IRISH FAITH and HISTORY (TZ2010)

Meals
Full Irish breakfast (B); 3 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Dublin.

Hotels


Dublin
Clarion (SF),

Knock
Knock House Hotel (F),

Galway
Radisson SAS (SF),

Killarney
Scotts (F),

Kilkenny
Pembroke (SF)

Day 1:
(Sun.) Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

Day 2:
Arrive in Dublin, Irish Republic. (Mon.) Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax in the Irish capital. At 6 pm, join your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)

Day 3:
Dublin. (Tue.) An orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and visits to ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL and Oscar Wilde’s TRINITY COLLEGE, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Balance of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 4:
Dublin–Knock. (Wed.) Head for dairy farm country in the center of the “Emerald Isle” before arriving in Knock, where the Virgin Mary appeared to the townsfolk in 1879 and today attracts pilgrims from around the world. Visit KNOCK SHRINE, the CHURCH OF THE APPARITION, the BASILICA, and the FOLK MUSEUM. Maybe join the evening rosary processions. (B,D)

Note: the overnight on day 4 will either be in Knock or Sligo. Due to limited hotel availability in Knock, we have selected the best available hotel that satisfies Globus’ high standards of quality.

Day 5:
Knock–Murrisk–Galway. (Thu.) This morning, visit the CROAGH PATRICK VISITOR CENTRE at the foot of St. Patrick’s Holy Mountain in Murrisk. Afterwards, visit KYLEMORE ABBEY, the massive yet graceful castle acquired by Benedictine nuns as a precious heirloom for Ireland. Arrive in the port city of Galway, where you will spend the next two nights. Tonight’s recommendation: join your Tour Director for an optional evening at Dunguaire Castle, where the intimate banquet has an enlightening literary theme. (B)

Day 6:
Galway. Aran Islands Excursion. (Fri.) At Rossaveal, board a comfortable, modern FERRY for the 45-minute crossing to Kilronan on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands and where Gaelic is the first language of the islanders. Many Catholics fled to this island during Oliver Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland during the mid-17th century. In these harsh conditions, they developed a strong self-sufficiency in order to survive. Your fascinating day continues with a presentation on life on Inishmore by an island historian. After a lunch break, board a minibus to enjoy your local driver-guide’s commentary on a tour of the island, ending with a visit to clifftop DUN AENGUS, one of the most spectacular and dramatic prehistoric stone forts in Europe. Back in Kilronan, there is time to shop for unique hand-knitted Aran sweaters before boarding your ferry back to the mainland. There are plenty of dining options in Galway this evening. (B)

Day 7:
Galway–Kilfenora–Bunratty–Adare–Killarney. (Sat.) Take the scenic route across the desolate limestone plateau known as The Burren. At Kilfenora, visit THE BURREN CENTRE. The newly restored ancient cathedral and Celtic crosses in the churchyard form an important center of early Christianity. Continue to Bunratty, where there is lots to see and do: visit the castle; stroll in the folk park, which depicts Irish life in the early 1900s; browse the complex of smart shops; or try a refreshment in famous Durty Nelly’s Irish pub. Skirt the metropolis of Limerick and continue south via quaint Adare with its thatched cottages to the popular resort of Killarney, your destination for the next two nights. (B,D)

Day 8:
Killarney. Ring of Kerry Excursion. (Sun.) Join the famed “Ring of Kerry” for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Have your camera ready to take photos of the spectacular scenery that includes both land and sea. In Killarney, enjoy a fun horsedrawn JAUNTING CAR RIDE through the National Park with beautiful vistas of the Lakes of Killarney and ancient Ross Castle. (B)

Day 9:
Killarney–Blarney–Kilkenny. (Mon.) Cross the Kerry Mountains and drive into County Cork for a visit to Blarney, renowned for its castle and magical Kissing Stone. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, make your way to Kilkenny, the vibrant, flourishing city with a fascinating medieval history and a thriving crafts industry, which transformed itself into a hip, contemporary destination. Your Tour Director will give you the best advice on how to make the most of your stay. (B)

Day 10:
Kilkenny–Glendalough–Dublin. (Tue.) Today, enjoy views of the Wicklow Mountains before arriving at GLENDALOUGH, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. See the engaging audiovisual Ireland of the Monasteries, then let your Local Guide show you the remains of this ecclesiastical settlement. Back in Dublin your Tour Director will have dining suggestions for this evening. (B)

Day 11:
(Wed.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

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Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/8/2010 - 8/18/2010	$1,739
9/5/2010 - 9/15/2010	$1,749
10/3/2010 - 10/13/2010	$1,739
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City Highlights


Dublin:
Welcome dinner; orientation drive, visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College

Knock:
Visit the Shrine, the Church of the Apparition, the Basilica and the Folk Museum

Murrisk (Croagh Patrick):
Visit the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre

Kylemore:
Visit the Benedictine abbey

Aran Islands:
Ferry to and from Inishmore, hear a presentation on life on the island by a local historian, take a minibus tour with a driver-guide, visit Dun Aengus

Kilfenora:
Visit The Burren Centre

Bunratty:
Take pictures of the castle

Adare:
Admire the thatched cottages

Ring of Kerry:
Scenic peninsula drive

Killarney:
Horse-drawn jaunting car ride

Blarney:
Visit the famous village

Glendalough:
Guided tour of St. Kevin’s center of Irish Christianity

Price Details US
Single room supplement: $384 (0315-1004), $396 (0314-0523, 2011).Triple room reduction per person: $43Extra nights per person in Dublin:in single room $195, in twin room $122, in triple room $1152011 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification.

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Standard Offers and Specials provided by Globus Tours

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