The Cultural City Selection Tour

Destination: Dublin, Cork, Kinsale, Galway, Connemara, Ireland

"Day 1 CORK
Pick up your car in Shannon Airport and drive directly to Cork City passing Charleville and Mallow. Cork city is the European City of Culture in 2005 and there is an extensive programme of events prepared for the celebration. There is a distinctly European ambiance and multicultural feeling of the city. Cork city is built on reclaimed marshland and is still dominated by water - The River Lee divides the city in two. The word Cork comes from the Irish name "Corcach" which means "marsh". The city’s origins lie early in the seventh century when St. Finbarr founded a small monastic community close to where Gilabbey Street now stands. The principal shopping streets of St. Patricks Street and Oliver Plunkett Street are lined with fashion houses and department stores stocking quality Irish goods. Overnight at The Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork City.

Day 2 KINSALE
Today you may like to visit the picturesque town of Kinsale, Irelands gourmet food capital. Its beautiful setting, with the long waterfront, narrow winding streets and pretty shopfronts, will captivate you. The old fortifications of Charles Fort and James Fort guard the narrow entrance to Kinsale from the sea. Not surprisingly the town is renowned for its fresh seafood and fine dining restaurants that must be sampled. You can also visit the coastal town of Cobh, and the Queenstown Heritage centre, where the first immigrants from Ireland departed or just spend some time shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills and visit the Blarney Castle. The castle is famous for its Blarney Stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The battlements crowning the castle keep are typically Irish in form. Having climbed more than 100 steps, the famous Stone is set in the wall below the parapet, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards from the parapet walk of the battlements. Enjoy some free time to avail of the excellent shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills situated in the village. Overnight at The Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork City.

Day 3 DUBLIN
Heading north thought the centre of Ireland today you will drive thought the Golden Vales of Fermoy, & Mitchelstown to Co. Tipperary. Stop at Cashel to visit The Rock of Cashel, a large outcrop of limestone dominated by a group of buildings, both ecclesiastical and royal, dating from the period between the 13th century and the mid 16th century, rises steeply above the rich pastures of the Golden Vale. The group of medieval buildings which crown the Rock catches the eye of the visitor from afar and is well worth a closer visit. St. Patrick’s Rock situated in the town of Cashel is crowned by the 13th century Gothic Cathedral, beside which nestles the unique Romanesque Cormac’s Chapel. There is also a round tower and a 12th century cross, the base of which is said to have been the inauguration stone of the Kings of Munster. Continue via Kildare to Dublin. En route you will stop at the Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens. First established in 1900 by Colonel Hall-Walker amidst the rolling lush pastures and limestone rich soils of Kildare. It was established to breed racehorses and has been doing so very successfully ever since. See the magnificent stallions in their surroundings, mares and foals and stroll along the leafy walkways through the stud farm. The Japanese Gardens are located adjacent to the stud farm and these were also founded at the turn of the century. Your final destination today is Irelands Capital City of Dublin. Dublin provides the visitor with a multitude of cultural riches, from the ancient to the avant-garde. It is a warm intimate city with an atmosphere all of its own. Experience Irish theatre, dine in style, or relax by a log fire in an old Dublin pub and join in the fun of the capital. Overnight at The Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin.

Day 4 DUBLIN
Take a leisurely tour of Dublin City and you will enjoy highlights such as O’ Connell Street, the Georgian Squares, St Patrick’s Cathedral and the Phoenix Park, where the President of Ireland and the US Embassador to Ireland reside. Take a stroll through the grounds of Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest and most famous university and visit the Book of Kells. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure to discover and explore the many superb collections at the galleries and museums as well ancient castles and churches, inspiring structures housing a city steeped in history and tradition. Other delights of Dublin such as the National Museum of Ireland, the National Galler. In the evening you may wish to check out Temple Bar, Dublin’s bohemian quarters, just bursting with atmosphere and ambience. Overnight at The Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin

Day 5 GALWAY
In the morning cross the midlands of Ireland to Galway and enjoy the cultural buzz around Irelands native speaking city. It has a rich tradition of culture that is maintained today with numerous theatre groups Galway nestles at the neck of Galway Bay and is reputed to have been Columbus’ final point of departure on his epoch-making voyage of discovery. Take a stroll around Galway city visiting such areas as Eyre Square, Lynch’s Castle, St. Nicholas’ Church, O’Brien’s Bridge, Spanish Arch, the Famous Claddagh, beautiful Galway Bay, Salthill Promenade, University College, Salmon Weir Bridge, Court House and the Municipal Theatre. Overnight at The Ardilaun Hotel, Galway.

Day 6 CONNEMARA
After a leisurely breakfast this morning you will take a tour of the beautiful Connemara countryside, made famous by the John Wayne movie "The Quiet Man". Filmed on location in Connemara, you can see why the landscape and scenery of the area was the real star of the movie! This is a wild and beautiful region of mountains, lakes, tumbling streams undulating bog, unspoilt beaches and panoramic views. It is a Gaelic- speaking region and has attracted many artisans, who can be visited at work in their studios. The centre of Connemara is composed of mountain peaks, the Twelve Bens that culminate in Benbaun (2388ft-728m). The sharp grey peaks of quartzite rock that is resistant to weathering is too steep and hard to be clothed in blanket bog. The region is now largely uninhabited, although in the past the more fertile lowlands were cultivated and the uplands were used as pasture for cattle and sheep. Visit Kylemore Abbey the only home of the Benedictine nuns in Ireland. The nuns acquired the Abbey in 1920 and it is situated in the heart of Connemara, amidst rivers, lakes and hills. Return to Galway to overnight at The Ardilaun House Hotel.

Day 7 DEPART
Return to Shannon Airport in time for your return flight.
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Contact Info.:
Libertyville, Illinois, United States

Phone: 847-8166510
28085 North Ashley Circle
unit 202
Libertyville, Illinois 60048
USA