THE EMERALD ISLE

Dublin, Killarney, Galway, Sligo & Donegal

15Days including arrival and departure

A traveler's tales are incomplete until you've added an Irish story or two to your rIn epertoire! This is a land of infinite charm and wonderful people. There is a relaxed air, a timelessness and a tranquility that somehow suggest the country is not quite part of the twentieth century. Yet, in the major cities and cultural centers like Dublin and Cork you feel very much a part of modern Europe.
 

DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR YEAR 2003

Price: US$2,599.00 Single Supplement: US$495.00
 

TENTATIVE ITINERARY
 

DAY ONE - FRIDAY

You arrive in Dublin where you're met at the international airport and transferred to your hotel. Your day is free to recover from the rigors of travel and to begin your explorations of this atmospheric city. Our accommodation is conveniently situated close to the small city center which makes it an ideal base for some gentle, first day explorations. Tonight you're free to dine as you please.

DAY TWO - SATURDAY

We drive south from Dublin, visiting both Sandy Cove and James Joyce's famous Martello tower (his writing workshop) and some delightful harbors. The coastal drive is lovely and just a taste of the many scenic delights to come. From the coast we drive inland to the Wicklow hills, visiting en route Powerscourt House and Gardens, which provide a fine view of the Sugarloaf Mountain. Then we move on to the Vale of Glendalough (glen of the two lakes). Here we'll find the remains of a Celtic village, the 6th Century church of St Kevin, the 9th Century cathedral ruin and amazing 33 meter high Round Tower. This is a stop that will suit both the historically minded and those who enjoy walking because there'll be time to take a stroll by the lake.

DAY THREE - SUNDAY

DAY FOUR - MONDAY

We slow the pace down today and begin with a visit to the famous Blarney Castle. And yes, you’ll have the opportunity of kissing the Blarney Stone that endows you with the great gift of communication enjoyed by so many of the Irish! We’ll end our day's explorations at the extravagantly beautiful town of Kinsale, overlooking the Bandon estuary. Kinsale has a strong Spanish flavor. Its narrow, winding streets have been compared to those of Toledo and in 1601-2 a Spanish force took the town and held it against the English armies. Recaptured and Anglicized, Kinsale became one of the chief ports of the British navy. It was also off Kinsale that the Lusitania was torpedoed, an action which brought the USA into the world war. There’ll be time to explore at leisure and perhaps visit the popular Charles Fort.

DAY FIVE - TUESDAY

Leaving Cork behind us we take the scenic route through West Cork county to Bantry Bay. We'll spend time in this lovely harbor town. One highlight may be our lunch at a fish restaurant where local catch is beautifully prepared. Another option will be a visit to Bantry House, with its Armada exhibition. This afternoon's drive is the first of many unbelievable and unforgettable scenic drives through the West Coast of the country. We pass through the town of Kenmare on our way to Killarney, our base for the next three nights.

DAY SIX - WEDNESDAY

A magical day on the Dingle Peninsular. Our route (subject to weather) takes us through some stunning scenery including the Connor Pass and some single track roads. An archaeological survey on this peninsular has identified more than 2,000 prehistoric sites – an amazing number for such a small area. We’ll explore at length before returning to Killarney. Alternatively, you can opt for a free day in Killarney with perhaps time for a visit to nearby Muckross House.

DAY SEVEN - THURSDAY

We explore some of the lesser known parts of the Ring of Kerry, following the breathtaking roads that are squeezed between the wild Atlantic and the mountains of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Highlights of the day will include the somewhat mysterious Ogham stone writing and the Kerry Bog Village museum. If you've not yet had the chance of exploring Killarney itself and the local rural museum at Muckross House then there'll be an opportunity today.

Dinner is not included on one evening while in Killarney to allow you to enjoy some 'organised independence'.

DAY EIGHT - FRIDAY

As we head north, we cross the River Shannon by ferry and drive to the Cliffs of Moher via the coastal route through Kilkee and Spanish Point, where so many ships of the great Spanish Armada came to grief. The Cliffs of Moher are one of the most impressive stretches of the western coast. Inland, we tour through the curious scenery of 'the Burren' and visit the peaceful Corcomroe Abbey, burial place of King Conor O'Brien. If we have time, we’ll also fit in a visit to the Aillwee Cave, formed 2 million years ago. Our overnight stop is in the pretty Galway Bay harbor of Kinvara.

DAY NINE - SATURDAY

We'll begin with a short tour of Galway city, including a view of the cathedral. This cathedral was center of controversy over both its architecture and as having been the base for the flamboyant Bishop Eamonn Casey who shot to worldwide notoriety a few years ago when it emerged he had a teenage son! Later, we'll take a scenic tour of the Galway Bay area, especially visiting the Connemara area with its stunning patchwork of bogs, lonely valleys, pale gray mountains and small brown lakes. Another touring option for the day will be to visit Cong, a town closely associated with (and affected by) the John Ford/John Wayne movie ‘The Quiet Man’.

DAY TEN - SUNDAY

A very special day with a boat trip out to the Aran Isle of Inishmore. (Sailings are sometimes disrupted by bad weather). The three islands, which make up the Aran Isles, are renowned for a way of life that has changed little for generations. Irish is the traditional language and the islanders have a rich fund of stories and legends. Amongst today’s highlights are the 2000 year old Celtic fort of Dun Aonghus, the early Christian monastic remains of St. Enda, cliffs and sandy beaches and quiet walks to discover local birds, wild flowers and plants.

DAY ELEVEN - MONDAY

Today we head north through County Mayo. We’ll stop en route at the Roman Catholic shrine at Knock. There’ll be time for contemplation before we continue our journey. Carrowmore, home to the largest group of megalithic remains in Ireland is a highlight on today’s itinerary. We'll also view some of the many sites closely associated with the great poet W B Yeats before we end our day’s explorations at our base for the next two nights in the town of Mullaghmore, to the north of Sligo.

DAY TWELVE - TUESDAY

Donegal town will provide one of the day's highlights with visits to see the impressive Donegal castle, and the Diamond Obelisk which commemorates the prescient Four Master's, friars of the local monastery whose annals predicted the decline of the Celtic culture. There will also be a dramatic and awe-inspiring drive along the Donegal coast.

DAY THIRTEEN - WEDNESDAY

Today, as we drive Southeast across Ireland, we step back into the mists of time, to the time almost at the very start of history. Undoubted highlights of the day will be visits to the most remarkable prehistoric tomb in Europe at Newgrange (entry to the tomb itself conditional on availability), and to the Hills of Tara, the foremost spiritual and political center of Ireland for 1000 years and the seat of power until the coming of St Patrick. Other of the day's options include visits the site of the Battle of the Boyne, and if there's time the historic Norman coastal town of Drogheda.

DAY FOURTEEN - THURSDAY

We have a full day to discover the many delights that Dublin has to offer. You’ll be given a panoramic tour of Ireland’s capital before having some free time to explore at leisure. Options include Trinity College, the Book of Kells, the Guinness Brewery (where you can take a tour and enjoy a free sample!); St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Grafton Street, Halfpenny Bridge and much, much more. Tonight we’ll enjoy our last dinner together before perhaps enjoying an hour or two in a traditional Irish pub with some of the locals.

DAY FIFTEEN - FRIDAY

Airport transfers or extend your stay for another day or two in this relaxed and atmospheric city.