Country Roads of Ireland 2013
13 days with
Insight Vacations
Rating: 
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Itinerary
Day 1 - DEPART USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).
Day 2 - DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING
Welcome to Ireland! On arrival at Dublin Airport, transfers leave for the tour hotel at 08:00, 11:00 & 13:30. Later, your sightseeing tour of Dublin includes the elegant squares of Ireland’s ‘fair city’. See the famous O’Connell Street, Customs House and Dublin Castle. Visit the Old Library of Trinity College to admire the 8th century Book of Kells, its delicate paintings one of the treasures of the Middle Ages. Tonight, join your Tour Director for a Welcome Reception with drink and a light meal. (Welcome Reception)
Day 3 - DUBLIN – BELFAST
Heading northwards, cross the emotive valley of the River Boyne, site of the Battle of the Boyne where William of Orange defeated the forces of Catholic King James. Continue to Drogheda, then cross the border into Ulster. Travel alongside the beautiful Mountains of Mourne to Belfast. (Full Breakfast)
Day 4 - BELFAST – BALLYGALLY
Meet your local guide for a panoramic tour of Northern Ireland’s capital. Some of the highlights include the City Hall, Queen’s University and Stormont Castle. Now step back in time and uncover life in Belfast from 100 years ago as you follow the story of the ill fated Titanic in the new state of the art Titanic Belfast building and exhibition. Continue around the scenic coast, past the huge Norman castle at Carrickfergus, to arrive at your hotel, overlooking the sandy beach of Ballygally Bay. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - BALLYGALLY – LONDONDERRY
Prepare yourself for miles of breathtaking beauty! The road clings to the coastline at the mouth of the famous ‘nine glens of Antrim’, alongside sandy beaches beneath towering basalt cliffs. Stop at the spectacular Giant’s Causeway, and hear the fantastic legends which surround this geological masterpiece. Continue to the ancient walled city of ‘Derry’. Sightseeing with a local guide takes you inside the well preserved walls, still topped with cannons, and down steep Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - LONDONDERRY – BELLEEK – GALWAY
First stop is for a visit to the Belleek Pottery Centre nestled on the banks of the River Erne. Afterwards continue to Clonalis House, ancestral home of the O’Conors, descendants of the last High Kings of Ireland. Meet the resident family and tour their home, imbued with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Continue on to Galway on the shores of Lough Corrib, for your hotel for the night. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - CONNEMARA EXCURSION
Square, dedicated to US president John F. Kennedy. Stop for a superb highlight lunch with wine at the elegant 5 star Ashford Castle, set in 350 acres of beautiful parkland. Then experience the beautiful rugged landscape of Connemara, a wonderland of trout-filled rivers, lakes and silent hills. Tour the workshop of the famous marble factory before visiting Kylemore Abbey one of Ireland’s greatest neo-Gothic castles. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Lunch)
Day 8 - GALWAY – LIMERICK – KILLARNEY
Cross the Burren, a strange, rocky landscape rich with wild orchids to reach the Visitors’ Centre at the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher. Here you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Clare Coast. Now experience the lifestyle of rural Ireland over the centuries at Bunratty Folk Park. Next stop is Limerick, famous for rhymes, lace and elegant Georgian houses. Continue through the land of song and legend via the picturesque thatched village of Adare, to Killarney. (Full Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 9 - RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
Join an excursion around the Ring of Kerry, one of the world’s greatest scenic tours! Follow the narrow road as it winds along the towering cliffs to the fishing town of Waterville before continuing to Sneem where reservations for an authentic local lunch have been made. Return via Ireland’s highest mountain range and then enjoy a ride on one of the famous jaunting cars. Tonight your Dine-Around evening offers you the option of dinner at a selection of local restaurants. (Full Breakfast / Highlight Lunch / Dine Around)
Day 10 - KILLARNEY – BLARNEY
This morning is dedicated to the wide skies, peaceful towns, and coastal scenery of the Dingle Peninsula, setting for the film Ryan’s Daughter. Drive to dramatic Slea Head at the peninsula’s far end and then return to cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains. Head for your superb resort, close to the historic town of Blarney in County Cork. (Full Breakfast)
Day 11 - BLARNEY – CORK – WATERFORD
After breakfast, visit the 15th century Blarney Castle, the home of the famous Stone of Eloquence, once kissed – never forgotten! Continue to Cork for an orientation tour of Ireland’s second most populous city, built on the River Lee. Then a delightful coastal drive brings you to historic Waterford. View the 9C Reginald’s Tower, the remains of the old city walls and visit the Waterford Crystal showroom. Enjoy a glass of wine with your Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant tonight. (Full Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)
Day 12 - WATERFORD - KILKENNY - KILDARE - DUBLIN
In medieval Kilkenny there’s free time to see St.Canice’s Cathedral and visit the Kilkenny Design Centre. Move on to Kildare for a visit to one of the country’s main racehorse breeding centres and acclaimed 100 year old Japanese Gardens. Return to Ireland’s lively capital and spend a leisurely evening relaxing, exploring or perhaps taking in a famous Irish Cabaret show. (Full Breakfast)
Day 13 - RETURN TO USA
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Departure transfers arrive at Dublin Airport at 07:30, 09:30 & 11:30. (Full Breakfast)
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Map
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
All This Included
Included Quality Dining
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A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
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Stop on your journey around the Ring of Kerry for an authentic two-course lunch including a glass of wine. (HL)
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Choose from a selection of restaurants in Killarney (DA)
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Highlight Lunch with wine at the 5 star Ashford Castle (HL)
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Enjoy a tour finalé Celebration Dinner with wine (CD)
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11 full Breakfasts (FB), 4 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
Included First Class Services
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Escorted by a professional Tour Director
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Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
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Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
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Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
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Insight Traveller Welcome pack
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Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 13 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport).
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Highlights
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Dublin: See Customs House, Dublin Castle and O’Connell St. Visit the Old Library of Trinity College to see the Book of Kells.
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Belfast: Visit the Titanic Belfast Exhibition on your guided tour.
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Carrickfergus: Drive around the immense Castle.
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Giant’s Causeway: Visit this UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Londonderry: See ‘Derry’s Walls’ and Gothic guildhall.
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Belleek: Visit the Pottery Centre.
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Clonalis House: Visit this historic Irish Manor House.
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Galway: See St. Nicholas Cathedral, Spanish Arch & Eyre Square.
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Connemara: Drive through rugged landscapes to the Marble factory and visit the turreted neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey.
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Cliffs of Moher: Visit the Exhibition Centre and enjoy the views.
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Bunratty: Visit the Folk Park.
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Limerick: See King John’s Castle and St Mary’s Cathedral.
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Killarney: Enjoy a scenic tour around the Ring of Kerry. Take a ride with a Jarvie on one of the famous jaunting cars
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Dingle Peninsula: Enjoy a scenic tour to Slea Head.
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Blarney: Visit the Castle and kiss the Blarney stone.
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Waterford: Visit the Crystal showrooms.
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Kilkenny: Visit the Design Centre.
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Kildare: Visit Ireland’s National Stud and Japanese Gardens.
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Scenic drives: Boyne Valley, Antrim coast, Connemara, Burren.
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Accommodations
Dublin: D4 Berkeley/Burlington
Belfast: Europa
Ballygally: Ballygally Castle
Londonderry: City/Everglades
Galway: Clybaun/Clayton
Killarney: Killarney Towers/Killarney Avenue
Blarney: Blarney Golf Resort
Waterford: Dooleys
Dublin: D4 Berkeley/Burlington
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Notes
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In some parts of Ireland, the remote nature and limited seasonality means hotels are often more basic, modest and simpler in style than Insight hotels elsewhere in Europe, especially in the larger or capital cities. These properties are typically family-run establishments and have completely individual character - which is part of their attraction.
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Prices, itineraries and tour content are based on selected tours featured in Insight's 2012 Europe & Britain brochure. Items such as, but not limited to, hotels, meals, sightseeing inclusions, tour itineraries, transfers and transportation are all subject to change. The final composition of your tour will be published in Insight's 2013 Europe & Britain brochure. By paying your deposit, you are agreeing to accept the finalized version of your tour itinerary.
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2013 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in fall 2012.
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Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.
800-680-2858
800-680-2858
Terms and Conditions
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*
The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.
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