Celebrating 70 Years
Of Great Vacations

ESCORTED COACH TOURS - IRELAND

From $998
(Including Land & Air)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Knappogue Castle Banquet
• Doyle's Irish Cabaret & Dinner
• National Folk Theatre
• Cliffs of Moher
• Old Jameson Distillery Tour
• Waterford Factory
• Farmhouse Tea & Scones

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

"...May 30th Irish Heritage tour. And what a trip it was! Everything was done with beautiful style and professionalism from your great reservations staff in New Jersey to your hotels, food, motorcoach and sightseeing in Ireland."
~ Margaret B., Scottsdale AZ

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Shannon
Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Shannon. Relax with in-flight entertainment, dinner and continental breakfast.

Day 2: Shannonside & Medieval Feast
Land at Shannon Airport and after immigration, pick up your luggage and locate the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where our staff will arrange a transfer to your nearby hotel. If you have arranged flights independently, complimentary transfers will be offered from Shannon Airport between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than noon, you will transfer to the hotel independently. At 3:00 pm tour the Bunratty Folk Park, a collection of historic cottages and an 18th century country town in the shadow of impressive Bunratty Castle. Join your fellow travelers for a welcoming drink before heading to the 15th century Knappogue Castle for a medieval-style meal and entertainment. (D)

Day 3: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney
This morning drive west through Ennis and Lahinch to see the Cliffs of Moher, which rise almost 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic surf. Then enjoy a short ferry ride across the wide estuary of the River Shannon to Tarbert and travel through Listowel and Castleisland to Killarney. This little town is famous for its exquisite location beside lakes and mountains. Check into your hotel and then see Killarney. Take a horse drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the National Park and enjoy a guided tour of 19th century Muckross House, a fully furnished mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake. (B, D)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry Tour
Today embark on Ireland's most popular scenic drive - the Ring of Kerry. This full day tour will reveal constantly changing vistas of mountains, open Atlantic Ocean, beaches and cliffs. Drive through the remote towns of Cahirciveen and Waterville and return through the colorful village of Sneem. Enjoy plenty of stops to admire the natural beauty all along the way and at Moll's Gap see the three lakes with the mountains and town in the background. Return to Killarney and after an early dinner head to Tralee to Siamsa Tire, a show portraying Irish country life through mime and dance (April 19 - October 09 departures). (B, D)

Day 5: Blarney Castle & Waterford
Depart Killarney and drive through Macroom to Blarney. Here you can walk through the grounds and climb the steps of fabled Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "stone of eloquence." Travel past the outskirts of Cork to Cobh to visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration from Ireland to the United States. Follow the coastal route via Youghal, where Sir Walter Raleigh was once mayor, to Waterford for dinner and overnight stay. This evening a local guide will take you for a brief walk of this old city. (B, D)

Day 6: Kilkenny Castle & Doyle's Cabaret
Visit the Waterford Crystal Factory to see the cutting and polishing of this fine product and also the excellent display of trophies and stemware in the showrooms. Then head north to Kilkenny with its intriguing medieval streets and buildings. Take a guided tour around Kilkenny Castle, built in the early 13th century. Stop in the countryside near Athy for tea and scones in a farmhouse before driving to Dublin. Tonight in your hotel dine on Irish specialties at Doyle's Irish Cabaret. Afterwards sit back and enjoy a light-hearted show with song, dance and storytelling. (B, D)

Day 7: Dublin Sightseeing
This morning tour Dublin city center to see the prominent public buildings, elegant Georgian townhouses and peaceful gardens. Note the contrasts between centuries-old historic places and modern streets which pulse with activity. Tour Dublin Castle to see the magnificently furnished State Apartments and learn about historic events that have taken place there. Then visit the Old Jameson Distillery where you can see the many steps needed to create Irish whiskey and then sample some. The afternoon and evening are free for you to browse, shop and sightsee on your own. (B)

Day 8: Depart for Home or Clonmacnoise & Connemara
For those on our 8-day vacation, your tour ends today with a group coach transfer to Dublin Airport. Lucky passengers on the 9-day program will leave Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland's heartland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is delightfully set on the banks of the River Shannon. Then drive to Galway to check into your hotel. In the afternoon travel through the scenic region of Connemara. Stop in Spiddal to take a look around this traditional village where the Irish language is still spoken. Cross the bog road to Moycullen and return to Galway for dinner. (B, D)

Day 9: Back to the USA
It's time to leave Galway and transfer to Shannon Airport to arrive by 10:00 am in time for the principal transatlantic flights. After check in you'll have some time to shop at the duty free stores. If you have booked early flights with CIE Tours, you may take an early transfer to arrive in Shannon by 8:00 am. (B)

What Your Tour Includes

8 days/6 nights/11 meals or 9 days/7 nights/13 meals

• Round trip flights between U.S. & Ireland
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Services of a professional Irish tour director
• Superior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 6 or 7 nights
• Full Irish breakfast daily (B)
• All dinners (D) except 1 in Dublin including
  - Medieval banquet and entertainment in a 15th century Irish castle
  - Doyle's Irish Cabaret and dinner
  - Table d'hote dinners in Killarney, Waterford and Galway
• Welcome get-together drink
• Tea and scones at an Irish farmhouse
• Ferry ride across the River Shannon
• Performance at Siamsa Tire (National Folk Theatre) in Tralee (Apr 19 - Oct 09 departures)
• Horse drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
• Walking tour of Waterford with local guide
• Whiskey tasting and tour of Old Jameson Distillery
• Visits and admissions to Bunratty Folk Park, Cliffs of Moher, Muckross House, Blarney Castle, Cobh Heritage Centre, Waterford Crystal Factory, Kilkenny Castle, Dublin Castle and Clonmacnoise
• 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):

• Great Southern Hotel, Shannon (1 night)
• Great Southern Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Granville Hotel, Waterford (1 night)
• Burlington Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
• Great Southern Hotel, Galway (1 night - 7 night tour option only)

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