Day 1: Depart U.S for Dublin
Board your aircraft for an overnight trip across the Atlantic. Enjoy inflight entertainment and meals.

Day 2: Dublin & Guinness >Read about Dublin
Land at Dublin Airport early this morning. After customs formalities and luggage reclamation, head to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. In the afternoon get together with a Dublin guide to tour Dublin Castle’s State Apartments to learn about Ireland’s history and see the magnificent chambers where many state events are held. Drive around the spacious Phoenix Park, home to Ireland’s President and the U.S. Ambassador. Visit the Guinness Storehouse to see how this famous brewery was established. Finish your tour with a creamy pint at the rooftop bar, Ireland’s highest drinking spot. Return to your hotel and meet with your tour group and guide for a welcome drink and discuss your itinerary. Later you may like to explore the lively bar and restaurant scene including traditional pubs such as the Brazen Head, Doheny & Nesbitts or the Bailey!

Day 3: Rock of Cashel & Kinsale Ghost Tour >Read about Co. Cork
Depart Dublin to travel through the Irish countryside where you will see many different types of farms. Visit the Rock of Cashel, a magnificent limestone outcrop high above the surrounding lands. See the many imposing church ruins, some of which date back to the 12th century. Drive to Kinsale and check into your hotel. After dinner take a Ghost Tour – a lighthearted look at Kinsale’s old streets, monuments and alleyways. To recover from your tour, you might like to check out The Spaniard, Hole-in-the-Wall or Mad Monk, Kinsale’s popular pubs. (B, D)

Day 4: Historic Kinsale & Blarney Castle >Read about Co. Cork
This morning join a local historian at Charles Fort and learn about the development of the town of Kinsale on a brief walk. Drive north to visit Blarney Castle, just a few miles outside Cork city. Climb to the ramparts to kiss the well-known “Stone of Eloquence.” Head to the Blarney Woollen Mills for some shopping – there’s even a pub hiding in the shopping complex! Travel through County Cork to Macroom and stop for a brief look around at the imposing castle, which was the boyhood home of William Penn. Continue your drive to Killarney and check into your hotel. Take a walk around the town before dinner and afterwards you may visit the popular Buckley’s Pub, conveniently situated right in your hotel! (B, D)

Day 5: Ring of Kerry Tour >Read about Co. Kerry
This morning join a local historian to visit Charles Fort and learn about the history and development of the town of Kinsale on a brief walk. Drive north to visit Blarney Castle, just a few miles outside Cork city. Climb to the ramparts to kiss the well-known "Stone of Eloquence." Head to the Blarney Woollen Mills for some shopping - there's even a pub hiding in the shopping complex! Travel through County Cork to Macroom and stop for a brief look around at the imposing castle, which was the boyhood home of William Penn. Continue your drive to Killarney and check into your hotel. Take a walk around the town before dinner and afterwards you may visit the popular Buckley's Pub, conveniently situated right in your hotel! (B, D)

Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Galway >Read about Co. Clare
Head north through the town of Listowel to take a 20-minute ferry ride across the wide Shannon River Estuary. Continue along the coast of County Clare to visit the Cliffs of Moher, an impressive wall of limestone stretching along the coastline. Drive through part of the Burren Country, eroded limestone hills where the weathered rocks create interesting shapes. Head into Galway City and check into your hotel. Here you may like to check out the old-world "Herring Choker" pub with live music. (B, D)

Day 7: Aran Islands & Dun Aengus >Read about Co. Galway
Take a short ferry ride from Rossaveal to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These rocky islands are renowned for traditional fishing and farming communities and also the popular intricate fishermen’s sweaters. The Irish language is still spoken widely. Take a minibus ride to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs. In Kilronan, the main town, visit the Aran Heritage Centre to learn about local customs before returning to the mainland. Enjoy some free time before heading into the hotel restaurant for dinner. (B, D)

Day 8: Clonmacnoise & Shindig Evening
Travel eastwards today to visit Clonmacnoise. This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, when Christianity flourished throughout Ireland. See round towers, church ruins and Celtic crosses with elaborate carvings, all in a picturesque setting on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to the greater metropolitan area of Dublin and check into your hotel once more. Enjoy some leisure time before heading to a “Shindig” at the Old Jameson Distillery. See whiskey-making processes as you tour the distillery before sitting down to a dinner of Irish specialties, followed by a fun entertainment program. This operates from March 28 – October 24 departures. Outside those dates the Abbey Tavern will feature. (B, D)

Day 9: Dublin to USA
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. After check-in, you’ll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner