After customs and immigration formalities, our driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland. Today will be a leisure day to relax from the transatlantic flight. Drive the coast of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises to almost 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic breakers and runs 5 miles in length. Continue through the Burren Country, a region of rounded limestone hills, and around Galway Bay to check into your hotel in Galway.

The afternoon is free to browse around the city center; be observant for signs of its ancient and medieval history. The group rejoins at the hotel for dinner.

The itinerary today takes you west of Galway through the Connemara region known for its constantly changing skies and subtle colors. Drive past the gentle hills of the Maamturk Mountains and the Twelve Bens. En route, learn about the region's Connemara ponies and Connemara marble.

Conclude the day's touring with the Galway Irish Crystal and Heritage Centre. The Heritage Centre offers engaging displays and educational opportunities such as: The 14 Tribes who founded Galway; The Boatbuilders Workshop with its 100 yr old Hooker, the traditional Irish fishing vessel; The Claddagh Village experience, which examines the life of a unique village outside the ancient city walls; and finally, the Crystal Workshop where master cutters create intricate designs in crystal (and yes, there is a gift shop!).

The group will gather at the hotel for dinner. Afterwards, explore the Galway pubs which are famous for their traditional music.

Leave Galway and travel across Ireland via the towns of Ballinasloe, Athlone and Moate, all marketing centers which serve their surrounding regions. The rich farmlands will introduce you to many facets of Irish living. Enter the metropolitan region of Dublin on the east coast.

The evening is at leisure to sample the many great restaurants and pubs of Dublin.

This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of Dublin, and elegant and artistic city with spacious Georgian squares. We will take a tour of the Dublin Castle (something special that most tour groups do not get to do!) to see the State Apartments where many state functions are held in the richly decorated chambers; we'll also see the Chapel, which has a long history. We will visit the Old Jameson's Distillery where you can see the distillation process for this 'water of life,' as the Irish call their whiskey. Displays show how barley and water are combined, distilled, aged and bottled and at the end of the tour the group will enjoy a sample!

Next, visit the Guinness Hopstore, which is located in the center of the oldest part of Dublin. Through the colorful display and the audio-visual presentation learn all about the brewing of Guiness, which is so popular throughout Ireland. Then sample some of the dark stout before you leave. The afternoon is at leisure so that you can browse, shop and sightsee independently. In the evening you are free to choose from the wealth of restaurants and entertainment which Dublin offers. The theatre and pub life is excellent in this ancient city.

See a variety of scenery today as you depart Dublin and drive through Kildare, the center for horse breeding. Travel through rich farming areas and bustling towns past the Rock of Cashel, a huge outcrop with many ecclesiastical ruins.

Continue south to Cork and Blarney where you can climb the steps of fabled Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone and acquire the "gift of eloquence." Visit the Blarney Woolen Mills, a popular shopping haven with a wide range of quality Irish merchandise and a cozy pub. Drive through Macroom and into the mountainous country of Kerry and on to Killarney.

The group will have dinner together at the hotel tonight.

Today, travel around the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland's most popular drives. Starting in Killarney, this tour takes you around the highest mountains, the Magillycuddy's Reeks, and the constantly changing views of mountains and shoreline make this a memorable ride. Drive through the remote villages of Cahirciveen, Dairynane, and then to Sneem, a village of colorful houses grouped around two squares.

Continue through Moll's Gap with its views over the three lakes and stop at Ladies View for another spectacular scene before returning to Killarney. After a group dinner at the hotel, head to Laurels Pub in the center of Killarney, which is a lively place in the evening. The musicians play a variety of music and Irish dancers display some of the intricate steps of Irish set dances. The audience usually joins in the singing.

Overnight Killarney.

Depart Killarney and drive north to the village of Adare, well known for its attractive main street of thatched houses and colorful gardens. Stop for a stroll through the village and take some photos. Continue through the city of Limerick, noted for its many Georgian houses and the King John's Castle on the banks of the River Shannon. It is only a few miles from here to Shannonside.

This evening join in the fun and feasting at a medieval castle. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the castle during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories.

Overnight in Bunratty.