BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 METHOD:PUBLISH CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20121129T000000 DTEND:20121204T000000 DTSTAMP:20120710T154856 SUMMARY:Ireland Trip 2012, Ireland DESCRIPTION:                    UNITED STATES TO DUBLIN United Flight 126   IAD 10:00 p.m./DUB 9:50 a.m. Depart Washington Dulles International Airport on United Flight 126 at 10:00 p.m. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as we travel across the Atlantic.   DUBLIN ARRIVAL & KILKENNY CASTLE Flight 126 lands at 9:50 a.m. at Dublin Airport. Upon completing customs and immigration formalities, be greeted by CIE Tour guide, who will welcome us to Ireland and escort us to the coach. We will stop for breakfast at Glasnevin Cemetery, the largest cemetery in Ireland, which opened in 1832. It has acted as Ireland's National Cemetery and is the final resting place of many of those who helped shape modern Ireland, including Daniel O'Connell, Michael Collins, and Maude Gonne. After breakfast, travel to the medieval town of Kilkenny and visit Kilkenny Castle, home of the Butlers, Earls, and Dukes of Ormonde. The castle was first built in 1192 and added to over the centuries. Restored to its 1830's splendor, it houses wonderful paintings and furniture. Also visit the Kilkenny Design Centre, a showcase for the best of Irish design and workmanship. Built in 1760 as a coach house and stables for Kilkenny Castle, this design Center consists of a central shop surrounded by a collection of workshops of different types. We will end our busy day at St. Francis Abbey. Over 300 years ago in 1710, John Smithwick began brewing his first ales, although the Smithwick's story started long before then. He chose the site of an ancient monastery, St. Francis Abbey in Kilkenny City, to position his brewery. John was inspired by a tradition of brewing on this site, the foundations of which were laid four centuries earlier. Back in the 13th century the Franciscans established an Abbey, with its own well, on the banks of the River Nore in Kilkenny. Whilst brewing and barley cultivation are recorded in Irish annals from the mists of time, the strong brewing tradition that exists in Kilkenny started with these monks who would have brewed their own light ale for their visitors, using water from St. Francis' Well. To this day the Abbey stands proudly at the heart of the brewery and continues to inspire the brewers. After our visit, check into Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel. After dinner at the hotel, enjoy local entertainment at the hotel bar.  DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILKENNY ORMONDE HOTEL, KILKENNY ROCK OF CASHEL, HOUSE OF WATERFORD & KILLARNEY This morning, depart Kilkenny and travel through rich farming areas and marketing towns. Stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a stately limestone outcrop topped with medieval church ruins. Then, continue to Waterford, home of the famous hand-cut crystal. Visit the House of Waterford Crystal for a demonstration of glass blowing and cutting and see a huge collection of magnificent trophies on display. From Waterford, continue west to County Kerry and arrive in the town of Killarney. Check into the International Hotel, and then have dinner. DINNER & OVERNIGHT: INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, KILLARNEY DINGLE PENINSULA Today discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula, made famous by David Lean's movie, "Ryan's Daughter." At the base of Conor Pass, stop at the Dingle Brewing Company to learn about the brewery's rich and varied past before sampling a pint of this local lager. Then, drive along the south shore of the peninsula and view plenty of vistas of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach and rocky headlands. There will be frequent stops at strategic locations to admire the views and take photos. Stop in the town of Dingle before continuing to the western tip of the peninsula to visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who eked out a living by farming and fishing before to Killarney. This evening, enjoy dinner and entertainment at Kate Kearney's Cottage, which is picturesquely situated at the entrance to one of the most beautiful glaciated valleys in Ireland, the Gap of Dunloe. The Irish night consists of a superb meal and traditional entertainment, including songs and musicians playing a wide array of instruments along with costumed dancers doing the jig and other traditional sets.    OVERNIGHT: INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, KILLARNEY   BLARNEY CASTLE & DUBLIN This morning, leave Killarney and drive from the mountains of Kerry into the rich farming country of Cork. At Blarney, stop to climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence" and spend a little time walking around the village and do some shopping. Then, motor along the coast of Ireland via Youghal to Dungarvan and stop for lunch at the Marine Bar, sit by the turf fire, and be entertained by owner Christy. This is one of the highlights of your tour. View the rich farmlands and drive through Kildare, the center for horse breeding. Upon arrival, check into the Burlington Hotel and enjoy some time to settle in before heading to the Abbey Tavern for dinner and a traditional ballad session. The drive to Howth, a suburb on the north side of the city will give you great views of Dublin Bay. Built on the site of an old abbey, this pub has been in business for over 200 years. OVERNIGHT: BURLINGTON HOTEL, DUBLIN RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES United Flight 36  DUB 11:20 a.m./IAD 2:36 p.m. Today, our Irish getaway unfortunately comes to an end. Transfer to Dublin Airport, check in for our flight, clear security and claim our VAT refunds. Then, we'll clear U.S. Immigration before boarding United Flight 36, departing at 11:20 a.m. After our flight west, we'll land at Dulles International Airport at 2:36 p.m. Trip Highlights: • Tours include Kilkenny Castle, Abbey Brewery, House of Waterford Crystal, and Dingle Brewing Company. • Included meals: five full breakfasts; four dinners. • Our own experienced and delightful tour guide provided by CIE Tours International. • Fantastic accommodations at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel in Kilkenny, the International Hotel in Killarney, and the Burlington Hotel in Dublin. • Travel with a congenial group of fellow alumni. Travel Pricing:          $1600.00* *Includes airfare from Dulles Airport.          Travel Package Includes: • Exclusive transport by luxury motorcoach with a driver/guide (one man) for five days. • Hotel accommodation based on twin-bedded rooms with private bath as listed for four opposite nights. • Five full breakfasts • Two table d'hote dinners • Breakfast at Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin. • Evening entertainment in your Kilkenny hotel. • Dinner and evening entertainment at Kate Kearney's Cottage. • Dinner and entertainment at Abbey Tavern. • Visits and admission fees to: Kilkenny Castle, Abbey Brewery, Rock of Cashel (photo stop), House of Waterford Crystal, Dingle Brewing Company, Blasket Centre, Blarney Castle and Woolen Mills. • Hotel porterage, service charges and government taxes. • Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags, and identifying strap.   Please note: Trip itinerary may change due to circumstances beyond the control of the CUA Alumni Office, or because a more advantageous stop is available. If you have any questions, please call the Office of Alumni Relations at 800-288-ALUM (2586). Trip Payment and Cancellation Details: Final payment must be made before September 1, 2012. Cancellations received prior to October 1 will be entitled to a full refund less the $200 deposit. All cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be given for cancellations made less than 45 days prior to the trip. The Catholic University of America is not an agent of CIE Tours International or the suppliers or contractors of any of the services described herein, including, but not limited to, airlines, suppliers of hotel, transportation and any other tour-related services. CUA is not responsible for any negligent acts and/or omissions of these independent contractors, their employees, agents, servants or their representatives. This tour package does not include accidental death or injury insurance for travelers. Optional travel insurance will be made available to confirmed passengers. CUA shall be exempt from all liability in respect to detention, delays, loss, damage, sickness or injury howsoever and by whosoever caused and whatever kind incurring of or to the passenger at any time when the passenger is participating in the Ireland Pub and Shopping Tour. CUA is not responsible for loss of luggage or any other incidental items. The Itinerary specified herein is subject to change without notice. Substitutions, if necessary, will be of a comparable quality. CUA reserves the right to cancel this tour at any time prior to departure and refund monies, including deposits, in full settlement of its obligation. In the event of cancellation by CIE Tours International, CUA's liability shall be limited to a refund of all payments made by the tour participants to CUA. The Ireland Trip is now officially full. We are taking names for a wait list if a space(s) become(s) available. If interested, please call the Office of Alumni Relations at 800-288-ALUM (2586). 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