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Women's Tour Itinerary

 

Sat, Oct. 2	UNITED STATES TO SHANNON   Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Sun, Oct. 3	SHANNON ARRIVAL & KILLARNEY   After customs and immigration formalities at Shannon Airport, your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to the motorcoach. Leaving Shannonside, drive into Limerick for a panoramic tour of the city, which features the sights made famous in Frank McCourt’s biography, “Angela’s Ashes.” Pass the 13th century King John's Castle in the center of the town. This imposing fortress with its massive walls and towers has guarded the River Shannon crossing for the past 700 years. Continue south to Adare, which is famous for its main street of thatched houses. After a stop for photos and a walk along the main street, journey into the mountainous country of Kerry and into Killarney, settled beside three lakes in the shadow of Ireland's highest mountains. Check into your hotel and spend some time relaxing before dinner.     DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY AVENUE HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Mon, Oct. 4	RING OF KERRY TOUR   Today explore the Ring of Kerry ‑ 100 miles of marvelous scenery consisting of the highest peaks in Ireland on one side and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. Enjoy plenty of stops to view the scenery and take photos. Travel through Glenbeigh and Cahirciveen and on to Waterville and the colorful village of Sneem. Stop at Moll’s Gap for a view of the three lakes of Killarney with the mountains and the town in the background. Return to Killarney for some free time to look around the town before dining in your hotel.       DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY AVENUE HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Tue, Oct. 5	To be announced!  I'm still confirming this day...    DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY AVENUE HOTEL, KILLARNEY

Wed, Oct. 6	GLENGARRIFF & KINSALE   Leaving Killarney travel south through lovely mountain scenery to Glengarriff and Bantry Bay where the mild climate allows sub-tropical vegetation to thrive. Continue along the coast through peaceful fishing towns to Kinsale, nowadays a popular yachting center. Upon arrivaltake a brief walking tour with a local guide to learn the history of Kinsale. The town traces its origins back to 1177 when the Anglo-Normans founded a town in a small walled area close to the water. It grew as a port town during the 18th century and today the harbor is favored by yachtowners. The town has steep, narrow streets with many fine Georgian houses. Today it is renowned as “the gourmet capital” of Ireland as there are so many award-winning restaurants and pubs. Then check into your hotel and enjoy some free time to settle in before joining your group for dinner.     DINNER & OVERNIGHT: ACTONS HOTEL, KINSALE
Thu, Oct. 7	Blarney Castle, CORK SIGHTSEEING & Cobh Heritage CentRE   This morning travel north through the rich farming country of Cork to Blarney and stop to climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence." Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Then drive into Cork city for a tour of the main areas of Ireland's second largest city set on the River Lee, which divides into two branches through the city center. Cork is built on many hills with many steeply sloping streets. See Shandon Church, a famous Cork landmark dating from 1722. Also see the Gothic-revival St. Finbarr's Cathedral, named for the patron saint of the city. After your tour drive a short distance to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which depicts the varied history of emigration from Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the past 150 years. This informative display is housed in the rail station through which all of the Irish emigrants had to pass. Return to Kinsale where the remainder of the day and evening are free.   OVERNIGHT: ACTONS HOTEL, KINSALE
Fri, Oct. 8	Jerpoint abbey & Kilkenny Castle   Leaving Kinsale journey northeast through the scenic countryside to visit Jerpoint Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century. See the church with Romanesque details from this period as well as a tower and cloisters from the 15th century together with detailed carvings. Then drive into Kilkenny town and take a guided tour around Kilkenny Castle, home of the Butlers, Earls and Dukes of Ormonde. The castle was first built in 1192 and added to over the centuries. Restored to 1830’s splendor, it houses wonderful paintings and furniture. After your visit, check into your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day and evening at leisure for independent activities and dining.     OVERNIGHT: RIVERCOURT HOTEL, KILKENNY

Sat, Oct. 9	Dublin higHlights   Leaving Kilkenny travel north through the prime horse-breeding country of County Kildare and into the greater metropolitan region of Dublin. Upon arrival take an orientation drive around Dublin city center. See the main thoroughfares of O’Connell Street and Nassau Street, the shopping streets and some lovely public parks. Stop to visit the National Gallery, one of the largest art collections in Europe. Founded in 1854 and extended a number of times, it houses an excellent collection of paintings from the Irish School. Also featured are works from French, Flemish, Dutch and Spanish Schools. Then visit the Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this world famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today. Finish your visit in the roof-top bar, Gravity, overlooking the city center where you can sample a draft Guinness and enjoy the view of the city. Then drive to your hotel and check in. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.   DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TRINITY CAPITAL HOTEL, DUBLIN
Sun, Oct. 10	NATIONAL MUSEUM & TRINITY COLLEGE   Set off with a local guide who will show you around the prominent historic buildings and monuments of Dublin. Dublin is an ancient settlement, founded by the Vikings in the 9th century. Stop on Kildare Street to visit the National Museum. Collections of many types of Irish artifacts are housed here but the most important are the early Christian items in gold and precious stones. See the Tara Brooch, the Ardagh chalice, the Shrine of St. Patrick’s Bell and the Cross of Cong and many priceless works. Next visit Trinity College to view the 8th century Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the gospels. The balance of the day is free for independent activities, sightseeing, shopping and more.   This evening enjoy a great dinner and a lively show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing with your fellow travelers at The Brazen Head Pub, which is located on Bridge Street. Established in 1198, the Brazen Head is over 800 years old and is the second oldest pub in Ireland. After dinner join your fellow travelers for a musical pub tour around the city.   OVERNIGHT: TRINITY CAPITAL HOTEL, DUBLIN
Mon, Oct. 11	Kilmainham Jail & easter rising tour   This morning continue your sightseeing in Dublin with a visit to Kilmainham Gaol to see what punishment was like during its years of operation from 1796 to 1924. Learn about political prisoners, especially from the 1916 Rising, detained here because of their efforts to shape Ireland’s history. Then set off on an Easter Rising Walking Tour around the city. In 1916 a small band of armed insurrectionists declared Ireland a Republic. This event is known as the Easter Rising, a violent battle which resulted in many deaths and the destruction of many parts of Dublin. Your guide will take you to the relevant sites of the Rebellion to give you an understanding of this historic occasion which precipitated the formation of the Irish Republic. Then you will have the balance of the day free for independent activities.   After dinner this evening attend a performance at the Abbey Theatre, Ireland's National Theatre. This famous acting company was founded by William Butler Yeats and Lady Gregory in 1904. Now housed in a modern building, the Abbey specializes in performances by Irish playwrights, and whether the play is classical or modern and you can be sure of a stimulating evening.   DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TRINITY CAPITAL HOTEL, DUBLIN
Tue, Oct. 12	RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES   All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to the end. Transfer to Dublin Airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear security and claim your VAT refund. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft and fly west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.