Enjoy the “Emerald Isle’s” scenic vistas and fascinating history. Begin in Dublin with a welcome dinner and orientation tour featuring a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Cross the Boyne River and stop in Downpatrick to visit the Saint Patrick Centre. In Belfast, your Local Guide takes you on a “Living History” tour before you visit the fascinating Titanic Exhibition. The next day, enjoy an excursion to awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway. Then, travel via Armagh, seat of the Archbishop of both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, to Knock. The Virgin Mary appeared to the townsfolk in 1879 and pilgrims today come from around the world. Visit Knock Shrine, the Church of the Apparition, the Basilica, and the Folk Museum—also attend Mass, if you wish. Stop to visit the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre in Murrisk and the massive Benedictine Kylemore Abbey, then spend two nights in Galway. From here, enjoy an excursion to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, including lunch at a local pub, a tour of the island, and a visit to clifftop Dun Aengus, one of Europe’s most dramatic prehistoric stone forts. After a coffee stop at Rathbaun Farm, where you see the farmer maneuver a flock with the help of his sheep dog, travel across the limestone plateau known as The Burren and stop for photos of Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb dating back to the Neolithic Period. Next, admire the spectacular views from the Cliffs of Moher. For the conclusion of your tour, explore pretty Kilkenny and visit Glendalough, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Return to Dublin for an overnight and the end of your wonderful Irish vacation.
City Highlights
DUBLIN Welcome dinner; orientation drive, visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral DOWNPATRICK Visit the Saint Patrick CentreBELFAST Guided “Living History” tour; visit the Titanic ExhibitionCOUNTY ANTRIM Visit Giant’s Causeway ARMAGH Visit the ecclesiastical metropolis of IrelandKNOCK Visit the Shrine, the Church of the Apparition, the Basilica, the Folk Museum, and attend MassMURRISK (CROAGH PATRICK) Visit the Croagh Patrick Visitor CentreKYLEMORE Visit the Benedictine abbey ARAN ISLANDS Ferry to and from Inishmore; hear a presentation about life on the island by a local historian; take a minibus tour with a driver-guide; visit Dun Aengus; enjoy lunch at a local pub RATHBAUN FARM See the farmer at work and enjoy morning coffee at the farmhouseCLIFFS OF MOHER Savor the spectacular viewsKILKENNY Explore this pretty county townGLENDALOUGH Guided tour of St. Kevin’s center of Irish Christianity
Meals
Full Irish breakfast daily; 1 lunch at a local pub; 4 three-course dinners with wine and choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Dublin
Notes
NOTE:Due to the adventurous style of the Aran Islands excursion, we recommend you bring suitable outdoor wear and comfortable shoes.
Transportation
Motorcoach; Aran island ferry and minibus. Free Wi-Fi available on your motorcoach and in most hotel lobbies.
PRODUCT_LINE: GLOBUS-TZ-2016
