Céad mile fáilte—a hundred-thousand welcomes! Irish eyes will be smiling at 3 pm as you meet your Tour Director and travel companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and past St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CITY SIGHTS “In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty,” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College
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Triumphs & Tragedies Hit your stride this morning with a trip to Ireland’s horse-racing country! Drive across the Curragh to visit the Irish National Stud at Kildare. Continue to Longford for a guided tour of Strokestown House, the 1740s mansion and the Famine Museum. Then, on to Castlebar for your overnight stay. (B,D) 209 mi / 337 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Relive history at Strokestown Park House, a stunning Georgian Palladian Mansion, with its original furnishings, and stroll the walled gardens in this historic site. Get a glimpse into the lives of generations of people who lived and worked here over the centuries, each adding their own chapter to the story and leaving their mark. Witness the history of the Great Irish Famine with a visit to the National Famine Museum to learn about the most devastating and tragic event in Irish history
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Wild Atlantic Way and Irish Roses Start the day with a visit to Kylemore Abbey, home to the order of Benedictine nuns. Visit Galway, a popular seaside destination with a buzzing center of colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Enjoy free time this afternoon in this vibrant city. (B) 89 mi / 143 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT CULTURE & TRADITION Nestled between the woodlands and lakeshore near Galway City, Kylemore Abbey is home to the Benedictine Sisters who have been in residence since 1920 in a life of prayer, work, and community. The history of this stunning abbey reaches back to the 1800s as the estate of Irish patriot Mitchell Henry. Visit the abbey where handmade chocolates, wild Irish honey and traditional fuchsia pottery are sold. Stroll the lovely grounds of Ireland’s largest walled garden in the heart of the Connemara countryside
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Islands of Saints & Scholars Your full day excursion begins with a ferry crossing to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. Stop for a light lunch at [LF] Joe Watty’s pub and hear from a local who shares stories about life on Inishmore Island. A minibus tour with a Local Guide-driver includes a visit to the prehistoric clifftop fort of Dun Aengus. The ferry returns you to the mainland to enjoy the remainder of your stay in Galway. (B,L) 45 mi / 72 km LOCAL FAVORITE TRADITION & CULTURE Joe Watty’s Bar & Seafood Restaurant on Inishmore Island is the place for good food, Gaelic music, and craic (good company). Unwind beside the fire or enjoy a Guinness in the beer garden to watch the world go by and learn a cúpla focal (few words of Irish) from some of the locals
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Sheep, Scones & Ancient Stones Experience a true Irish farm experience this morning with a visit to Rathbaun Farm. [LF] Try your hand at scone baking and learn about sheep shearing and herding from the farmer before enjoying coffee and your homemade scones. A scenic drive across the limestone plateau of The Burren features a photo stop at prehistoric Poulnabrone Dolmen before continuing on to the 668-foot-high Cliffs of Moher, which rise majestically above the Atlantic Ocean. Relax with some free time in Limerick this evening. (B) 115 mi / 185 km LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Someone’s in the kitchen in Rathbaun Farm, just outside of Galway. You can don an apron and whip up your own delicious home-made scones, served with fresh preserves and whipped cream. Learn about the longtime tradition of sheep farming in this beautiful Irish landscape
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Daring Young Men & Flying Machines This morning, make your way to Foynes for a guided tour of the Flying Boat Museum. Afterwards, experience an Irish coffee demonstration, followed by a taste of the classic drink. Enjoy the wonderful views during the Slea Head drive on the Dingle Peninsula before arriving at the vibrant town of Killarney. (B,D) 159 mi / 255 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS & LORE Experience the era of transatlantic passenger flights, and the maritime legends of the River Shannon with a visit to the fantastic Flying Boat & Maritime Museum in Foynes, home to the world's only full-size replica of a B314 flying boat, commemorating this Irish town’s role in early passenger flights across the Atlantic and the legendary flying boats that carried celebrities, royals, and refugees alike. Learn about the daring history and folklore of Ireland’s longest river
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A Jaunting Good Time Join the famous Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the Ireland’s southwestern tip. Take advantage of spectacular photo opportunities thanks to sparkling seascapes and mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses. Head back to Killarney and experience a jaunting-car ride through the national park enjoying fabulous views of the Lakes of Killarney and ancient Ross Castle. (B) 99 mi / 159 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS County Kerry is home to the exquisite natural beauty of a rugged and mountainous expanse in Killarney National Park. A horse-drawn jaunting car ride is a great way to experience this natural wonderland, including the 3,300-foot MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland. Nestled at the foot of these mountains, the Lakes of Killarney’s shores and woodlands share this magical place with waterfalls and dramatic skies above Ross Castle
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Spend your day your way in Waterford Your Irish luck continues across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. Take the opportunity to walk up to the castle, or to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, continue to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings. Explore more of Waterford with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions before enjoying dinner at your hotel. (B,D) 126 mi / 203 km THE VIKING TRIANGLE Join a Local Guide in Waterford for a walk through Ireland¿s oldest city where two cathedrals, four national monuments, and eleven centuries of rogues and rascals add up to a trifecta of tales in the Viking Triangle. Hear engaging stories of extraordinary characters, delivered in witty, entertaining style by a master storyteller. CRYSTAL CLEAR The city of Waterford is synonymous with the luxury crystal manufacture that bears its name. Visit the House of Waterford Crystal for a fascinating tour featuring the molding room, and glass-blowing, cutting, and engraving departments to witness the highly skilled master craftsmen creating exquisite Waterford Crystal
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Medieval & Modern Irish Capitals Head to the “Marble City” of Kilkenny to enjoy one of Ireland’s most quaint towns and consider a visit to its 800-year-old castle. Return to Dublin, Ireland’s capital city, and enjoy some free time. (B) 111 mi / 179 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Explore the city of Kilkenny, referred to as the "Marble City" because of the widespread use of local black limestone to construct many local buildings. The "Medieval Mile" is the city's main thoroughfare and is lined with medieval landmarks, quaint shops, and charming pubs. Today, Kilkenny is renowned for its active arts and crafts scene
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Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)