We had a wonderful time! This was the first time I've traveled out of the country and wasn't sure how the trip would go. I was nervous, but everything went as planned. Tina did a terrific job and I ha Read more »
I wrote a review a year ago. Just want to re-emphasize, 15 months later, how grateful I am to Linda Larkin for organizing an absolutely wonderful trip. Our hotel in Port Rush was a bit worn but not a Read more »
I am writing to highly praise Irish Tourism. Our agent, Linda Larkin, provided a high level of customer service as we planned our tour to Ireland. She was very thoughtful and helpful. I also want t Read more »
The staff at Irish Tourism is extraordinary! My friends and I found ourselves in Ireland when the travel ban began. Maria and everyone at Irish Tourism worked hard to ensure we had places to stay, eve Read more »
Your tour begins in Dublin where we pay a visit to the National Museum of Decorative Arts. Here you can catch a glimpse of how Irish people in the past lived through their clothing and textiles. The next day in Dublin we will have a ‘knitting with wire’ workshop and you will be introduced to Tunisian crochet with one of our expert designers. Leaving Dublin, we will head for Connemara in the West of Ireland. Connemara is characterised by coastal coves and bays, fishing villages and by its vast expanse of mountainous scenery. Before we leave Galway we will enjoy a knitting workshop with Anne O’Maille of Ó'Máilles of Galway. Established in 1938, this shop became famous in the 1950s for outfitting the entire cast of the film The Quiet Man. The next two days of your trip will be spent on Inis Oirr (Inisheer), one of the famous Aran Islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay. You will enjoy knitting and dyeing workshops and learn the traditional methods and stitches the Aran Island way! Your time on the islands will include sightseeing and even a bit of Irish music and dance! The next part of the tour takes place in the south of Ireland where we visit the famous Ring of Kerry with its stunning ocean vistas and we will enjoy a knitting workshop with Carol Feller and Liz Spillane. Return to Dublin via the famous Blarney Castle where legend has it if you kiss the stone you will never be lost for words and have as the Irish say, ‘the gift of the gab’!
Tour begins 2:00 PM at your hotel in Dun Laoghaire, a charming suburb of Dublin just outside the city. Head out for an introductory tour of Dublin including O’Connell Street, St. Stephen’s Green, the seat of government at Leinster House, and other public buildings. Take a stroll through Trinity College’s campus in the center of the city with a guide and view the priceless 9th-century Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the four Gospels. Enjoy an independent evening at one of Dun Laoghaire’s many restaurants or pubs.
Head to the beautiful harbor city of Galway, stopping off for a welcome drink and a CIE Tours Exclusive experience at Sean’s Bar in Athlone, the oldest bar in Europe; Sean’s Bar has been serving customers since 900 AD. Take a guided walking tour through Galway center to view its iconic 18th-century Eyre Square and the surrounding stone-clad buildings and medieval winding lanes. Enjoy some free time to explore Galway on your own, then join your fellow travelers for dinner at your hotel. (B, D)
Explore scenic Connemara to admire how constantly-changing cloud formations give granite hills, sparkling lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Take a short catamaran cruise of Killary Harbour, a 9-mile fjord (seasonal). Head to Kylemore Abbey to see elegant rooms and the charming church, set beside a tranquil lake. Visit the Victorian Walled Gardens and enjoy a casual lunch. Return to Galway where the evening is free to explore the city. (B, L)
Travel south around Galway Bay and through the Burren, a region of rounded limestone hills that has a curious lunar-like appearance. Immerse yourself in farm life and watch trained sheepdogs obey their owner as they direct sheep through various obstacles. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, which rise almost 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic surf. Embark on a memorable ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary and head to Killarney. The evening concludes with a traditional Irish night featuring a lively show with dinner. (B, D)
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car through Killarney National Park to scenic Ross Castle, set on the shores of Lough Leane. See the highlights of Ireland's most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry, with plenty of stops for photo opportunities. Savor a light lunch and take a break in the colorful village of Kenmare. Return to Killarney for an evening on your own. (B, L)
Drive through the mountains into rich farming country on the way to Blarney Castle. Kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or explore the tranquil gardens. Travel along the coast to the Marine Bar in Dungarvan for some traditional music. Continue to Waterford to witness the creation of crystal masterpieces during your visit to the House of Waterford Crystal. (B, D)
In the morning join a local guide for a walking tour through the narrow streets of the old city to discover Waterford’s long history and some of its colorful characters. Later, stop in Kilkenny for a look around the medieval city center and have lunch on your own. Partake in the Smithwick’s Experience and enjoy a tasting paddle of their famous ales. Travel to Dublin and in the evening head to Cleaver East, a popular Dublin restaurant for a glass of wine and a farewell dinner. (B, D)
Your program ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner >
Do you have a partner or friend that doesn't knit? They are welcome to come along, ask our sales representatives about our non-knitter discount!
Cancellation Penalties:
Postponements:
Should you wish to change your tour to one of our other available tours or to a different date, you can do so subject to availability. An amendment fee of €500 per person will apply. Within 60 days of the tour commencement date, cancellation fees will apply.
Notes
Package A
Package B
Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.
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