Irish Welcome 8 or 10 Day Package

Price Per person double occupancy

Dates
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Price Includes: Round trip flights between U.S. & Ireland
Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout
Services of a professional Irish driver/guide
Accommodation with private bath for 6 or 8 nights - Superior and first class hotels in Bunratty, Dublin and Galway; town & country homes in Killarney and Waterford
Full Irish breakfast daily (B) & All dinners (D) except 1 in Dublin
Performance at Siamsa Tire (National Folk Theatre in Tralee
(Apr 26 - Oct 11 departures)
"The Quiet Man" walking tour of Cong
Ferry ride across the River Shannon
Dublin sightseeing tour with local guide
Tour at the Old Jameson Distillery
Visits and admissions to Cliffs of Moher, Skellig Experience, Blarney Castle, Cobh Heritage Center, Waterford Crystal Factory, Kilkenny Castle, Book of Kells at Trinity College, Clonmacnoise and Royal Tara China Factory
All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person

Your Hotels (or similar): Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty (1 night)
Town & Country Homes, Killarney (2 nights)
Town & Country Homes, Waterford (1 night)
Jurys Christchurch Inn, Dublin (2 nights)
Galway Bay Hotel, Galway (2 nights - 8 night tour option only)

Not Included: Airfare from USA, airport taxes, departure taxes, tips and gratuities to the driver and escort, and travel insurance.

Airport transfers are included only when airfare is purchased from Pilgrim Tours. Taxi service is available for those purchasing their airfare elsewhere.

Deposit Required: $300 per person will reserve your place. A $100 service fee will be charged for cancellation at any time in addition to our normal payment and cancellation policy.

Day 1: Flight to Shannon

Board your overnight flight to Shannon. Relax with in flight entertainment service and meals as you cross the Atlantic.

Day 2: Bunratty & Bunratty Banquet

Land in Shannon Airport! After immigration control and picking up your baggage, proceed to the desk in the Arrivals Hall, where you will transferred to your Shannonside hotel. Spend the day at leisure in Bunratty - there's plenty to do right beside your hotel - Bunratty Folk Park, Durty Nelly's Pub and shopping. This evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and join in the fun and entertainment at Bunratty Banquet. (D)

Day 3: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney

Drive to the coast to view the dramatic Cliffs of Moher which rise to almost 700 feet of sheer rock above the wild Atlantic breakers and stretch along the coast for five miles. Then head south for a short ferry ride across the River Shannon. Stop in the charming village of Listowel to look around the town before continuing through the mountainous countryside of Kerry. On arrival in Killarney enjoy some free time to take a look around this bustling and compact town before checking into your country home. Finnegan's Restaurant in Tralee is tonight's dinner venue and afterwards attend a performance at Ireland's National Folk Theatre, Siamsa Tire (April 26 - October 11 departures). (B, D)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry Tour

Today admire breathtaking vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches on Ireland's most popular drive. See a variety of natural beauty as you drive 100 miles around this scenic route. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience, which describes the way of life of early Christian monks who built their monastery on one of the offshore islands. Also learn about traditional farming and fishing methods of later inhabitants. A number of stops will allow you to admire the spectacular scenery and take a brief walk around the colorful village of Sneem. Head back to Killarney through Moll's Gap with stunning views of the Lakes of Killarney. Tonight sit down to a home-cooked dinner with your Irish family. (B, D)

Day 5: Blarney Castle & Cobh Heritage Center

Leaving Killarney, travel to Blarney Castle and discover the legend of the Blarney Stone. Walk through the grounds of the castle and climb to the ramparts to kiss the "stone of eloquence." Drive through the outskirts of Cork to the port town of Cobh to visit the Cobh Heritage Centre. Tour this former rail station through which many emigrants passed on their way from Ireland to the United States. Learn about conditions under which people traveled and the ships that stopped in Cobh. Travel east along the south coast through the coastal towns of Youghal and Dungarvan and on to Waterford to meet your host family for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 6: Waterford Crystal & Abbey Tavern

Tour the Waterford Crystal Factory to watch craftspeople transform molten glass into elegant hand-cut crystal. See magnificent trophies and stemware on display in the showrooms. Head north to Kilkenny for a guided tour around Kilkenny Castle, stronghold of the Butler family. See furnished chambers with family portraits as you hear about the castle's long history. Continue north into the metropolitan area of Dublin to your centrally located hotel opposite Christ Church Cathedral. Drive to Howth for a traditional dinner with rousing Irish music at the Abbey Tavern. (B, D)

Day 7: Dublin City Sightseeing

This morning a local guide introduces you to Dublin's city center to see the stately public buildings, gracious Georgian townhouses and parks. Visit Trinity College to see the magnificent illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells and a presentation on its creation. Finish your tour with a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery to see how whiskey is distilled and then sample some. The afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore the city on your own. Your hotel is located close to Temple Bar, Dublin's "left bank" area of shops, pubs and restaurants. (B)

Day 8: Clonmacnoise & Galway

For those on an 8-day tour, your vacation ends today. Transfer to Dublin Airport by coach for your return flight to the U.S. For the fortunate travelers on the 10-day tour, leave Dublin and drive west to visit Clonmacnoise, St. Ciaran's monastery founded in 545 AD. Situated on the banks of the tranquil River Shannon, the site contains a round tower and the remains of nine churches. Arrive in Galway and visit the Royal Tara China Factory before checking into your four-star hotel overlooking Galway Bay. The afternoon is at leisure for independent activities.(B, D)

Day 9: Connemara & Cong

Travel through the Connemara region renowned for its open landscape with constantly changing skies and colors. Drive along Galway Bay to the village of Spiddal where the Irish language is spoken. Continue to Maam Cross and past the Maamturk Mountains. Sheep wander freely and you will see tracts of bogland where people cut turf for fuel. Then drive to Cong to take a brief walking tour around this village which was made famous by the filming of "The Quiet Man" in 1952. Return to Galway in time to enjoy some of the facilities at your hotel. (B, D)

Day 10: Head Back Home

Take a group transfer to Shannon Airport to arrive by 10:00 am in time for the principal transatlantic flights. After check in you'll have time to shop before boarding your flight. (B)