Cruise Specialists
October 17 – 27, 2011
Itinerary
REVISED
Mon, Oct 17 UNITED STATES TO SHANNON
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight
entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Tue, Oct 18 SHANNON ARRIVAL, CLIFFS OF MOHER & GALWAY CITY TOUR
After customs and immigration formalities at Shannon Airport, your CIE Tours
driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to the motorcoach. Drive to the
coast of Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises to almost
700 feet above the foaming Atlantic breakers. Driving on the coast road we pass the
rounded limestone hills of the Burren country and around the shores of Galway Bay to
Galway, a bustling city with a unique Irish flavor. A drive around Galway City will take
you to see the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, formerly a fishing village, the City
Museum, National University of Galway. A stop at the Cathedral of Our Lady, which is
built on the site of the former county jail. Then check into your hotel and enjoy the
remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You may choose to relax in your hotel which
overlooks Galway Bay or spend some time around Eyre Square, the hub of the city. In the
evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
OVERNIGHT: GALWAY BAY HOTEL, GALWAY
MEALS: DINNER & BREAKFAST
Wed, Oct 19 TOUR OF THE ARAN ISLANDS
Today take a ferry from Rossaveal on the mainland to Aran Mor. The largest of the three
islands of the Aran Islands, which are located in Galway Bay 30 miles west of Galway
City. Irish is still the vernacular in this isolated setting and the islanders retain many
traditional ways of farming and fishing. The land is extremely stony and the islanders
have formed dry stone walls to protect the windswept fields. The popular hand-knit Aran
sweaters evolved from unique patterns used by each family and the oiled wool repelled
the rain. Travel around the island by minibus with a local driver who will explain many of
the island traditions to you. At the western end of Inis Mór visit Dun Aengus. This vast
fortification is perched on the side of a cliff that falls to the Atlantic Ocean 300 feet
below. The site consists of three concentric enclosures and dates back to 1,000 BC or
earlier. Return to Galway in time for dinner.
OVERNIGHT: GALWAY BAY HOTEL, GALWAY
MEALS: DINNER & BREAKFAST
December 14, 2011
Thu, Oct 20 CONNEMARA & KYLEMORE ABBEY & GARDENS
Depart Galway and tour Connemara today. Admire the sweeping views and misty
mountains. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and also tracts
of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Continue on to visit the
magnificent Kylemore Abbey, a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion overlooking Kylemore
Lake. Originally a private residence and one of the most prestigious girls' schools. Visit
the chapel and the award winning restored Victorian gardens. Drive to the attractive town
of Westport where you will have some time to settle into your room before dining with your
group in the hotel restaurant.
OVERNIGHT: WESTPORT PLAZA HOTEL, WESTPORT
MEALS: DINNER & BREAKFAST
Fri, Oct 21 THE FAMINE ROAD & CONG ABBEY
Today follow the route of the Famine Road which is dedicated to the thousands of
peasants who lost their lives in the years of starvation. The route runs through the scenic
Doo Lough Valley. Near Leenane, we stop to see the lovely Ashleigh Falls. Continue your
tour passing through Joyce’s Country and onto the village of Cong. Visit the Abbey, which
was founded in the early 12th century. It features some very fine examples of stone
carvings, as well as a cloister. After your visit return to Westport where you are at leisure
to enjoy this charming town. Westport was laid out in 1780 and today still boasts many
Georgian houses and a fine tree-lined mall.
OVERNIGHT: WESTPORT PLAZA HOTEL, WESTPORT
MEALS: DINNER & BREAKFAST
Sat, Oct 22 BALLINTUBBER ABBEY & KNOCK SHRINE
This morning drive a short distance east to visit Ballintubber Abbey, which has the
unique status of being Ireland's only royal Abbey and has been in continuous use for
more than 780 years. In 1653 the Abbey was left roofless after destruction and burning
by Cromwell's army but for 250 years the local people of the area attended Mass in
wind, rain and snow. Ballintubber Abbey today retains an air of ancient beauty and
spirituality enhanced by its simple but elegant restoration. There is a video display and
an interpretive center at the Abbey and the grounds are landscaped to portray spiritual
themes. Pierce Brosnan (007) was married here a few years back. Continue your drive
east to the pilgrimage town of Knock to visit Knock Shrine, one of the world’s leading
shrines where the Virgin Mary appeared to 15 people on August 21, 1879. Visit the
shrine and modern basilica before driving to your hotel. An award winning hotel located
on Loch Ree in Athlone is your home for the evening.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HODSON BAY HOTEL, ATHLONE
MEALS: DINNER & BREAKFAST
December 14, 2011
Sun, Oct 23 CLONMACNOISE, LOUGH GUR SETTLEMENT & ADARE
Depart Athlone to travel southwest to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was
founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is delightfully set on the banks of the River
Shannon. Continue your drive stopping near Bruff at Lough Gur. The Visitor Centre
recounts the story of the pre-Celtic settlers of Ireland who farmed and lived in this
peaceful valley. After your visit drive to the charming village of Adare famous for its
attractive main street of thatched houses and colorful gardens.
OVERNIGHT: FITZGERALDS WOODLANDS HOTEL, ADARE
MEALS: DINNER & BREAKFAST
Mon, Oct 24 BLARNEY WOOLLEN MILLS, DONKEY SANCTUARY & KILLARNEY
Depart Adare and drive east into Country Cork. Stop at Blarney Woollen Mills, which has
an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around
the village, charmingly set around a large village green. If you like you may opt to climb to
the battlements of Blarney Castle on your own to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence."
Continue onto the town of Mallow where you will visit the Donkey Sanctuary, which was
established in 1969 and since then has saved 12,000 donkeys. Then journey into the
rugged countryside to Killarney, widely celebrated for its setting overlooking lakes and
mountains. Upon arrival check into your hotel located in the heart of town.
OVERNIGHT: MALTON HOTEL, (FORMALLY THE GREAT SOUTHERN) KILLARNEY
MEALS: DINNER & BREAKFAST
Tue, Oct 25 GAP OF DUNLOE, DINGLE PENINSULA & SLEA HEAD
This morning’s stop at the Gap Of Dunloe will be Moriarity’s Shop, which has a large
selection of fine Irish-made goods. Then continue on to tour the beauties of the Dingle
Peninsula, made famous by David Lean’s movie, “Ryan’s Daughter.” Drive along the
south shore of the peninsula for plenty of vistas of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of
beach and rocky headlands. There will be frequent stops at strategic locations to admire
the views. Stop in the town of Dingle before continuing to the western tip of the peninsula.
Here the scenery becomes wilder as the influence of the open Atlantic Ocean
strengthens. You will pass early Christian monastic beehive huts, small fishing villages
and the Slea Head Drive. The high road rises around Slea Head, a dramatic mountain and
seascape route that has become one of the most photographed scenes in Ireland.
Return to Killarney for a free evening. Enjoy dinner on your own with the locals. With so
many wonderful choices of restaurants you’ll wish you had a week in Killarney!
OVERNIGHT: MALTON HOTEL, KILLARNEY
MEALS: BREAKFAST
December 14, 2011
Wed, Oct 26 LIMERICK CITY TOUR & BUNRATTY FOLK PARK
Depart Killarney and drive north from the mountains of County Kerry into the grazing
lands of County Limerick. Continue into the city of Limerick for a panoramic tour. See the
sights made famous in Frank McCourt’s biography, “Angela’s Ashes.” Pass the 13th
century King John's Castle in the center of the town which has guarded the River
Shannon crossing for the past 700 years. Continue to the village of Bunratty and a visit to
the Bunratty Folk Park, which comprises a collection of farmhouses from different regions
of Ireland and a 19th century village street with a pub, school, general store and many
other buildings where traditional lifestyles and crafts are demonstrated. If you wish, you
may decide to have a drink in the well known 200-year-old Durty Nelly’s Pub across the
street.
Optional Medieval banquet at an Irish castle.
OVERNIGHT: BUNRATTY CASTLE HOTEL, BUNRATTY
MEALS: BREAKFAST
Thu, Oct 27 RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
Sadly, today your Irish vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Shannon Airport in
good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty
free stores. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft and flying across
the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
December 14, 2011