Oh to meet an Irish lad...

Let's just say that I've wanted to go to Ireland for as long as I can remember, but a few months ago, I decided to make my want to a reality. I fould a great tour company that takes a yearly pilgrimage to said country & next year, I will be with them!

To say that I'm excited is quite an understatement!!! As of today, they have finally posted the itinerary...check it out! Visiting Kilkenny, Youghal, Cork, Blarney, Macroom, The Ring of Kerry, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty, Galway Bay & Galway



1 - DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING: After we arrive in Dublin, we begin an afternoon panoramic tour of this fair city. We’ll visit Trinity College, founded in 1591 by Queen Elizabeth I. This beautiful institution was the alma mater of illustrious statesmen, authors and poets. Here we’ll be able to admire the ancient Book of Kells. We’ll also see the legendary St. Patrick's Cathedral, the national cathedral of the Protestant Church of Ireland. Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver’s Travels, is entombed within these walls. We will also visit Phoenix Park and the Wellington Memorial.

2 - KILDARE / KILKENNY / WATERFORD: Today we’ll travel to the historic town of Kildare, home of the Irish Sweeps Derby, where we’ll visit the National Stud Farm and Horse Museum. In this area more than 50% of Irish-bred horses are raised and sold. We will also visit the Japanese Garden. Continuing south, our journey brings us to medieval Kilkenny-- the marble city of Ireland--where the ancient castle may be viewed. We’ll continue on to Waterford for a visit to the world renowned Waterford Crystal Factory. We overnight in Waterford with dinner included this evening.

3 - YOUGHAL / CORK / BLARNEY CASTLE / KILLARNEY: This morning we follow the “sunshine coast” from Dungarvan to Youghal. This coastal town features many handsome homes and castles and was the filming location of the motion picture version of Melville’s Moby Dick. We continue south and east to the 800-year-old city of Cork. This city, Ireland’s second largest, grew out of a flourishing butter trade in the 17th and 18th centuries. Nearby is Blarney Castle where you’ll have an opportunity to receive the “gift of the gab” by kissing the Blarney Stone! Leaving Blarney, we travel the scenic Lee River Valley to Macroom, where we see the remains of its castle, before traveling to Killarney for a two night stay.

4 - RING OF KERRY EXCURSION / MOLL’S GAP / KILLARNEY: We drive through scenery of plunging cliffs and spectacular lakes, between granite mountains and endless beaches on our tour of the “Ring of Kerry.” We travel through Moll's Gap and down over the Black Valley to Ladies View. Next is Killorglin to Cahirciveen with the memorial to St. Brendan the Navigator and views of Dingle Bay and the South Kerry mountains. We see Charlie Chaplin's hideaway, Waterville and Derrynane, home of Ireland's liberator Daniel O'Connell. Later we return to our hotel in Killarney.

5 - CLIFFS OF MOHER / LIMERICK: First we cross the Shannon by ferry to County Clare to see the magical Cliffs of Moher where we visit the new visitors centre. Then we travel on to the curious Burren, with unusual rocks and flora. Later we visit Bunratty Castle, a living museum that takes us back to the days of old Ireland, before arriving at our hotel in Limerick.

6 - LIMERICK / DUBLIN: We travel via Ennis and across County Clare to Galway Bay for panoramic views and a picture stop at Galway Cathedral before driving to Dublin. We enjoy a farewell dinner tonight with our tour director and new found friends.


I'm already thinking of maybe going to Australia in 2012...I know, I know...one country at a time :) My dream will finally become a reality...woohoo!!!