McGillin's Irish Road Trip

NEW DATE! April 16th - 22nd 2009

$1795 per person including air, accommodations and much more!

Email TravelingSimply@verizon.net for more information

Your Tour Includes

• Round Trip Party Bus between McGillins and airport • Round Trip non stop flight between Ireland and U.S. • Group transfers on arrival and departure • Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout • Services of a professional Irish driver/guide • Superior first class hotels with private bath/shower for 5 nights • Full Irish breakfast daily (B) • 3 dinners (D) including - Dinner and traditional Irish entertainment at the Merry Ploughboy Pub - Medieval banquet and entertainment in Bunratty Castle - 1 table d’hote dinner in Killarney • Welcome get-together drink • Tea and scones at a farmhouse • Tour of Dublin with a local guide • Ferry ride across the River Shannon • Visits and admissions to Dublin Castle (or James Joyce Centre for Sunday departures), Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, Essence of Kerry AV Show, Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher, Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens • Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap • All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin Meet the group at McGillin's Olde Ale House for the party bus to JFK airport for non stop overnight flight to Ireland!

Day 2: Dublin Tour & Merry Ploughboy Pub On arrival at Dublin Airport go through immigration formalities and pick up your baggage. Meet driver/guide in the Arrivals Hall and take a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. At 2:00 pm join a local guide who will show you around central Dublin. Drive through the main streets to see historic buildings such as Trinity College, where the Book of Kells is housed; Dail Eireann, where the government meets; and rows of Georgian houses with gaily-colored doorways. Stop at Dublin Castle to take a guided tour through the elegant State Apartments, which are filled with elaborate Waterford Crystal chandeliers and portraits of prominent Irish leaders. As Dublin Castle is not available for Sunday departures, visit the James Joyce Centre, which is dedicated to promoting an understanding of the life and works of James Joyce. Return to your hotel for a get-together with your tour group and a welcome drink. In the evening drive to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for a great dinner of Irish specialties, which is followed by a show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. DRINKING IN DUBLIN!(D)

Day 3: Blarney Castle & Killarney Depart Dublin and travel through the center of Ireland, which has many mixed farms. Stop to view the stately church ruins atop the Rock of Cashel, which rises high above the surrounding plain. Nearby visit a farmhouse to sample some freshly-baked scones with tea and learn about farm life from the owners. Continue your drive south and, just a few miles outside Cork, visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality Irish-made goods of all types conveniently displayed under one roof. Drive through Macroom, built around a fine castle, and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes with Ireland’s highest mountains, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, forming a backdrop. Check into your hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards you may like to take a stroll through the compact town center and explore one of Killarney’s famous singing pubs. DRINKING IN KILLARNEY(B, D)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience Today embark on Ireland’s most popular scenic drive of 100 miles – the Ring of Kerry. This winding route reveals breathtaking sights of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks as well as coastal views of beaches and cliffs. Just outside Killarney stop near the Gap of Dunloe to see “Essence of Kerry,” an audio-visual presentation about the region. As you travel along, there will be plenty of stops for photos at the best vantage points. Near the western tip of the peninsula, cross to Valencia Island by bridge and visit the Skellig Experience. Learn about the life of early Christian monks who inhabited the islands and the abundant bird life. Drive through the villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville at the end of the peninsula and stop to walk around Sneem, where brightly-painted houses are grouped around a central green. Stop at Moll’s Gap for a view over the Three Lakes of Killarney with the town in the distance. Return to Killarney where the evening is free for dining in one of the town’s many restaurants. MORE DRINKING IN KILLARNEY!(B)

Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Castle Leave Killarney and drive north to Tarbert for a 20-minute ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Your tour continues along the Clare coast to the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of limestone that reaches to almost 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Drive past Lahinch golf links, one of Ireland’s most famous, and through the marketing town of Ennis to Bunratty. Check into Bunratty Castle Hotel, which is located very close to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. In the evening head to Bunratty Castle for a memorable experience in a wonderful setting with good food and entertainment. Then take your place in the Great Hall for a medieval-style feast of excellent dishes and plenty of wine. During and after the meal the lords and ladies will serenade you with song and harp music, evocative of the Middle Ages. DRINKING IN BUNRATTY!(B, D)

Day 6: National Stud & Dublin Drive through the outskirts of Limerick and through the midland region of Ireland to Kildare. Here visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. You can learn about horse breeding and see some of the valuable animals before touring the lovely Japanese Gardens, considered the best in Europe. They were laid out in 1908 and represent the “Life of Man” through the selection and placement of trees, shrubs and rocks in classical Japanese manner. Drive to the north side of Dublin city where you will check in to your hotel for the final night of your tour. You are free this evening for independent activities and dining. DRINKING AT TEMPLE BAR!(B)

Day 7: Depart from Dublin Airport As your hotel is convenient to Dublin Airport, a shuttle service will transfer you to the airport terminal – times will be given to you once on tour. 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)