sellIRELAND SUNNY SOUTHEAST

Arrive at the Dublin Airport and prepare to depart for a panoramic tour of Dublin. Check-in at your hotel in the Dublin area and enjoy dinner in your hotel & settle in for your first overnight stay in Dublin.

Depart for Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, Boyne Valley, County Meath. On arrival, explore the history behind the Boyne Valley and it’s famous passage tombs. You will continue via shuttle bus to the most famous tomb in the valley where you will enjoy a tour inside the passage way of Newgrange. Newgrange was constructed over 5,000 years ago (about 3,200 B.C.), making it older than Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Newgrange was built during the Neolithic or New Stone Age by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. Knowth and Dowth are similar mounds that together with Newgrange have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Then, you will depart Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre and head towards Kells Heritage Centre, Kells, County Meath. Kells Heritage Centre houses a fine exhibition of facsimile artifacts from Monastic Times including a copy of the Book of Kells gifted to the town by Trinity College. An audio/visual display, “Kells the Splendour of Ireland,” explains Monastic Ireland and the part Kells plays in that history. A model of the town in monastic times allows visitors to see the original site within the existing town. You will then be able to depart Kells for Trim, County Meath. On arrival it will be time for lunch before enjoying a guided tour of Trim Castle, the largest Anglo - Norman castle in Ireland constructed over a thirty year period by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter. Hugh de Lacy was granted The Liberty of Meath by King Henry II in 1172 in an attempt to curb the expansionist Policies of Richard de Clare, (Strongbow). Afterwards, prepare to depart Trim for the Hill of Tara, Tara, County Meath. Though best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the Hill of Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage tomb was constructed there. Tara was at the height of its power as a political and religious centre in the early centuries after Christ. Attractions include an audio/visual show and guided tours of the site. Exciting new research and excavations by the Discovery program team continue to add to the understanding of the site. Once complete you will depart back to the Dublin area for your overnight stay and dinner.

After breakfast, go to the Trinity College for a tour of the Library and Long Room. The Library’s history dates back to the establishment of the College in 1592 and it is the largest library in Ireland. Today it has 5 million printed volumes including the most famous of its manuscripts, the Book of Kells and the Book of Durrow. These were presented by Henry Jones, Bishop of Meath and former vice-chancellor of the University, in the 1660s. Afterwards, continue on to Chester Beatty Library, at Dublin Castle, for a tour of the Library. The Chester Beatty Library is an art museum and library which houses the great collection of manuscripts, miniature paintings, prints, drawings, rare books and some decorative arts assembled by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty (1875-1968). Then you will have time for lunch before continuing to Guinness Storehouse for a guided tour. Arthur Guinness founded his brewery at St James’s Gate in 1759. You can celebrate over 250 years of Guinness by visiting the Guinness Storehouse, discovering how it’s made, its history, learning how to pull the perfect pint, and even enjoying a pint while overlooking the city’s skyline in the unique Gravity Bar. Depart Chester Beatty Library for your hotel in the Dublin area for overnight stay and dinner.

After breakfast, depart for a tour of Glendalough Monastic site and visitor centre. Glendalough’s early Christian Monastic site was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses. The Visitor Centre has an interesting exhibition and an audio-visual show. Depart Glendalough for Waterford City. On arrival you will take a tour at the new Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre and enjoy a delicious lunch, This brand new home for Waterford Crystal occupies a 1.5 acre site on the Mall in the heart of Waterford, a prime location set back just a hundred yards or so from the River Suir and the city’s main quay, and bordering the city’s Viking Triangle area. The new manufacturing facility will include highly skilled local craftsmen and will produce 40,000 crystal pieces per year using traditional methods. Afterwards, you will depart for a walking tour of the city before traveling to your hotel in the Waterford area for dinner and your overnight stay.

Depart your hotel for Dungarvan, County Waterford via Tramore, and the Coastal route. Meaning “Big Strand”, Tramore is one of the most aptly named towns in the region, with its famous 5 km golden, sandy beach surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, and one of the region’s most popular resorts. Most of the traffic coming to Tramore comes from the Waterford City direction, but the most spectacular approach to this exciting resort is the route from Annestown and the coast road to the elevated western suburbs of the town. Then, arrive at Dungarvan Castle. King John's Castle is an Anglo-Norman fortification founded in 1185. It was built in a very strategic location at the mouth of the River Colligan. From here, ships could be anchored and soldiers could command the narrow strip of land to the south of the Comeragh Mountains which linked East and West Waterford. Afterwards, depart Dungarvan Castle for Kilkenny City.  Kilkenny is a vibrant, flourishing city with a fascinating medieval history and a thriving crafts industry, is one of the country’s most appealing cities to visit. With an 800-year-old Norman castle looking over the ancient streets, Kilkenny City has transformed itself into a hip, cosmopolitan destination with a diverse range of restaurants, lively pubs and bars. The city also hosts one of the world’s top comedy festivals, The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival, with acts from all over the globe offering excellent entertainment. Not only that, the city is firmly established as one of the great bastions of arts and crafts, being home to the National Crafts Council, as well as the ultimate in stylish stores, Kilkenny Design. You will then arrive at Kilkenny Castle and take a guided tour of the Castle and grounds. The magnificent Kilkenny Castle overlooks the River Nore and has guarded this important river crossing for more than 900 years. The Castle Gardens around Kilkenny Castle, with extensive woodland paths, rose garden and ornamental lake, are well worth a visit. You and your group will then have free time to explore the town and go shopping before continuing to the hotel for dinner.

After breakfast, depart for the Irish National Stud, Japanese Gardens and St Fiachras Garden, Tully, Kildare, and County Kildare. The world-renowned National Stud is home to some of Ireland's finest thoroughbreds. This 1,000-acre Farm has been in use as a Stud Farm since 1900. As a major tourist attraction, the stud also boasts a fascinating state-of-the-art Horse Museum where the history of Ireland’s long-standing relationship with her horses is explored and the paraphernalia of riding through the ages is displayed, overlooked by the skeleton of the legendary steeplechaser 'Arkle'. Afterwards, why not take a stroll around the beautiful Japanese Gardens situated in the grounds of the Stud Farm. Planned to symbolise the 'Life of Man' from the cradle to the grave they are considered the finest of their kind in Europe. Or, perhaps travel through an underground stone passage to experience the raw beauty of St. Fiachra's Garden. Designed as a Millennium project, it has four acres of woodland and lakeside walks and invokes the spirituality of the monastic movement in Ireland during the 6th and 7th centuries. Enjoy lunch before departing for Newbridge Silverware Visitors Centre and Museum of Style Icons, Newbridge, County Kildare. For 70 years, Newbridge Silverware has been designing and producing quality giftware, tableware and jewelry. The visitor centre and Museum of Style Icons offers visitors the most memorable experience. The museum is a permanent exhibition dedicated to design and style excellence. It features signature pieces from Irelands most notable designers and showcases artefacts associated with some of the most legendary Stars of the Silver screen including Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis, Barbara Streisand, Julie Andrews, Elizabeth Taylor, and many others! Afterwards you will depart for Dublin for your overnight stay at your hotel. As a farewell evening, attend a traditional Irish evening (optional).

After your breakfast, prepare to meet with your driver and assistant in the lobby of the hotel. There you will have to say goodbye to the Emerald Island and begin being transferred via motor coach to the Dublin Airport to begin your journey back home.

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