Day 1 - Travel via short sea crossing to Ireland for an overnight stay in the Dublin area.
Day 2 - Limerick
Depart after breakfast
and make your way to Limerick, the base for the next three nights. With breathtaking
views of the River Shannon and Lough Gur, Limerick city has an interesting
and colourful history as its castles, ancient walls and museums bear witness.
Its City Charter is older than that of London's and in 1997 the city celebrated
the 800th anniversary of its signing, it has recently undergone a facelift
and is now an excellent centre for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Limerick
is also considered the sporting capital of Ireland because of its passionate
devotion to rugby and its excellent sports facilities.
Day 3 - The Cliffs of Moher,
Ballyvaughan & Galway
A full day’s excursions
around the scenic Burren south of Galway in County Clare (the name Burren is
from the Irish - bhoireann meaning a stony place) first stop is Black Head and
then its on to the world famous Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs are one of Ireland's
most spectacular sights, standing 230m above the ground at their highest point
and 8km long and have some of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day,
the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of
Connemara.
Re-join the coach and travel on to a quiet corner of Galway Bay where you will
find the picturesque village of Ballyvaughan. Originally a fishing village it
has in recent years developed into a tourist centre and now has a fine selection
of lively pubs and up market restaurants.
Next stop Galway City, also known as the city of the tribes (the story is that
of fourteen tribes, dating back to 12thc and the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland,
that led the city to a golden age of prosperity and international recognition – long
since smashed by the armies of Cromwell). Galway is now a vibrant University
city that delights many and which few forget! Music, festivals, horse racing,
pubs, restaurants, shops, theatres and most of all the Galway people, combine
to create this atmospheric mediaeval city of culture.
Day 4 - Bunratty Castle and
Folk Park
An excursion today to one of Ireland’s
premier attractions, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park which traces Ireland’s
urban and rural history from life in a 19th Century Irish Village to medieval
banquets in a stunning 14th Century Castle. The Bunratty Folk Park spans some
26 acres of land, with fabulous reproductions of traditional Irish country cottages
and homesteads as well as typical houses, shops, stores and street scenes from
Ireland of the Victorian era.
With buildings including thatched roof cottages from Loop Head, their roofs
roped down to protect them from Atlantic winds, traditional Traveller Wagons
of Ireland’s
nomadic folk, Bunratty House, the Georgian residence of the minor landed gentry
in the 19th Century, a Post Office, Grocery and MacNamara’s Pub typical
of an Irish village. Various characters, from the traditional Bean an Ti (woman
of the house), schoolteachers, farmers and policemen are on location in full
period costume to guide visitors back in time and demonstrations of old crafts
from bread baking, butter making, stonewall building and traditional farming
methods are regularly held.
Day 5 - Dublin
Depart Limerick and make the return
journey to Dublin, with its great shopping, diverse nightlife, Georgian Architecture,
famous writers and musicians. There’s also St. Stephens Green, one of
Ireland's best-known parks and a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the
city's streets with an ornamental lake, gardens, shrubberies and tree lined
walks.
Day 6 - Return journey home.