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Welcome to Ireland, a small country, but there’s an enormous amount to see and do, so what you can’t fit in on your first visit, you can always leave until your next one. As we travel around and meet the locals they certainly live up to their reputation as being one of the friendliest people in the world. Ireland has an embarrassment of riches and beauty – blue beaches, nature resurrections, amusing golf courses, history loaded settings and warm hospitable smiles from its people. Truly, an Irish experience is something that will be hard to beat. Sure, the beauty of nature abides everywhere, but when you get right down to Ireland, what better compliment could a destination have? Ireland holds a great number of wonders worth a visit. The most inviting factor that Ireland is proud of is the warmth of its welcome and the hospitality its people extends to its guests.
So join this wonderful group sponsored by the Spearfish Area Chamber of Commerce and travel to this idyllic haven - Ireland greets you openhandedly.
Our private tour to Ireland departs Rapid City Thursday April 26th 2012 and returns Saturday May 5th 2012. It is totally informal, relaxed and not reliant on anyone's schedule except our own. To assist passengers to budget accordingly, we have included a full Irish breakfast each day and 6 delightful suppers on our tour. Lunches will be on your own and convenient lunch stops will be made where you can choose either a light meal or a full lunch menu. As this is a private tour with our own charter vehicle and driver, we can deviate wherever we need to in order to get the very best out of our visit to this amazing destination. All tours and entrance fees are included to the attractions mentioned in the itinerary but we would ask you to remember a gratuity for our personal driver who will be with us throughout. Just a fine Irish character!
Day 1 Thursday 26th April - Rapid City to Ireland
This morning we depart Rapid City Regional Airport (or your chosen airport) and head out on our overnight journey to the Emerald Isle of Ireland. Your ABS Travel Escort will be with you from Rapid City throughout. Overnight Trans-Atlantic flight – Meals aboard aircraft
Day 2 Friday 27th April - Arrive Ireland
We arrive into Ireland this morning, pass through immigration and then pass through customs with our baggage. On exiting the Arrival Hall we are met by our Irish driver/guide. He will offer us a Failte or a Cead Mile Failte, (Welcome). We board our private motor coach and then we're off on our Irish adventure! As we won't be able to check in to our hotel until midafternoon, we head to explore the City of Dublin using our own motor coach. Short walks are involved at some of the stops when we take in St Patrick's Cathedral, the Phoenix Park, Dublin Castle, the houses of Parliament and the Georgian houses on Merrion Square. After our lunch break, it's time to visit the Guinness Brewery and see how Guinness is made. On departing the brewery, we head to our hotel for check in and a little relaxation before supper. Supper tonight is at the hotel and then an early night is the order of the day so everyone is refreshed and ready to go. Overnight Best Western Academy Plaza Hotel, Dublin – Welcome Supper included
Day 3 – Saturday 28th April - Dublin to Waterford
This morning we visit the ancient ruins of Glendalough Abbey, a monastic settlement founded by St. Kieran, the monk that lived in a tree in the 6th century. The churches, abbeys, and the famous 'round towers' make this one of the most venerated sites in Ireland and are legendary. We take a little time for coffee. After refreshments we continue over the Wicklow Gap, where in the 1900's silver & gold were found among other minerals. Lunch break is taken in Kilkenny known as the Marble city. After lunch we continue travelling south to our hotel in Waterford.
Overnight Dooley's Hotel Waterford - Full Irish Breakfast & Supper included
Day 4 – Sunday 29th April - Waterford to Killarney
Following an early hearty breakfast we travel the short distance to the Waterford Crystal factory outlet and exhibition. Next we travel to Blarney Castle via the historic town of Youghal where we have a short stop & then it's on to Blarney Castle… for those who feel they would like to kiss the Blarney Stone to gain 'Eloquence' now is your opportunity! At the Woollen Mills near the castle is the largest outlet for Waterford Crystal in Ireland. Shipping crystal is probably the best way of ensuring you get your glass in one piece. Lunch is available here and after our lunch break, we travel west to Killarney and The Dromhall Hotel. Tonight we have an 'Irish Night' with Song & Dance at Kate Kearney's Cottage Pub. Overnight The Dromhall Hotel, Killarney – Full Irish Breakfast, Supper &Traditional Irish Show included
Day 5 - Monday, April 30th - Killarney
Today is the famous "Ring of Kerry" tour, 110 miles of spectacular scenery as we circle the Iveragh peninsula, enjoying the high cliffside views of the Atlantic. It's a great day to relax, take our time, and enjoy the amazing scenery. We stop at the Bog Village and at Kells to view sheepdog trials by Brendan Ferris, Ireland's best. On our way to lunch at the Scariff Inn overlooking the Atlantic near the westernmost point of the Ring we make a stop at Waterville, 60's holiday home of Charlie Chaplin, to lunch (on our own). We continue the breathtaking ride along the cliffs to Sneem village for a rest stop, then over the mountains to Ladies View, made famous by Queen Victoria and her entourage. We travel to back to our hotel in Killarney, arriving late afternoon Overnight The Dromhall Hotel, Killarney – Full Irish Breakfast included - Supper is on your own.
Day 6 – Tuesday, May 1st - Killarney to Galway
After breakfast we head for Limerick, on our way to Galway. We stop for a break at the picturesque village of Adare, here we find the Trinitarian Church which is the only one in Ireland dating back to the Crusades. We see the lovely thatched cottages which are of German design. Through Limerick we pass by King John's Castle on the banks of the River Shannon. From here we travel on to Galway.
This ancient Celtic city, known as the 'City of the Tribes', has Spanish influences everywhere. The Irish language is spoken here by the people of the Connemara region also traditional Irish music can be heard in many of the pubs each evening. We take a walking tour of the city visiting the original site of 'Lynching', the Spanish Arch, the site of Columbus last prayers before his voyage to the USA.
Overnight Galway Bay Hotel – Full Irish Breakfast & Supper included
Day 7 – Wednesday - May 2nd - Galway
The Figure of Eight Tour today will take you around the wild and very scenic 'Gaeltacht of Connemara. Today will have lots of photo stops coffee and pub stops.
The mountains of the 12 Bens, the village of Leenane Killary Harbour, Irelands only fjord are some of the sights on today's trip. Leenane is a tiny village here we visit a traditional pub for lunch. We visit Kylemore Abbey the spectacular home of the Benedictine nuns and an exclusive girl's high school. Overnight Galway Bay Hotel – Full Irish Breakfast - Supper on your own
Day 8 - Thursday, May 3rd – Galway to Shannon
After breakfast, we drive to the Atlantic County Clare visiting the spectacular Cliffs of Mohar & the Burren, an ancient limestone 'Carst' region. We continue on through County Clare to the village of Bunratty. Lunch (on your own) at the famous pub at Bunratty 'Durty Nellie's and after we visit the Folk Park in the castle grounds. Tonight we attend the 'Irish Night' at Bunratty. After the show we return to our hotel for overnight. Overnight Oakwood Arms, Shannon Breakfast, Supper & Show included
Day 9 - Friday May 4th – Shannon to Dublin area
This morning we travel back to Dublin to spend our last night at a Castle. Clontarf Castle Hotel is part medieval castle near the scene of the Battle of Clontarf where Brian Boru, King of Ireland, defeated the Danes (Vikings) in the year 1014 AD. On route to Dublin we make a stop for a visit to the National Stud, to see Ireland's best stallions & the in the nearby Japanese Gardens you can stroll at leisure in the peaceful area. Dublin is about an hours drive.
Overnight Clontarf Castle, Dublin – Breakfast & Farewell Supper included
Day 10 - Saturday May 5th – Dublin to Dublin Airport
After breakfast we travel to Dublin Airport for our return to the USA. Your ABS tour conductor will make sure you allow 2 hours+ for check in. US Customs are at Dublin airport making it easier on arrival in the USA. Time at the Duty Free for last minute gifts and to cash in your Tax Free vouchers, (you will get Irish sales tax, back at Dublin Airport providing you have your tax receipts.
On arrival at the airport it's time to bid farewell to our Irish Driver/guide and he will wish you a 'Slan Abhile', Translates to "Safe Home". We arrive back at our home airport mid to late evening on the 5th May. Breakfast Included & meals aboard aircraft
Call 1-888-788-6777 - 6 places left - book now!
Is this date not convenient? Check out our other Ireland tour!
Alternatively you can email reservations@abstravelgroup.com and request an itinerary by mail.
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