GEOTOURS IRELAND: JULY 21 - AUGUST 2, 2011
COST = $1490 (LAND ONLY; Including Hotels, Transportation, and Entries/Activities) (to be paid to GeoTours)
AIRLINE TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED BY THE PARTICIPANTS (the fare listed below is likely to change)
Airfare for LAX-DUBLIN-LAX will cost about $1100-1300, including taxes (use www.kayak.com)
GeoTours Trip to Ireland – July 21 – August 2, 2011
Thu 7/21 Depart USA
Fri 7/22 Arrive Dublin late morning
City tour of Dublin on Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and on foot
Dublin Castle
Kilmainham Jail (political prison during British period; documents persecution of Irish)
Evening to sample Dublin’s music and nightlife
Sat 7/23 Dublin – day to enjoy the city
Trinity College and Book of Kells
(beautiful illuminated manuscript from the Dark Ages)
Walk Grafton Street (lively pedestrian street)
Another night to experience Dublin’s music and nightlife
Sun 7/24 Depart Dublin in private tour bus
Glendalough
6th century monastic settlement with great ruins; beautiful lakes and nature
Powerscourt Estate
Beautiful gardens and fountains (Ireland’s version of Versailles)
Rock of Cashel – one of the most impressive castles in Ireland
One night in village of Cashel
Mon 7/25 Morning views of Rock of Cashel
To Killarney - Afternoon tour of Killarney National Park
Muckross House, Torc Waterfall
Killarney – Night #1
Tue 7/26 Tour the scenic Ring of Kerry
Walk part of the Gap of Dunloe in Killarney National Park
Route goes through a glacial valley past lakes
Killarney – Night #2
Wed 7/27 Travel through the Burren, a limestone region with a striking landscape
Cliffs of Moher
Spectacular coastal cliffs, 700 feet above the crashing surf
Continue to Doolin - great pubs with traditional music
Doolin for 2 nights
Thu 7/28 Day to trip to Inishmor, largest of the Aran Islands
40 minutes boat ride to reach Inishmor
Either rent a bicycle, or go in van or horse and carriage
Suggested itinerary: Black Fort cliffs (bike)
St. Benan's Church
Dun Aengus fort (by bike or van or horse carriage)
Return to mainland; free evening in Doolin
Fri 7/29 Travel through Connemara, beautiful scenery in good weather
Kylemore Abbey, imposing monastery on a mountainous lakeshore
Optional afternoon hike up Croagh Patrick if the weather is good (3-4 hours round-trip)
"Patrick's Mountain" is where St. Patrick spent 40 days fasting
Pilgrimage site for Irish Catholics and gives great views in good weather
One night in Castlebar
Sat 7/30 On to Northern Ireland with a stop in Derry to learn about the “troublesâ€
Protestant and Catholic murals; excellent museum; can walk atop the city walls
On to Portrush for two nights, stay in a B & B across the street from a beautiful beach
Sun 7/31 Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland’s most famous natural sight
Bizarre basalt columns along a dramatic coastline
Dunluce Castle, ruins in a cliff-hanging location
Walk across Carrick-a-rede suspension bridge
80’ above the sea, extending to a rocky island
Bushmills Distillery
Portrush for night #2
Mon 8/1 Return to Dublin via Belfast
Belfast
Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods fascinating political murals
See the docks where Titanic was built
Final night in Dublin (1 night)
Tue 8/2 Depart for home; arrive USA the same day
Ireland, July 2011
