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ITINERARY
Tour Pace
Well paced with two nights in Tralee & overnight stays in Galway & Waterford. The driving days are of a reasonable length with frequent and often scenic stops with photo opportunities.
DAY 1 – SUN – ARRIVE DUBLIN
Welcome to a land of legends, of misty mountains, lovely lakes and a warm friendly greeting wherever you go! There are complimentary transfers from Dublin Airport to your Insight tour hotel this morning. This afternoon, our sightseeing tour of Dublin takes us past the Customs House and along O'Connell Street and through Phoenix Park. Then we travel alongside the river Liffey to see the Guinness Brewery and we visit Dublin Castle (when open) before admiring the 18th century buildings of the Georgian section of the city. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink and a highlight dinner in a traditional venue. Hotel: Burlington. (Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 2 – MON – DUBLIN – GALWAY
This morning we drive through the 'forty shades of green' landscape of the Emerald Isle. We cross the Boyne river, its name a reminder of the battle where William of Orange sowed the seeds of future strife in his defeat of the Catholic King James. We pass by the former fortress town of Athlone, built to defend the strategic crossing of the Shannon, before crossing Ireland's most important river ourselves. Our destination is the historic town of Galway. With our Tour Director we see St Nicholas Cathedral (where Columbus reputedly heard mass before sailing for America), the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late President John F Kennedy. Hotel: Corrib Great Southern. (Full breakfast)
DAY 3 – TUE – GALWAY – TRALEE
This morning we take the scenic route through the 'Burren' to the awesome Cliffs of Moher, soaring up 700ft from the sea below. Next stop is Bunratty Folk Park, where old Ireland comes alive in the thatched cottages and cobbled streets of the museum. Nearby lies Limerick, famous for rhymes, lace and elegant Georgian houses. Here we see King John's impressive castle and the 800 year old St Mary's Cathedral, then continue via the charming town of Adare through the land of song and legend to Tralee. Hotel: Abbey Gate. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 4 – WED – RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
A leisurely excursion today takes us along the magnificent Ring of Kerry with breathtaking views over mountains and sea. We follow the narrow road as it winds along the cliffs and through delightful villages like Sneem. We cross the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll's Gap and admire Queen Victoria's 'Ladies View'. We arrive at Killarney, where we enjoy a memorable highlight ride on a jaunting car with the local 'Jarvies' before returning to Tralee. (Full breakfast)
DAY 5 – THU – TRALEE – WATERFORD
We cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains this morning as we make our way to the ancient castle of Blarney. Will you dare to hang upside down from the ramparts to kiss the Blarney Stone, and ensure a lifetime of eloquence? We also visit the Blarney Mills to enjoy their enticing displays of crystal and other Irish crafts. Then we continue through the town of Cork, Ireland's second city, before enjoying a coastal drive via the port of Dungarvan. Our destination tonight is Waterford, where we tour the famous crystal works before reaching our hotel. Hotel: Dooleys. (Full Breakfast, Three or four course table d’hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 6 – FRI – WATERFORD – DUBLIN
We see Waterford's ruined city walls and Reginald's Tower this morning. Then a beautiful drive takes us through the Vale of Avoca to see the 'Meeting of the Waters' memorial to Ireland's poet laureate Thomas Moore. We continue to the loughs and glens of Glendalough, where we visit the ruined 6th century monastery of St Kevin, nestled in a setting of total tranquillity. Finally we return to Dublin. Why not enjoy a farewell dinner and Irish cabaret tonight? Hotel: Jury's Ballsbridge. (Full breakfast)
DAY 7 – SAT – DUBLIN
Sadly, our tour comes to an end this morning. There are complimentary transfers to Dublin Airport. (Full breakfast)
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