and Celtic crosses. A short drive will take you into Dublin to check into your hotel. In the evening enjoy dinner at the Abbey Tavern with a lusty ballad session afterwards. (B, D)

Day 7 - Sat: Dublin Sightseeing
This morning discover the center of Dublin with your tour director. Dublin, founded by the Vikings over 1,000 years ago, boasts a long and varied history. See the principal public buildings and monuments, the elegant Georgian squares and houses and some of the modern attractions. Visit the historic St. Patrick's Cathedral, almost as old as Dublin itself, and see the many monuments and tombs which dignify this magnificent old building. Take a guided tour of Dublin Castle's State Apartments. These chambers have featured in Ireland's history and today host many official functions. The afternoon and evening are free for further sightseeing and dining. (B)

Day 8 - Sun: Departure Day
As you have come to the final day of your tour, transfer to Dublin Airport by taxi at a time best suited for your departure flight. Be sure to allow plenty of time to check in for your flight. You may do some duty free shopping before boarding your aircraft. (B)

What Your Tour Includes

8 days/6 nights/11 meals

• Round trip flights between U.S. & Ireland
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Transfers between hotels and airports at start and end of tour
• Services of a professional tour director
• Superior and first class hotels with private bath/shower for 6 nights
• 6 full Irish breakfasts (B)
• 5 dinners (D) including
  - Medieval banquet and entertainment in Bunratty Castle
  - Dinner and ballad session at the Abbey Tavern in Dublin
  - 3 table d'hote dinners
• Welcome get-together drink
• Tea and scones at an Irish farmhouse
• Walking tour of Waterford
• Visits and admissions to Muckross House, Skellig Experience, Blarney Castle, Cobh Heritage Centre, Waterford Crystal Factory, Glendalough Visitor Centre, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Your Hotels

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Fitzpatrick Bunratty Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
• International Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Dooley's Hotel, Waterford (1 night)
• Mespil Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)

Departure Dates & Rates

Early Payment Discount

Inclusive air prices reflect savings of between $85 & $170 per person when airfare is paid at least 90 days prior to departure. Book early and save. For travel from Chicago ask about special airfares with Aer Lingus.

General Conditions for All Tours