11 Day Ireland Pubs and Shrines

Day 1: Departure from USA.

We meet at the airport three hours prior to our flights to Dublin. Dinner and breakfast served on board the flights.

Day 2: Welcome to Ireland

Arrive at Dublin Airport and meet with your driver & English speaking guide before transferring to Dublin City. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin City. Visit Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church and view the shrine of St. Valentine. Celebrate Mass at Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church or similar. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin/Kildare/Meath or area

Day 3: Dublin to Wexford

This morning depart Dublin for Waterford. This morning enjoy a guided tour of the Wicklow Mountains. Then we visit Glendalough Monastic Settlement. We will celebrate Mass at St Kevin’s Church or similar before enjoying a tour of Wicklow Brewery. Visitors will get up close to the brewing process from the milling of the grain right through to the fermentation tanks. Tours are personal and up close, no high tech buttons or fancy digital effects, only knowledge, humour and great taste. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Wexford or area

Day 4: Jerpoint Abbey and Malzards Pub

This morning after breakfast we will depart Wexford and journey to Waterford. En-route enjoy a sheepdog demonstration at Jerpoint Park. The Sheep dog demonstration with a collie dog herding sheep in the farmyard – a sight to behold! Then enjoy a pint, traditional music and a hurling demonstration at Malzards Pub. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Waterford or area

Day 5: Waterford to Kerry

After a hearty breakfast, we depart Waterford for Kerry. We will visit Blarney Castle. Attracting visitors from all over the world, Blarney Castle is situated in Blarney village, 8 km from Cork City. An ancient stronghold of the McCarthy's, Lords of Muskerry, it is one of Ireland's oldest and most historic castles, and indeed one of the strongest fortresses in Munster. Built in 1446, Blarney Castle is famous for its Blarney stone, The Stone of Eloquence, which is traditionally believed, to have the power to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss it. Many legends tell the story of the Stone, but why not kiss it and find out the truth behind the legend. We will then visit Blarney Woollen Mills. The mill is perhaps the largest quality craft shop in Ireland. This evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Killarney or area

Day 6: The Ring of Kerry

This morning enjoy a panoramic tour of the Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry (166km) is the most famous and panoramic route in Ireland.  Return to Killarney and enjoy a jaunting car ride in Killarney National Park. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Killarney or area.

Day 7: Kerry to Clare

This morning after breakfast we depart Kerry for Clare. En-route stop in Adare for time on our own to explore. Adare, regarded as one of Ireland’s most picturesque villages, is a small village with thatched cottages dotted throughout the town. These where created by the 3rd Earl of Dunraven in the 1820’s for his estate workers. Today they are mostly used as craft shops or restaurants. Visit Glenstal Abbey and enjoy a guided tour and talk. Glenstal Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in County Limerick. An estate with streams, lakes and woodland paths, surrounds a castle built in Norman style. The abbey, which is dedicated to Saints Joseph and Columba, is home to a community of monks. Celebrate mass and enjoy tea and scones in Glenstal Abbey. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Clare in area

Day 8:  Explore Clare

Today visit the Cliffs of Moher. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean and bordering the Burren Area, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. Continue through the Burren Region. The Burren landscape covers over 150 square kilometres and is one of Ireland’s 6 National Parks. Finally visit the Burren Smokehouse

At Burren Smokehouse visitor centre you can get a tasting of Burren smoked salmon. You can discover mosaics inside and outside the shop, and look at the first kiln used when the Burren Smokehouse was first set up. You can also watch a DVD presentation about the smoking process.

Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Clare or area

Day 9: Clare to Mayo

This morning depart for Knock via Galway. En-route stop in Galway for time at leisure. Next visit Knock Shrine and Museum. The story of Knock shrine began on Thursday evening of the 21st August, 1879, when the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of the church at Knock in County Mayo. Two commissions of enquiry, in 1879 and 1936, accepted the testimony of this apparition as trustworthy and satisfactory. Today, Knock ranks among the world’s major Marian shrines. Celebrate mass at Knock. Continue on to your hotel in Mayo and check in. Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Mayo or area.

Day 10: Mayo to Dublin

This morning depart Mayo for Dublin. En route visit Clonmacnoise. Clonmacnoise is a wonderful early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. On arrival in Dublin visit the Guinness Storehouse. The Guinness Brewery in Dublin is Europe's largest stout producing brewery and home to the Guinness Storehouse. Continue on to your hotel in Dublin and spend the balance of your day at leisure for personal exploration. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner and entertainment at the Merry Ploughboys Pub. Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area

Day 11: Farewell

After a final breakfast at your hotel, depart for Dublin Airport for your return flight home, the end of a memorable pilgrimage.