Escorted Tours Ireland and Ireland Tours by Isle Inn Tours

Included:

Tour Dates 2008
Depart USA	Arrive Shannon	Return	Land only	Air Inclusive* JFK

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


May 07	May 08	May 16	Sold Out
Jun 04	Jun 05	Jun 13	Sold Out
July 16	July 17	July 25	Sold Out
Sep 10	Sep 11	Sep 19	Sold Out
Oct 22	Oct 23	Oct 31	$1699	$2030*
Single Supplement: $ 499 Departure Tax not included Legend: B = Breakfast D = Dinner Guaranteed Departure Air inclusive prices are estimated and subject to change and do not include departure taxes. All prices are per person sharing. *Alternate hotel in Galway; Forster Court Hotel

ITINERARY

Day 1

Overnight flight to Shannon Ireland. Dinner to be followed by an in-flight movie (D)

Day 2

Welcome to Ireland! After collecting your bags and clearing customs, your friendly driver guide will escort you to the waiting motorcoach. Your first stop will be in the village of Bunratty where a complimentary light 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 cobblestone streets, narrow alleys, shops and restaurants that make Galway a unique place to visit. Overnight: Hotel Meyrick, Galway (B,D)

Day 3

Following breakfast you will take a scenic drive into the wild and wonderful Connemara region where colorful wildflowers bloom. Your 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 you 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 with time to relax before dinner in the hotel. Overnight: Hotel Meyrick, Galway (B,D)

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 the journey east to Ireland's Capital city, Dublin. Check into your hotel in the afternoon. Tonight you will dine at The Merry Ploughboy Pub, including authentic Irish entertainment. Overnight: Camden Court Hotel, Dublin (B,D)

Day 5

Following breakfast you will enjoy a sightseeing tour around Dublin City. You will see elegant Georgian squares and houses, colorful parks and busy shopping areas. Take a guided tour of Dublin Castle, which is still used today for many official functions. A guide will point out the highlights of Ireland's history as you walk through the richly decorated State Apartments to see portraits, Waterford Crystal chandeliers and furnishings. 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 to explore this cosmopolitan city on your own. Overnight: Camden Court Hotel, Dublin (B)

Day 6

Leave Dublin and travel to County Kildare where you will stop at the Japanese Gardens and National Stud. Learn about Ireland's exciting horse breeding industry at the National Stud and see some of the magnificent horses. Then walk through the compact Japanese Gardens, which are charmingly laid out to represent the "Life of Man" in oriental-style gardening. You 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 splendor. After hotel check-in you will have some free time to explore Kilkenny City before dinner in your hotel. Overnight: Hibernian Hotel, Kilkenny (B, D)

Day 7

The journey today will take you 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 you 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. Overnight: Hibernian Hotel, Kilkenny. (B, D)

Day 8

Leaving Kilkenny you will travel the short distance to Cashel in County Tipperary. Here you 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. You will see an audio/visual presentation on the history of this mighty structure and have time to stroll the grounds on your 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. Overnight: Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney (B,D)

Day 9

Today as you explore Ireland's westerly Dingle Peninsula you will experience unforgettable scenery of towering cliffs on one side and dramatic drops to the sea on the other with views of the Iveragh Peninsula to the south. Tour the Blasket Center in Dunquin to learn about the offshore Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who made a living by farming and fishing. Also visit the Louis Mulcahy Pottery Center, famous for large blue hand-thrown pots. See how the pots are created and admire some of the finished pieces. Return to Killarney in the early evening. Overnight: Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney. (B,D)

Day 10

Following a full Irish breakfast we leave Killarney for our trip back to Shannon Airport. Bid farewell to our driver/guide and check in for your return flight to the United States. (B)