The Magical Beauty of Southern Ireland
June 25 - July 5, 2009

Three nights Galway, three nights Kenmare, two nights Kilkenny Farmhouses, two nights Dublin, six dinners; 12 days/10 nights

Day One Thursday June 25 2009

Depart the U.S. tonight aboard your wide bodied jet bound for the Emerald Isle. Dinner will be served shortly after take off, relax then, or watch a movie, as you approach the dawn of an Irish morning.

Day Two Friday June 26

On arrival at Shannon Airport, you are met by your friendly Irish driver/guide and escorted to your waiting luxury motor coach, which will transfer you in style to Galway. Our route to Galway is westward to the mighty Cliffs of Moher, rising sheer above the coast for almost five miles. We then continue on into the mysterious Burren. This mass of limestone rock covers the surrounding countryside like a jigsaw puzzle and is abundant Irish wild life and fauna. We motor along the coast by way of Kinvara on Galway Bay and arrive at our hotel in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax after your flight. Dinner is included at the hotel. (D) Dinner and Overnight: Galway

Day Three –Saturday June 27

This morning, after a hearty Irish breakfast, we explore the rugged yet serene Connemara area which John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara made famous in the classic, “A Quiet Man”. This rocky land of broad-backed mountains and pearl-like lakes is the largest Irish speaking section of the country and the old traditions and way of life are as much a part of Connemara’s attractions as is the scenery. We will make two stops today – the first at Ashford Castle, and the second at Kylemore Abbey, home to a Benedictine order of nuns, and famous for is beautiful church, gardens and grounds. You are on your own this evening to enjoy the many restaurants Galway has to offer. (B) Overnight: Galway

Day Four – Sunday June 28

This morning is yours to relax. In the afternoon, we will visit Brigid’s Garden, where each section of the garden represents a Celtic Festival. Tonight we are the guests of the lords and ladies of Dunguaire Castle and will be transported back in time to enjoy an array of song, merriment, and a typical medieval feast. (B) (D) Overnight, Galway

Day Five – Monday June 29

Our first stop today will be the Lough Gur Stone circle, part of a large complex of neolithic sites that surrounds this lake which lies about 10 miles south of Limerick.
Then we continue to the delightful town of Adare with its picture perfect gardens and thatched roof cottages. After some time to enjoy the village, we continue on to Killarney, where we will visit the Muckross House and Gardens. It’s then just a short distance to our hotel in Kenmare where we will enjoy an included dinner. (B) (D) Overnight, Kenmare

Day Six – Tuesday June 30

After a hearty Irish breakfast, we depart on one of Irelands most popular and beautiful drives the Ring of Kerry. Our day brings us to the town of Killorglin, famous for “Puck Fair”. From here, you will commence on the “ring tour”. Your drive is along the coastline of the broad Iveragh peninsula, through the towns of Glenbeigh, Cahirciveen, Waterville and Sneem. The scenery is spectacular as wind-swept cliffs, still lakes, lost valleys and rocky mountains blend in awesome beauty. From Sneem, you continue via “Ladies View” back through Killarney and then to Kenmare. Tonight you are free to enjoy Kenmare. (B) Overnight: Kenmare

Day Seven – Wednesday July 1

Today is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Or, if you choose, and if weather permits, join us on our excursion to Glengariff and then by ferry to Ilnacullin on Garnish Island. Tonight you are free to enjoy Kenmare. (B) Overnight, Kenmare

Day Eight – Thursday July 2

After our delicious Irish breakfast we head east, then south. Our journey brings us along the coastline of West Cork. We will stop in Macroom for a photo stop at the old church and cemetery. We continue close to Cork city for another adventure, Blarney Castle and Gardens. We will visit the village of Blarney where you’ll have the opportunity to kiss the famous stone and get the gift of the gab! Queen Elizabeth I coined the phrase due to her exasperation with Lord Blarney’s ability to talk endlessly without ever agreeing to her demands. Climb the spiral staircases, see the druidic circle made of stones, explore the witches stove, or enter Blarney’s dungeon! We will have time some shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills, where a wide selection of Irish handmade goods awaits you.
We continue on to Lismore Castle and Gardens for a visit. The historic gardens at Lismore Castle are divided into two very different halves. The Upper Garden is a complete example of the 17th century walled garden first constructed here by Richard Boyle, the 1st Earl of Cork, in about 1605. The outer walls and terraces remain and the plantings have changed to match the tastes of those living within the Castle. The Lower Garden was mostly made in the 19th century for the 6th Duke of Devonshire, Joseph Paxton's patron. This garden is informal with shrubs, trees and lawns, and the stately Yew Avenue is much older, perhaps from the 17th century. Tonight we will enjoy the hospitality of local Irish families in the farmhouses closeby Kilkenny. (B) (D) Dinner and Overnight: Kilkenny

Day Nine – Friday July 3

This morning after our hearty farmhouse breakfast we travel to the town of New Ross and a visit to the Dunbrody Emigration Ship, where costumed characters share their experiences of the Great Famine and the journey to America. We continue on to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Arboretum. The arboretum is dedicated to the memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Inaugurated as a scientific plant collection, there are 252 hectares of trees and shrubs, each plant recorded on a grid system and each is well labeled. The present number of species and cultivars amounts to over 4500 and unusual plants are still being introduced

This afternoon we visit the mighty Rock of Cashel, with its well preserved ecclesiastical remains, one of Ireland's most spectacular landmarks. It rises above the surrounding plain and dominating the land route southward. The large Cathedral, ancient round tower and the very early Romanesque Cormac's Chapel perched on a dramatic outcrop of rock, were silent witnesses to many of the stirring events of Irish History; St.Patrick converted the local King Aenghus, here in the 5th century; Brian Boru was crowned King of Ireland on this spot in the early 11th Century. After our visit, we return to our farmhouses for a spot of tea and a chat and our included dinner. (B) (D) Overnight, Kilkenny Farmhouses

Day Ten – Saturday July 4

Today we will travel through County Wicklow, the garden of Ireland. Our first stop will be the delightful town of Avoca, backdrop to the television series Ballykissangel. We travel past Glendalough, marked with its famous round tower. We will visit the gardens of Powerscourt Estate. Spread over 45 acres these formal gardens were created in the 1740's. They consist of an impressive collection of walled gardens, ornamental lakes, rambling walks as well as a Japanese Garden. Five kilometers from the gardens is Ireland's highest waterfall, falling almost 400 feet into the Dargle Valley. The area is a natural home for many birds and a favorite summer picnic spot. We continue on for our late afternoon arrival into Dublin. Before checking into our hotel, we’ll stop for a tour and a taste at the Guinness Storehouse. (B) Overnight, Dublin

Day Eleven - Sunday July 5

After breakfast this morning, we board our coach for a sightseeing tour of Dublin's fair city, which though modern and cosmopolitan, still retains the grace and atmosphere of the eighteenth century through its Georgian squares and terraces. We continue on and visit Trinity College and its library, home to the Book of Kells, the Book of Durrow and one of the finest collections of manuscripts and early printed books in Ireland. We also visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, founded in 1190, with its memories of Jonathon Swift, Handle, King William and many more. As we continue we see Christchurch Cathedral and O'Connell Street, reputed to be one of the widest main streets in Europe and the Bank of Ireland, formerly the Irish House of Parliament.

This afternoon is your choice – free time to explore the city on your own, or join us on our visit to the Helen Dillon Gardens, where we will have the opportunity to wander this garden which has evolved over 25 years.

We will all reconvene this evening for dinner with music and entertainment at the Abbey Tavern. (B) (D) Overnight: Dublin

Day Twelve – Monday July 6

Depart Ireland
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Dublin as we board our coach for transfer to Dublin Airport.

Contact Lorna for pricing details for this tour at 905-683-8411 or by email: lorna@cwtajax.com

For more information, contact:
Lorna Bates at Carlson Wagonlit Travel
905—432-8411