Fall Break in Ireland
Trip Itinerary
Friday, September 30
Depart USA for Dublin.
Saturday, October 1
Arrive in Dublin and meet our guide. Depart by motor coach for Newgrange and Knowth to visit the prehistoric passage graves constructed more than 5,000 years ago. Return to Dublin to visit Kilmainham Gaol which housed many of those involved in the fight for Irish independence. Check in at our hotel in the late afternoon.
Sunday, October 2
Attend church services at historic St. Patrick Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church. After lunch, take a walking tour of Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Elizabeth I. Visit the Old Library of the College which houses the Book of Kells, the richly decorated medieval manuscript containing the four gospels in Latin. End the day strolling down O’Connell Street to see the street’s mixed architectural styles and the monuments to Irish patriots.
Monday, October 3
Leave Dublin for Glendalough, the “valley of the two lakes,” to tour the site of the monastic settlement founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. From Glendalough, travel to Kilkenny for lunch and a visit to Kilkenny Castle, a Norman castle which overlooks the River Nore. Leave Kilkenny for Waterford, the oldest city in Ireland. End the day with a tour of the famous Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre. Spend the night in Waterford.
Tuesday, October 4
Travel from Waterford to visit the Rock of Cashel. This rocky stronghold was a symbol of royal and priestly power for more than 1,000 years. Leave Cashel for Cobh, a small town that has one of the world’s largest natural harbors After lunch, visit the Cobh Heritage Center to learn about the part Cobh played in the Irish emigration and the transport of convicts, and as a port of call for transatlantic liners such as the Lusitania and the Titanic. Travel from Cobh to Killarney where we will spend the night. In route to Killarney, stop to visit the remains of Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone.
Wednesday, October 5
Leave Killarney for an all-day excursion to some of the most beautiful countryside in Ireland. In the morning travel to the Dingle Peninsula and follow the famous Slea Head Drive to see some of Ireland’s wildest natural beauty and most ancient Christian sites. In the late afternoon visit Killarney National Park going first to see Torc Falls and then visiting Muckross House and Traditional Farm located on the shores of Muckross Lake. Return to Killarney for the evening.
Thursday, October 6
Depart Killarney for Shannon to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The castle has been restored to its original 16th century state. The Folk Park is a careful recreation of rural and village life in the 1800s. In the afternoon travel to the coast to see the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher which rise to a height of 690 feet and extend down the coast five miles. Obrien’s Tower provides an excellent view of the cliffs. Leaving the black shale and limestone of the Cliffs of Moher, travel east through a vast limestone plateau called the Burren. Few trees grow on the Burren, but the area is noted for an astonishing array of plants that can grow in the crevices of the limestone. Spend the night in Galway.
Friday, October 7
Travel west from Galway into Connemara, a wild region encompassing bogs, mountains, and rugged coastline. At the town of Clifden, take the Sky Road Loop which has splendid views of the mountains and Clifden Bay. From Clifden, go to Letterfrack for a visit to Connemara National Park, famous for its mountains, boglands, lakes, and wildlife. In the afternoon, visit Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian walled gardens. Travel on to Cong, a picturesque village on the shores of Lough Corrib. Return to Galway to spend the night.
Saturday, October 8
Leave Galway for Clonmacnoise, a medieval monastery located on the Shannon River. Founded by St. Claran in 545-548, Clonmacnoise lay at a crossroads of medieval routes. The monastery thrived from the 7th to the 12th century despite being raided by the Vikings and Anglo-Normans. It fell to the English in 1552. Leave Clonmacnoise for Dublin, arriving at our hotel in the early afternoon. Spend the rest of the day shopping, visiting points of interest, and packing for the trip home.
Sunday, October 9
Depart Dublin for the USA.
Program Cost
The program cost is $3,800. Included in this cost are:
- Roundtrip airfare from Nashville, TN
- Hotel accommodations in double rooms. An adult may request a single room for an additional charge.
- Breakfast each day at the hotel
- Admission to historic sites, museums, and other points of interest listed on the itinerary
- Travel by motor coach for excursions
This cost is subject to increase should there be changes in airfares, monetary exchange rates, or service costs that are not now anticipated.
Upcoming Trips
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Recent Trips
2023 Spring Break: Italy2019 Fall Break: Venice to Vienna
2019 Spring Break: Paris and Normandy
2018 Spring Break in England
2017 Fall Break in Greece
2017 Spring Break in Italy
2016 Fall Break in Ireland
2016 Spring Break in France
2015 Fall Break in the Netherlands and Belgium
2015 Summer in England
2014 Fall Break in Spain
2014 Spring Break in Italy
2013 Fall Break in Germany
2013 Summer in France
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