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Wild & Wooly Tour of Ireland

Day 2 
DUBLIN ARRIVAL & MALAHIDE

After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Then your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Drive to the north of the city to Malahide Castle where you can enjoy tea and scones. The Castle was first built in 1185 by the Talbot family who lived there until 1975. It has been remodeled over the years and today is filled with medieval artifacts and family portraits. Take a tour of the castle and also take a stroll around the delightful gardens. Spend some time in nearby Malahide, now an upscale suburb of Dublin that still retains its village ambience. Drive to your hotel where you have some time to relax. Tonight join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant. 
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CLONTARF CASTLE HOTEL, DUBLIN

Day 3 
DUBLIN HIGHLIGHTS

This morning enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Dublin, an elegant and artistic city with spacious Georgian squares. Stop to 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. Next visit the National Museum in Kildare Street. 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. The afternoon and evening are free for independent activities, sightseeing, shopping, dining, pubs and much more. 
OVERNIGHT: CLONTARF CASTLE HOTEL, DUBLIN

 

Depart Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland's heartland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is delightfully set on the banks of the River Shannon. Then continue your drive to Galway and embark on a panoramic your to see the principal sights of the city. A drive around will take you to the large modern cathedral set on an island on the River Corrib. See the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, formerly a fishing village, the City Museum, National University of Galway and the Cathedral of Our Lady, which is built on the site of the former county jail. Then check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You may choose to relax in your hotel or spend some time around Eyre Square, the hub of the city. Most of the shops are within easy reach and there are also many quaint pubs where Irish traditional music is played. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant. 
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL MEYRICK, GALWAY 

Today tour Connemara and admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. Stop in the quaint village of Spiddal, which retains the Irish language and many traditional lifestyles. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and also tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Stop to visit Kylemore Abbey, a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion overlooking Kylemore Lake. Originally a private residence, it is now a prestigious girls' school. Visit the chapel and the restored Victorian gardens, which have won awards. Drive to Moycullen to visit the Connemara Marble Factory. Quarried in Connemara, the soft green shades of the marble echoes the colors of the countryside from which it is cut. See how it is made into many decorative items. Return to Galway where the balance of the day is free for individual pursuits and dining. 
OVERNIGHT: HOTEL MEYRICK, GALWAY

Day 6 
CLIFFS OF MOHER & KILLARNEY

Drive around Galway Bay and through the Burren Country, a unique region of limestone hills renowned for its flora and prehistoric stone monuments. Stop in the village of Kilfenora for some free time. Continue to the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. After your visit, take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary to the mountainous countryside of Kerry. Arrive in Killarney and check into your hotel. Spend some time relaxing or exploring on your own before dinner. 
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY AVENUE HOTEL, KILLARNEY

 

Today an old-fashioned horse drawn jaunting car will bring you through the Killarney National Park, which is closed to motorized vehicles. Next visit Ross Castle, a 15th century towerhouse and a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish chieftain in the Middle Ages. The castle is fully restored and furnished with period oak furniture. Return to Killarney where the remainder of the day is at leisure. You may like to visit St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral with its soaring spire; the Franciscan Friary with superb stained glass windows; and the Transport Museum containing a fine collection of vintage cars. Dine in one of the many pubs and restaurants and you may like to find a pub for some entertainment. 
OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY AVENUE HOTEL, KILLARNEY

 

Day 9
EVERYMAN PALACE THEATRE TOUR & SHOW

Depart Killarney and drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily painted and enhanced with flowers. Enjoy some time to visit on your own before driving to Cork City. Upon arrival take a tour of the beautiful Everyman Palace Theatre, a favorite of performers and audiences for its intimacy and atmosphere. A listed building, the theatre is steeped in history. Check into your hotel with some time to settle in. Tonight head out to dinner at Green?s restaurant followed by a performance at the Theatre. 
OVERNIGHT: RIVER LEE HOTEL, CORK

 

This morning travel a short distance to Blarney, where you may climb 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. Then drive to nearby Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Enjoy a guided walking tour, the Titanic Trail, which will show you around the streets of Cobh, revealing locations and incidents directly connected to the Titanic and many other aspects of the port's history. Return to Cork City with some free time before dining in the hotel restaurant. 
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: RIVER LEE HOTEL, CORK 

This morning take a sightseeing tour of the city. 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, enjoy some free time to see the city. You may like to visit the English Market, dating from 1786 and today full of stalls with local produce. If you feel like a climb, walk to St. Ann?s Shandon Church where you may ascend the clock tower for a view of the city and ring the church bells. Depart Cork and drive through the pleasant hilly country of County Cork. This is prime dairying country, known as the "Golden Vale" where much of Ireland's cheese is produced. Pass through the town of Mallow and the village of Adare. Continue your journey north passing the outskirts of Limerick and crossing the wide River Shannon to Shannonside. Arrive in the village of Bunratty and check into your hotel where you will have some free time before dinner in the hotel restaurant. 
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: BUNRATTY CASTLE HOTEL, BUNRATTY 

Day 12 
BUNRATTY FOLK PARK & CEILI 

This morning visit the Bunratty Folk Park, which comprises a collection of farmhouses from different regions of Ireland and a 19th century village street with a pub, school, general store, Bunratty Castle itself, and many other buildings where traditional lifestyles and crafts are demonstrated. After your visit, enjoy some free time to relax or explore some of the other attractions near your hotel-choose from Bunratty Village Mills and Durty Nelly's Pub. Then in the evening return to the Folk Park to the largest house for an Irish ceili, a home-style meal of Irish favorites and a lively program of music and storytelling. 
OVERNIGHT: BUNRATTY CASTLE HOTEL, BUNRATTY 

 

 

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Bridie's Irish Faire Presents
Wild & Wooly Tour
13 DAY TOUR FOR MEN & WOMEN
May 17 - 29, 2012 

 

 

Land price includes 4/star hotels and castles, (11) full Irish breakfasts, (7) hotel dinners (see below for specifics and for "land only pricing).  Price also includes luxury coach and driver, and all attractions are prepaid.

Air includes round trip airfare from Portland, Oregon to Newark NJ, continuing to Dublin, returning via Shannon Airport.  (NOTE: Price does NOT include airport security taxes and fuel surcharges, as we have no way to predict this fee until group air is booked but they could add $200 - $400 to the cost of  airfare.

PRICE OF LAND PACKAGE INCLUDES

 -Exclusive transport by luxury motorcoach with a driver/guide (one man) for 12 days
- Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath as listed for 11 nights
- Full breakfasts (11)
- Table d'hôte dinners (5)
           Dublin (1) Galway (1) Killarney (1) Cork (1) Bunratty (1)
-Dinner at Greene's Restaurant
-Traditional Irish ceili at Bunratty Corn Barn
-Tea & scones at Malahide Castle
-Guided tour of Dublin
-Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
-Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney
-Guided tour and performance at Everyman Palace Theatre
-Titanic walking tour of Cobh

VISITS AND ADMISSIONS TO:
Malahide Castle & Gardens
Guinness Storehouse
National Museum
Clonmacnoise
Kylemore Abbey
Connemara Marble Factory
Cliffs of Moher
Ross Castle
Blasket Centre
Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills
Bunratty Folk Park

-Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes

Land Only $3075
Tour closes January 10, 2012

Because the 12 people who are thus far signed up for the tour are from various regions of the US, there will be no group air attached to this tour.  However, Becky Wright will be happy to help you book air and insurance -  503-393-6095, becky@keizertravel.com

Insurance
We recommend www.travelinsured.com.  This website has "cafeteria" style insurance available which makes it easy to choose how much insurance you'd like.

Single Supplement $695
The 4/star hotel and castle stays are based on twin bedded rooms with private bath and two persons to each room. Staying in your own room can be expensive, so invite a friend or invite your whole family to avoid the single supplement!  Singles are available on a first come, first served basis.

Land Only Option $3075
If you would like to arrive ahead of the tour or stay after the close of the tour, you would book land only and arrange your own arifare. If you would like to use your frequent flyer miles, you would also book land only, but you will be required to arrive a day ahead. This insures that all members of the group will be available to begin the tour when the group arrives at the airport in Ireland. The coach may be available to pick you up from a specified airport hotels as the group tour gets underway.

 

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