The itinerary listed below was taken from the YMT website; the dates of this trip and the specific hotels used were added. I think we got a deal on the trip at just under $6K (OK, $5,976 to be exact) for the tour and airfare for the two of us for the 12-day tour (tour was $1,449 plus $199 for taxes and fees, and $1,340 for flights per person)
Day 1 – Thursday, June 20th; Depart for Dublin, Ireland: Your Irish adventure begins as you depart on your trans-Atlantic flight. Overnight in flight.
Day 2 – Friday, June 21st; Arrive Dublin: Arrive in historic Dublin, capital city of the “Emerald Isle.” If you purchased airline tickets from YMT Vacations, a YMT representative will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel. For those guests on early morning arrivals into Dublin, a traditional Irish breakfast will be available for purchase at your hotel, following which the rest of the day is at your leisure. The Irish culture has taken thousands of years to develop, so cherish every moment of your cultural discovery and Dublin is a great place to start. It is usually the first port of call for most visitors and this vibrant, colorful city offers a compelling mix of history, culture, traditional pubs, elegant architecture, great shopping and dining. The great thing about Dublin is that the city is compact, so the shops and restaurants, the River Liffey and many of the highlights are all within walking distance of each other and easy to explore on foot. This evening meet your fellow travelers and learn about the exciting days ahead, then relax over a welcome dinner. Hotel: Belvedere Hotel (D).
Day 3 – Saturday, June 22nd; Dublin Sightseeing: This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of the highlights of this rich historical city. Its graceful Georgian townhouses with noted colorful doors, prominent public buildings and peaceful gardens make a delightful sight along the River Liffey. See the Bank of Ireland, built in the 18th century to house the Parliament; and Leinster House, where the government convenes today. Stop to see famous St. Patrick’s Cathedral, originally built in 450 AD, then rebuilt in 1191, it is still the largest church in Ireland. This afternoon is at leisure and leaves you plenty of time to visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, a 9th century version of the Christian gospels (extra charge). This evening, why not enjoy an optional Irish Night with a 4-course dinner and a lively show of Irish music and a full cast of dancers? Hotel: Belvedere Hotel (B).
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Day 4 – Sunday, June 23rd; Dublin to Cork: Today, we begin our motor coach tour of Ireland heading south to our first destination, the Rock of Cashel – a cluster of historic ruins that sits on a towering hilltop rising 200 feet above the surrounding plains. There is time to take the short Bishop’s Walk from the town to the Rock, which dates back to the 4th century. Next, we continue to Cobh (formerly known as Queenstown), a pretty seaside town, set on a hill above a harbor that was the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912. Learn the history of the town when we visit the Cobh Heritage Centre and watch the multimedia exhibition in the Victorian Railway Station. Cobh was also the departure point for over 2.5 million emigrating Irish, the majority to the US and you’ll learn their full story as it is told in the exhibition. Arrive in the city of Cork, now Ireland’s second largest city, by early evening. We take a short panoramic tour before arriving at the hotel. Hotel: Maldron Hotel, Cork (B,D)
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Day 5 – Monday, June 24th; Cork to Killarney: Take a short drive to visit Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic castles. Explore the castle, and if you want to climb the 125 steps of the spiral staircase, perhaps kiss ‘The Stone of Eloquence’ (the Blarney Stone), so you can, as tradition says, acquire the “Gift of the Gab.” Before we leave, there is time to visit Blarney Woollen Mill, to see some of Ireland’s famous high-quality woolen products. Our drive continues to Muckross House & Gardens in the Killarney National Park. This elaborately restored Victorian mansion was owned by Lord Ardilaun (of the Guinness family) and then by the Bourn Vincents. Enjoy time to stroll through the colorful sculpted gardens. Our tour ends today in Killarney, where you spend the next two nights. This thriving town has been welcoming tourists for hundreds of years and is the gateway to the Ring of Kerry - tomorrow’s highlight. Hotel: Killarney Oaks Hotel (B,D).
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Day 6 – Tuesday, June 25th; Full Day Ring of Kerry Excursion: Today we tour one of Europe’s most famous scenic drives, the Ring of Kerry (or Iveragh Peninsula to give it its correct name), offering spectacular views of lakes and rivers. We make several stops along the way where you will want to take photos of the stunning views. Surprisingly, the Iveragh Peninsula is where you’ll find some of the finest beaches in Europe and witness a landscape carved by the last ice age. Famous sights along the way include Moll’s Gap and Lady’s view. Back in Killarney this evening, perhaps you’ll want relax at the hotel or explore the town at your leisure. Hotel: Killarney Oaks Hotel (B).
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Day 7 – Wednesday, June 26th; Killarney to County Galway: Today enjoy a full day of captivating sightseeing as we drive north to Galway. Our first stop is Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, to see one of the most complete and authentic medieval fortresses in Ireland. Built in 1425, the Bunratty Castle was restored in 1954 to its former splendor. It now contains 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries and works of art that capture the mood of those times. You will have time to wander through the castle and explore the surrounding park, with its cottages that appear just as they would have in medieval times. Next, we drive through the scenic Burren area, stopping to view the picturesque Cliffs of Moher, standing 700 feet tall and 5 miles long with incredible views of the Atlantic. We arrive in County Galway area by early afternoon. Hotel: Claregalway Hotel (B,D).
Day 8 – Thursday, June 27th; Galway to Bundoran: Today, we first travel through the beautiful and rugged landscape of the Connemara region, then, on through the quiet hills and maze of gentle lakes and rivers. Next we visit the palatial Kylemore Abbey, majestically nestled at the base of Druchruach Mountain. Originally built as a castle in 1867 by local icon Mitchell Henry, it became an Abbey in 1920 and today is the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. Our drive continues through Westport and today’s journey ends by early evening when we arrive in the Bundoran area. Hotel: Grand Central Hotel Bundoran (B,D).
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Day 9 – Friday, June 28th; Bundoran to Belfast: This morning we enjoy a delightful 30-minute visit to Belleek Pottery, learning about the history and creation of delicate Irish porcelain. Next, we visit the Ulster American Folk Park, a living history settlement showing Ireland in the mid 1800’s, and the story of how and why so many Irish immigrated to America. Explore the ‘village’ with its inviting countryside cottages, farms, schools and costumed docents. Our drive then continues east, to arrive in Belfast, Northern Ireland, your home for the next two nights. Northern Ireland is actually part of the United Kingdom, so you’ve entered a new country (although there are no customs or passport checks) and you’ll need to get used to a new currency, the British Pound, for a couple of days until you arrive back in the Irish Republic. Hotel: Holiday Inn Belfast (B,D).
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Day 10 – Saturday, June 29th; Giant’s Causeway Excursion: Today enjoy a scenic full day excursion all the way to the North Channel of the Irish Sea. We drive along the beautiful coastal road and take in some stunning scenery from the motor coach. We spend time exploring “The Giant’s Causeway,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site with remarkable rock formations made up of over 40,000 hexagonal stacks. Here you may visit the rock formations on foot or may take the Causeway shuttle in either direction at a nominal charge of £1 each way. Enjoy the scenery en route back to Belfast. Hotel: Holiday Inn Belfast (B).
Day 11 – Sunday, June 30th; Belfast & Dublin: This morning we make an included visit to Titanic Belfast; the brand new $150 million Titanic visitor experience in the city where the doomed liner was built. 2012 marked 100 years since she sank and here you will see full-scale reconstructions and learn about her conception, through her construction and launch to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day with a live undersea exploration center. Before we leave Belfast we will continue on a panoramic motor coach tour of the city taking in sights such as the impressive Parliament buildings at Stormont, Belfast City Hall and the murals of the Falls Road which depict the religious-political strife of the 20th Century. In the afternoon we drive south to Dublin. This evening join our optional farewell evening at Jameson’s Distillery. Hotel: Belvedere Hotel (B).
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Day 12 – Monday, July 1st; Depart Dublin for Home: Today, bid farewell to Ireland, taking home a suitcase full of memories and stories to share about your YMT Irish vacation! If you purchased airline tickets through YMT Vacations, your airport transfers are arranged. If you made your own flight arrangements, please make your own way to the airport in plenty of time to check-in for your flight. (B).
Return to Ireland 2013 Trip Report.