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 . Northern part of Ireland Tour - Irish Interlude - Shannon to Dublin  Map Experience the sophistication of Dublin and Belfast, and the peaceful ambience of small villages. Ireland is poetry, as you'll soon see. 2008 Irish Interlude Day 1 – Sat: Depart U.S. for Shannon Day 2 – Sun: Arrival & Bunratty Banquet Land at Shannon Airport and transfer to your hotel and relax for the afternoon. Sip a gettogether drink and head to Bunratty Castle for a medieval-style banquet with wine and music. (D) Day 3 – Mon: Cliffs of Moher & Galway View the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall above the Atlantic breakers. Drive through the Burren and into Galway. Take a brief drive around Galway before checking into your city center hotel. (B, D) Day 4 – Tue: Connemara & “Quiet Man” This serene Irish-speaking region is regarded as one of the most scenically beautiful regions of Ireland. Take a walk around Cong, location for “The Quiet Man.” Travel through Connemara, a region of misty hills and shimmering lakes and visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory. Celtic designs and motifs are used in this handcut and handblown clear and colored crystal. (B, D) Day 5 – Wed: Knock Shrine & Belleek Drive north to the pilgrimage town of Knock. On the evening of August 21, 1879, the parish church of Knock, Co. Mayo was the scene of an apparition of the Blessed Virgin. A Shrine was erected on this spot, and hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world have come here, seeking cures. Now a 15,000 seat basilica dominates the site. Sligo is truly a special corner of Ireland, known for the romantic poet, William Butler Yeats. Here are cloud capped mountains and nomadic sheep. Known as 'Yeats' Country, the poet is buried in Drumcliffe Churchyard under the watchful eye of Benbulben, a source of much inspiration to him. His tombstone reads: Cast a cold Eye On Life, on Death, Horseman, pass by.. Then, tour the Belleek Pottery Factory to watch the creation of delicate china. Continue to Stranorlar. (B, D) Day 6 – Thu: Donegal & Glenveagh See the glorious Grand Atlantic Drive, which winds past golden beaches and rocky headlands. A winding road brings you across peat bogs and purple, heather-covered moorlands inhabited only by sheep in Glenveagh National Park, Ireland's most natural, and most beautiful park. At its center lies a sheltered glen and a lake and mighty castle. Glenveagh Castle was built in 1870 bu John Adair, using his American wife's money, in a fanciful Gothic design. Return to your hotel in time for dinner. (B, D)  Day 7 – Fri: Giant’s Causeway In Derry join a local
guide for a walking tour around the city center and its medieval city walls.
You will see the layout of the original city within the walls still preserves
its medieval plan with the four principal streets radiating from the Diamond at
the center to the old gateways. You'll also see the Guildhall, a handsome late
Gothic building with its dozens of stained glass windows illustrating the
city's history. Visit the Giant’s Causeway, huge columns formed over 60
million years ago. Drive along the “Nine Glens of Antrim” to
Ballygally Castle Hotel. (B, D) Day 8 – Sat: Belfast & St. Patrick’s Grave Tour Belfast to see the main sights. Belfast stands on deep beds of blue mud ringed by high hills, sea and river valleys. The world's biggest dry dock is here. Among memorable great liners built in Belfast shipyards is the ill-fated Titanic. Drive along the Ards Peninsula and cross Strangford Lough by ferry to visit the St. Patrick Centre. Learn about Ireland’s Patron Saint and view his grave. Travel to Dublin to your lovely deluxe hotel. (B) Day 9 – Sun: Dublin & Abbey Tavern Tour Dublin’s city center and visit the ornate State Apartments of Dublin Castle. Sample a pint of draft stout at the Guinness Storehouse. The afternoon is free and later head to the Abbey Tavern for dinner and music. (B, D) Day 10 – Mon: Return to U.S. Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am and 12:00 noon. After check-in, you’ll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)  |
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