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SOURCING
We visit Ireland to find most of our items, where our sources range from cottage crafters to brand name suppliers such as Belleek and Waterford. Also many of our Irish and Celtic themed items come from Scotland, Wales, England, Continental Europe, the United States and imported from Asia.
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Spring Itinerary
The adventure begins on your departure date, as our guest travelers
will fly from their home cities to the gateway airports of Chicago,
Boston, JFK, Newark and Los Angeles. Flights will be overnight across
the Atlantic on Aer Lingus and will include dinner and a continental
breakfast.
Sunday, May 3: United States to Dublin
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Depart your own hometown, take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment
and meal service as you start your vacation.
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Monday, May 4: Dublin Arrival & Merry Ploughboy Evening
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After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Then your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Take an orientation drive around Dublin city center. Dublin is one of the liveliest capitals in Europe but there are plenty of historical places also. See the main thoroughfares of O'Connell Street and Nassau Street, the shopping streets and some lovely public parks. Then drive to your hotel and check in. After you settle into your room you may like to rest or explore some of the city on your own before 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. Overnight: Davenport Hotel, Dublin
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Tuesday, May 5: Dublin Discovery
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This morning a city sightseeing tour will introduce you to this capital city with its many historic buildings, delightful gardens and lively shopping streets. Drive around the principal areas and visit Dublin Castle, founded in the 13th century. Tour the State Apartments, which date mainly from the Georgian period and contain historical portraits and furnishings as well as shimmering Waterford crystal chandeliers. 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 tour in the rooftop bar, Gravity, overlooking the city center where you can sample a draft Guinness and enjoy the view of the city. The afternoon and evening are free for independent activities and dining. Overnight: Davenport Hotel, Dublin
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Wednesday, May 6: Boyne Valley & Monasterboice
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Depart Dublin and travel north to Slane to visit the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre. Exhibits here relate the history and sophisticated construction techniques of nearby passage graves at Newgrange and Knowth, which date from 2,500 B.C. Walk through a reconstruction of the narrow tomb of Newgrange and survey the surrounding countryside from the viewing deck. Visit the Great Mound, built over 5000 years ago and surrounded by 18 smaller satellite mounds. Continue your drive to Monasterboice to see elaborate Celtic high crosses carved at the height of the early Christian period when monasteries flourished throughout Ireland. Continue to Derry for hotel check in and dinner. Dinner & Overnight: City Hotel, Derry
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Thursday, May 7: Giant's Causeway & Dunluce Castle
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Travel along the north coast of Ireland through the towns Limavady and Coleraine to visit the Giant's Causeway. This impressive area of hexagonal columns was formed more than 60 million years ago by the slow and even cooling and contraction of molten lava. The huge rocks have given rise to many legends, especially involving Finn McCool. Motor on to Ballycastle, a small seaside town surrounded with breath-taking beauty and steeped in cultural history. Then drive along the coast to experience one of Ireland's popular scenic routes. Here you'll see the "Nine Glens of Antrim" which offer wonderful views of mountains, valleys, and coastline. Stop and visit Dunluce Castle just outside Portrush. This splendid structure sits on basalt rock jutting out over the sea, reached by a wooden walkway. During the 16th century it was home to the MacQuillans, and later the MacDonnells. Return to Derry where you can take a stroll before dinner. Dinner & Overnight: City Hotel, Derry
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Friday, May 8: Derry Walking Tour & Tower Museum
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Take a walking tour around Derry, which still retains its medieval city walls. Finish the tour at the Tower Museum, which tells the tangled story of Derry from its origins in the 6th century right up to the present day. A 16th-century tower house built originally for the local Gaelic chieftains was reconstructed to house the museum. The many facets of the city's troubled history are impartially presented. Then drive into the hilly countryside of Donegal. After hotel check in, enjoy some time relaxing or exploring before dinner at the hotel. Dinner & Overnight: Mill Park Hotel, Donegal
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Saturday, May 9: Donegal, Slieve League Cliffs & Glencolumbcille
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Donegal, with its windswept hills where only sheep can thrive, is renowned for wool production. Drive to the fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea cliffs, where the highest point reaches 1,972 feet making them the highest in Europe. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves below and you will see marvelous vistas. Continue west to Glencolumkille at the end of the peninsula. Visit the Folk Village Museum, which depicts rural Donegal life and traditions during the past 300 years. Drive through the scenic Glengesh Pass and through the towns of Ardara and Glenties. Return to Donegal with time to refresh before dining at your hotel. Dinner & Overnight: Mill Park Hotel, Donegal
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Sunday, May 10: Country Life Museum & Westport Walking Tour
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Journey south through Sligo, which is known as "Yeats' Country," as the Nobel-winning poet lived here. Outside Castlebar visit the Country Life Museum. See exhibitions portraying the lives of ordinary people who lived in rural Ireland in the period 1850 - 1950. Continue a short distance to Westport for a walking tour of this lovely city. As one of the few planned towns Westport was built in the Georgian architectural style by James Wyatt in 1780. Among the most picturesque features of the town are its tree-lined, flower decorated, promenade (The Mall) and little stone bridges along the river Carrow Beg. Check into your hotel with time to settle in before dinner. Dinner & Overnight: Westport Plaza Hotel, Westport
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Monday, May 11:Achill Island Tour
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This morning travel around Clew Bay reputed to have 365 islands. Drive via Newport and across the Curraun Peninsula to reach Achill Island, joined to the mainland by a bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful and wild scenic views of steeply sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Also see stretches of windswept bogland and golden beaches. Return to Westport where you may spend the afternoon relaxing in your hotel or exploring before joining your fellow travelers for dinner. Westport has a wide selection of pubs offering traditional music sessions. Dinner & Overnight: Westport Plaza Hotel, Westport
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Tuesday, May 12:Connemara, Galway City & Medieval Banquet
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Travel through County Mayo and through the Connemara region known for its constantly-changing skies and subtle colors. Drive past the gentle hills of the Maamturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens. In Moycullen stop to visit the family-run Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory and watch a craftsman demonstrate the cutting of designs. Continue to Galway City where a drive around will take you to 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. Then head to the Shannonside region where many castles and Shannon Airport are located. Arrive in the village of Bunratty for hotel check in and free time. You may choose to relax or explore some of the attractions near your hotel-choose from Bunratty Village Mills, Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub.
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: Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty
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| Wednesday, May 13: Return to the United States |
Today your Irish vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Shannon Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
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How much will it cost per person?
$3,190 from Boston or JFK: Priced upon request from Chicago. Prices based on double
occupancy. Single room supplement: $499. Prices do not include airport
departure tax of $105. Insurance: $149.
What does this include?
- What does this include?
- Transport by luxury motorcoach with a driver/guide for 10 days.
- Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath for 9 nights.
- Nine full breakfasts.
- Six table d'hote dinners.
- Dinner and evening entertainment at Merry Ploughboys Pub.
- Medieval banquet at an Irish Castle.
- Guided tour of Dublin.
- Guided walking tour of Derry & Westport.
- Visits and admission fees to: Dublin Castle, Guinness Storehouse, Boyne Valley with Knowth Megalithic Tomb, Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Tower Museum, Slieve League Cliffs, Glencolmcille Folk Park, Country Life Museum
- Hotel porterage, service charges, and government taxes.
- Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags, and identifying strap.
For any other questions you may have:
Call: 1-800-453-6696 and ask for Kate Naples. Kate is our Travel
Specialist and she will answer any questions you may have and send
you an enrollment form if you wish to register for any of the tours.
Kate may also be reached by fax: 1-877-213-3600 or e-mail: katie@shopirish.com.
Creative Irish Gifts financially supports the efforts of The Irish
Children's Fund and Northern Ireland Children's Project.
These not-for-profit organizations foster understanding between
Protestant and Catholic youngsters in Belfast.
Click here to download a tour enrollment form!
Tour Home | Isle Tour I | Isle Tour II | Contact Katie@shopirish.com
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Isle
of Ireland Tour
