Ireland Ennis, Kenmare & Dublin Aug. 28 - Sept. 5, 2016 9 Days / 8 Nights $2,395 / person Double Occupancy IRISH FRIENDSHIP TOUR TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Old fashioned horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney and boat ride on Lough Corrib Medieval banquet at Irish Castle Motorcoach transportation to and from game at Aviva Stadium Dinner and Irish entertainment on Thursday night at Merry Ploughboy Pub Sightseeing tours included in Dublin, with orientation of key sites around Dublin and visits to the Trinity College and the Book of Kells and Guinness Storehouse. See classic Ireland sites including a visit to Kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle, a drive around the Ring of Kerry, and the memorable Cliffs of Moher $3,145 / person Single Occupancy (Tour pricing subject to change until deposited. Airfare not included) TOUR INCLUDES: Boston College vs Georgia Tech football game tickets Transport by luxury motorcoach Professional Irish driver/guide for 9 days Airport transfers on tour arrival and departure dates Gameday Transportation to Temple Bar Tailgate Party and Stadium Hotel accommodation based on double occupancy with private bath for 8 nights Ennis (2 nights): Temple Gate Hotel (4-star) Kenmare/Kerry (2 nights): Kenmare Bay Hotel (4-star) Dublin (4 nights): Croke Park Hotel (4-star) Full Irish breakfasts (8) Dinners (3): Dinner and evening entertainment at Merry Ploughboy Pub Medieval banquet at an Irish Castle Table d hôte dinners (1) Exclusive Tailgate party in Temple Bar pub for Recess 4 Grownups tour guests, including food and beverage. Guided panoramic tour of Dublin with local guide Tour of the Ring of Kerry Old Fashioned Horse-drawn Jaunting Car Ride in Killarney Cruise on Lough Corrib with an Irish Coffee Panoramic tour of Galway Sheep dog demonstration Visits and admission fees to: Bunratty Folk Park Cliffs of Moher Ross Castle Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills Trinity College and the Book of Kells Guinness Storehouse Time to browse in the towns of Killarney and Galway Transportation to Howth or Dun Laoghaire for a Sunday afternoon option of independent exploration outside of Dublin Porterage for one piece of checked luggage at arrival and departure of hotels On-site Recess 4 Grownups event staff Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap
TRIP DETAILS Saturday August 27 Sunday August 28 UNITED STATES TO SHANNON Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation. CLIFFS OF MOHER AND MEDIEVAL BANQUET After customs and immigration formalities at Shannon Airport, your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and take you to your motorcoach (airport transfers included for arrivals before 11am on tour start date). Drive a short distance to the village of Bunratty and visit Bunratty Folk Park, which comprises a collection of farmhouses from different regions of Ireland and a 19th century village street with a pub, school, general store and many other buildings where traditional lifestyles and crafts are demonstrated. From here, drive to the coast of Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises to almost 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic breakers. Then travel to Ennis and check into your hotel where you will have some free time in the afternoon. DINNER:This evening join in the fun and feasting at Bunratty or Knappogue Castle. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories. OVERNIGHT: Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis Monday August 29 GALWAY PANORAMIC AND LOUGH CORRIB CRUISE This morning, depart Ennis and drive through the Burren Country, 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. Continue north to Galway and embark on a panoramic tour to see the principal sights of the city. A drive around will take you to see the large modern cathedral set on an island on the River Corrib. See the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, formerly a fishing village, the City Museum, National University of Galway and the Cathedral of Our Lady, which is built on the site of the former county jail. Before leaving Galway, enjoy some free time to browse around independently. Then embark on a cruise on Lough Corrib, which is the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland. Measuring 68 square miles and with 365 islands, this lake is one of the cleanest, most un-sploit and most scenic in all of Europe. Lough Corrib contains many islands with historic ruins and a wealth of wildlife. The on-board commentary will point out the highlights of the delightful scenery as you wend through the lake while enjoying an authentic cup of Irish coffee. After your cruise return to Ennis for a free evening.
OVERNIGHT: Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis Tuesday August 30 RING OF KERRY TOUR & SHEEPDOG DEMONSTRATION Today explore the Ring of Kerry - 100 miles of marvelous scenery consisting of the highest peaks in Ireland on one side and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. Stop en route to meet a local farmer who will introduce you to a flock of his sheep and provide a sheepdog demonstration. Then travel through Glenbeigh and Cahirciveen and on to Waterville and the colorful village of Sneem, with a stop at Portmagee for lunch on your own. Then continue to Kenmare, check into your hotel and relax or freshen up before dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kenmare Wednesday August 31 JAUNTING CAR RIDE AND KILLARNEY After breakfast, drive the short distance to Killarney. Take a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle, a 15th century towerhouse and a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish chieftain in the Middle Ages. The castle is fully restored and furnished with period oak furniture. Then spend some time at leisure in Killarney to have lunch, shop, and explore. Return to Kenmare and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening free for individual pursuits and dining. OVERNIGHT: Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kenmare Thursday Sept. 1 BLARNEY CASTLE & DUBLIN This morning, leave Kenmare and drive into the rich farming country of Cork. At Blarney, stop to climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle; here, you may kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence. Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Then depart Blarney and drive north towards Dublin. Travel through the rich dairy country of Cork and Tipperary, past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains and the majestic Rock of Cashel. Pass through many marketing towns, each with its own characteristics and see the different types of farming which is the principal livelihood of the Irish people. Arrive in Dublin and check into your hotel where you will have some free time to relax before this evening s festivities. DINNER: This evening drive to the town of Rathfarnham to The Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music.
Friday Sept. 2 TRINITY COLLEGE WITH BOOK OF KELLS AND GUINNESS STOREHOUSE After a hearty Irish breakfast, set off with a local guide who will show you around the prominent historic buildings and monuments of Dublin. Dublin is an ancient settlement, founded by the Vikings in the 9th century. The city has been molded through the centuries with many architectural styles, reflecting the economic, political and artistic influences. Stop in Trinity College to view the 8th century Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the gospels. 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. The afternoon is free for you to explore Dublin and attend your school s pep rally where you ll be able to join with the other fans to show your school spirit. Saturday Sept. 3 BOSTON COLLEGE VS GEORGIA TECH GAME This morning enjoy attending the Recess 4 Grownups tailgate party in a Temple Bar pub reserved just for our guests. Then we ll drive to Aviva Stadium, a sporting stadium with a capacity for 51,700 spectators. It is also commonly known as Lansdowne Road while UEFA refers to it as the Dublin Arena. Today, Boston College and Georgia Tech will kick off the football season in what is hoped to be an epic game, where bragging rights are on the line.
Sunday Sept. 4 DUBLIN AT LEISURE After a hearty Irish breakfast, enjoy Dublin at leisure where you can choose from a wide variety of pursuits. There are plenty of museums of Irish interest such as the National Museum, the National Gallery or the Writers Museum. There are plenty of shops along Nassau Street and the pedestrianized Grafton Street or Henry Street and you may like to explore Temple Bar or visit some of the traditional pubs. If you d like to explore beyond Dublin, we provide transportation to both Howth and Dun Laoghaire on Sunday afternoon your choice of destination. Howth is a picturesque fishing village just north of Dublin, offering opportunities to stroll leisurely along the harbor and enjoy the pubs, restaurants and shops. Dun Laoghaire is a lovely seaside town southeast of Dublin, with views overlooking Dublin Bay, a great assortment of restaurants and pubs, and coastal walk to the nearby town of Dalkey. In the evening you are free to choose from Dublin s many restaurants and pubs for your final night in Ireland. Monday Sept. 5 RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to the end. Transfer to Dublin Airport (transfers included for departures on tour end date) in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear security and claim your VAT refund. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.