October 1 - Sunday
ARMAGH & ULSTER FOLK PARK
Irish breakkfast this morning. Depart Dublin and tour across the Irish Republic crossing the border into Northern Ireland into County Armagh. Armagh is the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. There are two St. Patrick's Cathedrals, one Prostesant (pre-Reformation Catholic) and one Catholic. Continue to the Ulster American Folk Park which is both an indoor and outdoor museum. It takes you from the Plantation Period through the emigration from Ulster to the New World. Continue to Derry City founded by St. Columcille in the 5th century. Stay at the Everglades Hotel. Tonight we enjoy a WELCOME dinner and chat about the upcoming Northern Ireland adventure.

October 2 - Monday
DERRY CITY
Irish breakfast this morning. You'll enjoy a tour of the walled city with a local guide and walk the 17th century walls and view the Bogside and St. Colum's Cathedral. See the Guild Hall where the City Council sits. The Doherty Castle and the Derry City Museum take you back through time from St. Columcille in the 5th century to the 'Troubles' of the late 20th century. You‘ll enjoy the remainder of the day exploring this vibrant city. Be sure to visit the Heritage center on Bishop Street. This building is dedicated to Conn O'Scannlain's mother, Moira Hegarty O'Scannlain. As you look at Lough Foyle you may be able to visualize at the end of WWII, a fleet of German U-Boats surfacing in Lough Foyle as the German Commander refused to surrender to the British but instead surrendered to the US Navy base here in Derry. Dinner Included in the hotel restaurant.

October 3 - Tuesday
GRIANAN OF AILEACH
Irish breakfast this morning. Cross into the Irish Republic, staying in the Province of Ulster, and visit Grianan of Aileach, the most interesting relic of antiquity in Ulster. This unique circular stone fort occupies the top of Greenan Mountain. It was built in 1700 BC and once was the residence of the Kings of Ulster - The O'Neills. Return to Derry City for a leisure afternoon with time to explore this fascinating city. Stay at the Everglades Hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening. There are many pubs and restaurants nearby to give you a choice of menus.

October 4 - Wednesday
DUNLUCE CASTLE, GIANT’S CAUSEWAY & BELFAST
Irish breakfast this morning. On to Dunluce Castle, a McDonnell Castle, sitting precariously on a cliff edge. It is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Parts of the castle date back to the 14th century. A village surrounded the castle but was destroyed by fire in the mid-16th century. It was the headquarters of the MacDonnell Clan. The castle has been restored and a has a very fine interpretive center. On to the town of Bushmills and visit the oldest distillery in Ireland or Britain, Bushmills, which received its charter in 1608. Continue to the Giant's Causeway. The legend has it that Finn McCool, the mythical giant, built this bridge to Scotland to reach his beloved. The hexagonal shaped stone pilings and pillar are a geological marvel. Tour to Ballycastle, with views of Rathlin Island and Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland. Continue on to marvel at the scenic Glens of Antrim and visit the warrior-poet's grave, Ossian, son of Finn McCool the legendary giant. On south along St. George's Channel visiting the towns of Cushendun and Cushendall. Tour south along the North Channel with views of Scotland across the water (on a clear day). You pass Larne which is the ferryport to Scotland. Stop in Carrickfergus, at Carrickfergus Castle where King William of Orange landed in 1690 to fight the forces of King James II. On to Northern Ireland's capital - Belfast City. You’ll stay in Belfast at the Europa Hotel. Three U.S. President’s have stayed here. Dinner Included in the hotel restaurant.

October 5 - Thursday
BELFAST CITY
Irish breakfast this morning. Explore Belfast City today. With a population of 300,000 it is attractively situated on the Lagan estuary at the foot of the Antrim plateau. On a panoramic tour of the city you will see that the architecture is similar to that of London; the City Hall, Linenhall Library and the Law Courts. Pass by the Royal Belfast Academic Institution, the Grand Opera House and across the street the Crown Liquor Saloon. It also has a fine cultural tradition which is not always recognized, and its museums and art galleries are worth a visit. Titanic Belfast is located in the heart of Belfast, right beside the historic site of this world-famous ship’s construction. Housed in an iconic, 6-floor building, this state-of-the-art visitor experience tells the story of the Titanic, from its conception in Belfast in the early 1900’s, through its construction and launch, to its famous maiden voyage and tragic end. The story is brought up to the present with the discovery of the wreck and into the future with live links to contemporary undersea exploration. You’ll stay in Belfast at the Europa Hotel. Dinner is on your own this evening. There are many pubs and restaurants nearby to give you a choice of menus.

October 6 - Friday
DOWNPATRICK & CASTLE WARD
Irish breakfast this morning. You’ll enjoy an excursion to County Down with a stop at Saul where St. Patrick had his base and many sites here associated with him. His grave is located in Downpatrick Cathedral cemetery. On to Castle Ward near the town of Strangford. It is an 18th century mansion nestled in the rolling hillside and overlooking Strangford Lough. It is like stepping into the fantasy world of castles and dragons with the Georgian farmyard and the Lough shore. On to the town of Newcastle, home of the famous Royal Down Golf Club with its backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne sweeping down to the sea. Stay im Newcastle at the Slieve Donard Hotel. Dinner Included in the hotel restaurant.

October 7- Saturday
BATTLE OF THE BOYNE & BOYNE VALLEY
Irish breakfast this morning. Tour south to the Irish Republic. Near Drogheda you will find Monasterboice, an early christian settlement founded by Saint Buithe in the 6th century. It is noted for its high crosses and one in particular is St. Muiredach’s Cross which is over 18 feet tall. It has carved panels that depict stories from the Bible. On to nearby Old Bridge and the Battle of the Boyne Center. It was here in 1690 that King William beat Kine James II. Continue to Dublin where you stay at the Alexander Hotel at Merrion Square. Dinner is on your own this evening. There are many pubs and restaurants nearby to give you a choice of menus.

October 8 - Sunday
DEPART FOR HOME
Irish breakfast this morning.  Transfer to the Dublin Airport. Check in for your flight.   Depart  for Home.

Please arrange your air reservation to depart Dublin on Sunday, October 8 for the USA

SLAN LEAT

POST-TOUR DUBLIN PACKAGE: One Night
Extend your Ireland Tour with one night in Dublin, Ireland's Capital. Package includes: Private Taxi Transfer from airport to hotel, Dublin City Sightseeing Tour, and porterage at airport and hotel. Click here: Dublin's Fair City Package

ESCORTED TOUR
LIMITED TOUR MEMBERSHIP
LAND TOUR PRICE IN EUROS: 9 DAYS - €2,726 (€2,644)
Land Tour price is per person sharing DOUBLE/TWIN room
Single room Supplement IN EUROS: : €999 (€969)