Celebrating 70 Years
Of Great Vacations

ESCORTED COACH TOURS - IRELAND

From $1,068
(Includes Land & Air)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Doyle's Irish Cabaret
• Kilmainham Gaol
• Irish National Stud
• Waterford Crystal
• Farmhouse Stay & Singalong
• Dingle Peninsula & Connemara
• "The Quiet Man" tour

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

"We have just returned from your Irish Legends 10-day tour and it was more than we expected, it was just a wonderful trip. The one night in the farmhouse proved so insightful as to the lifestyle of Irish farmers and our tour guide and driver were knowledgeable and great fun."
~ Jim & Kathy S., St. Paul MN

Day 1- Sun: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Board your aircraft and settle down for an overnight flight across the Atlantic with inflight meals and entertainment.

Day 2- Mon: Dublin Arrival & Cabaret
Arrive at Dublin Airport, reclaim your baggage and head to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. The balance of the day is at leisure to rest or explore Dublin. In the evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink. Head to Doyle's Irish Cabaret, located in your hotel, for dinner followed by a popular show of comedy, songs and dancing. This lively evening will set the mood for your Irish vacation. (D)

Day 3 - Tue: Dublin City Tour
This morning your guide will introduce you to the many different parts of central Dublin. Pass historic buildings, Georgian streets with elegant town houses, public parks and monuments. Stop for a guided tour around the State Apartments of Dublin Castle where many historic events have taken place. Visit Kilmainham Gaol which retells the story of Ireland's fight for freedom and see how penal establishments operated over the centuries. The afternoon and evening are free for independent activities. (B)

Day 4 - Wed: National Stud & Kilkenny
In Kildare visit the Irish National Stud to learn about Irish horses, breeding programs and their status in worldwide racing circles. Also visit the charming Japanese Gardens, designed in classical Asian style to represent the "Life of Man." Arrive in Kilkenny around midday to check into your hotel, located in the center of this fascinating town. Take a walking tour with a local guide around the old sections where the narrow streets follow medieval patterns. See Killkenny's ancient houses and churches as your learn about the history. Enjoy some free time after the tour. (B, D)

Day 5 - Thu: Waterford & Cobh Heritage Centre
Drive to Waterford to tour the famous Waterford Crystal Factory and watch skilled craftspeople creating elegant masterpieces. In the showrooms see a huge collection of tableware and trophies. Outside Cork visit the Cobh Heritage Centre to learn about emigration from Ireland and Europe during the last two centuries. Enjoy some free time in Cobh before driving through Cork to Clonakilty to meet your host family for your farmhouse stay. After a home-style dinner, go out for some lively local entertainment. (B, D)

Day 6 - Fri: Bantry House & Glengarriff
Leave your host families and drive west through Skibbereen to Bantry House. Visit this elegant Georgian mansion which was built in 1740 for the Earls of Bantry and contains furnishings gathered from many European countries. Travel to Glengarriff, which is renowned for its sub-tropical plants which flourish in the sheltered bays. Cross the Caha Mountains, pass through Kenmare and drive along part of the Ring of Kerry route via Moll's Gap for views of Killarney's famous lakes nestled at the foot of the mountains. (B, D)

Day 7 - Sat: Dingle Peninsula Tour
Today travel along the Dingle Peninsula where you will relish stunning views of the Slieve Mish Mountains, the shoreline of Dingle Bay and the open Atlantic Ocean. Stop in Dingle, a thriving fishing town, before heading to the tip of the peninsula to see the Blasket Islands offshore. Stop to visit Louis Mulcahy Pottery to see potters creating this attractive tableware. Visit Gallarus Oratory, a tiny 6th century church which was built of unmortared stone. Return to Tralee and back to Killarney in time to relax before dinner. Afterwards head to the Laurels, one of Killarney's lively 'singing pubs.' (B, D)

Day 8 - Sun: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Drive north from Killarney to Listowel for a brief stroll around this attractive town, noted for its associations with many local playwrights, including J.B. Keane. From Tarbert take a ferry across the River Shannon to visit the Cliffs of Moher, majestic walls of rock which extend five miles along the coast. Drive through the Burren Country, a region of rounded limestone hills, and around Galway Bay into the town of Galway. Check into your hotel which is located overlooking Galway Bay. (B, D)

Day 9 - Mon: "The Quiet Man" Tour & Connemara
Drive north from Galway via Headford to Cong, a delightful village made famous by the 1952 movie of "The Quiet Man." A walking tour around the village will reveal places featured in the movie. Then travel through Connemara, a region of heathery hills and bogland where sheep roam freely. See where local people harvest peat for domestic heating. Drive through Maam Cross and stop to see the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory for a demonstration of the craft of cutting intricate designs into colored crystal. Return to Galway. (B, D)

Day 10 - Tue: Return to the U.S.A.
As this is the final day of your tour, depart Galway and drive through the towns of Gort and Ennis. Arrive at Shannon Airport at 10:00 am to check in for your flight and do some last minute shopping before boarding your aircraft. Passengers who have booked early flights with CIE Tours may get a transfer to arrive in Shannon by 8:00 am. (B)

What Your Tour Includes

10 days/8 nights/15 meals

• Round trip flights between U.S. & Ireland
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
• Services of a professional Irish tour director
• Superior first class hotels & 1 farmhouse with private bath/shower for 8 nights
• 8 full Irish breakfasts (B)
• 7 dinners (D) including
  - 6 table d'hote dinners
  - Doyle's Irish cabaret and dinner
• Welcome get-together drink
• Walking tour of Kilkenny
• Traditional music in a Clonakilty pub
• Ballad session at the Laurels Singing Pub in Killarney
• Ferry ride across the River Shannon
• "The Quiet Man" walking tour of Cong
• Visits and admissions to Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, Japanese Gardens & National Stud, Waterford Crystal Factory, Cobh Heritage Centre, Bantry House, Louis Mulcahy Pottery, Gallarus Oratory, Cliffs of Moher and Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory
• Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Your Accommodations

Stay at the following (or similar):

• Burlington Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
• Hibernian Hotel, Kilkenny (1 night)
• Farmhouses, Clonakilty (1 night)
• Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Galway Bay Hotel, Galway (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

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