ITINERARY

• Day 1
  Overnight flight to Shannon Ireland. Dinner to be followed by an in-flight movie
  Day 2
  Welcome to Ireland! After collecting your bags and clearing customs, you will be greeted by your friendly driver guide who will escort you to the waiting motorcoach. Your first stop will be in the village of Bunratty where a complimentary full Irish breakfast will be served. Journey northward along the coast of Clare and stop for a refreshing walk along the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher that stand 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Continue northward via the coastal route to Galway City. A brief city tour will show you the cobble stoned streets, narrow alleys, shops and restaurants that make Galway a unique place to visit. Dinner and overnight Ardilaun Hotel, Galway .

• Day 3

  Following breakfast we will take a scenic drive into the wild and wonderful Connemara region where colorful wildflowers will be in bloom. Our highlight of the day will be a cruise along Ireland's only fjord, Killary. Sit back and enjoy some of Ireland's finest scenery from the comfort of this luxurious purpose built catamaran where complimentary tea and scones will be served. Afterwards we will have a tour of Kylemore Abbey, one of the most photographed locations in Ireland and the Monastic home to the Benedictine nuns. Arrive back to Galway in early evening. Dinner and overnight Ardilaun Hotel, Galway

• Day 4
  Leave Galway and travel to the Monastic site of Clonmacnoise, which was founded by St. Ciaran in the 6th century and sits majestically on the river Shannon. A guided tour of this site will show you some of the best examples of High Crosses and Round Towers in Ireland. You will continue your journey east to Ireland's Capital city, Dublin. Check into your hotel in the afternoon. Tonight you will dine at Jury's Irish Cabaret and enjoy a lively program filled with dance, song and storytelling. Overnight Camden Court Hotel.

• Day 5
  Following breakfast you will enjoy a driving tour of this ancient city, which was once occupied by the Vikings. Drive by St Patrick's Cathedral, final resting place of Jonathan Swift, as well as many other famous landmarks. We will take a guided tour of Dublin Castle which is still used today for many official functions. The city tour will end at Trinity College where an illustrated version of the New Testament, the Book of Kells can be viewed. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore this cosmopolitan city on your own. Overnight Camden Court Hotel. 

• Day 6
  Leave Dublin and travel to County Kildare where we will stop at the Japanese Gardens and National Stud. We will continue on to the medieval city of Kilkenny and take a guided tour of the 12th century Kilkenny Castle, home to the Butler family for centuries and now restored to it's original splendour. After hotel check-in you will have some free time to explore Kilkenny City before dinner. Dinner and overnight Hibernian Hotel Kilkenny.

• Day 7

  Our journey today will take us down to the Waterford Crystal Factory where you will see how this world-renowned Crystal is blown, cut and polished. There will be time after the tour to visit the exquisite showrooms and do some shopping if you wish. From here we will travel the short distance to New Ross in Co. Wexford to visit the The Dunbrody Emigrant Ship. Here you can follow in the footsteps of a group of Famine immigrants bound for New York in 1849. Return to Kilkenny in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight Hibernian Hotel Kilkenny.

• Day 8

  Leaving Kilkenny we will travel the short distance to Cashel in County Tipperary. Here we will visit the Rock Of Cashel, a large mound of limestone bristling with ancient fortifications including an ancient cathedral, chapel and Castle, some of which date back to the 12th Century. We will see an audio/visual presentation on the history of this mighty structure and have time to stroll the grounds on our own. Continue on to Blarney in County Cork where those energetic enough will have an opportunity to climb the 104 steps to kiss the stone located in the battlements and gain "the gift of the gab." Arrive in Killarney in the early evening and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney.
• Day 9
  Today a scenic drive past beaches & coves, quaint villages and fuchsia lined hedgerows will take you to the Dingle Peninsula, Ireland's most western point. In the town of Dingle you will hear the native tongue, Gaelic, being spoken. A breathtaking drive around Slea Head will allow you to catch a glimpse of the Blasket Islands. Stop at Gallarus Oratory and marvel at the centuries old workmanship that still stands the test of time. Return to Killarney in the early evening. Dinner and overnight at Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney.
   

• Day 10

  Following your full Irish breakfast we leave Killarney for our trip back to Shannon Airport. After a brief stop in one of Ireland's prettiest village, Adare, to see the famous thatched cottages, you will bid farewell to your driver guide and check in for your return flight to the United States.

INCLUDES

• Eight nights first class hotels
• Full Irish breakfast daily
• Six table d'hote dinners
• Special dinner with entertainment in Dublin
• Admissions as highlighted on the itinerary
• Services of an experienced Irish driver/guide
• All service charges & local government taxes
• Isle Inn Tours flight bag & luggage tag
• Deluxe document holder with information package

Not included

• International flight
• beverages
• tips and gratuities
• Travel cancellation insurance

Green Earth Travel is a certified Ireland Specialist