Ireland Up Close! with optional Golf X 3
9 days
May 25 - June 2, 2009
Click Here for Cost & What's Included
Click Here for the Tour Enrollment Form
Click Here for the Golf Enrollment Form
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Aer Lingus over Chicago
Monday, May 25 - CHICAGO O'HARE TO DUBLIN
Depart Chicago's O'Hare International Airport aboard Aer Lingus, the Irish Airline, for an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Tuesday, May 26 - DUBLIN ARRIVAL, NATIONAL STUD FARM & WATERFORD
After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Then your CIE Tours driver / guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to the luxury motorcoach. Enjoy a driving tour around Dublin to see many prominent sites that are part of this lively city's rich and colorful history. Then drive southeast to County Kildare to tour the Irish National Stud Farm where you will learn about Irish horses, horse breeding programs and their status in worldwide racing circles. Take a stroll around the serene Japanese Gardens, adjacent to the National Stud Farm. Designed in the classical Asian style, these are considered to be among the finest in Europe. Continue south to the coastal city of Waterford to check into you hotel with time to freshen up and rest before dinner. This evening, take a short walking tour through the older sections of Waterford with a local guide. Pass the Norman stronghold of Reginald's Tower and stroll along Merchant's Quay, where ships docked in times of old. See the City Hall, Theatre Royal, and other places as you learn about the importance of this prominent port city in Irish history.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GRANVILLE HOTEL, WATERFORD www.granville-hotel.ie
Master cutter, Waterford Crystal Factory
Wednesday, May 27 - WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY & JAMESON MIDLETON DISTILLERY
This morning visit the Waterford Crystal Factory to see how skilled craftspeople create masterpieces of glass. Watch all stages of production from the blowing of the molten crystal to the final polishing, and learn why this prized crystal is called the "Finest in the World". Journey along the southeast coast to Midleton to tour the Jameson Distillery and learn about one of Ireland's foremost products - Irish whiskey. Afterwards, sample the various brands of whiskey produced at this landmark complex. After your visit, drive south to Kinsale, an award-winning picturesque seaport with a wide sheltered harbor. Check into your hotel on Kinsale harbor and enjoy the balance of the afternoon exploring this inviting small town. Following dinner in the hotel with your group, you may wish to join the lively atmosphere of Kinsale's friendly pubs, featuring various local musicians.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TRIDENT HOTEL, KINSALE www.theTridentHotel.com
Trident Hotel, Kinsale
Thursday, May 28 - KINSALE WALKING TOUR & CHARLES FORT
Today take a brief walking tour with a local guide to learn the pivotal role this harbor town played in Irish history. A few miles outside the town see Charles Fort, a star-shaped fort enclosing 9 acres. It was built in the 1670's to protect the area against naval attack from the Continent and has wonderful sea views and cut stone work on the buildings. Then enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure exploring this charming town's craft shops, galleries, antique shops and gourmet restaurants.
GOLF OPTION: FOTA ISLAND GOLF CLUB. Those who have chosen the golfing supplement travel to nearby Cork city to play at this challenging par 71 championship course in the traditional mode featuring pot bunkers and undulating putting surfaces. It lies in the heart of a 780 acre estate and is included in "The Inventory of Outstanding Landscapes in Ireland". Fota Island has been host to many illustrious events such as the Irish Open and the Irish PGA Championship. www.fotaisland.ie
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TRIDENT HOTEL, KINSALE
Clonakilty, West County Cork
Friday, May 29 - TIMOLEAGUE FRIARY & WEST CORK SCENIC DRIVE
Depart Kinsale today and drive "off the beaten path" along the unspoiled coastal route to see some real gems of Ireland. Begin with a visit to the well-preserved ruins of Timoleague Franciscan Friary, a 12th century picturesque site along the sea which, in its day, was one of the largest and most important religious centers in Ireland. Continue through the wild & wonderful beauty of west County Cork to Michael Collins country. Michael Collins was a national hero of the early 1900's, playing a key role in Ireland's successful fight for independence from nearly 800 years of British rule. Visit his birthplace and statue in quaint Clonakilty, while learning about the Irish Civil War and the beginnings of the IRA. Drive along the coast, then head north to stop at the small town of Bantry, located on one of Ireland's most beautiful bays. The narrow streets and lovely broad square of Bantry are lined with shops and houses that have changed little over the centuries. Continue through the beautiful, charming towns of Glengarriff and Kenmare, a favorite of Rick Steves who is featured regularly on the "Travel Channel". Then travel through a stunning part of the "Ring of County Kerry", past the three lakes of Killarney, to check into your hotel. Following dinner, you will find many enjoyable opportunities to mingle with the Irish people in Killarney's friendly pubs, which feature traditional Irish music.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY www.killarneyplaza.com
Jaunting car to Ross Castle, Killarney
Saturday, May 30 - JAUNTING CARS, MUCKROSS HOUSE & ROSS CASTLE
After breakfast, an old fashioned horse drawn jaunting car will bring you (weather permitting) through the Killarney National Park to Muckross House and Gardens. This spendid 20 room Victorian mansion, built in 1843, is adorned with elaborate architecture and rich furnishings. Continue on to Ross Castle, a fully restored 15th century castle, overlooking the Lower Lake of Killarney. Return to Killarney town for an afternoon at leisure. You may wish to visit Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent selection of Irish goods of all types, including Belleek china, Waterford crystal, Aran sweaters, and Irish tweeds. Visit awesome St. Mary's Cathedral or partake in the wonderful spa & pool facilities of your hotel before joining your group for dinner.
GOLF OPTION: MAHONY'S POINT, KILLARNEY. Those who have enrolled in the golfing supplement today play Mahony's Point, measuring 6780 yards. It's spectacular views of Killarney's three lakes and Macgillycuddy Reeks mountains along with its combination of undulating greens, well positioned bunkers and water hazards ensure the course to be both enjoyable and challenging to golfers of all standards. Enjoy one of the oldest, most established and internationally recognized Clubs in Ireland and discover for yourself why the 18th hole at Mahony's Point is the most photographed in the world! www.killarney-golf.com
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Dingle Peninsula
Sunday, May 31 - DINGLE PENINSULA & FOYNES FLYING BOAT MUSEUM
Prepare for another "feast for the eyes" today as we discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula, made famous by David Lean's movie "Ryan's Daughter". Drive along the breathtaking shores of the peninsula for plenty of stunning vistas of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, and rocky headlands. Visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the Blasket Islands and the hardy families who eked out a living there by farming & fishing. Continue north to the shores of the Shannon River to visit Foynes Flying Boat Museum. Learn about its important role as the fulcrum point for air traffic between the United States and Europe in the 1930's and 1940's. Walk through a full scale replica of the "Yankee Clipper", one of the first transatlantic sea planes. You may wish to sample an Irish coffee here, where it was first created, before driving on to your hotel in the delightful small town of Adare.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: DUNRAVEN ARMS HOTEL, ADARE www.dunravenhotel.com
Thomond's Biidge, Limerick
Monday, June 1 - LIMERICK SIGHTSEEING & ST. CRONAN'S ABBEY
Depart Adare and drive through Limerick town, noticing various periods of architecture as well as locations mentioned in Frank McCourt's best selling novel "Angela's Ashes". Stop for a photo of the imposing 13th century St. John's Castle, whose massive walls and towers have guarded the River Shannon crossing for the past 700 years. Travel east through mixed farming country past the gentle slopes of the Silvermines Mountains and Slieve Bloom. At Roscrea, visit St. Cronan's Church, whose round tower and high cross date back to the 12th century. Arrive early afternoon at Kilkea Castle, where you will spend the night. It is reputed to be the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure exploring the castle's beautiful gardens and numerous facilities. You may wish to play tennis, archery, or visit the spa and pool areas. Later, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner in the castle.
GOLF OPTION: KILKEA CASTLE. Our enrolled golfers enjoy golf this afternoon on the beautiful castle grounds. This 18 hole, par 70 championship course consists of 200 acres of landscaped parkland, two lakes, and a majestically flowing river. The splendor of the 12th century castle can be viewed from every fairway. www.kilkeacastle.ie
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILKEA CASTLE, CASTLEDERMOT www.kilkeacastlehotel.com
Tuesday, June 2 - RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to an end. Transfer from Castledermot to Dublin Airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear security and claim your VAT refund. You may wish to do some last minute shopping at the many duty free stores. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft and fly west across the Atlantic Ocean, back to the United States.
Beach at Inch Strand, Dingle Peninsula