ESCORTED PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Flights NYC-Shannon, Dublin-NYC

• Other departure cities available.

• Airline fuel surcharges

• 8 nights First Class accommodations

• 3 nights Galway

• 2 nights Killarney

• 1 night Waterford

• 2 nights Dublin

• All transfers

• 15 meals: 8 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners

• Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned motorcoach

• Services of English-speaking tour escort/manager throughout

• Services of local guides in all major cities

• Entrance fees per itinerary

• Donations to local churches

• Restaurant tips

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Cliffs of Moher

• Holy Mountain of Croagh Patrick

• Our Lady's Shrine of Knock

• Ballintubber Abbey

• Ring of Kerry Tour

• Blarney Castle

• Waterford Crystal Factory

• Rock of Cashel

• Glendalough Visitor Centre

• St. Patrick's Cathedral & Trinity College, Dublin

• Wine, mineral water & coffee with all included dinners

• Soft drink & coffee with all included lunches

NOT INCLUDED: airport taxes, fees and September 11th Security Fee, and tips to guides, driver, and tour escort/manager (call for terms and conditions).

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1, Monday
Depart the USA to Ireland. Your flight includes meals, drinks, and in-flight entertainment for your journey

DAY 2, Tuesday
Arrive in Shannon and drive to Galway via Clare Coast, passing the Burren and scenic Cliffs of Moher along the way. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of Galway, otherwise known as the "City of the Tribes." Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant (D): GALWAY

DAY 3, Wednesday
Today's sightseeing includes a full day excursion to the pilgrim mountain of Croagh Patrick, the famous pilgrimage site honoring Saint Patrick, Ireland's patron saint. Enjoy a tour of the site where St. Patrick reputedly fasted for 40 days in the 5th century, followed by a private Mass. Return to Galway this afternoon (B): GALWAY

DAY 4, Thursday
This morning, depart Galway and drive to the small town of Tuam, situated west of Ireland's midlands. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour of the city, including a visit to the Cathedral of the Assumption. Afterwards, continue to Knock, home of one of the world's most prized Marian shrines, the Lady's Shrine of Knock. With a frequency mirroring that of the Shrines of Lourdes and Fatima, the Knock Shrine receives a staggering 1.5 million pilgrims per year. Visit the Basilica and celebrate Mass in the Apparition Shrine Church. After lunch at local restaurant, continue for a visit to the 13th century Ballinttubber Abbey, the only church in Ireland still used today that was founded by an Irish King. Return to Galway (B, L): GALWAY

DAY 5, Friday
Depart Galway for Killarney, a deep valley town in the heart of the MacGillicuddy Reeks. Along the way, stop to visit the ruins of the Kilmacduagh monastic settlement, and to tour the Dyset O'Dea Castle. The tour continues to the historic market town of Ennis. After lunch at local restaurant, enjoy a tour of Ennis, including a visit to the Franciscan Friary, the town's prized national monument. Proceed to Killarney (B, L, D): KILLARNEY

DAY 6, Saturday
Today's sightseeing begins with a tour through Killarney National Park and the world-famous "Ring of Kerry." On this circular road covering over 105 miles of Ireland's lush terrain and historic sites, you'll pass by the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Sneem, which are full of traditional colorful houses. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Killarney (B, L): KILLARNEY

DAY 7, Sunday
Attend Sunday Mass at local church, and afterwards, enjoy a relaxing drive through the scenic south of Ireland to visit the 15th century Blarney Castle, home of the famous Blarney Stone. This legendary block of limestone is a unique attraction for visitors, as it is customary to kiss the stone in an inverted position; an act believed to give the traveler the gift of eloquence. Enjoy free time for shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills before continuing to visit the Rock of Cashel: a 200 foot limestone outcrop, once the fortress of the Kings of Munster before its transfer to the church in the 12th century. Tour the Cormac's Chapel, considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture and stone carving in medieval Ireland. Continue to Waterford (B, D): WATERFORD

DAY 8, Monday
This morning, visit the renowned Waterford Crystal Factory to view exquisite glassware and local craftsmen at work. We then continue through the Wicklow Mountains National Park to the Glendalough Visitor Center. Arriving at the Center, you'll learn the history of St. Kevin's 6th century monastery, then tour the site and the Valley's twin lakes. Afterwards, continue to the Irish capital city of Dublin (B, D): DUBLIN

DAY 9, Tuesday
Following morning Mass at local church, enjoy a guided tour of Dublin City, including visits to St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells. Less widely known as the Book of Columba, the Book of Kells is generally considered the most striking manuscript ever produced, and one of the greatest masterpieces of early Christian art. Rendered by Celtic monks around 800 A.D., the book is a highly prized illuminated manuscript containing the four famous gospels of the Bible in Latin. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure in Dublin (B): DUBLIN

DAY 10, Wednesday
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home (B).

Click on image above for a larger map

DATES & RATES

2008 - Available only for groups of 20 or more.
Operates April through October, please call to inquire.