Get ready for a fantastic experience as we tour the magical lands of the emerald Isle, known for its stunning scenery, majestic castles, abundant vestiges of history, modern-day cultural delights, and uniquely Irish touches. We’ll explore ancient towns and sites, sample local Guinness, join an evening Ghost Walk and take in a show with traditional Irish song and dance. Enjoy spectacular drives: around the Ring of Kerry – 100 miles of marvelous scenery, along the coastline of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher and Burren Country – an area of rocky limestone hills and dolmens, and take a jaunting car ride to visit the delightful Muckross House – a 19th century mansion. Shop for traditional souvenirs in the Spiddal Craft Centre where local craft workers design and make their handmade crafts and visit Galway’s bustling market that has been trading in Church lane for centuries. Your trip won’t be complete until you’ve visited the Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence”. Join us on a tour of Ireland, rich in natural beauty and ancient treasures.
May 17 to May 26, 2013
10 days / 9 nights
Land Only Price US $2995 pp, based on double occupancy
Single supplement US $495
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Day 1 DEPART TORONTO
Overnight flight from Toronto to Dublin. (in-flight meals)
Day 2 DUBLIN ARRIVAL & GUINNESS STOREHOUSE
After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities then meet our guide and transfer to our private coach to begin an orientation drive around Dublin city center. Dublin is one of the liveliest capitals in Europe but there are plenty of historical places also. See the main thoroughfares of O’Connell Street and Nassau Street, the shopping streets and some lovely public parks. Stop to visit the Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this world famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today. Finish your visit in the roof-top bar, Gravity, overlooking the city center where you can sample a draft Guinness and enjoy the view of the city. Then drive outside the city to Dun Laoghaire and check into our hotel. Enjoy some free time to relax and settle in. In the evening join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: ROYAL MARINE HOTEL, DUN LAOGHAIRE (D)
Day 3 DUBLIN HIGHLIGHTS & MERRY PLOUGHBOY PUB
This morning drive into Dublin and set on a guided walking tour to view 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. Stop in Trinity College to view the 8th century Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the gospels. Then enjoy some free time to explore Dublin independently before returning to your hotel.
This evening drive to the town of Rathfarnham to The Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music.
OVERNIGHT: ROYAL MARINE HOTEL, DUN LAOGHAIRE (B,D)
Day 4 DUNGARVAN LUNCH & KINSALE
Leaving Dun Laoghaire travel southwest through the scenic Irish countryside. Continue to County Waterford and stop in the town of Dungarvan for lunch at a local venue with your fellow travelers. Then you will have some free time to browse independently. Board the coach and continue on via Cork city to the coastal town of Kinsale. Upon arrival check into your hotel and enjoy some time to settle in or do some exploring on your own before dinner.
After dinner join your fellow travelers on a ghost tour, which combines the best of street theatre with slapstick humor and shock horror tactics. The night also provides a well informed version of the town’s long history.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TRIDENT HOTEL, KINSALE (B,L,D)
Day 5 BLARNEY CASTLE & MUCKROSS HOUSE
Depart Kinsale this morning and travel north through County Cork. At Blarney, stop to climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” and visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. The journey continues west through rugged countryside to Killarney, widely celebrated for its setting overlooking lakes and mountains. Upon arrival an old-fashioned horse drawn Jaunting Car will bring you through the Killarney National Park, which is closed to motorized vehicles. Drive along the shores of Lough Leane to Muckross House, an elegant 19th century mansion set beside the tranquil Muckross Lake. A guided tour around the manor house will fill you in on some local history and the family ties to the United States. Enjoy the elegant rooms and rich furnishings. Return to Killarney and check into your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY TOWERS HOTEL, KILLARNEY (B,D)
Day 6 SCENIC DRIVE TO KENMARE & KATE KEARNEY’S EVENING
Today drive south through the scenic Killarney National Park to reach Kenmare and enjoy some free time to relax or do some exploring of this charming town on your own. Then board the coach and travel back towards Killarney stopping at Moll’s Gap along part of the Ring of Kerry route to enjoy its views over the three lakes. Continue to Ladies’ View for another spectacular view over Killarney’s lakes and mountains. Return to Killarney and enjoy the balance of the day free for individual pursuits. You may like to visit St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral with its soaring spire; the Franciscan Friary with superb stained glass windows; or the Transport Museum containing a fine collection of vintage cars. You may also like to take a walk to Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane or a jaunting car ride to Muckross House.
This evening enjoy dinner and entertainment at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, which is picturesquely situated at the entrance to what must be the most beautiful glaciated valley in Ireland, the Gap of Dunloe. The Irish night consists of a superb meal and traditional entertainment, which includes songs and musicians playing a wide array of instruments along with costumed dancers doing the jig and other traditional sets.
OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY TOWERS HOTEL, KILLARNEY (B,D)
Day 7 CLIFFS OF MOHER & BURREN
Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Tarbert. Take a 20-minute ferry ride across the River Shannon estuary and drive along the coastline of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher, one of the country’s most magnificent rock formations that rise to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Pass through the Burren Country, an area of rocky limestone hills where a number of unique flowers thrive. This region also contains many dolmens, prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs. Drive around Galway Bay before arriving at your hotel in Galway. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax or do some exploring on your own before joining your group for dinner.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: Galway Bay Hotel, GALWAY (B,D)
Day 8 CONNEMARA & SPIDDAL CRAFT CENTER & CELTIC CRYSTAL
Today tour Connemara and admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and also tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Stop in the quaint village of Spiddal, which retains the Irish language and many traditional lifestyles. Here, visit the Spiddal Craft Center which is located beside the beach and offers views of Galway Bay, the Cliffs of Moher and The Aran Islands. Here shop for traditional souvenirs as the Craft Workers’ design, create, make and sell their handmade crafts Then drive to the town of Moycullen to visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory. This family business specializes in designs based on the shamrock, Claddagh ring and harp, often in colored crystal. Watch a craftsman demonstrate the cutting of designs and see the full range of products in the showrooms. Return to Galway and enjoy some time at leisure before dining in your hotel. After dinner, enjoy a night of Irish entertainment at the Trad on the Prom Show which features the best of Irish music, song and dance.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: SALTHILL COURT HOTEL, GALWAY (B,D)
Day 9 GALWAY MARKET & DUNBOYNE
Enjoy some free time this morning to visit the Galway Market, Galway’s famous bustling market that has been trading in Church lane by St. Nicholas’ Church in the centre of the city for literally centuries. Stroll through the hundreds of stalls selling fresh produce and locally produced crafts. The Market is a good place to meet and chat with the locals. After your browsing, depart Galway and travel across Ireland via the towns of Ballinasloe, Athlone and Moate, all marketing centers which serve their surrounding regions. The rich farmlands will introduce you to many facets of Irish living. Continue to Dunboyne and check into your hotel where you will have some free time to enjoy the Spa or to explore the local area. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel dining room.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: DUNBOYNE CASTLE HOTEL, DUNBOYNE (B,D)
Day 10 RETURN
Transfer from Dunboyne to Dublin for your flight home. (In-flight meals)
Itinerary subject to change to take advantage of local events
What’s Included:
- 8 nights accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath
- Transportation throughout by private motor coach
- Services of an English speaking guide
- Services of a WTN tour leader
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Breakfast daily
- 6 dinners, including wine
- Dinner and evening entertainment at The Merry Ploughboy Pub
- Dinner and evening entertainment at Kate Kearney’s Cottage
- Lunch in Dungarvan at a local pub
- 1 Guinness tasting
- Evening Entertainment at Trad on the Prom
- Guided walking tours of Dublin and Kinsale
- Visits and admission fees to:
- Guinness Storehouse
- Trinity College (book of Kells)
- Blarney Castle & Woolen Mills
- Muckross House and Gardens
- Ring of Kerry
- Cliffs of Moher
- Spiddal Craft Centre
- Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory
- Galway Market
- Evening Ghost tour of Kinsale
- Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
- Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
- Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes
Not Included:
- Roundtrip airfare from Toronto, approximate cost including taxes CA $750*for other cities please advise and a separate quote will be provided
- Air Departure taxes (approx. $530.00pp)
- Meals other than those mentioned above
- Arrival and departure transfers if not traveling on group flights
- Weekend and/or fuel surcharges if applicable
- Cancellation and medical insurance is strongly recommended
- Any item not mentioned above
Reservations and Deposit Information:
- A deposit of US $500.00 per person is required to confirm the booking.
- For information please check our Travel Policies and Cancellation Terms and Conditions.
- Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. A quotation will be given based on each individuals needs.
- Final payment is due 75 days prior to departure March 01, 2013.
Important!
Airfare is based on current rates at time of publishing, rates are subject to change
Note: Tour is based on a minimum of 10 participants.
To confirm your spot on “Ireland’s Southern Gems” trip contact:
The Womens Travel Network via
Phone: 905-771-8338
or toll free at 1-888-419-0118
or click here for booking information.
