Trip Itinerary:
*Note: All items on itinerary are subject to
availability
Day 1: April 5 - Depart US
Depart US on your overnight transatlantic flight bound for Shannon,
Ireland. We wish you a safe and pleasant flight to Ireland.
Day 2: April 6 - Shannon - Clonakilty
Arrive in Shannon Airport in the morning. As soon as you have cleared
customs your driver/guide will take you to your luxury coach
transportation. As soon as you have boarded, travel southwards
bound for West Cork. En route you will stop off and visit
Ireland’s second city, Cork for a morning coffee. Cork City is
the 2005 European Capital of Culture. You will continue on to the
bustling market town of Clonakilty. Check into
The Randles Hotel, is a small intimate hotel run by a professional team with a
nice bar and bistro to compliment the attractive
surroundings. Located
close to the city center, the boutique style of the hotel is both
charming and elegant, evident by the exquisite furnishings of
the lobby.
Bord Failte, the Irish Tourist Board, has designated
Clonakilty as West Cork’s Heritage Town, and a visit to the town soon
shows why. Its beautiful setting and rich diversity of pub
life attracts people from all over Cork and beyond. Among the most
celebrated venues is DeBarras Folkclub on the main street. This pub is
famous due to the high caliber of musicians who pass through its door on
a regular basis and it has live music every night of the week. They have
a full of listing regular gigs in the back bar which are worthy of a
nights entertainment.
Overnight and dinner at Randles Hotel, Clonakilty
Day 3 - April 7 - Clonakilty - Killarney
Today
you depart Clonakilty and head through the famed West Cork
coastal route onto Killarney. You will pass through the town of
Bantry that boasts the deepest harbor in Europe. The scenery
becomes more lush as you approach the sub tropical village of
Glengarriff where you can see Garnish Island nestled in the bay.
Take the pass over the famous Caha Mountain’s (right) to the
village of Kenmare (right), one of Irelands most picturesque
settings. Take some time out in Kenmare to explore the wonderful
craft shops and cafes of this very chic village.
Finally
head onto Killarney, Ireland’s premier tourist town where you
will spend the next two nights. Check into the Randles Dromhall
Hotel, and enjoy an evening meal with our party.
Killarney's
famous mountain scenes provide a magnificent backdrop for the
Randles Dromhall Hotel. Located 5 minutes walk from the town the
hotel offers the comfort and service one associates with a first
class hotel while retaining the friendliness and welcome of a
family run hotel. From the moment you enter the elegant marbled
lobby the scene is set for a special experience.
Overnight and dinner at Randles Dromhall Hotel, Killarney(right)
www.Dromhall.com
Day 4: April 8 Ring of Kerry
Today
you will have the pleasure of taking a tour of the famous Ring
of Kerry. This is a circular drive around the Iveragh Peninsula,
which takes you through spectacular coastal and mountainous
scenery along the base of the highest mountain range in Ireland,
The MacGillycuddy Reeks. Your journey takes you through villages
and towns depicting typical rural life in Ireland. Among the
highlights are Sneem, Caherdaniel and Waterville.
On your return to Killarney visit the Muckross House and Gardens
(below - right). The gardens at Muckross House are renowned worldwide
for their beauty. In particular they are noted for their fine
collections of azaleas and rhododendrons, an extensive water
garden and an outstanding rock garden hewn out of natural
limestone.
After after you return to your hotel, you may wish to explore
some of the nightlife in Killarney. Among the most noted for
live music are Scotts, Buckleys Bar, Scruffy Murphy’s and The
Danny Mann. You are sure to find a traditional session or a
singsong wherever you go.
Overnight again at Randles Dromhall Hotel, Killarney.
Day 5 - April 9 - Killarney – Cliffs of Moher – Galway
Depart Killarney, and travel along the North Kerry coastline to County
Clare, taking the Ferry from Tarbert to Killimer. There are
seaside resorts at Liscannor, Lahinch & Milltown Malbay
which all have some fine traditional pubs worth popping into for
a visit.
Stop off at the Cliffs of Moher (below), which are great dark
sandstone cliffs that rise sheer from the Atlantic for nearly 5 miles.
This is a truly awesome sight with the best views from O'Brien's
Tower, built in 1853 by Cornelius O'Brien. Continue via Ballyvaughan
in the Burren, which is a vast, bare, eerie limestone
plateau that covers much of County Clare.
It is gradually being established as a National Park. The
coast road provides a fine view of the huge boulders, deposited
at the end of the Ice Age that rest on the bare limestone
pavement. In fine weather the three Aran Islands are
visible offshore.
Continue along the bay
to Galway City that is renowned throughout the world for its
fine pubs that are dotted all over the city center. Check into
your hotel located in the city center beside Eyre Square.
Enjoy an evening meal in your hotel before taking the short walk
into town to sample the nightlife Galway is renowned for. The
most famous pubs are probably located close to Shop Street and Quay Street
on beautiful pedestrian cobbled pavements.
You should make sure you visit
The Quays Bar, made out of the contents of an old church and one of the
most beautiful pubs you will see anywhere in the world.
The Kings Head is also worth a visit. It is a large pub with live
music nightly. Some of the smaller Irish speaking pubs like Naughton's
or Murphy’s on Shop Street serve a great pint of Guinness. You will
also get the chance to hear the locals speak and sing in their native
tongue.
Check into Brennan's Yard (right), a refurbished city center hotel. This charming, intimate hotel with excellent standards of
accommodation, food and service is centrally located for Galway
City's nightlife action. The en-suite bedrooms have been
individually designed and are furnished with antique furniture.
Overnight and dinner at Brennan's Yard Hotel, Galway
Day 6: April 10 - Galway
After
a leisurely breakfast this morning you will take a tour of the beautiful
Connemara countryside, made famous by the John Wayne movie - The
Quiet Man.Filmed on
location in Connemara, you can see why the landscape and scenery of the
area was the real star of the movie! Connemara is a wild and
beautiful region of mountains, lakes, tumbling streams undulating bog,
unspoiled beaches and panoramic views. It is a Gaelic speaking region and has attracted many artisans,
who can be visited at work in their studios.
The
region is now largely uninhabited, although in the past the more
fertile lowlands were cultivated and the uplands were used as
pasture for cattle and sheep. Visit Kylemore Abbey (right) the home of the
Benedictine nuns in Ireland.
It is situated in the heart of Connemara, amidst rivers,
lakes and hills 80 km from Galway city. It has a wonderful
walled garden that is worth visiting and the views across
Connemara are only spectacular. Return to Galway City in the evening to enjoy the
friendly and vibrant atmosphere of its cobbled pedestrian
streets. You are free to enjoy the many good restaurants of
Galway city before embarking on one last quest into the music
bars of the city. I would recommend tonight that you visit the
university region where there is an eclectic range of bars most
notably, The Blue Note, The Roisin Dubh and Monroes.
Overnight again at Brennans Yard, Galway.
Day 7: April 11 - Departure
Today you will take the bus from Galway to Shannon for your return flight from Shannon Airport. We wish you a safe and pleasant flight back home.
Cost and Payment Schedule:
$ 1,075 per person, double occupancy
Single Room Supplement: $125
(Optional) Land-only*
package:
$740 double occupancy (*you procure your own airfare)
Prices do not include airport tax.
Payment Schedule: $100 Deposit due ASAP
Half of balance due February 10
Final payment due March 10
Send checks payable to MurphGuide Entertainment
MurphGuide Entertainment
1599 York Ave. #3N
New York, NY 10028
Please visit MurphGuide for more information and/or tickets.
MurphGuide Website
