Ireland Tour - June 2024

Depart from Sioux Falls and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Next, set off on an orientation drive around Dublin city center. See the main thoroughfares of O’Connell Street, Nassau Street and some lovely public parks as you pass by many historical sites. Stop to visit Dublin Castle, which was the seat of power and government for many centuries. See the State Apartments, where many state functions are held in the richly decorated chambers. Motor a short distance to your hotel, check in and spend the balance of the day free to sightsee, shop and dine on your own.

Today, tour Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this world-famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today. Finish your visit in the roof-top bar, where you can sample a draft of Guinness. After your visit, spend the balance of the day at leisure in Dublin, where you can choose from a wide variety of pursuits. Use your Hop on Hop off pass to visit several places so you can get better acquainted with the city. There are also plenty of museums of Irish interest such as the National Museum, the National Gallery or the Writers Museum. You may also want to shop along Nassau Street, the pedestrianized Grafton Street or Henry Street. In the evening, you may like to dine in one of the city’s lively dinner venues.

Leaving Dublin, travel into County Tipperary for photos of the Rock of Cashel. These majestic church ruins are clustered high on a limestone outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside. Then, drive into Blarney, where you can climb the battlements of Blarney Castle and kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Continue your journey into Killarney, check into your hotel and settle into your room. This evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, set off to explore the Ring of Kerry, which consist of over 100 miles of marvelous scenery. See some of Ireland’s highest peaks on one side of the road and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. There will also be plenty of stops to take-in the scenery and to snap photos. Next, cross to Valencia Island to visit the Skellig Experience, which describes the life of early monks who led austere lives on the nearby islands. Then, continue on to visit the Kissane Sheep Farm, a traditional working sheep farm run by John and Anne Kissane. Learn about sheep farming practices and see how the farmer herds his flocks. Head back to your hotel in Killarney, where the balance of the day is free for independent activities and dining.

Departing Killarney, travel into Tarbert and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Then, continue your journey into Galway and embark on a panoramic tour to see the principal sights of the city. See the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, the City Museum and the Cathedral of Our Lady, which is built on the site of the former county jail. Motor a short distance to your hotel, check in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Tonight, you might like to dine in one of the many lively dinner venues located within the city.

Leaving Ennis, journey into Shannon and check into Dromoland Castle Hotel, one of Ireland’s finest castle hotels. It is one of the few castle hotels that can trace its ownership back through history to Gaelic Irish families of royal heritage. The castle offers all guests deluxe accommodation and the experience of living as “Landed Gentry.”  

Spend the balance of the afternoon relaxing in this lavish setting. You may wish to stroll through the many paths and trails that surround the lovely castle. Or perhaps you might like to see a falconry demonstration, play a round of golf or even take a leisurely horseback riding excursion on the estate property. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a superb farewell dinner in Dromoland Castle’s fine restaurant. 

All too soon, your 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 before boarding your aircraft and flying back to the United States.