Celebrating 70 Years
Of Great Vacations
ESCORTED COACH TOURS - IRELAND
12 Days
Superior First Class Hotels
From
$1,429
(Includes Land & Air)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Knappogue Castle Banquet
- Abbey Theatre Play
- Old Dublin Restaurant Dinner
- Killarney Cruise
- Old Midleton Distillery
- Knock Shrine
- Waterford Crystal & Belleek China Tours
- Ballads at Danny Mann Pub
- Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
- What Your Tour Includes
- Your Hotels
- Departure Dates & Rates
- Early Payment Discount
- 55 & Smiling Discounts
- General Conditions for All Tours
"My aunt and I embarked on your Irish Tradition tour. After deciding on
Ireland as my vacation destination, my travel agent recommended CIE Tours, and for this I
am very grateful. We enjoyed the itinerary immensely and found the accommodations to be
quite lovely."
~ Mara D., Atlanta GA
Day
1: Depart U.S. for Shannon
Travel to Shannon on an overnight flight. Relax and enjoy inflight meals and
entertainment.
Day 2: Bunratty & Medieval Banquet
Land at Shannon Airport and go through an immigration check and baggage retrieval.
In the Arrivals Hall locate the CIE Tours desk where personnel will arrange a transfer to
nearby Bunratty. If you have arranged flights independently a complimentary transfer is
available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than noon you will
transfer to the hotel at your own expense. In the afternoon you may relax or explore the
Bunratty Folk Park, Durty Nelly's Pub or specialty shops near your hotel. Enjoy a
get-together drink before driving to Knappogue Castle for a medieval banquet and
entertainment. (D)
Day 3: Cliffs of Moher & Coole Park
This morning drive to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall of
limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers. Continue through the rounded
limestone hills of Burren Country to Gort to explore Coole Visitor Centre. Coole Park was
the home of Lady Augusta Gregory, co-founder of the Abbey Theatre, and today is a nature
reserve. Drive around Galway Bay into Galway and take a brief tour of Galway Cathedral and
the Spanish Arch before checking into your hotel, located in Eyre Square in the city
center. The walks beside the River Corrib and pedestrianized shopping streets make Galway
delightful for independent browsing. (B, D)
Day 4: Connemara & "Quiet Man" Tour
Drive west along the shores of Galway Bay and stop in the village of Spiddal, where
Gaelic is still spoken. View the Aran Islands across the bay before turning inland through
Connemara, an unspoiled area with vast stretches of bogland and heather-clad hills. Travel
via Maam Cross and along the delightful Leenane Valley. Visit Cong where "The Quiet
Man" was filmed in 1952 with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara and take a short walking
tour to see places associated with the movie. Return to Galway via Headford and browse
around the city center before dining in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 5: Knock Shrine & Belleek Pottery
Head north to visit the pilgrimage town of Knock, one of the world's leading
shrines. Travel through County Sligo and stop to visit Tobernault Holy Well and Mass Rock.
At Drumcliffe Visitor Centre see the grave of one of Ireland's most influential poets,
W.B. Yeats, and a display about his life and work. Follow the Atlantic shoreline of
Donegal Bay to Belleek where you'll visit the Belleek Pottery Factory. See how skilled
craftspeople form and decorate clay to produce delicate porcelain masterpieces. Continue
your journey through the town of Donegal and past the lovely Blue Stack Mountains to
Stranorlar for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 6: Grand Atlantic Drive
Today experience the glorious natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic Drive which
winds through Downings and Rosapenna and past pristine golden beaches and deserted rocky
headlands. Then travel inland to Glenveagh National Park with the Derryveagh Mountains in
the background. High walls and conifers provide shelter for exotic plants and a large herd
of red deer. Tour Glenveagh Castle, a granite castle built in 1870 on the shores of Lough
Veagh. Pass through the town of Letterkenny and return to Stranorlar in ample time for
dinner. (B, D)
Day 7: Ulster American Folk Park & Dublin
Depart Stranorlar to visit the nearby Ulster American Folk Park, an outdoor museum
of cottages, including that of Thomas Mellon's ancestors. See traditional cottages and
displays of life in rural Ireland together with portrayals of the sea crossing to the
United States and the life of the early settlers. Drive through Monaghan, Carrickmacross
and other bustling towns. As you pass through the countryside, see how many Irish people
make a living from farming. Drive to Dublin and check into your hotel. The evening is at
leisure to explore the city or find your way to the upbeat Irish dinner and cabaret at
your hotel. (B)
Day 8: Dublin City & Theater
This morning a city sightseeing tour will introduce you to this capital city with
its many elegant Georgian buildings, tranquil parks and lively shopping streets. Take a
guided tour around the State Apartments of Dublin Castle and learn about the history of
the castle and Ireland. Then visit the Old Library of Trinity College where the 8th
century manuscript of the Book of Kells is on view. The afternoon is free and, after an
early restaurant dinner, your entire group will attend a play at either the Abbey or Gate
Theatre. (B, D)
Day 9: Waterford & Old Midleton Distillery
Travel south through the Wicklow Mountains to Avoca where the popular TV series
"Ballykissangel" is filmed. Stroll along the main street and see the Avoca
Handweavers factory and store. This industry was founded in 1723 and is famous for
delightful soft tweeds. Continue south to tour the Waterford Crystal Factory for a display
of glass blowing and cutting by skilled craftspeople. Marvel at the huge display of
special trophies in the showrooms. Visit the Old Midleton Distillery for a tour of the
historic plant which boasts the largest pot still in the world. Enjoy a sample before the
short drive into Cork where you can relax or explore Cork city. (B, D)
Day 10: Blarney Castle & Killarney
A few miles outside Cork visit Blarney Castle to climb to the battlements to kiss
the famous stone. Drive via Macroom for a lunchtime arrival in Killarney, famous for the
beauty of its surroundings. In the afternoon drive to Ross Castle to take a boat ride on
Lough Leane, the largest of Killarney's three lakes. Admire views of the lake with the
mountains in the background. Then visit Muckross House, a 19th century furnished mansion
with an interesting history. Return to Killarney and after dinner, head to Danny Mann's
Pub, a lively evening venue for a ballad session — you may even like to join in! (B,
D)
Day 11: Ring of Kerry Tour
Follow one of Ireland's most popular drives, the Ring of Kerry, which is 100 miles
with mountains on one side and the varied Atlantic coastline on the other. Stop at a
farmhouse for tea and scones and learn about farm life. Visit the Skellig Experience which
describes the life of early Christian monks on one of the offshore islands. Throughout the
day enjoy plenty of stops to enjoy the unspoiled views. Return to Killarney in time to
explore some of the shops or pubs. (B, D)
Day 12: Homeward Bound
On this final day of your tour take a transfer to arrive at Shannon Airport by
10:00 am. This allows you time for check in procedures and some last minute shopping at
the extensively stocked Shannon Duty Free Stores. If you have booked flights with CIE
Tours, an early transfer can be arranged to reach Shannon by 8:00 am. (B)
12 days/10 nights/19 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 10 nights
- 10 full Irish breakfasts (B)
- 9 dinners (D) including
- Medieval banquet and entertainment in a 15th century Irish castle
- Pre-theater dinner at a popular Dublin restaurant
- 7 table d'hote dinners - Welcome get-together drink
- Performance at the Abbey or Gate Theatre in Dublin
- Ballad session at Danny Mann's Pub in Killarney
- Tea and scones at an Irish farmhouse
- "The Quiet Man" walking tour of Cong
- Boat ride on Lough Leane in Killarney
- Whiskey tasting and tour of Old Midleton Distillery
- Visits and admissions to Cliffs of Moher, Coole Visitor Centre, Knock Shrine, Tobernault Holy Well and Mass Rock, Drumcliffe Visitor Centre & W.B. Yeats' Grave, Belleek Pottery Factory, Glenveagh Castle and National Park, Ulster American Folk Park, Dublin Castle, Book of Kells at Trinity College, Avoca Handweavers, Waterford Crystal Factory, Blarney Castle, Muckross House and Skellig Experience
- Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
- All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
Stay at the following (or similar):
- Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
- Great Southern Hotel, Galway (2 nights)
- Kee's Hotel, Stranorlar (2 nights)
- Burlington Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
- Jurys Hotel, Cork (1 night)
- Great Southern Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
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.
Save $75! All departure dates with a bullet in the chart above qualify for the 55 & Smiling discount.
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