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Details Introduction To Ireland
Dublin and the scenic best of the Irish Republic await you on this beautiful eight-day journey, a top
seller for years. In Dublin you will enjoy a visit to Oscar Wilde's Trinity College as part of an
orientation drive around this vibrant city. A scenic ride through horse-racing country leads you to
the National Stud and then to Limerick. Next, savor the breathtaking views of the Cliffs of Moher
and the Clare Coast, and enjoy Irish hospitality at Rathbaun Farm. After taking a ferry across the
Shannon, a panoramic drive takes you around the stunning Ring of Kerry. The world famous Waterford
Crystal Factory, Ireland's oldest handweaving mill at Avoca, Glendalough, and the scenic Wicklow
Mountains conclude your Irish journey. This vacation is good for first-time visitors to Ireland with
only a little time.
Day 1
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| Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
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Day 2
Arrival in Dublin, Ireland
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| Check into your hotel. At 3 p.m. meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for an
afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and
past St. Patrick's Cathedral. Visit Oscar Wilde's TRINITY COLLEGE, famous for the 1,200-year-old
Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Before dinner join your Tour Director for a toast
to happy touring with a congenial group. (D)
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Day 3
Dublin-Ennis
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| Horse-racing country this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the IRISH NATIONAL STUD
at Kildare, whose fine thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Lots more
to see: the Rock of Cashel where St. Patrick preached; Tipperary, made famous in a wartime
marching song; finally Limerick, where an orientation drive acquaints you with St. Mary's
Cathedral, King John's Castle, and the Stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691.
Tonight's suggestion for a very special night out: attend an optional medieval banquet at
Knappogue Castle. (FB)
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Day 4
Ennis. West Coast Excursion
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| Your day excursion along Ireland's spectacular Atlantic coastline begins with a drive to the
668-foot Cliffs of Moher, where you savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. A scenic
route across the limestone plateau of The Burren takes you to Galway, a vibrant city with a great
seafaring tradition where you hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day
Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Drive into the unspoiled region of
Connemara and at Moycullen visit a MARBLE FACTORY. This afternoon a special treat: at
RATHBAUN FARM watch the farmer shear a sheep and maneuver a flock with the help of a sheep dog.
Then enjoy a traditional tea in the 150-year-old thatched farmhouse. (FB)
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Day 5
Ennis-Ring of Kerry-Killarney
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| After a short drive via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer, cross the Shannon estuary by ferry.
Continue on to Killorglin on Dingle Bay, the setting for Ryan's Daughter, to join the
spectacular "Ring of Kerry" for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island's southwestern
tip. Take your photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View, then spend the night in
the popular resort of Killarney. (FB,D)
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Day 6
Killarney-Waterford
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| Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, renowned for its magical
Stone of Eloquence. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional
Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon proceed via Cork to Waterford, a stronghold founded by
the Danish Vikings, and look forward to a visit to the world-famous WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY.
Before dinner why not join an optional pub tour? (FB,D)
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Day 7
Waterford-Dublin
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| An exciting agenda today: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of
1798; Ireland's oldest HANDWEAVING MILL at Avoca; the Wicklow Mountains; the Glendalough VISITOR
CENTER with its fascinating audiovisual show "Ireland of the Monasteries," and its ruins of a
center of Irish Christianity founded by St. Kevin. Tonight's optional outing, a traditional
Irish dinner and cabaret show, is just the way to celebrate the success of your "Introduction
to Ireland." (FB)
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Day 8
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| Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)
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Additional Information
Meals
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| - 6 full Irish breakfasts (FB); 3 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus and
coffee, and a welcome drink before dinner at your hotel in Dublin
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City Highlights
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- DUBLIN Orientation drive, visit Trinity College KILDARE Guided tour of the Irish
National Stud LIMERICK Orientation drive CLIFFS OF MOHER Savor the spectacular views
CONNEMARA Visit a marble factory RATHBAUN FARM Visit and afternoon tea SHANNON Cross
the estuary by ferry RING OF KERRY Scenic peninsula drive BLARNEY Visit the famous woolen
mills WATERFORD Guided tour of the Waterford Crystal factory AVOCA Guided tour of the
handweaving mill GLENDALOUGH Guided tour of St. Kevin's center of Irish Christianity
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- Please note surcharges may apply due to special events on in the different cities -
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