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April 21 - May 1, 2008 Discover the history, culture and beauty of Ireland on this annual ten day tour with popular Irish American entertainer, Mike Byrne. Your trip will take you from North to South, East to West of the island of Ireland and your experienced guide will bring it “alive” with his informative narration as you travel in the comfort of your modern touring coach. Mike will be performing on a number of evenings and other entertainment will be all part of your package. Sign up today for a memorable tour of the Emerald Isle.
Itinerary Monday, April 21 United States to Belfast This evening your vacation begins when you check in for Continental Flight #94 departing Newark at 9:25 pm. You must check in three hours prior. Soon you are flying over the Maritime Provinces before beginning your transatlantic flight. Dinner and refreshments will be served en route and soon out on the horizon you will see a new day spread west. Tuesday, April 22 Belfast Sightseeing Your arrival in Belfast will be at 9:00 am. After customs and immigration formalities at Belfast Airport, your driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to the motorcoach. Embark on a city tour around Belfast, including the University area. In the city center see the Albert Memorial and the ornate Victorian buildings of the Opera House and the Crown Liquor Saloon. In Donegall Square visit the imposing City Hall, completed in 1906. The richly decorated interior contains stained glass portraying Belfast's principal industries. Then depart Belfast and drive west passing the beautiful Sperrin Mountains to Derry and check into your hotel. Enjoy some time at leisure to relax or explore the town independently before joining your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Mike Byrne will entertain tonight. Dinner & Overnight: City Hotel, Derry Wednesday, April 23 Derry & Giant’s Causeway This morning drive along the north coast of Ireland to explore the Giant’s Causeway, huge hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. The huge rocks have given rise to many legends, especially involving Finn McCool. In the afternoon, return to Derry and enjoy a walking tour to see the principal sights. See the 17th century city walls, which are some of the best preserved in Europe, and the Diamond, the main central square. Also pass the 17th century St. Columb's Cathedral, the Tower Museum with local history displays and the Guildhall where the history of Derry is depicted in stained-glass windows. Spend some time at leisure before dining in your hotel. Dinner & Overnight: City Hotel, Derry Thursday, April 24 Donegal & Sligo Depart Derry this morning and travel south via Ballybofey past the lovely Blue Stack Mountains into Donegal. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the wonderful scenery for which Donegal is renowned. Drive to Killybegs, an important fishing port where the catch is sent to the major fish markets in Europe. Continue through craggy scenery, windswept mountains, and open countryside where few people can survive but where sheep graze freely. With so many sheep, Donegal is famous for its tweed and wool production, often dyed in the soft hues which reflect the colors of the countryside. Follow the Atlantic shoreline of Donegal Bay into County Sligo a county of gentle mountains, lakes, and coastline. This area is associated with the great writer, W. B. Yeats. Drive into Sligo town and check into your hotel. Enjoy some free time to relax and settle in before dining in your hotel. Dinner & Overnight: Glass House Hotel, Sligo Friday, April 25 Knock Shrine & Westport Journey out of Sligo today and travel south through County Mayo and the towns of Tubbercurry and Charlestown to the pilgrimage town of Knock. Visit Knock Shrine, one of the world's leading shrines where the Virgin Mary appeared to 15 people on August 21, 1879. See the shrine and modern basilica before traveling west to the town of Westport, an attractive planned estate town with wide streets. Enjoy some free time in Westport for independent activities before returning to Sligo where you will have some time to relax before joining your fellow travelers for dinner. Dinner & Overnight: Glass House Hotel, Sligo Saturday, April 26 Dublin Depart Sligo this morning and head south to visit Strokestown Park House in County Roscommon, which dates from the 17th century. This fine mansion shows the lifestyle of the affluent owners and also the conditions of the servants and farmers of the area during the past centuries and particularly of the Famine of the 1840s when many Irish immigrated to the United States. The Museum of the Famine shows a large collection of documents relating to conditions during that dreadful time. Then travel through the midlands of Ireland where you can see many types of farms and market towns. Drive into the metropolitan region of Dublin and check into your hotel. Enjoy some time to relax and settle in before joining your group for dinner. This evening drive to Merry Ploughboys Pub for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing, and music. Overnight: Camden Court Hotel, Dublin Sunday, April 27 Dublin’s Highlights This morning enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Dublin, an elegant and artistic city with spacious Georgian squares. Stop to tour Dublin Castle to see the State Apartments where many state functions are held in the richly decorated chambers. Next, 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. Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping or sightseeing independently. In the evening you may like to sample Dublin’s traditional pubs. Overnight: Camden Court Hotel, Dublin Monday, April 28 Blarney Castle & Killarney Depart Dublin today and drive through the prosperous farming country and marketing towns of the midland region of Ireland. Journey south past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains to visit Blarney Castle where you may climb to the battlements to acquire the “gift of eloquence” by kissing the famous stone. Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. They will ship and insure goods such as Waterford Crystal for you. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Then journey west through rugged countryside to Killarney, widely celebrated for its setting overlooking lakes and mountains. After checking into your hotel, you may like to browse around this busy little town before dining with your group. Following dinner tonight Mike Byrne will entertain. Overnight: Malton Hotel, Killarney (formerly the Great Southern) Tuesday, April 29 Dingle Peninsula Today discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula, made famous by David Lean’s movie, “Ryan’s Daughter.” Drive along the south shore of the peninsula for plenty of vistas of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach and rocky headlands. There will be frequent stops at strategic locations to admire the views and take photos. Stop at a farmhouse in Dingle for tea and scones with your fellow travelers before continuing to the western tip of the peninsula. Visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who eked out a living by farming and fishing. Return to Killarney for some free time before dinner. 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: Malton Hotel, Killarney Wednesday, April 30 Kenmare Just outside Killarney visit the delightful Muckross House, a 19th century furnished mansion with an interesting history and U.S. connections. Then drive to the delightful town of Kenmare and stop to enjoy some free time exploring this charming town on your own. After your visit, board the coach and stop at Ladies’ View, the panorama that inspired such awe and gasps of admiration from the Queen's ladies-in-waiting in 1861. On the road up from Ladies' View, see the dramatic Torc Waterfall, which originates from the Owengarriff River at the top of Torc Mountain. There's a lovely wooded path through Friars' Glen to the top of the falls. At the base of the Lower Falls you'll find a dramatic stairway to the Upper Falls which will afford you excellent views of the Lakes of Killarney, the Black Valley and several mountain ranges that make up the Killarney area. Return to Killarney where you will have some free time to relax and freshen up before entertainment by Mike Bryne. Dinner & Overnight: Malton Hotel, Killarney Thursday, May 1 Return to the United States This morning you leave Killarney on your way to Shannon. Your route takes you via Castleisland, Adare & Bunratty to Shannon. You bid farewell to your driver/guide and check in for Continental Flight #25. Soon you’re climbing into the western sky and the green fields of Ireland fall away beneath you as you settle back. Close your eyes and just relive the great experiences of the past ten days. Following a full meal you’re back over the Maritime Provinces en route to a 11:15 am arrival in Newark. Slain Abhaile and thanks for coming. A valid passport good for six months from date of return is required for this trip. IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ Conditions A deposit of $350.00 per person ($489.00 if purchasing insurance), is due along with the completed application to confirm place. Final payment is due March 7, 2008. Cancellation Penalties Up to January 17, 2008: there is a $50.00 per person penalty. Between January 18 and March 7, 2008: $350.00 per person. Between March 8 and April 11, 2008: $1000.00 per person. Between April 12 and April 18, 2008: $1755.00 per person No refunds for cancellations after April 18, 2008. Insurance Cancellation insurance is available for $139.00 per person and must be purchased at time of deposit. The insurance will entitle you to a full refund if you have to cancel for a cover reason. Once purchased, the premium is non-refundable. Responsibilities Long’s Travel Service, Inc., CIE Tours and Mike Byrne act as agents only and cannot be responsible for any losses, delays, property damage, personal injury or other loss you may suffer or incur on any component of this tour. Please fill out the application below and mail, along with your deposit., to Long’s Travel at the address listed above. |
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