Arrive in Dublin Airport and take a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join your group and a local guide for an introductory look around central Dublin. See fashionable shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, view Dublin’s famous elegant Georgian squares and pause at the evocative figures at the Famine Memorial. Take a guided tour through parts of Dublin Castle, which was the seat of power and government for many centuries and today plays a leading role in European Union activities. In the evening meet your tour director over a welcome drink to discuss your trip and he will help you choose a restaurant to dine independently.

Head out of Dublin to Kildare for a tour of the Irish National Stud. Horseracing is a passion for the Irish and you will see some of the finest stallions and learn about breeding. Walk through the charming Japanese Gardens, created to portray life from birth to death. Spend your afternoon on an independent open-top bus tour around Dublin’s main attractions. You may stay on the bus or get on and off wherever you wish. Visit Guinness or Jameson to relax with a drink at the end of the tour. In the evening drive to Taylor’s Three Rock Pub for dinner and a lively show with traditional Irish music, story-telling and step-dancing.

(B, D)

Travel south to the ancient port of Waterford. At the House of Waterford Crystal watch glass blowing and cutting by master craftspeople and see a huge display of elegant tableware and magnificent trophies. Drive along the south coast through Cork to Kinsale, a delightful old fishing town on a deep inlet, which is ideal for sailing. The town is also famous for old Georgian houses and charming restaurants serving gourmet food. Join a local guide for a short walk around Kinsale and learn about its importance in trading and history in medieval times. If you wish, browse around town before dinner.

(B, D)

Drive to Blarney Castle on the outskirts of Cork city and climb to the battlements of the castle to kiss the famous “Stone on Eloquence.” Also spend some time in the Blarney Woollen Mills which offer a great selection of quality Irish products under one roof. Drive into the mountainous countryside of County Kerry to Killarney, a town made famous by its glorious location. Spend some free time to browse around and then take a jaunting car ride through the peaceful Killarney National Park to Ross Castle, set on the shores of Lough Leane. Drive along the Dingle Peninsula, stopping at the South Pole Inn in Annascaul for an Irish coffee and learn about the former owner, Tom Crean, who took part in three Antarctic expeditions. Check in to your hotel in Dingle, a lively and attractive town where you may like to take a walk around and explore some of the many pubs.

(B, D)

Today discover more gems of the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies, “Ryan???s Daughter” and “Far & Away”, which showed a lot of the wonderful scenery. Drive to Slea Head at the westernmost tip for awesome views of the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the offshore Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy farming and fishing families. Also see early Christian monastic beehive huts. Back in Dingle sit down to a a casual lunch. The rest of the day is free to browse around this charming town.

(B, L)

Visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which recalls early days of flying during the 1930’s and early 1940’s. See displays of memorabilia from that era and walk through a reconstructed Pan Am Clipper. Travel through Limerick on the way to Ennis and check in to your hotel in the center of the town. At 2:30 pm depart for the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening drive a few miles to 15th century Knappogue Castle for a fun medieval-style banquet with entertainment by the lords and ladies of the castle – a great way to end your tour.

(B)

Group transfers are provided to Shannon Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon.

(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner