Your Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Shannon
Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Shannon. Relax with dinner and entertainment.

Day 2: Bunratty Castle Banquet
Land at Shannon Airport and locate the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall for a complimentary group transfer to your nearby hotel, available between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm. If your flight arrives later than 2:00 pm, you must transfer to the hotel at your own expense. This afternoon rest after your journey, take a stroll through the Bunratty Folk Park or visit the cozy Durty Nelly's Pub. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink before heading to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the Lords and Ladies serenade you with favorite songs. (D)

Day 3: Flying Boat Museum & Killarney's Lakes
Drive through the outskirts of Limerick and along by the River Shannon to Foynes to visit the Flying Boat Museum. In the early days of flight, during the 1930's and early 1940's, this was the landing place for Pan Am Clippers from the United States and Europe. The museum recreates the infancy of aviation through displays of memorabilia. Journey into the mountainous scenery of County Kerry and stop in Listowel. This picturesque town is renowned as the birthplace of J. B. Keane, a popular 20th century playwright. Continue to Killarney and check into your hotel in the center of town. (B, D)

Day 4: Jaunting Car Ride & Moll's Gap
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Ross Castle to view Lough Leane, largest of Killarney's lakes. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily painted and enhanced with flowers. At Moll's Gap, a wonderful vantage point, stop to view the mountains. Continue along part of the Ring of Kerry route to enjoy the scenery. Pause at Ladies' View and stop at Muckross Gardens. Take a walk around the charming gardens, laid out along the lakeshore in the 19th century. Admire wonderful mature trees and shrubs, as well as colorful flowers, before returning to Killarney. (B, D)

Day 5: Cobh Heritage & Waterford Crystal
Drive through the mountains of Kerry and make a brief stop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Next visit Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the old train station through which all emigrants passed when traveling to the United States. Displays show the many hardships that travelers endured. Continue to Waterford to tour the Waterford Crystal Factory and watch how this popular crystal is created. In the showrooms see a wide range of tableware and special trophies. Check into your hotel, once the home of Thomas Francis Meagher, first governor of Montana. After dinner, join a local guide for a stroll around the historic city center. (B, D)

Day 6: Medieval Kilkenny & National Stud
Drive north to Kilkenny and stop to look around the town. In medieval times the town was a prosperous trading center and the narrow streets still follow ancient routes. Travel north to Kildare and visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. As a nation, the Irish are very interested in horses and the Stud will tell you about the valuable breeding industry. The Japanese Gardens symbolize the "Life of Man" through plants and rocks. Then head to the village of Dunboyne, on the outskirts of Dublin. Check into Dunboyne Castle Hotel and relax for a while before enjoying a farewell dinner with your group. (B, D)

Day 7: Stay in Dublin
Transfer from Dunboyne Castle to your Dublin hotel, located in the affluent Ballsbridge area of the city and within easy reach of all downtown attractions. The rest of the day is free - you may use your Dublin city bus tour voucher this afternoon. (B)

Day 8: Explore Dublin City
Use your independent bus tour voucher to discover more of Dublin. The ticket is valid for a 24-hour period. You may stay on the bus for the entire loop of the city's main streets and places of interest or get off at 23 stops near major attractions. Take a tour around the Guinness Storehouse or the Old Jameson Distillery and sample a beverage. (B)

Day 9: Return to the U.S.
Use your complimentary transfer to arrive in Dublin Airport in ample time to check in for your flight home. (B)


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