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• Classic Independent Tour of Ireland

Ireland is country known for its stunning landscapes, vibrant colourful villages, ancient Celtic relics, lush green valleys and abandoned castles. As an ocean 'outpost' at the western edge of Europe, Ireland has a natural character quite different to the Continental landmass. Its geology is remarkably varied, with rocks that range back over 2,500 million years. Once, long ago, Ireland was covered by ice, and the track of the glaciers can be read in the dramatic shapes of the mountains and the little drumlins hills of the countryside.

DAY 1 ARRIVE DUBLIN
Cead Mile Faile (a hundred thousand welcomes!) Arrive into Dublin Airport early this morning and collect your rental car………..

Dublin is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Over a thousand years old, the turbulent history and rich traditions of the city have inspired writers, artists and musicians down the ages. Today, artists are still attracted by Dublin’s youthful enthusiasms and easy-going lifestyle and the city has become a thriving center of culture and enjoyment. The new wave of cafes and restaurants are meeting places for all ages while traditional Dublin pubs are rightly world-famous for their informal atmosphere and lively conversation. The city oozes atmosphere, not least in the heady scents that cling to it – the rich aroma of the hops being roasted in the Guinness brewery and the salty tang of the sea. Nighttime entertainment is a rich mix of world-class theater, concerts from classical to rock, jazz clubs, traditional music sessions and old-style cabaret. Above all, Dublin is a small city, where visitors can feel at home after even the shortest stay.

Check into your accommodation at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dublin.

DAY 2 DUBLIN CITY
This morning after a hearty Irish breakfast, you may like to take the Hop On Hop Off Dublin City Tour. On the tour you will experience all the wonderful sights and landmarks of this ancient city. The tour includes some of Dublin’s most renowned sites, such as St Patrick’s Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, and the Guinness Storehouse. You may like to visit Trinity College, where the famous “Book of Kells” is on display. On the city tour you will also see the Georgian Squares, O’Connell Street, the Greens and the Phoenix Park, which is the largest urban parkland area in Europe. The president of Ireland resides here. You may also visit the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street.

Return to the Royal Marine Hotel for overnight.

DAY 3 DUBLIN-CORK CITY
Depart Ireland’s capital city traveling South towards Waterford via the Wicklow Mountains.

Wicklow is known as “The Garden of Ireland”, not because of its domesticity but because of the huge variety of landscapes it contains. Expanses of bog cover the higher slopes of the mountains in ever-changing hues. In the valleys ruined castles provide shelter for the hardy local breed of sheep and the tea-coloured rivers are teeming with trout. The flinty character of Wicklow granite must have inspired the hermit St. Kevin to situate his sixth-century monastery in remote and lovely Glendalough. The round tower, built as a refuge from the Vikings who looted Glendalough at intervals from the ninth century onwards, looks as if it has grown out of the very earth itself. Close to the round tower is St. Kevin’s Church with a 12th century bell tower projecting from its roof. The bell tower is oddly shaped and resembles a chimneystack, thus the colloquialism of St. Kevin’s Kitchen. St. Kevin’s Kitchen and Cross are highlights of this monastery. Visit the Heritage Center and watch the audio visual which helps explain monastic life. Drive through Roundwood which is the highest village in Ireland.

Continue on the coastal road via Wexford to Waterford and onto Cork City. Cork City is Ireland’s third city after Dublin and Belfast and has always been an important seaport. The city's origins lie early in the seventh century when St. Finbarr, founder and patron saint, founded a small monastic community close to where Gilabbey Street now stands, and it grew into an extensive and wealthy establishment. It attracted the attention of the Viking sea-pirates who raided and burned the infant city, but returned in later years to settle and trade. The Anglo-Norman invasion in 1172 resulted in both the Danish lords and local MacCarthy chiefs having to submit to Henry II, but Cork has always had a reputation for independence and stubborn resistance - it came to be known as "Rebel Cork”. The principal streets are lined with fashion houses and department stores stocking quality Irish goods. Cork was the European City of Culture for 2005.The many sites of Cork include Cork City Gaol, City Library, St. Finbarr's Cathedral, Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Triskel Art Centre, English Market, Museum & Fitzgerald Park, Cork Opera House, Custom House, Elizabeth Fort, The Courthouse, and City Hall.

Overnight at the Montenotte Hotel.

DAY 4 COBH & BLARNEY to KILLARNEY
This morning, you may wish to visit the poignant visitor centre in nearby Cobh –The sorry plight of convicts bound for Australia will be recalled as will the sad story of the famine emigrants leaving their stricken homes forever. Later emigrants departed from Cobh's quays on board vessels of the great shipping lines, such as Cunard and White Star. The liners had their glamorous and romantic side, but have left two enduring memories at Cobh of the great disasters of the "Titanic " and "Lusitania". The "Titanic" sailed from Cobh, never to touch land again. The sinking of the "Lusitania" in 1915 is still remembered in the town which gave its survivors refuge and a burial place for many of its victims at Old Church Cemetery.
The Heritage Centre will tell these stories in a way that is fitting and sympathetic of the endeavour and trauma of the people who were involved.

In the afternoon you can also visit nearby Blarney. Blarney is of course famous for its castle and the Blarney Stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word 'Blarney' means pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending. The battlements crowning the castle keep are typically Irish in form. Having climbed more than 100 steps, the famous Stone is set in the wall below the parapet, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards from the parapet walk of the battlements. You can also visit the Blarney Woolen mills for some fine quality Irish produce.

Your final destination today is Killarney. Check into the Riverside Hotel for overnight.

DAY 5 RING OF KERRY
The Ring of Kerry Tour takes you through spectacular coastal and mountainous scenery along the base of the highest mountain range in Ireland, The MacGillycuddy Reeks, and the highest peak being Carrantuohill rising 3,414 feet. The journey takes you through villages and towns depicting typical rural life in Ireland. As you descend into Killarney, fabulous views of the three Lakes of Killarney are afforded from 'Ladies View', named after Queen Victoria's visit at the beginning century. Continue to Killarney's National Park and the Muckross House Estate for a visit. Muckross House, is a 19th century manor house, majestically situated on the shores of Muckross Lake. Now a major visitor centre, the House has two main themes, the environment of the National Park and the folklore of County Kerry in the 19th and 20th centuries. The gardens informal in size, are noted for their fine collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, which bloom in May/July, extensive water gardens and an outstanding rock garden of natural limestone.

Return to Killarney for an evening at leisure in the town and overnight at the Riverside Hotel.

DAY 6 KILLARNEY- GALWAY
Depart Killarney, and travel via the lovely village of Adare and on to Limerick City to Galway City. Galway nestles at the neck of Galway Bay and is reputed to have been Columbus’ final point of departure on his epoch-making voyage of discovery. The city was founded on the east bank of the river late in the 12th century by the Anglo-Norman family de Burgo. It attracted many Welsh and Norman merchants who enclosed the city within a defensive wall. Under the control of the fourteen leading families, known as the ‘tribes’ an extensive trade developed, not only with the continent, importing French and Spanish wine, but also with the West Indies. After checking into your accommodation, you can take a stroll around Galway city visiting such areas as Eyre Square, Lynch’s Castle, St. Nicholas’ Church, O’Brien’s Bridge, Spanish Arch, the Famous Claddagh, beautiful Galway Bay, Salthill Promenade, University College, Salmon Weir Bridge, Court House and the Municipal Theatre.

Check into the Ardilaun House Hotel for overnight.

DAY 7 CONNEMARA
Connemara is a wild and beautiful region of mountains, lakes, tumbling streams undulating bog, unspoiled beaches and panoramic views. It is a Gaelic- speaking region and has attracted many artisans, who can be visited at work in their studios.

The centre of Connemara is composed of mountain peaks, the Twelve Bens or Pins which culminate in Benbaun (2388ft-728m). The sharp grey peaks of quartzite rock which is resistant to weathering are too steep and hard to be clothed in blanket bog. The region is now largely uninhabited, although in the past the more fertile lowlands were cultivated and the uplands were used as pasture for cattle and sheep.

Stop and visit Kylemore Abbey. Kylemore Abbey is the only home of the Benedictine nuns in Ireland. The Abbey was acquired by the nuns in 1920. Set in the heart of Connemara, this unique Abbey offers the warmth and hospitality of it’s peaceful environs. It’s enchanting history is interpreted in detail in rooms at the Abbey. It was originally built by Mitchell Henry, M.P. for County Galway (a native of Manchester city) 1864-1868 as a gift for his wife. The Gothic Church, set in the grounds of the Abbey, is the jewel in the crown of Kylemore. It has been lovingly restored and any visit would not be complete without seeing it.

Return to Galway where you will have the evening free to explore, perhaps dine in one of the many lovely restaurants in this vibrant city or spend the evening in a traditional Irish pub.

DAY 8 GALWAY TO LIMERICK
Depart Galway and travel south along the scenic Clare Coastline to Limerick. Drive via the Burren which is a vast, bare, eerie limestone plateau that covers much of County Clare. It is gradually being established as a national park. The limestone is deeply fissured and most of the rivers have gone underground creating an extensive cave system. Four thousand years of farming has largely denuded the country of trees and vegetation but the Burren is noted for the "opposite" contrasts of its flower population with Mediterranean and Alpine species flourishing side by side.

You can stop off at the Cliffs of Moher, which are great dark sandstone cliffs (600ft) that rise sheer from the Atlantic for nearly 5 miles. Screaming sea birds throng the ledges or wheel and swoop about the waves. The best views are from O'Brien's Tower, built in 1853 by Cornelius O'Brien.

Overnight at the Castle Oaks Hotel in Limerick.

DAY 9 DEPART SHANNON
After a leisurely breakfast, you will return to Shannon Airport for your flight back to the United States

Slan Abhaile! (Safe Home!)

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