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11 Day

Essence of Ireland Tour

Dublin to Dublin (IREL.1)

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Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Dublin

Welcome to Dublin. Your Scenic Tours Representative will personally greet you at the airport and arrange your transfer* to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure before meeting up this evening over a welcome drink with your fellow travellers and Tour Director.

Two Night Special Stay: Dublin

Day 2: Dublin (FB,HD)

Vikings were the first known settlers of this cosmopolitan city in 988AD, and Dublin remained a small, walled medieval town until the middle of the 17th century. Our expert local guide will help us discover the history and charm of Ireland’s capital city, set along the banks of the River Liffey. Dublin is awash with Georgian architecture, grand squares and historic monuments. We’ll first see the historic O’Connell Bridge to get a stunning overview of the city before seeing Dublin University, St Patrick’s Cathedral and Parliament House, built by Ireland’s greatest 18th century architect Edward Lovett Pearce. We’ll also see the famous Trinity College before visiting the home of ‘the black stuff’ – the Guinness Storehouse. This afternoon choose one of the following Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activities: (1) a guided tour of Trinity College which includes access to the amazing Long Room which is 65 metres in length and lined with 200,000 of the library’s oldest books; in addition you will see the famous ‘Book of Kells’, created around 800AD; or (2) an opportunity to tour the National Museum with a guide and discover Ireland’s cultural and natural history. Tonight enjoy dinner in one of Dublin’s oldest pubs.

Day 3: Dublin – Waterford (FB,D)

Today we enjoy our first sights of lush emerald-green rolling hills as we head to County Wicklow and Ballyknocken House where we learn how to make traditional Irish scones. Naturally we sample the finished goods with morning tea before our journey south continues. Our next stop is to the ruins of the 6th century monastic settlement of Glendalough where we’ll explore its 9th century round tower and St. Kevin’s Cathedral. We continue our travels to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city dating back to the Vikings in 914, where we have an orientation of this pretty town made famous for its crystal.

Overnight Stay: Waterford

Day 4: Waterford – Killarney (FB,D)

This morning we journey through the picturesque fishing villages of Youghal and Dungarvan and then on to SCENIC ENRICH Cobh Heritage Centre, the embarkation point for over two million emigrants who left Ireland in search of a better life in Australia and the Americas. It was also tragically the last port of call for RMS Titanic on her fateful maiden voyage. From Cobh we travel to Blarney Castle near Cork, site of the famous Blarney Stone. Your chance to kiss the famous stone and receive the gift of the gab. We then travel through West Cork, home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in Ireland, before arriving in Killarney. You will truly savour your two night stay in this picturesque town, which is surrounded by three lakes with the Macgillycuddy Reeks (Ireland’s highest mountain range) overlooking it.

Two Night Stay: Killarney

Day 5: Killarney – Ring of Kerry – Killarney (FB,D)

Today we experience a journey to remember – the Ring of Kerry. The route takes us along the shores of Dingle Bay where the Iveragh Mountains dramatically drop into the Atlantic Ocean. Around each twisting bend tiny fishing villages and offshore islands magically appear. It’s often said that the landscape varies a hundred times in 100 kilometres, so be sure not to miss anything! We’ll stop at some fine locations including Sneem, gaelic for ‘twisting winding river’. Wander this pretty town, before enjoying a jaunting car ride – a traditional pony and trap, where your driver will regale you with local tales. En-route back to our hotel we’ll visit Muckross House, a Tudor-style mansion built in 1843 and made famous for hosting Queen Victoria in 1861. Unfortunately, the cost of upgrading the accommodation for the royal visit left the owners in ruin. The reproduction farms created in the grounds of the House will give us a great insight into Irish life in the 1930’s. SCENIC ENRICH This evening after dinner we will visit a traditional local pub for some true Irish music and hospitality – your Tour Director will shout the first round!

Day 6: Killarney – Galway (FB,HD)

We travel north upon departing Killarney and take the ferry ride across the mouth of the river Shannon into County Clare. From here we admire glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean and lush green fields as we pass the Cliffs of Moher. We then journey through the Burren region, an amazing limestone plateau containing dozens of megalithic tombs and celtic crosses before reaching the ‘City of the Tribes’, Galway. Our Included orientation tour of this 500 year old city will show us the impressive Main Square and quaint old streets where you can admire local handicrafts. Tonight enjoy a highlight dinner in the Abbey surrounded by its lovely grounds.

Two Night Special Stay: Galway

Day 7: Galway – Connemara – Galway (FB)

Today we travel into Connemara National Park, a 5,000 acre natural wonderland featuring wild and rugged mountains and pristine lakes. We’ll pass alongside the largest lake in Ireland, Lough Corrib, before stopping in Clifden. From here we visit Kylemore Abbey, the monastic home to Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in WWI. The mock-gothic mansion is situated between steep hills and a pretty lake and its well tendered gardens are a delight, as is the insight we’ll gain into the fascinating lives of the nuns and the work they do. It’s only a short trip back to our own Abbey where the rest of the day is at leisure to stroll the magnificent grounds in this peaceful rural setting.

Day 8: Galway – Derry – Co. Donegal (FB,D)

This morning we journey through rolling green countryside along the west coast of Ireland, through numerous pretty villages as we venture into Northern Ireland. First though we stop near Sligo to honour one of Ireland’s literary greats – W. B. Yeats, who is buried in Drumcliff. We continue to Derry (or Londonderry if you prefer), a compact city which covers both banks of the River Foyle and is completely surrounded by fortified walls. Our guide will actually meet us on top of the walls where we’ll gain an insight into some of this city’s 1,450 years of turbulent history. We then travel up the coast of Lough Foyle in County Donegal to our hotel.

Overnight Stay: Co. Donegal

Day 9: Co. Donegal – Belfast (FB,D)

We travel the picturesque Causeway Coast this morning before arriving at Bushmill’s distillery, the oldest legal whiskey distillery in the world, having been in production since 1608. SCENIC ENRICHDuring our Included visit to the historic complex we’ll discover some of its secrets during a private tour and tasting. We then travel along the coast a little further to Giant’s Causeway, perhaps the most remarkable sight in Northern Ireland. This collection of over 40,000 mainly hexagonal interlocking bassalt columns, some 12 metres tall, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. The causeway creates a stepping stone path from the cliff foot and disappears under the sea. Many a legend surrounds the formation of this landmark and during our visit to the information centre we’ll get a better understanding and choose between Irish myth and geological facts. Our next stop is for afternoon tea at Ballygally Castle Hotel, built in 1625 and located on the scenic Antrim coast with views across the bay to Scotland. Suitably refreshed, we travel the final leg of our journey into the Ulster capital, Belfast.

Overnight Stay: Belfast

Day 10: Belfast – Dublin (FB,HD)

Today we enjoy an Included city tour of Belfast, a city now basking in peace having left its sectarian ‘troubles’ behind. Striking examples of Victorian architecture and the attractions of the Golden Mile combine with a significant regeneration program to present a surprisingly attractive city. We’ll see this as we journey through the city with our local guide and see the neoclassical City Hall, modern Waterfront Hall and stunning Linen Hall library. Our final journey takes us from Belfast down the east coast to Dublin where an evening of great Irish craic awaits. We head to a hilltop on the outskirts of Dublin to Johnnie Fox’s, an authentic pub where we enjoy a Hooley show featuring traditional music and world famous dancing. Savour the atmosphere and warmth of the locals as we enjoy famous Irish hospitality and dine together for the last time in Ireland.

Overnight Stay: Dublin

Day 11: Dublin (FB)

After breakfast you are transferred* to Dublin airport for your onward or homebound flight.

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Departure Dates: