Castles, Coastlines, Cathedrals An Incredible Irish Vacation

Includes Lodging in Dromoland Castle, On the Condé Nast Travelers 2018 Gold List Award

Friday, November 8 – Monday, November 18, 2019 Eleven Days – Twelve Nights

Explore Ireland from its dynamic, exciting cities to its stunning coastal scenery. This tour, designed for small groups, gives you an intimate, hands-on experience in one of the country’s most iconic natural landscapes as well as areas that are equally beautiful but off the typical tourist path. Experience the wonders of Dublin and Galway, countryside castles, and the rugged cliffs and jagged peninsulas in the southwest. Make your way to remote and gorgeous Donegal, and visit some of Ireland’s most important religious institutions. This tour will introduce you to the best of Ireland as well as its awe-inspiring hidden treasures. Day 1, Friday, November 8: Board your overnight flight to Dublin. There will be meal service on the flight and plenty of time to sleep, if the visions of Leprechauns dancing in your head don’t keep you awake! Day 2, Saturday, November 9:

You will arrive this morning in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. More than a quarter of the population of Ireland lives in the metro area, yet the historic city center still manages to keep some of the old world charm. Today you will take part in a windshield/walking tour and discover the highlights of Dublin. During the tour you will witness the famous Georgian doors and the whimsically named statues found throughout the city.

One of the most amazing sites you will visit is at the Trinity College Dublin where you will see the Book of Kells, a set of illuminated manuscripts of the Gospels that date back over 1200 years, and painstakingly hand-copied by the monks. In addition to the words, incredible full-colored drawings and decorations are featured throughout the manuscripts, with the pigment being sourced throughout Europe. The volumes also provide a glimpse of life during the 9th century, as sometimes the monks would record daily life and stories in the margins. The exhibit delves into the history of these amazing manuscripts and how they were persevered for centuries. The Book of Kells is Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure and the world’s most famous medieval manuscript. The 9th Century book is a richly decorated copy of the four Gospels of the life of Jesus Christ. You will exit the exhibit through the Trinity College Dublin Library, known for its amazing architecture. This evening, gather for an included dinner served at the hotel, the Camden Court. Located a short walk from the historic St. Stephen’s Green, the hotel is in a perfect location for those wishing to explore the city and the pubs! (Meals on Plane, D) Day 3, Sunday, November 10: Board the coach after breakfast in the hotel. Depart Dublin and head southwest towards County Kerry. Along the way, you will pass through the largest county in Ireland, County Cork. Perhaps the most visited stop in Ireland is found in County Cork; Blarney Castle. Built in the 15th century, Blarney Castle is home to the famous Blarney Stone that promises the gift of eloquence to any brave enough to kiss it. It is currently set into the ramparts at the top of the castle, and you must lean over a hole in order to kiss the stone! For those who choose not to climb up to the top, there are lovely gardens surrounding the castle, as well as a chance to shop at the Blarney Woolen Mills. With a large collection of Irish gifts including crystal, china and sweaters, this is a great place to shop for gifts and a few treasures just for you. This evening you arrive in Killarney, the largest city in County Kerry. It is far smaller than Dublin, however, with a population of only 14,000! You will stay at the Killarney Plaza Hotel for two nights, so take the time to unpack your suitcase and settle in! Tonight, gather for an included dinner at the hotel. (B, D) Day 4, Monday, November 11: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you head out to the Beara Peninsula, one of the hidden scenic drives of Ireland. While most people who visit Ireland only travel on the “Ring of Kerry” on the Iveragh Peninsula, the Beara Peninsula provides impressive views without the crowds! Straddling the border between County Cork and County Kerry, the landscape is studded with colorful rock strata and provides incredible photo opportunities, with sharp contrasts between the mountains and the water. On the way back to Killarney, you will travel along a short part of the “Ring of Kerry.” Arrive back at the hotel late

afternoon. There will be time to relax and refresh before you venture out for dinner on your own. (B) Day 5, Tuesday, November 12: This morning after breakfast in the hotel, you head out to Dingle Peninsula, which Condé Nast listed as one of the top 5 scenic drives in Europe, even beating out the Swiss Alps! Dingle first came to fame thanks to notable resident, Fungie, the Dolphin. He has been living in Dingle Harbor since the 1980’s, and enjoys visiting with the boats that sail the waves. Dingle is also featured in numerous motion pictures, serving as the location for the film, Far and Away with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, as well as the more recent Star Wars films. An island off the coast called Skelige Michael, once held a monastic settlement which later served as the location for the last scene in The Force Awakens. The area is covered in what the locals refer to as Beehive Huts, a shelter of stones that resembles a beehive that the monks would have constructed for themselves. Filming returned to the peninsula for The Last Jedi. Have lunch on our own back in Dingle town. You will surely want to visit the local ice cream shop, Murphy’s. Murphy’s has become famous throughout the island, as it features locally produced flavors, including sea salt extracted right from Dingle Harbor! Depart Dingle and travel to Dromoland Castle for your luxurious stay in a beautiful castle setting. Pass through the castle gates and enter the fairy-tale setting of this ancestral home of the O’Briens of Dromoland, royal descendants of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland. Majestically set on the shores of Lough Dromoland, the castle is surrounded by over 450 acres of breathtaking scenery, including a championship parkland golf course. Recognized by Condé Nast Travelers as a 2018 Gold List Award, this ancestral home of the last High King of Ireland, is a true castle, but with modern features and amenities! Dromoland Castle has been welcoming guests since the 16th Century. From the imposing baronial façade to the startling interiors, you will find a world of historic grandeur. This authentic experience will leave you with a lasting impression of warm and unrivaled service, exceptional interiors and magical surroundings! You will feel like lords and ladies of the manor when you are seated for an included dinner in one of the lavish dining rooms. Creative Irish cuisine prepared by Executive Head Chef David McCann, is underpinned by impeccable service. Anyone for an after dinner toddy by the fireplace?? (B,D) Day 6, Wednesday, November 13:

Rise, shine, bundle up and head out for a brisk morning stroll around the manicured grounds surrounding the castle. After breakfast, bid farewell to Dromoland Castle. Board

the coach and head north along the Wild Atlantic Way, a scenic drive featuring spectacular views. You will stop at the highest cliffs on the Atlantic, the Cliffs of Moher. Featured in the movies The Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, the Cliffs of Moher rise up over 700 feet above the water crashing violently below. Walk through the wonderful museum exhibit that describes the cliffs and the wildlife that call them home, and also walk along the path overlooking the cliffs. The views are mesmerizing! Continue your travels to Galway, and arrive late afternoon/early evening at the Harbour Hotel, your home for two nights. Dinner is included and served in the hotel’s restaurant. (B, D) Day 7, Thursday, November 14:

After breakfast in the hotel, you begin the day with a journey out to the Connemara Marble Factory. Family owned and operated for generations, the Joyce family is involved in every aspect of the marble production, from quarrying to cutting to creating the beautiful jewelry and trinkets you see on display. You will learn about how the marble was created, and how Connemara is one of the last great places to purchase a special gift or a piece for yourself to remember your trip. Connemara is also known for a more recent crafting tradition, Connemara Crystal. Founded in 1972, the local artisans create amazing works of art featuring Celtic designs and symbols. You will have a special behind the scenes tour, and learn why the artists decided to work in crystal, as well as where they got the inspiration for their products. You will also witness a crystal cutting demonstration! While many other crystal companies in Ireland have gone out of business or been sold to foreign companies, Connemara Crystal is still 100% Irish owned. On your return to Galway, you embark on a tour of both this bustling city, and the suburb of Claddagh, once a small fishing village located right outside the city walls. Galway is a fast growing city, with a large population of young people, thanks to the active colleges located nearby. It is also a hub of art and culture, hosting the Galway Arts Festival each summer, which brings in visitors from around the world to experience live theatre, song, art and sculpture. Galway is also home to one of the last Catholic Cathedrals built in the world, and famously has an incredible amount of Connemara Marble inside. Claddagh was the oldest fishing village in Ireland, and was where the native Irish lived as opposed to the Anglo-Norman city of Galway. Even until recently, Claddagh was fiercely independent, electing their own “King” every year until the last king passed away in 1972. It is most famous, however, for the Claddagh Ring, a traditional Irish design featuring the hands, heart and crown. There are many legends and stories about the ring, and you will learn about them as you explore the city. Once back at the hotel, there will be time to relax and refresh. Dinner is on your own this evening and provides a chance to discover your new favorite restaurant!. (B) Day 8, Friday, November 15:

This morning after breakfast you depart Galway and continue along the Wild Atlantic Way. Your destination is Donegal, the northernmost county in Ireland. Part of the county stretches even further north than the 6 counties of Northern Ireland, which remain part of the UK! Along the way you will make a few stops, including the holy site of Knock. The site of where Mary appeared to 15 people in 1879, it is an internationally recognized Marian Shrine, and has been visited by 1.5 million pilgrims annually, and has welcomed guests such as Pope John Paul, II. Travel on through Drumcliffe in County Sigo, the final resting place of the great Irish Poet, W.B. Yeats. His grave is marked with a simple headstone, inscribed with the phrase, “cast a cold eye on life, on death, horseman, pass by.” Arrive in Donegal early evening and check in to The Mill Park Hotel, your home for two nights. Dinner is included and served at the hotel’s restaurant. (B, D) Day 9, Saturday, November 16: After breakfast in the hotel, head out for a tour of County Donegal, the most north-westerly county in Ireland, with scenic mountains and stunning valleys. Your first stop is in Ardara, the center of the homespun knitting industry. At the Triona Design Center, witness a demonstration of this craft that has been passed down through the generations. Next, enjoy another great Irish invention – the Irish coffee! Invented down in Foynes on the River Shannon, this beverage is a great way to warm up on a November day! Traverse the Blue Stack Mountain Range, which has inspired poets, writers and painters for hundreds of years, with its collection of mountains, lakes and coastline. You return to Donegal by way of the scenic Finn Valley. Once back at the hotel, sit back and relax for a while before you walk to a nearby eatery for dinner on your own. (B) Day 10, Sunday, November 17: Check out of the hotel after breakfast, board the coach and head back towards the East Coast. Along the way you will stop at Newgrange, the most famous of Ireland’s Passage Tombs! It was built during the Neolithic period, around 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. The site consists of a large circular mound with an inner stone passageway and chambers. Human bones and possible grave goods or votive offerings were found in these chambers. The mound has a retaining wall at the front, made mostly of white quartz cobblestones, and it is ringed by engraved kerbstones. Many of the larger stones of Newgrange are covered in megalithic art. The mound is also ringed by a stone circle. Some of the material that makes up the monument came from as far away as the Mournes and Wicklow Mountains. There is no agreement about what the site was used for, but it is believed that it had religious significance. Newgrange is built in such a way that, for less than a half hour on the winter solstice, the entire chamber is filled with light, and then is plunged back into darkness for

the rest of the year. During your visit, learn about how this marvel was constructed and the people who built it. Continue on to your Drogheda hotel for an overnight stay. Droghega is one of the oldest towns in Ireland. It is known for its tourism and as a center of industry and medical care. Drogheda has a long tradition of brewing and distilling, with international companies Jameson Whiskey, Coca-Cola, Guinness and Jack Daniel’s all having previously owned or are still currently producing their products in or just outside the town. During your afternoon in Drogheda, enjoy time to visit the shops located in the medieval historic quarter of the town. West Street is known as the 'Golden Quarter Mile', as it is home to large and small retail shops and several cafes and restaurants. This evening, gather with your traveling friends for an included farewell dinner. (B,D) Day 11, Monday, November 18: After breakfast in the hotel, check out of your rooms, board the coach and travel to the Dublin Airport. You will clear US Customs and Immigration at the airport. Package Inclusions:

• Hotels, attractions and meals as mentioned in the above itinerary are included • Baggage service for one piece of luggage per traveler • Taxes • Gratuities, including gratuities for local guides, tour directors and coach driver • Luxury motor coach transportation with an Irish-born driver • Two, professional and well-experienced tour directors

Pricing Information:

• Per person double occupancy: 3,133.00 • Per person single occupancy: 3,919.00

NOTE: Above prices do not include airfare to and from Dublin. Notch Above Tours will gladly arrange air transportation as well as pre and post night stays upon request.

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