Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Depart your U.S. gateway city in the evening and fly through the night to Ireland to start your vacation.

Day 2: Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
Arrive at Dublin Airport and proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where personnel will arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join a local guide for a half-day guided tour of Dublin to see Trinity College where the priceless 8th century Book of Kells is housed, elegant Georgian squares with colorful doorways and Leinster House where the government convenes. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the early illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation. Back at your hotel, enjoy a welcome drink and briefing about your tour. You are free to dine independently this evening.

Day 3: 6th Century Glendalough & Waterford
This morning leave Dublin to see the delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to Glendalough. Learn about St. Kevin's 6th century monastery in the Glendalough Visitor Centre and walk through the site to see its round tower, church ruins and Celtic crosses. Continue to Waterford, home of the renowned hand-cut crystal and check into your hotel. You may spend some time looking around the city center on your own and before dinner take a brief walking tour around the historic streets with a local guide. (B, D)

Day 4: Blarney & Lakes of Killarney
This morning tour the Waterford Crystal Factory to see skilled craftspeople blowing, cutting and polishing the crystal. Also see an amazing range of glassware and trophies in the showrooms. Drive along the south coast through Youghal and Cork to Blarney. Visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which stocks an excellent range of Irish goods all under one roof. While Blarney Castle is not included in your tour, you will have time to kiss the "Stone of Eloquence" on your own. Then journey west through rugged countryside to Killarney, widely celebrated for its setting overlooking lakes and mountains. After checking into your centrally-located hotel, you may like to browse around this busy little town. (B, D)

Day 5: Ring of Kerry & Muckross Gardens
Experience highlights of Ireland's natural scenery on this full day tour around the Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks Mountains on one side and the Atlantic coastline on the other. Panoramic vistas change constantly and frequent stops permit plenty of photo opportunities. Start by viewing the Essence of Kerry audio visual show at the Gap of Dunloe and then drive through Killorglin, Cahirciveen and Waterville at the end of the peninsula. On the return pass through the colorful village of Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Just outside the town take a walk through Muckross Gardens to see a variety of mature trees, shrubs and colorful flowers. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Tarbert. Take a 20-minute ferry ride across the River Shannon estuary and drive along the coastline of County Clare. View the Cliffs of Moher, one of the country's most magnificent rock formations that rise to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Pass through the Burren, an area of rocky limestone hills where a number of unique flowers thrive. This region also contains many dolmens, prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs. Drive around Galway Bay before arriving at your hotel in Galway. (B, D)

Day 7: Yeats' Grave & Derry Walk
Head north to visit the pilgrimage town of Knock, one of the world's leading shrines. See the church where villagers saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Travel through County Sligo and stop to view W. B. Yeats' grave in Drumcliffe Churchyard, in the shadow of Ben Bulben mountain. Follow the shoreline of Donegal Bay and continue your journey through Donegal town and past the lovely Blue Stack Mountains to Derry. On arrival in Derry take a brief drive around the city, including the Bogside area, before meeting a local guide for a walking tour of the medieval walls, which date from 1613 AD and encircle the old city center. (B, D)

Day 8: Ulster American Folk Park & Abbey Tavern
Drive past the Sperrin Mountains to visit the Ulster American Folk Park. See many cottages including the boyhood home of Thomas Mellon, who emigrated to Pittsburgh in 1818 and later founded the Mellon Bank. The Park traces the story of Ulster emigrants by showing how they lived in the "Old Country" and sailed across the Atlantic to settle in the "New World" in Colonial times. Drive south through the lakeland region of County Cavan to another hotel in Dublin. This evening drive to nearby Howth to the popular Abbey Tavern for a hearty dinner and an evening of entertaining traditional Irish songs and step dancing. (B, D)

Day 9: Depart for Home
For those of you booked on our 9-day tour, complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)


B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner