Irish Escape

Enjoy a morning orientation drive through statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and past St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy this vibrant city.

CITY SIGHTS “In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and legendary library of Trinity College.

Your first stop today is in the popular seaside destination of Galway, known for its buzzing center of colorful shops and busy cafe culture. Then head to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, rising 668 feet above the wild Atlantic Ocean. Step onto the edge of the world to admire awe-inspiring views. Your overnight destination is in Ennis.

PICTURE PERFECT Feast your eyes on a stunning spectacle of sea and sky on the Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way. Try to resist the inspiration that has moved artists, poets, and scientists throughout the ages as you stand on the edge of 320 million years of geologic perfection on the rugged coastline of County Clare.

Enjoy a stop in the quaint village of Adare to see its pretty thatched cottages before a visit to Killorglin, the gateway to the Ring of Kerry. Take advantage of spectacular photo opportunities as this panoramic drive takes you around Ireland’s southwestern tip showing sparkling seascapes and mountains dotted with brightly colofed farmhouses. There’s also time for an Irish Coffee demonstration and tasting in a local bar!

LOCAL TASTES It’s crystal clear why we get a warm feeling on the Ring on Kerry with traditional Irish Coffee – as much a warm welcome now as it was for stranded travelers in 1943. It was a wintry night in Limerick when Foynes Port chef Joe Sheridan concocted this soothing elixir of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and whipped cream to make their cancelled flight a little more palatable. Raise a toddy glass of Caife Gaelach with a hearty “slainte!”

Your Irish luck continues across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. Take the opportunity to walk up to the castle, or to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. Continue to Waterford, home of the famous crystal, for your overnight accommodation.

LEGENDS & LORE Cut the blarney and hear the history of how telling tales is forever linked to the 15th-century castle and the village below in Blarney. One of the last estate villages that remain standing in Ireland, the village was built by an 18th-century landlord to house the castle workers there. It’s true!

Head to the “Marble City” of Kilkenny and stroll along the “Medieval Mile”, the city’s main thoroughfare which is lined with historic landmarks, quaint shops, and charming pubs. Return to Dublin where there’s an opportunity for some more free time.

LEGENDS & LORE “There once were two cats from Kilkenny. Each thought there was one cat too many.” Find out why people from Kilkenny are often referred to as “cats” while visiting the town also known as “Marble City.” See its 12th-century castle, secret lanes, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings and enjoy its perfect mix of small-town charm and eclectic big-city atmosphere.

Safe Travels Until We Meet Again!