The New Barleycorn tour the world


TRAVEL CONCEPTS September 24- October 4, 2012 Itinerary Click here to download the following itinerary as a pdf. Call for full info after Feb. 1, 2012: Travel Concepts 508-879-8600 (Office)
Mon, Sep 24	UNITED STATES TO DUBLIN Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy inflight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Tue, Sep 25	DUBLIN ARRIVAL & GLENDALOUGH After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Then your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Board the coach and travel along the original road to Belfast stopping for breakfast at Man O War Public House, which has been recorded in deeds dating back to 1595. Enjoy breakfast, in the same place many travelers stopped at since 1732. Wolfe Tone enjoyed breakfast here in July 1792 as well as Dr. John Gamble and Austin Cooper to name a few. Leaving Dublin drive across the Wicklow Mountains to see the 6th century monastic ruins of Glendalough, where the peacefulness of the valley conjures up the spirit of the monks. The Visitor Centre explains how St. Kevin founded this settlement at a time when Christianity was burgeoning throughout Ireland. Today the monks have long gone, leaving the ruins of numerous churches and a round tower. Then head south to Waterford and check into your hotel. Enjoy some time to relax and settle in before joining your group for dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GRANVILLE HOTEL, WATERFORD
Wed, Sep 26	HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL & DUNBRODY EMIGRANT SHIP Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to see how skilled craftspeople create masterpieces of glass. Watch all stages of production from the blowing of molten crystal to the final polishing. In the showrooms you can see a wide range of tableware and special trophies and you will have an opportunity to buy. Then drive a short distance north to the town of New Ross to visit the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship. This is a replica of a sailing vessel built in 1845 to transport emigrants from Ireland to North America. The visit will give you an insight as to what life on board ship was like as well as filling you in on the history of the famine years. After your visit, return to Waterford where the balance of the day is at leisure for individual pursuits before dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GRANVILLE HOTEL, WATERFORD
Thu, Sep 27	COBH & KINSALE Depart Waterford and travel along the south coast via Dungarvan and Youghal to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Tour the Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the former train station from where passengers embarked for the United States. The exhibition traces the history of emigration from the age of the sailing “coffin ships” during the Famine years of the 1840s to the advent of steamships. Then drive south to the coastal town of Kinsale and take a brief walking tour with a local guide to learn the history of Kinsale. The town traces its origins back to 1177 when the Anglo-Normans founded a town in a small walled area close to the water. It grew as a port town during the 18th century and today the harbor is favored by yachtowners. The town has steep, narrow streets with many fine Georgian houses. Today it is renowned as “the gourmet capital” of Ireland and there are many award-winning restaurants and pubs. Check into your hotel and enjoy some leisure time before joining your group for dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CARLTON HOTEL & C SPA, KINSALE
Fri, Sep 28	BLARNEY CASTLE Today drive a few miles outside of Cork to Blarney to climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence." Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Return to Kinsale where your afternoon is at leisure for independent sightseeing and shopping before dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CARLTON HOTEL & C SPA, KINSALE
Sat, Sep 29	CLONAKILTY, SKIBBEREEN & KILLARNEY Depart Cork and travel along the south coast of Ireland this morning. Stop for some free time in the small fishing town of Clonakilty which has been designated West Cork's Heritage Town by Board Failte. It is a town of tall spires, towers and historic buildings - the brewery buildings, the mills and the quayside warehouses, telling of the town's busy trading and industrial past. Then continue along the coast for some leisure time in Skibbereen. The name Skibbereen means "little boat harbor." The advance of commercialism hasn't yet reached Skibbereen which means that the town still retains its local, colorful and friendly feel. Then travel through Glengarriff, which is renowned for sheltered bays where sub-tropical plants flourish. Cross the Caha to Kenmare and on to Moll’s Gap for views of Killarney, its three lakes and mountains. Arrive in Killarney and check into your hotel. This evening enjoy dinner and entertainment at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, which is picturesquely situated at the entrance to what must be the most beautiful glaciated valley in Ireland, the Gap of Dunloe. The Irish night consists of a superb meal and traditional entertainment, which includes songs and musicians playing a wide array of instruments along with costumed dancers doing the jig and other traditional sets. OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Sun, Sep 30	RING OF KERRY & SKELLIG EXPERIENCE 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 Sneem. Head back to Killarney through Moll’s Gap with stunning views of the Lakes of Killarney. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Mon, Oct 1	CLIFFS OF MOHER & GALWAY Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Tarbert. Take a 20-minute ferry ride across the River Shannon estuary and drive along the coastline of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher, one of the country’s most magnificent rock formations that rise to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Pass through the Burren Country, an area of rocky limestone hills where a number of unique flowers thrive. This region also contains many dolmens, prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs. Drive around Galway Bay before arriving at your hotel in Galway. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure to relax or do some exploring on your own before joining your group for dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL MEYRICK, GALWAY
Tue, Oct 2	CONNEMARA & KYLEMORE ABBEY Today tour Connemara and admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. Stop in the quaint village of Spiddal, which retains the Irish language and many traditional lifestyles. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely and also tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Stop to visit Kylemore Abbey, a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion overlooking Kylemore Lake. Originally a private residence, it is now a prestigious girls' school. Visit the chapel and the restored Victorian gardens, which have won awards. Return to Galway and enjoy some time at leisure before dining in your hotel. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL MEYRICK, GALWAY
Wed, Oct 3	ENNIS & FREE TIME Depart Galway and drive around the shores of Galway Bay and past the rounded limestone hills of the Burren country. Then check into your hotel in Ennis, Co. Clare where you will have the remainder of the day at leisure for independent sightseeing. Then after joining your fellow travelers for dinner, enjoy an evening of music, fun and laughter. OVERNIGHT: TEMPLE GATE HOTEL, ENNIS.
Thu, Oct 4	RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES 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.