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Wednesday, April 23, 2008 -
Fly from USA to Dublin, Ireland
Depart Charlotte or your hometown and enjoy an overnight flight
to
Dublin
with in-flight entertainment and meal service.
Thursday, April 24, 2008 -
Dublin (Arrival and Sightseeing)
Amb. Ed Brynn will lead the
Council's customized tour to Ireland and will share with us
throughout the trip his vast knowledge of Irish history,
politics, culture and heritage, narrating all the sites we
are visiting.
Upon completion of
customs and immigration formalities, you will be met by your
coach driver and welcomed to Dublin with an orientation
drive around the
Dublin city center.
See the main thoroughfares of O’Connell Street and Nassau
Street, the
shopping
areas and some lovely public parks.
After check in at the
conveniently located
Trinity Capital
Hotel,
enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure for independent
activities.
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- "You'll be
thanking your shamrock you dallied in Dublin." (www.lonelyplanet.com)
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 Tonight,
a special “welcome” dinner is arranged at the hotel
Friday, April 25 - Dublin
(Highlights)
 Set
off with a local guide who will show you around the
prominent historic buildings and monuments of Dublin. Dublin
is an ancient settlement, founded by the Vikings in the 9th
century. The city has been molded through the centuries with
many architectural styles, reflecting the economic,
political and artistic influences. Stop to tour
St. Patrick's
Cathedral,
which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its
connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan
Swift. Ambassador Brynn has arranged for a local
expert to provide you an insider’s tour of
Trinity College
and the library, which is said to be one of the most
beautiful in the world and houses many Gaelic treasures. The
afternoon is free for independent activities, sightseeing,
shopping and much more. In the evening you may like to
sample
Dublin's traditional pubs.
Lunch
and dinner on an independent basis today.
Saturday,
April 26, 2008 - Bru' Na Boinne Visitor Center & Newgrange
 Travel
north to County Meath to enjoy the archaeological heritage
of the Boyne Valley which includes the megalithic passage
tombs of
Newgrange
and Knowth. The
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre contains extensive
interpretative displays and viewing areas. The Tomb at
Newgrange was built around 3200 B.C., covers a one acre area
and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly
decorated with magalithic art. It is estimated that the
construction of the tomb would have taken a work force of
300 at least 20 years to complete. Return to the hotel in
late afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day and evening for
independent activities and dining.
Lunch
and dinner
on an independent basis today.
Sunday, April 27, 2008 - Malahide Castle and Howth
Today’s excursion takes you towards the sea to Howth, a fishing
and yachting port, and popular suburban resort on the north side
of Howth Head. Its attractions are easily appreciated,
particularly at the coast. Howth Head gives fine views of Dublin
Bay and the Wicklow Mountains or Boyne Valley beyond.
 A
visit to
Malahide Castle completes this lovely day. Set on 250
acres of park land in the pretty seaside town of Malahide,
Malahide Castle was both a fortress and a private home for
nearly eight hundred years, and is an interesting hodge-podge of
architectural styles. The Talbot family lived here from 1185 to
1973, when the last Lord Talbot died.
The house is furnished with
beautiful period furniture together with an extensive collection
of Irish portrait paintings, mainly from the National Gallery.
One of the more poignant legends concerns the morning of the
Battle of the Boyne in 1690, when fourteen members of the family
breakfasted together in this room, never to return, as all were
dead by nightfall.
Lunch
and dinner on an independent basis.
Monday, April 28,
2008 - Dublin
An
independent
day in
Dublin,
but we do offer an optional morning tour of tracing
James Joyce’s
footsteps with the help of our local Irish experts. Later in
the afternoon, we will have an official visit us from the
U.S. Embassy in Dublin to lead a discussion on
current
U.S.-Irish
relations. Be sure not to miss it!
During your
free time, you have many opportunities to fulfill your
personal interests. Cultural attractions include Dublin
Castle and the Municipal Art Gallery. Weather permitting,
take a stroll through St. Stephen's Green or Merrion Square
and the surrounding Georgian streets. If you are interested
in
shopping head for Grafton Street, Nassau Street
and the Powerscourt Center where many stores and boutiques
specializing in Irish goods are to be found. In the evening
you are free for independent sightseeing, shopping, dining
and much more.
 
Lunch
and dinner on an independent basis.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - Glendalough
Drive across the
Wicklow Mountains to see the 6th century monastic ruins of
Glendalough,
This settlement was the centre of Christian religious
practice from the 6th until the 13th century. The visitor
center houses a comprehensive exhibit detailing the history,
archaeology, wildlife and much more. From the center you may
set out on your own to explore the site which includes a
round tower and two beautiful lakes. This excursion will
also include a stop at the Avoca Woolen Mills which produces
high quality woolens and also has a good café. Return to
Dublin
in the afternoon.
Lunch
on an independent basis.
 This
evening enjoy a farewell dinner at the 16th century
Abbey Tavern
which overlooks Howth Harbor and is famous for its
traditional Irish music and tasty Irish cuisine.
Thursday, April 30, 2008 - Return to the USA
All too soon, your vacation
in Ireland has come to the end. Transfer to Dublin Airport
in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear
security and claim your
VAT refund.
You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free
stores. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your
aircraft and fly west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the
United States.
Your Dublin, Ireland Guide - Ambassador Ed Brynn
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