Tue. Sept. 7^th                Depart for overnight flight.  Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service.

Wed. Sept 8^th                Arrival at Dublin Airport.  After clearing customs our CIE Driver/Guide, Dave Yeats will be there to greet us and escort us to the coach.  We will begin our journey north to the Boyne Valley Visitor Center.   Here we will walk through a full size replica of the largest tumulus, Newgrange.    The Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC.   After our visit we continue north and stop to visit Proleek Dolmen. It stands 3 meters high and the capstone weighs 35 tons & is balanced on three legs.  It’s on to  Belfast where we will check into our hotel with time to relax and freshen up before we meet tonight for dinner in our hotel. Stormont       Hotel, Belfast      www.hastingshotels.com 

Thurs. Sept. 9^th  After breakfast we will have a city tour with a good friend of ours Fintan Rodgers.  He will explain what it has been like living in Belfast all these years and the history  behind the troubles of this beautiful city.  Next  we will take a short ride to the little village of Coalisland to visit our friend Brian McGirr who owns Island Turf Crafts.  Brian will take us out to the bogs and explain the turf to us and then bring us to his shop and museum to see the finished products.  It’s back to Belfast with some free time before dinner.  Tonight will be a mystery night.  We hope to have entertainment by local musicians and some friends dropping in.  Too soon to tell!  

Fri. Sept 10^th                  Depart Belfast this morning and drive up the coast road to view the “Nine Glens of Antrim” which are fabulous views of mountains, valleys and coastline.  We will make a visit to the “Giant’s Causeway”, an impressive area of hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava.   We then continue on along the northern coast to the city of Derry.   We will have some free time to relax before meeting for dinner in the hotel.   A pub crawl with Dave will be an option after dinner.   Tower Hotel, Derry  www.towerhotelderry.com

Sat. Sept. 11^th                This morning we embark on a walking tour of Derry to see the 17^th century city’s walls, which are some of the best-preserved in Europe.    After our tour we depart west through the scenic countryside of County Donegal.   After arriving in Donegal town, you’ll have some time to explore this quaint town before meeting for dinner in the hotel .   Mill Park Hotel, Donegal   www.millparkhotel.com

Sun. Sept. 12^th                Today we motor west through the delightful scenic countryside to Slieve League.   We visit the cliffs of this famous mountain where the highest point reaches 1,972 feet.  The mountain forms cliffs on the seaward side with a drop of 900 feet straight down in the Atlantic. We continue on to see more of  the natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic Drive. .  We’ll make a stop at  the Triona Design Center to learn about the art of weaving.  We arrive back in Donegal town with the night free for dining on your own or checking out the pubs. 

Mon Sept. 13^th Tue Sept. 14^th   We depart Donegal today and follow the shoreline of Donegal Bay through Sligo to Co. Mayo.  We’ll stop in the attractive village of Cong, which was made famous by the movie the “Quiet Man” with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.  We’ll take a short walking tour of the village to discover places that appeared in the production.  We’ll finish our walk at the Quiet Man Heritage Cottage filled with memorabilia of the movie.  Continue on to Galway and we’ll take a panoramic tour of the city to see it’s principal sights.  We’ll check into our hotel, which is situated in the heart of Eyre Square, and you’ll have time to explore this wonderful city on your own.   This evening we drive a little south around Galway Bay to Dunguaire Castle, a beautifully restored 15^th century castle.  Here we will enjoy a sumptuous meal followed by entertainment focusing on Ireland’s literary heritage with music and song.   Meyrick Hotel Galway

www.hotelmeyrick.ie    www.shannonheritage.com

Tues. Sept 14^th   Today’s journey takes us west of Galway to the beautiful region of Connemara known for its constantly changing skies and subtle colors.  We’ll stop and visit the famous Kylemore Abbey for some great photos.      We return to Galway with the remainder of the afternoon to explore on your own.  Maybe a visit to the Aran Islands or perhaps a round of golf?   Tonight there will be an option for a fantastic show in Galway   Dave will offer this to you. 

 www.tradontheprom.com

Wed. Sept. 15^th  We depart Galway today and drive across the midlands to Ireland’s Capital city of Dublin.  We will take a panoramic drive around the city before stopping at the Guinness Storehouse for a tour.  Here you will have a chance to pour your own pint and of course sample it.    You will have some free time in the city before we meet in Ireland’s oldest pub, the Brazen Head for dinner and entertainment.

Thurs. Sept. 16^th  Sadly today our journey has come to an end.  We make the short drive to Dublin Airport with plenty of time for any last minute Duty Free shopping.

Itinerary is subject to change due to weather or discretion of our driver.  Airline taxes & surcharges are subject to change, which could affect the price of the tour.