INTRODUCTION TO IRELAND
Vacation Overview
This vacation is ideal for first-time visitors to the Emerald Isle who have limited time to spare. Begin in Dublin with an overnight and guided sightseeing that includes O’Connell Street, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Heading west, stop in Kildare at the Irish National Stud, in St. Patrick’s Cashel, and in Tipperary, made famous in the wartime marching song. On to Limerick for an orientation drive, then stop in Ennis for two nights. From here, an included excursion shows off stunning views from the Cliffs of Moher. Also enjoy Irish hospitality at Rathbaun Farm, where you’ll see a farmer shear a sheep and use a sheep dog to move his flock. Next, ferry across the Shannon estuary and travel around the famed Ring of Kerry. Spend the night in Killarney and stop in Blarney to kiss the magical “blarney stone.” In Waterford, visit the world-famous crystal factory; see Ireland’s oldest handweaving mill at Avoca; cross through the Wicklow Mountains; and take a guided tour of St. Kevin’s 6th-century center of Irish Christianity in Glendalough. Return to Dublin for the conclusion of your Irish journey.
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
DAY 2 - Arrive in Dublin, Ireland
Check into your hotel. At 3 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and past St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
DAY 3 - Dublin–Kildare–Limerick–Ennis
Horse-racing country this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose fine thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Lots more to see: the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached; Tipperary, made famous in a wartime marching song; and Limerick, where an orientation drive acquaints you with St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the Stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. Tonight’s suggestion for a very special night out: attend an optional banquet at Bunratty Castle. (Breakfast)
DAY 4 - Ennis. West Coast Excursion
Your day excursion along Ireland’s spectacular Atlantic coastline begins with a drive to the 668-foot CLIFFS OF MOHER, where you savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. A scenic route across the limestone plateau of The Burren takes you to Galway, a vibrant city with a great seafaring tradition where you hear about the infamous Lynch Stone, commemorating the day Mayor James Lynch Fitzstephen hanged his son for murder. Drive into the unspoiled region of Connemara and at Moycullen, visit the Joyce family at their MARBLE WORKSHOP. This afternoon a special treat: at RATHBAUN FARM watch the farmer shear a sheep and maneuver a flock with the help of a sheep dog. Then, enjoy a traditional tea in the 150-year-old thatched farmhouse. (Breakfast)
DAY 5 - Ennis–Ring of Kerry–Killarney
After a short drive via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer, cross the Shannon estuary by FERRY. Continue on to Killorglin on Dingle Bay to join the spectacular RING OF KERRY for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Take your photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View, then spend the night in the popular resort of Killarney. (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 6 - Killarney–Blarney–Waterford
Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed via Cork to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings, and look forward to a visit to the world-famous WATERFORD CRYSTAL FACTORY SHOWROOMS. Before dinner, why not join an optional pub tour? (Breakfast, Dinner)
DAY 7 - Waterford–Avoca–Dublin
An exciting agenda today: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; Ireland’s oldest HANDWEAVING MILL at Avoca; the Wicklow Mountains; GLENDALOUGH, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. See the engaging audiovisual Ireland of the Monasteries, then let your Local Guide show you the remains of this ecclesiastical settlement. Back in Dublin tonight, your Tour Director will have recommendations for a fitting farewell to Ireland. (Breakfast)
DAY 8
Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (Breakfast)
Optional Excursions
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency; you can use our online currency converter for exchange rate information.
CITY: Dublin
City Pub Visit and Meal
For an informal experience with local atmosphere and fine food, this excursion includes a drink of your choice and dinner with an Irish coffee to top off the evening.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
Irish Cabaret May to October
After a full choice dinner with wine and Irish coffee, enjoy a traditional Irish cabaret evening including dance, song and laughter.
Approximate value: EUR €78 per person
Theater Evening
After dinner with wine and coffee, enjoy the theater production your tour director has selected for you.
Approximate value: Please check back later per person
CITY: Ennis
Bunratty Castle Banquet
At 13th-century Bunratty Castle receive a goblet or two of mead and listen to the history of the castle, before enjoying a medieval Madrigal by the Castle Singers and dinner with wine.
Approximate value: EUR €73 per person
CITY: Killarney
Muckross House and Lake View Drink
This afternoon tour takes in historic Muckross House and ends with a drink overlooking the Lakes of Killarney.
Approximate value: EUR €25 per person
CITY: Waterford
Pub Evening
Drive to a nearby village where entertainment is provided while you enjoy two drinks of your choice at the local pub.
Approximate value: EUR €30 per person
Vacation Highlights
INCLUDED FEATURES
Dublin:
Orientation drive, welcome dinner
Kildare:
Guided tour of the Irish National Stud
Rock of Cashel:
Take photographs of this famous landmark
Limerick:
Orientation drive
Cliffs of Moher:
Savor the spectacular views
Galway:
Orientation
Connemara:
Visit a marble workshop
Rathbaun Farm:
Visit and afternoon tea
Killimer–Tarbert:
Cross the Shannon estuary by ferry
Ring of Kerry:
Scenic peninsula drive
Killarney:
Visit the popular resort town
Blarney:
Visit the famous village
Waterford:
Guided tour of the Waterford Crystal factory showrooms
Avoca:
Guided tour of the handweaving mill
Glendalough:
Guided tour of St. Kevin’s center of Irish Christianity
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
Accommodations
MEALS - (B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner
Full Irish breakfast (B); 3 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Dublin.
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Dublin Clarion (SF), Ennis Temple Gate (F), Killarney Holiday Inn (F) or Scotts (F), Waterford Tower (F), Dublin Hilton Kilmainham (SF) or Maldron Hotel Cardiff Lane (F)
Dates and Prices
Depart Date Return Date Price/Person Without Air
March 12, 2011 March 19, 2011 $1079.00
June 18, 2011 June 25, 2011 $1269.00
Single room supplement:
$250
Triple room reduction per person:
$25
Extra nights per person in Dublin:
in single room $195, in twin room $122, in triple room $115
Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-Vacation departures, itineraries and prices are subject to change.
Guaranteed air-inclusive prices:
Air is only available to passengers traveling from the United States and only available when booked in conjunction with a land vacation. An additional $250 non-refundable deposit is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation (i.e., air-inclusive vacation.) However, once your airfare is confirmed and Globus has received your full air and land deposit, your air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed.
Taxes & fees
Taxes and fees are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full land and air deposit are received.
Applicable Taxes and Fees (Airfare & Charges Not Included in the Price)
Air-Inclusive Vacations
Air-inclusive prices provided online include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees between $200-$375 depending on your itinerary. The total airfare price, the base airfare price, and the applicable government taxes and fees are broken-out line-by-line and shown while booking online and on the invoice after your travel is booked.
Not Included In Your Vacation Price (Air-Inclusive, Land-Only or Cruise-Only)
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities: port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships’ crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); additional excursions and activities not listed as 'included' in the itinerary; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; excess baggage fees; and all other items of a personal nature.