Celebrating 70 Years
Of Great Vacations

ESCORTED COACH TOURS - IRELAND

From $1,017
(Including Land & Air)

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Abbey Tavern Dinner & Ballads
• Kathleen's Irish Ceili in Bunratty
• Blarney Castle & Thoor Ballylee
• Dingle Peninsula & Achill Island
• Strokestown House & Famine Museum
• Cabra Castle Dinner & Stay

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

"We chose the Irish Odyssey tour because it featured tours of the Dingle Peninsula and Achill Island — two areas that we had not seen on our previous tours. The entire tour was a great travel experience with so many meals and special places included — and Cabra Castle Hotel was a lovely ending."
~ Jim & Dede R., San Francisco CA

Day 1 - Sun: Depart for Ireland
Board your flight to Ireland and enjoy inflight meals and entertainment as you start your vacation.

Day 2 - Mon: Dublin & Abbey Tavern
Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities and pick up your luggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Spend the balance of the day resting after your journey or exploring on your own. In the evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and head to the Abbey Tavern for some traditional Irish cuisine, an Irish coffee and a lively session of popular ballads. (D)

Day 3 - Tue: Dublin Highlights
Set off with a local guide to show you around the prominent historic buildings and monuments of Dublin. Dublin is an ancient settlement, founded by the Vikings in the 9th century. The city has been molded through the centuries with many architectural styles, reflecting the economic, political and artistic influences. Tour St. Patrick's Cathedral, almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift. In Trinity College view the 8th century Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the gospels. The afternoon and evening are free for independent activities, sightseeing, shopping, dining, pubs and much more. (B)

Day 4 - Wed: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Drive through the prosperous farming country and marketing towns of the midland region of Ireland. Stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a stately limestone outcrop topped with medieval ruins. Continue south to visit Blarney Castle where you may climb to the battlements to acquire the "gift of eloquence" by kissing the famous stone. Travel through the rugged countryside of County Kerry where the town of Killarney is set with a backdrop of mountains and lakes. As your hotel is centrally located, you may like to stroll through the town after dinner. (B, D)

Day 5 - Thu: Dingle Peninsula Tour
Today discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula, made famous by David Lean's movie, "Ryan's Daughter." Drive along the south shore of the peninsula for plenty of vistas of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach and rocky headlands. There will be frequent stops at strategic locations to admire the views and take photos. Stop in Dingle before continuing to the western tip of the peninsula. Visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who eked out a living by farming and fishing. Return to Killarney and after dinner head for the Laurels Pub for some fun entertainment. (B, D)

Day 6 - Fri: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty
Head north and cross the River Shannon estuary by ferry. View the Cliffs of Moher, an impressive wall of rock that rises to a height of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic Ocean. See part of the Burren Country, a region of limestone hills containing a wealth of rare flowers and prehistoric stone monuments on the way to Bunratty. Check into your hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore many attractions within easy walking distance of your hotel. In the evening head to "Kathleen's Irish Ceili" in your hotel. Enjoy dinner and a lively show of Irish traditional entertainment. (B, D)

Day 7 - Sat: Connemara & Westport
Drive to Gort to visit Thoor Ballylee. The writer W. B. Yeats purchased the 16th century tower house in 1916 and restored it as a summer retreat. Explore the rooms in the tower and learn about the surroundings which inspired many of his works. Drive around Galway and stop in the center before continuing into Connemara, a region of misty hills where sheep wander on open grazing lands. Stop at the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory where craftworkers specialize in cutting intricate Celtic designs. Pass Leenane and Croagh Patrick, a popular pilgrimage mountain, to arrive at your hotel in the center of Westport. (B, D)

Day 8 - Sun: Achill Island Tour
Drive along the shores of Clew Bay which is dotted with little islands to cross the Curraun Peninsula, the gateway to Achill Island. This large island is joined to the mainland by bridge and the Atlantic Drive is the most dramatic route to take. See unspoiled beaches and steep cliffs, all washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Return to Westport to enjoy the afternoon at leisure to wander around this delightful town with planned streets and many Georgian residences. (B, D)

Day 9 - Mon: Strokestown House & Cabra Castle
Travel east to visit Strokestown House, an 18th century Palladian mansion. See graceful rooms with many portraits and period furnishings. View the kitchen which contains a gallery so that the owners could instruct servants without having to come close to them. Also visit the Famine Museum which explains how the failure of the potato crop of the 1840s and the political situation led to the decimation of the Irish population. Drive to Kingscourt to your castle hotel, built in 1760. After dinner in the Court Restaurant enjoy some informal entertainment. (B, D)

Day 10 - Tue: Return Home
Leave Kingscourt for a one-hour drive to Dublin Airport to arrive by 10:00 am in time to check in for your return flight. You may do some duty free shopping before clearing U.S. Immigration and boarding your aircraft for the journey home. (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 driver/guide
• First class hotels with private bath/shower for 8 nights
• 8 full Irish breakfasts (B)
• 7 dinners (D) including
  - Dinner & ballads at the Abbey Tavern
  - Dinner & entertainment at Kathleen's Irish Ceili
  - Farewell dinner at Cabra Castle Hotel
  - 4 table d'hote dinners
• Welcome get-together drink
• Sightseeing tour of Dublin with a local guide
• Ballad session at the Laurels Singing Pub in Killarney
• Ferry ride across the River Shannon
• Visits and admissions to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Book of Kells at Trinity College, Blarney Castle, Blasket Centre, Cliffs of Moher, Thoor Ballylee, Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory and Strokestown House & Famine Museum
• 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):

• Camden Court Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
• Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
• Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
• Central Hotel, Westport (2 nights)
• Cabra Castle Hotel, Cavan (1 night)

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