2012 - 8 Day Mystical Ireland Tour
Day:1
Dublin Sightseeing Start in Dublin Airport with a group transfer to your hotel between 7
Day:2
St. Patrick's Grave & Belfast Drive north to visit Down Cathedral to see St. Patrick's reputed burial site, marked by a huge boulder. Learn about his life and missionary work during the 5th century in the nearby St. Patrick Centre. A few miles further on, visit the stately mansion of Castle Ward, set in lovely grounds overlooking Strangford Lough. This mid-Georgian mansion is an architectural curiosity of its time, built in two distinct architectural styles
Day:3
Titanic Belfast & Tour This morning a local guide will show you around central Belfast to see the many ornate Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit the newly-opened Titanic Belfast to learn about this ill-fated famous liner through state-of-the-art displays. Then the rest of the day is free for independent activities. Belfast offers excellent museums and good shops, most of which are within easy walking distance from your hotel while the ornate Victorian pub, Crown Liquor Saloon, is just across the street. (B, D)
Day:4
Giant's Causeway & Derry Drive north along the ?Nine Glens of Antrim,? a scenic route with lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry and join a local guide for a short walk around the compact old city and surrounding medieval walls. Learn about the long history of the city as well as 20th century events. Enjoy some free time for a look around on your own. (B, D)
Day:5
Donegal & Yeats' Grave Travel through the rugged countryside of Donegal, with its lovely scenery of heathery hills and deep valleys. This region is difficult for farming but is renowned for sheep and the many tweeds made from their wool. In Ardara visit Triona Design to sample freshly-baked scones with tea and see demonstrations of spinning and weaving. Stop in Donegal town to browse around and follow the coastline of Donegal Bay. Pause at W. B. Yeats' Grave near the distinctively-shaped mountain of Ben Bulben in County Sligo, a region that he loved. Drive to Westport and enjoy free time before dinner. (B, D)
Day:6
Achill Island & Westport House Travel around Clew Bay, which is reputed to have 365 islands, to access Achill Island by a bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful views of steeply-sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100 stone cottages abandoned around the time of the 1840's Famine. Also see stretches of windswept bogland and golden beaches. Visit the stately Westport House, designed by Richard Cassels in 1731. The mansion overlooks Clew Bay and contains a wealth of interesting portraits, furniture, silver and porcelain. (B, D)
Day:7
Cliffs Of Moher & Bunratty Medieval Banquet Travel through Maam Cross in the heart of Connemara and visit the Connemara Marble Factory. Stop in Galway and drive through the Burren to view the huge boulders of the Poulnabrone Dolmen. Walk along the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. At Bunratty check in to your hotel, right beside Bunratty Castle, the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the lords and ladies serenade you. (B, D)
Day:8
Tour Ends Shannon Airport Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner >
