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Days 1 - May 2, 2009 -
Saturday |
Depart for Galway
Depart from the U.S. today at
12:55 PM on
your flight to Galway, arriving on Day 2. |
Day 2 -
May 3, 2009
- Sunday |
Arrive
in Galway
Arrive in Galway today at 12:15 PM. a Grand
Circle representative will meet you at the airport and escort
you to your hotel, where you'll meet your Program Director.
Tonight, get to know your fellow
travelers over a Welcome Drink followed by a Welcome Briefing.
Then sit down for your first dinner together at your hotel.
Included Meal: Dinner
Accommodations: Courtyard by
Marriott Now the
Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway
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Day 3 -
May 4, 2009
- Monday |
Connemara
& Kylemore Abbey
Join us this morning for a journey
through the Connemara region of Galway. Once home to over 2
million Irish, it still retains its regional heritage as you
will discover while we ramble around its lakes, mountains and
bog lands. We begin our day with a boat ride on Lough Corrib,
Ireland's premier fishing lake. We'll visit the former gothic
mansion of Mitchell Henry, now the home of Benedictine nuns and
better known as Kylemore Abbey. After an included lunch you'll
have time to wander both the mansion and the Victorian gardens.
On your return we'll travel through the Inagh Valley to the
coast, where we'll see the deserted village of Clough Na Mara
and discover a sense of hardship the Irish experienced in the
18th and 19th centuries. Today, only the shells of their house
remain - set amidst hundreds of miles of stone walls. The price
of this optional tour is approximately $95 per person.
Evening: This evening, enjoy
dinner on your own.
Included Meal: Breakfast, lunch with
Optional Tour
Accommodations: Courtyard by
Marriott Now the
Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway
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Day 4 - May 5, 2009 -
Tuesday |
Connemara
Marble, Connemara Turf, & A Walk Through Galway
This morning your PD will
take you to the Connemara Marble factory and the
Connemara Turf area.
This afternoon your PD will
introduce you to the local ways of living in Galway on a
short walk through the city. You have the remainder of
the day at leisure to explore Galway on your own. This
enchanting city is an amalgamation of narrow lanes, wood
and stone shop fronts, and bustling restaurants and
pubs. Originally presided over by the local O' Flahertys,
Galway was taken over by Anglo-Normans and became a
thriving center of trade and commerce by the 14th
century. European galleons were a regular sight in the
city, which was even "home" to the Spanish Armada during
its western voyages. Galway declined after being damaged
in battle with the forces of Oliver Cromwell in the
mid-17th century, but regained its prosperity and
vitality in modern times. Today Galway remains a
merchant town, but it is also a burgeoning center for
technology and a lively bohemian mecca.
Tonight dinner is on your
own.
Included Meal: Breakfast,
Dinner with Optional Tour
Accommodations: Courtyard by
Marriott Now the
Maldron Hotel Sandy Road Galway
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Day 5 -
May 6, 2009
- Wednesday |
The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher
Morning:
This morning, you depart
Galway for Killarney after a hearty breakfast. On the
way, discover the intense natural beauty of Eire on an
included excursion to The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher.
The Burren's name is derived from a Gaelic word meaning
"stony place," and it is like no other place in Ireland.
Instead of peat bogs and pastures, you'll find a surreal
moonscape full of huge limestone crags.
Despite this seemingly
inhospitable setting, a diverse array of plant
life—including wild orchids and rock rose—thrives here.
Alpine plants nestle in crevices beside temperate
species. The white, deeply crevassed limestone conceals
"micro-environments" rich in potholes and hollows. The
ample rainfall and strange topography have resulted in a
paradoxical profusion of arctic and semi-tropical
vegetation growing side by side.
The majestic Cliffs of Moher
are precipitous rock formations—towering nearly 750 feet
above the crashing ocean surf at their highest
point—that offer breathtaking panoramic views of
Ireland's Atlantic coast. These magnificent cliffs,
provide nesting sites for tens of thousands of seabirds.
If the wind is strong the sea foam and spray flies up
and over the cliffs along with the rain, while on clear
sunny days fantastic views can be seen from every angle.
Over the centuries, people
have also made their mark, with towers, quarries, and
well-worn paths, but they're almost lost in the scale
and grandeur of the sea cliffs. One that does stand out
is O'Brien's Tower, a huge structure built to house the
guests of Cornelius O'Brien, County Clare's legendary
Member of Parliament from the 1830s until he died in
1857.
You continue on to Killarney
to spend the next three nights. This market town is
known for its verdant, rolling hills and glittering
loughs (lakes). You'll enjoy a brief panoramic tour of
the town before arriving at your hotel.
Evening:
Dine with your fellow
travelers at your hotel this evening. Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Killarney
Towers
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Day 6 - May 7, 2009 - Thursday |
Ring of
Kerry, The Woolen Mill at the Gap of Dunloe, & Siamsa
Tire - The National Folk Theatre Of Ireland
All Day:
You'll enjoy a shopping opportunity
this morning as we stop at a local woolen mill at the Gap of
Dunloe.
On this morning's included tour,
you'll discover the Ring of Kerry, a 110-mile route that traces
the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula and offers breathtaking
views. There is always something new to appreciate in the
combination of ocean, islands, mountains, light, and
ever-changing weather patterns. We ride most of the way, making
scenic stops.
The first town along the route is
Killorglin, where an elegant eight-arched bridge crosses the
River Laune. Further on, the road descends from high above the
bay to the water's edge at Kells, an attractive fishing village
with panoramic viewing points.
We will stop for an included lunch
at the famous Huntsman restaurant in Waterville where we will
enjoy breathtaking views of the broad Atlantic.
The next stretch is one of the
highlights of the Ring, with outstanding views of the Blasket
Islands and the Dingle Peninsula On the return to Killarney, the
route takes you through Moll's Gap and Ladies View, named after
Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting. The vistas of lakes and
mountains remain magnificent today. We'll continue on and return
to Killarney where we'll arrive in the late afternoon.
Evening:
Join us for a performance
of Siamsa Tire—the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, and the
country's only repertory company. Using the disciplines of
traditional Irish music, dance, storytelling and mime, Siamsa
Tire offers a cultural experience dramatizing the essence of
Irish culture. A siamsa show presents the myths, legends, lore,
language, folkways and folk life of a bygone era. The cost of
this optional performance is approximately $80 per person.
Dinner tonight is on your own.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Killarney
Towers
Discovery Highlights - Ring of Kerry |
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Day 7 - May 8, 2009 - Friday |
Tralee's
Kerry the Kingdom Museum & Dingle Peninsula
All Day:
Join us today as we venture
out along the Dingle Peninsula. You'll stop first at
Tralee's Kerry the Kingdom Museum where you'll enjoy the
fascinating experience of a recreated medieval village.
Then follow the rugged Dingle Peninsular with its wild
mountains and some of the most spectacular coastline
Ireland has to display. You'll view the famed Blasket
Islands, the most westerly point of Europe, and their
pre historic ring forts and Beehive huts. One of
Ireland's largest Irish speaking areas, the peninsula it
has attracted many writers and artists for the
inspiration the wild landscape offers. The movies Ryan
's Daughter and Far and Away were made here. We will
stop in the fishing town of Dingle, to enjoy locally
caught fish (and chips) for lunch. The cost of this
optional tour is approximately $95 per person.
Kingdom
Museum Visitors Guide - (Large File - 600 KB)
Included Meal: Breakfast
Accommodations: Killarney
Towers
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Day 8 - May 9, 2009 -
Saturday |
Border Collies
in action, Muckross House, & Blarney Castle
Morning:
After breakfast, we will stop at
a working sheep farm and see Ireland's finest Border Collies in
action at a sheep dog demonstration.
Afternoon:
Next, you'll transfer to Cork,
stopping for a visit to Blarney Castle, where a 129-step
staircase leads up a tower to the famed Blarney Stone. According
to legend, anyone who manages the backward lean to kiss it
receives the "gift of the gab" - a smooth, soothing way with
words that at best mean nothing.
The word "Blarney" was coined by
Elizabeth I to describe her endless and fruitless discussions
with Dermot McCarthy over his surrender of the castle to the
Crown. The McCarthys built the present castle with its
85-foot-high keep in 1446, replacing an earlier castle. Though
the Blarney Stone gets all the publicity, the castle's tower
house and surrounding gardens are superb in their own right. The
castle's grounds also include caves, dungeons, and a rock garden
of ancient trees and weathered stones.
Continue on to historic Cork,
Ireland's second-largest city. A walk through this island city
takes you into the famous "English Market" noted for its wide
selection of Irish fresh produce. Discover the rebel city of
Cork through its many medieval lanes and back streets. Your
hotel is centrally located within the commercial district of
Cork city. It is an early 19th century historical building with
comfortable compact rooms. The hotel has links to many famous
events and people in Irish history.
Evening:
This evening you'll enjoy dinner
at your hotel with your fellow travelers.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Imperial
Hotel Cork
Discovery Series Events: Sheepdog
Demonstration
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Day 9 - May 10, 2009
- Sunday |
Cobh
(pronounced "Cove"), Home-Hosted Lunch
Morning:
This morning, ride to Cobh
(pronounced "cove"). This picturesque town long served
as the main harbor for the city of Cork, and is
dominated by the spire of St. Colman's Cathedral, which
contains the largest carillon in Ireland. This morning a
local historian will give you some insight into Cobh's
history of as a point of emigration to America for over
two and a half million people.
Cobh was a major emigration
point for families who left the country during the Great
Potato Famine, when some two-and-a-half million
emigrants departed this port for North America. Here
you'll discover the story of Irish emigration and the
era of the great ocean liners, when Cobh was a very
active port. This was the last place that the Titanic
docked before heading across the Atlantic on her tragic
journey.
Here you can also pay
tribute to the victims of the Lusitania at a quayside
memorial. In 1915 this ship was sunk off the coast of
Cobh by a German submarine, with a loss of 1196
passengers, including 127 Americans. This action helped
bring America into World War I. Then, enjoy a short,
leisurely walk around Cobh accompanied by our local
historian. You'll have some free time afterward for your
own explorations.
Afternoon:
Learn about contemporary
life in Ireland and savor a traditional meal during a
Home-Hosted Lunch with a local family.
Evening:
In the late afternoon,
return to Cork and enjoy dinner on your own.
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch
Accommodations: Imperial
Hotel Cork
Discovery Series Events: Home-Hosted Lunch in Cobh
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Day 10 - May 11, 2009 -
Monday |
Youghal Town, Waterford & Suir Valley Railway, Waterford
Morning/Early Afternoon:
This morning you'll transfer
from Cork via the coast road to the historic port city
of Waterford— renowned for its exquisite crystal
craftsmanship—via the Coast Route. Vikings settled in
Waterford in the eighth century and bestowed the name "Vadrafjord,"
while proceeding to exact tribute from the native Celtic
tribes of the area for over 200 years. Anglo-Normans
brought English rule in the 12th century, and under King
John, Waterford became Ireland's most prominent city.
Late Afternoon/Evening:
Arrive in Waterford in the
early afternoon. Today you'll enjoy a visit to the
Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre, with time for shopping
and lunch at your leisure. Fine cut glass was first
manufactured here from 1783 to 1851, but then production
ceased when the British government, which ruled all of
Ireland at that time, imposed heavy taxes. The business
was revived in 1947, and now employs many artisans who
take up to ten years to learn the crafts of glass
blowing, cutting, and engraving.
Later, enjoy free time to
make your own discoveries. You can stroll The Mall, a
broad 18th-century street leading into town from the
waterfront, past City Hall and Ireland's finest
18th-century Theatre. The neo-classical Christ Church
Cathedral is nearby. The city's shopping district is
just a few blocks away, along John, Michael, Broad, and
Barronstrand Streets. Or, you can stroll out to see
Reginald's Tower, a stone tower built by the Normans in
the early 13th century on the site of an even older
Viking tower. It is Ireland's oldest civic building. The
Half Moon Tower and Beach Tower are other remnants of
medieval fortifications
Tonight, join your fellow
travelers for dinner at your hotel.
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Dinner
Accommodations: Fitzwilton
Hotel
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Day 12 -
May 13, 2009
- Wednesday |
Dublin
Morning:
This morning we leave
Waterford for Dublin. Along the way we travel through
Carlow and Kildare and arrive in the late morning.
Afternoon:
This afternoon, get to know
Dublin on an included city tour. You'll stop by Trinity
College (officially the University of Dublin), which was
established by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. Here you'll
view the famous Book of Kells, an elaborate illuminated
manuscript of the Four Gospels. Created by the monks of
St. Columba on the Isle of lona around 800 A.D., the
book contains lavishly illustrated transcriptions of the
four Gospels. This is one of the oldest surviving books
in the world, and the quality of its artwork is the
epitome of medieval craftsmanship and devotion.
Library Guide - (Large File - 1.25 MB)
Afternoon & Evening:
You have the afternoon free
for relaxation or personal exploration. This evening,
enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Dinner
Accommodations: Mont Clare
Hotel or
Camden Court Hotel
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Day 13 - May 14, 2009 -
Thursday |
We
Leave For Home
After breakfast, depart for the airport
to catch your flight at 11:50
AM back to the U.S.. Arrive in Kansas
City at 7:56 PM
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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