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Daily Itinerary:
March 4, Monday
- Departure
Today we depart for Ireland from Chicago's O'Hare Airport. Enjoy superb
in-flight service and meals on our flight across the Atlantic.
March 5, Tuesday
- Dublin
Arrive at Dublin's airport. Meet your guide, board your private motorcoach,
and transfer to your hotel. Check into your room and enjoy the afternoon
at your own leisure. You may wish to explore some of the many attractions
Dublin has to offer on your own. Dinner and overnight in Dublin. (B,D)
March 6, Wednesday
- St. Patrick's / Trinity College / Book of Kells / Free
Irish breakfast in hotel. Your introduction to the fabulous city of Dublin
begins with a morning sightseeing tour. Dublin evokes the names of George
Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, James Joyce, Brendan Behan.
View landmark sites that include O'Connel Street lined with statues, the
historic General Post Office, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral and
Dublin's elegant Georgian houses famous for their intricate glass-laced
doorways and beautiful parks. Visit magnificent St. Patrick's Cathedral
where Jonathan Swift (author of Gulliver's Travels) was once Dean. Continue
to Trinity College, founded by Elizabeth I in 1592, which hosts Ireland's
most treasured scholastic manuscript, the 8th-century Book of Kells, an
early Christian manuscript of the Four Gospels. The afternoon is free
to explore Dublin at your own leisure. Museums, shops and galleries are
all within easy reach of your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a fellowship
with worship and songs. Dinner and overnight in Dublin. (B,D)
March 7, Thursday
- Glendalough / Waterford
Irish Breakfast in hotel. This morning we journey south from Dublin into
the beautiful hills of Wicklow to Glendalough, "Glen of the Two Lakes."
Set deep in a valley between two lakes, Glendalough is an ancient monastic
settlement. Established by St. Kevin in the 6th century, most of the ruins
and sites date form the 10th century and are remarkably well preserved.
Enjoy a guided tour. The visitor center explains the history of this early
Christian site which was an important center of learning and well-known
throughout Europe. We continue to Waterford, a riverfront city of Viking
origin, famous for its handcut crystal. Dinner and overnight in Waterford
(B,D)
March 8, Friday
- Crystal Factory / Cobh / Blarney Castle / Killarney
Irish Breakfast in hotel. Waterford's fame comes from its unique handblown
glass, which is abundant in local shops. This morning we will see how
the crystal is made when we visit the crystal factory the crystal factory
and have an opportunity to buy. After, we travel along the south coast
via Yougal, where Sir Walter Raleigh was once Mayor of Cobh. Tour the
Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of Irish and European emigration
from this port to the United States over the past century. Continue our
drive to the famous 15th century Blarney Castle and have the opportunity
of kissing the Blarney Stone, said to bestow the gift of eloquence on
all who kiss it. Free time will be available to shop at "Blarney
Woollen Mills" which offers a wide range of quality Irish merchandise.
Travel through the farmlands of Cork and hilly countryside of Kerry to
Killarney. A short rest stop along the way for optional tea and scones.
In the evening, you may decide to visit one of Ireland's legendary pubs
in Killarney. Dinner and overnight in Killarney (B,D)
March 9, Saturday
- Ring of Kerry
Irish Breakfast in hotel. Early this morning, we travel around the Ring
of Kerry. This popular drive takes you through some of Ireland's most
beautiful scenery around the Iveragh Peninsula. With meadows, mountains
and moors as a backdrop, the beaches, coves, and coastal scenes are striking
in their beauty. Travel MacGuillycuddy's Reeks, views over Dingle Bay
and constantly changing views of mountains and shoreline. Drive through
remote villages to picturesque village of Sneem, a village of colorful
houses. Throughout the day we will stop to enjoy the unspoiled views.
End the day in Killarney town. In the evening, enjoy fellowship with songs
and worship. Dinner and overnight in Killarney (B,D)
March 10, Sunday
- Limerick / Bunratty Folk Park / Medieval Dinner
Irish Breakfast in hotel. Today we depart Killarney and drive north to
Limerick. Limerick is noted for its many Georgian houses and the huge
King John's Castle on the banks of the River Shannon. We arrive at the
charming village of Bunratty with the medieval Bunratty Castle and its
Folk Park. Bunratty Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval
castle in Ireland. It is in a beautiful setting in the picturesque County
Clare countryside. Built in 1425 by Sioda MacConmara, by 1500 it had become
the stronghold of the O'Briens, Kings and later Earls of Thomond. Within
the ground of Bunratty Castle is the Folk Park, where Irish village life
at the turn of the century is recreated. The Folk Park contains typical
19th century rural and urban dwellings. Bunratty is comprised of a collection
of farmhouses from different regions of Ireland and a 19th century village
street with a pub, school, general store, and many other buildings where
traditional lifestyles and crafts are demonstrated. In the evening, join
in the fun and feasting in Bunratty. We will experience a medieval style
banquet which is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle during
which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the
Middle Ages with their songs and stories...Enjoy! Dinner in Castle
and overnight in Limerick (B,D)
March 11, Monday
- Cliffs of Moher / Burren / Galway
Irish Breakfast in hotel. This morning we continue along the coast of
Clare and arrive to the mighty Cliffs of Moher, another of Ireland's geological
wonders, which surge almost vertically from the sea to a height of 450
feet along 5 miles of coastline. Paths lead across the grassy summits
of the Cliffs, with views of the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and the mountains
of Connemara. Our route then takes us through the mystical region of the
Burren, a fascinating and awesome stretch of land exposed by some quirk
of geology. Huge pavements of grey limestone dotted with massive boulders
stretch as far as the eye can see. The Burren was well settled in the
Stone Age and Bronze Age, long before the Celts arrived in Ireland. It
has 70 ancient tombs, one of the most striking of which is the 4500 year
old Poulnabrone Dolmen. We reach Galway City with its quaint winding streets
and medieval houses. We view the large modern Cathedral set on the island,
the Spanish Arch, formerly a fishing village and Lynch's Castle which
was a prosperous merchant's house dating from the 13th century - now housing
a bank. In the afternoon, enjoy some free time to shop on your own in
Eyre Square. Most of the shops are within easy reach and there are many
quaint pubs where Irish traditional music is played. Dinner and overnight
in Limerick (B,D)
March 12, Tuesday
- Rock of Cashel / Farewell Dinner
Irish Breakfast in hotel. Today we drive to Cashel. Stop to visit the
Rock of Cashel, an impressive collection of ecclesiastical ruins dating
from the 12th and 13th centuries perched high on a limestone outcrop.
Drive through the prosperous farming center of Ireland via the towns of
Portlaoise and Kildare. If time permits, we will stop in the countryside
for optional tea and scones. Continue to metropolitan Dublin. In the evening,
we will have our special Farewell dinner...Enjoy! Dinner and overnight
in Dublin (B,D)
March 13, Wednesday
- Dublin / USA
Irish Breakfast in hotel. Today we transfer to Dublin airport for our
return flight to the United States.
Welcome home with
Fond Memories...
Thank you for joining the tour.
For those who
selected the London Extension, you fly to London on March 13th.
Click
Here for more information on the Optional Extension
to London.
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Letter
from Elisha & Merle: