Enjoy the “Emerald Isle’s” scenic vistas and fascinating history. Begin in Dublin with a welcome dinner and orientation tour featuring visits to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. Stop in Downpatrick for a visit to the Saint Patrick Centre. In Belfast, enjoy a “Living History” tour, visit to the fascinating Titanic Exhibition, and included excursion to awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway. Travel via Armagh, seat of the Archbishop of both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland, to Knock. The Virgin Mary appeared to the townsfolk in 1879 and pilgrims today come from around the world. Visit Knock Shrine, the Church of the Apparition, the Basilica, and the Folk Museum—also attend Mass if you wish. Stop to visit the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre in Murrisk and the massive Benedictine Kylemore Abbey, then spend two nights in Galway. From here, enjoy an excursion to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, including a tour of the island and a visit to cliff-top Dun Aengus, one of Europe’s most dramatic prehistoric stone forts. After a coffee stop at Rathbaun Farm, where you see the farmer maneuver a flock with the help of his sheep dog, travel across the limestone plateau known as The Burren and visit The Burren Centre at Kilfenora. Admire spectacular views from the Cliffs of Moher, explore pretty Kilkenny, and visit Glendalough, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Return to Dublin for an overnight and the end of your wonderful Irish vacation.

City Highlights

DUBLINWelcome dinner with wine; orientation drive, visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity CollegeDOWNPATRICK Visit the St. Patrick CentreBELFAST Guided “Living History” tour; visit the Titanic ExhibitionCOUNTY ANTRIM Visit Giant’s CausewayARMAGH Visit the ecclesiastical metropolis of IrelandKNOCK Visit the Shrine, the Church of the Apparition, the Basilica, the Folk Museum, and attend MassMURRISK (CROAGH PATRICK) Visit the Croagh Patrick Visitor CentreKYLEMORE Visit the Benedictine abbeyARAN ISLANDS Ferry to and from Inishmore; hear a presentation about life on the island by a local historian; take a minibus tour with a driver-guide; visit Dun Aengus; enjoy lunch at a local pubRATHBAUN FARM See the farmer at work and enjoy morning coffee at the farmhouseKILFENORA Visit The Burren CentreCLIFFS OF MOHER Savor the spectacular viewsKILKENNY Explore this pretty county townGLENDALOUGH Guided tour of St. Kevin’s center of Irish Christianity

Hotels

DUBLIN Clarion IFSC (SF)BELFAST Radisson (SF)CLAREMORRIS McWilliam Park (F) GALWAY Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa (SF)LIMERICK Strand (SF)

Meals

Full Irish breakfast (B); 1 lunch (L) at a local pub; 4 three-course dinners (D) with choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Dublin

Notes

NOTES:Due to the adventurous style of the Aran Islands excursion, we recommend you bring suitable outdoor wear and comfortable shoes.

Transportation

Motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; ferry to/from Inishmore; minibus on the Aran Islands

PRODUCT_LINE: GLOBUS-TZ-2014