Irish Faith and History

Included Features DUBLIN: Welcome drink; orientation drive; visit Our Lady of Lourdes Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College KNOCK: Visit the Shrine, the Church of the Apparition, the Basilica, and the Folk Museum MURRISK (CROAGH PATRICK): Visit the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre KYLEMORE: Visit the Benedictine abbey ARAN ISLANDS: Ferry to and from Inishmore; visit the Heritage Centre; take a minibus tour; visit Don Aengus and its visitor centre KILFENORA: Visit The Burren Centre RING OF KERRY: Scenic peninsula drive KILLARNEY: Horse-drawn car ride WATERFORD: Guided tour of the Waterford Crystal factory ENNISCORTHY: Morning stop AVOCA: Guided tour of the handweaving mill GLENDALOUGH: Guided tour of St. Kevin’s center of Irish Christianity

Day 1 Board your overnight flight

Day 2 Arrival in Dublin, Ireland Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel Balance of day at leisure until you meet your tour director and companions for a welcome dinner

Day 3 Dublin Experience Dublin with a sightseeing tour of Our Lady of Lourdes Church to see the tomb of Venerable Matt Talbot

Day 3 Dublin Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral Walk around Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College, famous for the 1,200-yr-old Book of Kells

Trinity College

Day 3 Dublin. Balance of day at leisure

Day 4 Dublin- Knock Journey to Knock, where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1879 to townsfolk. Today it attracts pilgrims from around the world.

Day 4 Dublin- Knock Visit Knock Shrine, Church of the Apparition, the Basilica and Folk Museum This evening, join the rosary processions

Day 5 Knock-Murrisk-Galway This morning in Murrisk, visit the famous pilgrimage site of Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre, or St. Patrick’s Holy Mountain

Day 5 Knock-Murrisk-Galway Visit Kylemore Abbey, run by the Benedictine nuns

Day 5 Knock-Murrisk-Galway On to the port of Galway.

Day 6 Galway. Aran Islands Excursion Board a modern ferry to Kilronan on Inishmore, largest of the Aran Islands.

Day 6 Galway. Aran Islands Excursion. Continue on to the Aran Heritage Centre, cliff top Dun Aengus and Visitor Centre,

Dun Aengus

Day 7 Galway-Kilfenora-Bunratty-Adare- Killarney Enjoy the scenic route across The Burren At Kilfenora, visit the Burren Centre where the ancient cathedral and Celtic crosses form an important center of early Christianity

Day 7 Galway-Kilfenora-Bunratty-Adare- Killarney In Bunratty, visit the castle, stroll in the folk park, browse the smart shops or just enjoy time on your own!

Day 7 Galway-Kilfenora-Bunratty-Adare- Killarney Continue on through Limerick via Adare, with its thatched cottages before arriving in Killarney.

Day 8 Killarney. Ring of Kerry Excursion. Join the famed “Ring of Kerry” for its 100-mile drive.

Ring of Kerry

Day 8 Killarney. Ring of Kerry Excursion. In Killarney, enjoy a horse- drawn car ride through the National Park with vistas, lakes and ancient Ross Castle.

Day 9 Killarney-Blarney-Waterford Cross the Kerry Mountains into the Cork County to visit Blarney, and its Kissing Stone. Take time to walk up to the castle

Day 9 Killarney-Blarney-Waterford Proceed through Cork, Youghal and Dungarven to Waterford, to admire the crystal factory.

Day 10 Waterford- Avoca-Glendalough- Dublin Visit Enniscorthy, site of the final great battle of the Great Rebellion in In Avoca, visit Ireland’s oldest hand weaving mill

Day 10 Waterford- Avoca-Glendalough- Dublin In the Wicklow Mountains, make your way to the Glendalough Visitor Centre to learn about “Ireland of the Monasteries”.

Day 11 Your homebound flight arrives the same day

Meals Full Irish breakfast daily 4 three-course dinners

Quality Hotels DUBLIN Quality KNOCK Knock House Hotel GALWAY Radisson SAS KILLARNEY Scotts WATERFORD Fitzwilton subject to change

Dublin Quality Located on the south bank of the River Liffey, a stroll from the city centre 213 guestrooms, all with TV, tea and coffee makers, ironing station, hairdryer, telephone 1 full restaurant, 2 bars

Dublin Quality

Knock Knock House Hotel In tranquil village of Knock, minutes from the Marian Shrine 68 guestrooms, all with telephone, TV, radio, coffee and tea makers 1 full restaurant

Galway Radisson SAS On the waterfront of Lough Atalia and overlooking Galway Bay. 5 minute walk from city centre. 282 guestrooms, all with TV, coffee and tea maker, safe, ironing board and trouser press

Galway Radisson SAS

Killarney Scotts Right in the heart of Killarney Guestrooms all complete with flat screen TV, tea and coffee makers, hairdryer, ironing board 1 full restaurant, 3 bars

Waterford Fitzwilton Located in the centre of Waterford City 91 guestrooms, all with telephones, hospitality tray, TV, hairdryer 1 full restaurant, 1 bar

Waterford Fitzwilton

To Know About Your Destination Sometimes there is a small charge for public toilets Stores may close earlier than back home and are usually not open on Sundays Ice machines are not available in all hotels, nor are washcloths (you might like to pack a couple) Please remember that it is not customary in Europe to drink iced water with meals. Ice is not normally added to drinks unless specifically requested Many restaurants only serve bottled mineral water (for a fee). Europeans generally dine slightly later than might be your custom Coffee and tea are usually only served after meals and cost extra (ask the hotel staff).

To Know About Your Destination If you intend to visit a specific museum or other public venues, ask your tour director for the days and dates they are open. Request and keep receipts for all your personal spending (meals, souvenirs etc.) Sales tax or VAT (value added tax) is already included on price tags; VAT refunds, if applicable, will take about three months to process. Obtain the relevant tax form plus invoice from the store and hand it to the appropriate office when leaving your tour.

Money 1 U.S. Dollar = Euro We recommend use of a money belt while traveling. Please note that it is not very easy to change travelers checks. Even banks and exchange offices do not always offer this service and if it is offered, then charges are extremely high. We therefore recommend that you take a credit card with you plus a small amount of cash (preferably in US dollars).

Additional Information We recommend layered, easy care clothing, a pair of comfortable, tried-and-tested walking shoes, a heavy cardigan or jacket, and a small umbrella for the occasional shower. We suggest ladies pack at least one long skirt, as shorts or trousers may be inappropriate when visiting religious sites. Evening dress: smart casual. Shorts and bare shoulders are considered inappropriate at some religious sites, so carry trousers and a pullover in your hand luggage, or ask your tour director. Having laundry done can be very expensive, so you may wish to bring some travel soap.

Additional Information Remember a good quality, electric current converter (check that it is sufficiently powerful for your appliance) and international plug adapter for using electrical equipment abroad. To reduce charges on calls home, we recommend you use a calling card (this service may not be available from every telephone). Items to pack in your hand luggage: a good supply of any medication you are taking as it may not be available, extra film and spare batteries for your camera, a pen, light rainwear, a sweater, a road map if you enjoy "plotting your progress," and maybe a small travel pillow. Label your camera and rolls of film with your name and tour code; should you lose them, there's a better chance of their being returned. Remember to check that you have not left your camera or film on the motorcoach at the end of your tour.

Baggage Allowance We will provide you with a carry-on bag If you would like to take your own, carry-on bags should not exceed the dimensions of 12”x11”x6” For safety reasons, wheeled carry-on bags are not suitable as hand luggage on the motorcoach Porterage for one suitcase per person is included One suitcase per person