(Canceled) Ireland with Heather

May 23 - 30, 2020

If you would like any additional details please contact Heather Butler:
405-615-4805 or Heather@thejoyoftravel.net

Here is the day to day itinerary for the trip:

Day by Day

DAY 1, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2020

ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND.

Céad míle fáilte—a hundred-thousand welcomes! Check into your hotel. At 3 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and past St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)

DAY 2, MONDAY MAY 25, 2020

DUBLIN–KILDARE–CASHEL–LIMERICK–ENNIS.

Horse-racing country awaits this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose fine thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Lots more to see: the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached; Tipperary, made famous in a wartime marching song; and Limerick, where an orientation drive acquaints you with St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. Tonight’s suggestion for a very special night out: attend an optional medieval banquet at an historic castle. (Breakfast)

DAY 3, TUESDAY MAY 26, 2020

ENNIS. WEST COAST EXCURSION.

Your day excursion along Ireland’s spectacular Atlantic coastline begins with a drive to the 668-foot CLIFFS OF MOHER, where you savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. A scenic route across the limestone plateau of The Burren takes you to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture. This afternoon, a special treat at RATHBAUN FARM: try your hand at SCONE BAKING, and learn from the farmer about sheep shearing and herding. Afterwards, enjoy coffee and your scones, fresh from the oven. (Breakfast)

DAY 4, WEDNESDAY MAY 27, 2020

ENNIS–RING OF KERRY–KILLARNEY.

After a short drive via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer, cross the Shannon estuary by FERRY. Continue on to Killorglin on Dingle Bay to join the spectacular RING OF KERRY for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Take photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View, then spend the night in the popular resort of Killarney. Before dinner at your hotel, why not take a horse-drawn jaunting-car ride along the national park to Ross Castle? (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 5, THURSDAY MAY 28, 2020

KILLARNEY–BLARNEY–WATERFORD.

Travel across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed via Cork to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings, for a guided tour of the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL. After dinner this evening, enjoy an IRISH COFFEE DEMONSTRATION. (Breakfast, Dinner)

DAY 6, FRIDAY MAY 29, 2020

WATERFORD–AVOCA–GLENDALOUGH–DUBLIN.

An exciting agenda today: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; Ireland’s oldest HANDWEAVING MILL at Avoca, where you watch the WEAVERS at work; the Wicklow Mountains; and GLENDALOUGH, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. See the engaging audiovisual Ireland of the Monasteries, then join your Local Guide to see the remains of this ecclesiastical settlement. Back in Dublin tonight, a fitting farewell to Ireland would be an optional cabaret evening with dinner, followed by dance, song, and laughter. (Breakfast)

DAY 7, SATURDAY MAY 30, 2020

DUBLIN.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)