Action, Ireland

Destination: Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, Galway, Connemara, Ireland

"Day 1 WATERFORD
Arrive into Dublin Airport early morning where you will pick up your car. Travel towards the City of Kilkenny - the Medieval Capital of Ireland offers a unique selection of historic sites and buildings from the 7th Century onwards. You may wish to visit Kilkenny Castle in the heart of the town that has been lovingly restored to its former glory with breathtaking views onto landscaped raised gardens. The Butler Gallery, in the castle basement, has regular exhibitions of contemporary art, much of which is produced locally. Kilkenny became an arts and crafts centre during the 1970s thanks to an initiative, which provided painters, jewellers, and potters with workspace in the Kilkenny Design Centre Workshops. Continue to Waterford City a fine example of a walled city that withstood siege on several occasions in the past but fell to the Normans in 1170 AD. If you have time visit the Waterford Crystal Factory - where skilled teams of workers make the world-renowned crystal. Visitors are guided through the production area, where they can see the birth of crystal from a white-hot furnace and then witness its transformation by dedicated blowers, cutters and engravers into beautiful sparkling crystal. On their return from the tour, visitors are shown around the Crystal Gallery, which houses one of the world’s finest displays of cut glass. Overnight at The Woodlands Hotel, Waterford.

Day 2 KILLARNEY
Depart Waterford and head west towards Cork stopping in Cobh to visit Cobh’s Heritage Center. Cobh continues to serve as an important port of call for the majestic liners travelling the north Atlantic route. The "Titanic" sailed from Cobh, never to touch land again. The Heritage Centre will tell these stories in a way that is fitting and sympathetic of the endeavour and trauma of the people who were involved. Continue through Cork to Blarney where you can visit the famous Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone. The stone has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. 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. You can also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills for some fine quality Irish produce. Travel westwards to County Kerry and the town of Killarney. Killarney is the gateway to the famous Ring of Kerry. The town itself is a thriving tourism destination with an abundance of craft shops, music bars and fine restaurants. Overnight at Riverside Hotel, Killarney.

Day 3 Ring of Kerry Tour
Today you can take a tour of the Ring of Kerry, which takes you through spectacular coastal and mountainous scenery along the base of the highest mountain range in Ireland, the MacGillycuddy Reeks. County Kerry in Ireland’s Southwest is a place untouched by time. Hazy mountain panoramas shimmering in the pearly ocean light, rattling streams of sparkling clear water tumbling down wooded slopes. You can spend days just watching and wondering at the splendour of the views. The journey takes you through villages and towns depicting typical rural life in Ireland. It is really hard to explain the true beauty of the Ring of Kerry, except to say that it should not be missed. As you descend into Killarney, you have a lovely view of the Three Lakes of Killarney from ’Ladies View’ passing Killarney’s National Park where you will visit Muckross House Estate. Overnight at Riverside Hotel, Killarney.

Day 4 GALWAY
Depart Killarney, and travel north to Clare, taking the Ferry from Tarbet to Killimer in Co. Clare. You will stop off at the Cliffs of Moher, which are great dark sandstone cliffs (600ft) that rise sheer from the Atlantic for nearly 5 miles. Screaming sea birds throng the ledges or wheel and swoop about the waves. The best views are from O’Brien’s Tower, built in 1853 by Cornelius O’Brien. Continue via the Burren, which is a vast, bare, eerie limestone plateau that covers much of County Clare. It is gradually being established as a National Park. The limestone is deeply fissured and most of the rivers have gone underground creating an extensive cave system. The coast road south of Black Head provides a fine view of the huge boulders, deposited at the end of the Ice Age which rest on the bare limestone pavement and in fine weather the Aran Islands are visible offshore. Arrive into Galway and enjoy the evening around the city. Galway, a thriving modern city better known as the ’Capital of the West’, is located along Ireland’s western seaboard. It has a rich tradition of culture that is maintained today with numerous theatre groups. 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 Forster Court Hotel, Galway.

Day 5 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! Connemara 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 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. It is situated in the heart of Connemara, amidst rivers, lakes and hills 80 km from Galway city. It has a wonderful walled garden that is worth visiting and the views across Connemara are only spectacular. Return to Galway City in the evening to enjoy the friendly and vibrant atmosphere of its cobbled pedestrian streets. Overnight at the Forster Court Hotel, Galway.

Day 6 DUBLIN
This morning return to Dublin for your last night in Ireland. Take a tour of Dublin city which includes such memorable sights as O’Connell Street & the GPO, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park and of course the famous Trinity College with its beautifully illustrated Book of Kells. You might enjoy a theatre for your last night or just a night exploring the Temple Bar area of the city - which is the area in Dublin around which much of the musical and artistic life of the city now revolves. Overnight at The Stillorgan Park Hote,l one Dublin’s premier 4 star hotel located on the Southside of the city, just a few minutes from Dublin’s city center with Parking.
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Contact Info.:
Libertyville, Illinois, United States

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