Tour Highlights

• Galway - Ireland's City of Tribes
• Explore the wild and rugged of Connemara countryside
• See Irish Crystal, Tweeds, Whiskey and Pottery being created
• Northern Ireland's Medieval walled city of Derry
• Northern Ireland's capital of Belfast
• Tour Mysterious Giant's Causeway
• Journey through the spectacular Nine Glens of Antrim
• Visit Downpatrick and learn about Ireland’s patron saint -St. Patrick
• Explore Dublin
• Plus Much More..

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – UNITED STATES/EN ROUTE
Depart today on the scheduled flight traveling en route to Shannon, Ireland. Dinner and breakfast will be served during our flight according to airline schedules. (I)

Day 2 – SHANNON/GALWAY
Shortly after the sun rises on the Irish coast we will arrive in Shannon where we’ll meet our Driver/Guide who will travel with us throughout our tour. Lovely County Clare will then give us our first glimpse of the “Emerald Isle” as we travel by way of Ennis, a charming town known for its painted storefrontS, to the Cliffs of Moher. Even when shrouded in mist or buffeted by gales, the Cliffs of Moher are a breathtaking sight as they rise to a height of 650 feet from out of the Atlantic. Then we’ll arrive in the city of Galway, which lies on the banks of the River Corrib. Due to its compact size Galway is easy to explore on foot and a leisurely afternoon will offer plenty of opportunity to visit its shops, historic sights and pubs. (I, D)

Day 3 – GALWAY (Connemara & “Quiet Man” Tour)
This morning we drive along the shores of Galway Bay to Spiddal, to view the Aran Islands. Then travel inland through Connemara to Moycullen, where we visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory where Celtic motifs are expertly cut into colored crystal. Next, travel via Maam Cross and alongside part of Lough Corrib to Cong where “The Quiet Man” was filmed in 1952 with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. We take a short walking tour that finishs at the Quiet Man Heritage Cottage, filled with memorabilia. Following we return to Galway via Headford. The remainder of the day is at leisure in Galway. (B)

Day 4 – GALWAY/WESTPORT
Today we depart Galway driving through the rugged and colorful scenery of Connemara, with its magnificent array of wild flowers. At Leenane we embark on a short catamaran cruise to view the delightful scenery of Killary Harbor, Ireland’s only fjord, keep and eye out for seals and dolphins that inhabit the Harbor. Then we travel past Clew Bay with its many islands on one side and the conical mountain of Croaghpatrick on the other. The rocky peak is a popular place of pilgrimage where people climb the stony path to the summit. We continue through the delightful scenery of County Mayo to our hotel in the city of Westport, with its wide, tree lined streets. (B, D)

Day 5 – WESTPORT/ DERRY
This morning we travel the coastal route along Donegal Bay. We visit Triona Designs to see how popular tweeds and knitwear is produced from the sheared wool. We reach Northern Ireland where stop in the border town of Belleek to visit the Belleek Pottery Factory, famous for the pearly colored china known as Parian ware. We’ll see the skilled craftspeople create intricate basket weave designs in the delicate china. The industry was founded to create employment for the poverty-stricken locals in the mid-19th century. Enjoy some tea and scones before continuing north to the medieval walled city of Derry. (B, D)

Day 6 – DERRY
We begin with a walking tour around Derry still encircled by its medieval city walls. We see the Diamond and St. Columb’s Cathedral and enjoy some free time to look around on our own. Then we travel past the scenic Sperrin Mountains to visit the Ulster American Folk Park. The Park centers on the boyhood cottage home of the industrialist, Thomas Mellon, who immigrated to Pittsburgh in 1818. Trace the story of emigration, which began in the 1720s with Ulster settlers who headed for the Appalachians. The Park recreates the emigrant experience traveling from the “Old Country” by ship to emerge in the “New World.” (B, D)

Day 7 – DERRY/BELFAST
Depart Derry this morning and drive along the north coast of Ireland to Giant’s Causeway, a mass of 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns formed over 60 million years ago. Legends about giants abound, especially Finn McCool, a hardy Ulster hero. Next, we tour the Old Bushmills Whiskey Distillery, the world’s oldest which was first licensed in 1608, though spirit was probably made here at least 200 years before that. After a demonstration and a tasting we journey along the spectacular drive of the “Nine Glens of Antrim” with mountains on one side and coastline on the other. In the afternoon we arrive in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. We will tour Belfast, rich in Victorian and Edwardian architecture, where we see major points of interest including Stormont House and City Hall in Donegall Square. (B, D)

Day 8 – BELFAST/DUBLIN
Our day begins with a visit to Mount Stewart House and Gardens. This property, home to Lord Castlereagh during Napoleonic times has a splendid interior with period portraits and furnishings. But, the magnificent gardens, with a wide range of exotic plant types, are considered among the best in the country. Next we visit Downpatrick to learn about Ireland’s patron saint at the St. Patrick Centre and then see his reputed burial place, marked by a granite boulder, at Down Cathedral. Our next stop is Mellifont Abbey, for a tour of the ruins of this famous monastery before we continue to the historic town of Kells. Home to the Kells Monastery, founded by St. Columbia in the 6th century. The Monastery known for its High Crosses, also includes St. Columbia’s House a tiny steep-roof stone oratory, and an ancient Round Tower. We will arrive at our hotel in Dublin in the late afternoon. (B, D)

Day 9 – DUBLIN
Morning sightseeing of Dublin will include the Bank of Ireland, formerly the Irish Parliament, the National Museum and the High Courts of Justice. Then it’s on to Trinity College to view the Book of Kells, a 7th century masterpiece. We visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral to attend Mass before continue to see Dublin’s elegant and graceful 19th century squares and terraces. Our tour ends with a visit to the Guinness Hop Store where you will experience the Guinness Story and the brewing process and finishing with a sampling of their wonderful stout in the Visitors Bar. This afternoon is free in Dublin for last minute shopping. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner including some informal entertainment. (B, D)

Day 10 –DUBLIN/UNITED STATES
This morning we transfer to Dublin International Airport where we board our transatlantic flight for the beginning of our journey home. (B, I)

* * * Welcome Home * * *
I = In-flight Meal B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner