Depart JFK, New York, for an overnight flight across the Atlantic to Shannon. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel overseas to start your vacation.

After customs and immigration formalities at Shannon Airport, your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to the motorcoach. Leaving Shannonside, drive into Limerick for a panoramic tour of the city, which features the sights made famous in Frank McCourt’s biography, “Angela’s Ashes.” Pass the 13th century King John's Castle in the center of the town. This imposing fortress with its massive walls and towers has guarded the River Shannon crossing for the past 700 years. Continue south to Adare, which is famous for its main street of thatched houses. After a stop for photos and a walk along the main street, journey into the mountainous country of Kerry just outside Killarney visit the delightful Muckross House, a 19th century furnished mansion with an interesting history and U.S. connections. Afterwards, an old-fashioned horse drawn jaunting car will bring you through the Killarney National Park, which is closed to motorized vehicles, and into the town of Killarney where you will check into your hotel for relaxation, dinner and overnight.
Dinner & Overnight: Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney

Today, admire breathtaking vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches on Ireland’s most popular drive. See a variety of natural beauty as you drive 100 miles around this scenic route. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience, which describes the way of life of early Christian monks who built their monastery on one of the offshore islands. Also learn about the many birds that nest in the Skelligs. A number of stops will allow you to admire the spectacular scenery and take a brief walk around the colorful village of Kenmare. Head back to Killarney through Moll’s Gap with stunning views of the Lakes of Killarney.
Dinner & Overnight: Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney

Leaving Killarney travel south through lovely mountain scenery to Glengarriff and Bantry Bay where the mild climate allows sub-tropical vegetation to thrive. Stop to visit the Mizen Head Signal Station, a fog signal station located on Ireland’s most south westerly point. The station dating from 1910 was made to function automatically in 1993 and today you can enjoy wonderful views of the coastline and Atlantic waves and imagine what life was like for the keepers. Continue through the fishing town of Skibbereen to Baltimore and stop for some time at leisure before driving along the heavily indented coastline of Cork, popular for sports and vacations. Upon reaching Kinsale check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Dinner & Overnight: Trident Hotel, Kinsale

Today learn about Kinsale with a local guide on a short walking tour around this delightful town – the best way to get around the narrow, sloping Georgian streets. See the Old Courthouse, now a regional museum and a few miles outside the town visit Charles Fort, built in the 1670s to protect the area against naval attack from the Continent. Enjoy the balance of the day and evening at leisure for independent activities and dining.
Overnight: Actons Hotel, Kinsale

This morning depart Kinsale and motor through the countryside of County Cork and the town of Clonmel to Cashel to visit the Rock of Cashel. This impressive outcrop contains many ecclesiastical ruins which date from early Christian times. Of particular interest is the 12th century Cormac's Chapel, the finest example of Irish Romanesque architecture in the country. Also see the 13th century cathedral and the well-preserved round tower. Then travel west through Tipperary and Limerick to the Shannon region. Upon arrival check into your Bunratty hotel and enjoy some time to relax and settle in before dinner.

This evening join in the fun and feasting at Bunratty or Knappogue Castle. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories. (Them Eastport Oyster Boys of the Medieval Days! We’ll see what these lords and ladies have to say about not needing “a castle with a big old moat!!”)
Overnight: Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty

Sadly, today your Irish 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. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.

Music & Entertainment will be woven throughout our tour. Along with Them Eastport Oyster Boys, we hope to bring in local entertainers to join in on the fun… and of course, there will be the Pub Crawls to check out the local scene in action