The Catholic University of America

017. Ireland Travel Club

    






UNITED STATES TO DUBLIN
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

DUBLIN ARRIVAL & SIGHTSEEING
Upon completion of customs and immigration at Dublin Airport, your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the motorcoach.  The first stop this morning is at the Man O’War Pub. Weary travelers have sought shelter here since 1595, thanks to the ideal location and roaring fires. After a hearty Irish breakfast, you will continue to Dublin, and meet your guide, who will escort you to Trinity College  to view the 8th century manuscript of the Book of Kells.

After checking into the hotel, the afternoon is free so that you may relax or explore Dublin.  In the evening, head to the Old Jameson Distillery situated in the heart of the city.  Start with a tour of the Distillery to learn about whiskey making.  Then enjoy a “Shindig,” or evening of celebration where you sit down to a five-course dinner, followed by performing of traditional and contemporary Irish songs and ballads and a selection of Irish step-dancing. 

OVERNIGHT: CAMDEN COURT HOTEL, DUBLIN


COBH & BLARNEY
Depart Dublin and ride through the prosperous farming country and marketing towns of the midland region of Ireland.  Continue south past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains east of Cork to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships and the departure port for the Titanic. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Titanic Trail, learning emigrant, military, and maritime history along the street and piers of Cobh.

Drive a short distance to Blarney and stop to climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence."  You will have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. After your visit, travel south to Kinsale and check into your hotel to relax before dinner with your fellow travelers.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TRIDENT HOTEL, KINSALE


KINSALE WALKING & GHOST TOURS
Today enjoy a walking tour of Kinsale, an attractive town with steep narrow streets and elegant Georgian houses. In the center see the Old Courthouse, now a regional museum. A few miles outside the town, we’ll visit Charles Fort, built in the 1670s to protect the area against naval attack from the Continent.  Kinsale is known as the “gourmet capital” of Ireland with many excellent restaurants and cafes located on Main Street. Return to your hotel and spend some free time to rest or explore this picturesque seaport on your own before dinner.

After dinner join your fellow travelers on a ghost tour, which combines the best of street theatre with humor and shock horror tactics. The tour also includes a well-informed version of the town’s long history. The group assembles for the walk beside the recently-discovered medieval well behind Kinsale Tap Tavern in the heart of the Old Town known as the Guardwell.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TRIDENT HOTEL, KINSALE


ROCK OF CASHEL PHOTOS & DUNBOYNE
Set off on the coach this morning through the rich dairy country of Cork and Tipperary.  This is known as the “Golden Vale,” where much of Ireland’s cheese is produced.  Stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a huge limestone outcrop that rises from the surrounding plain and makes a picturesque setting for the many ecclesiastical ruins. Continue your journey through farming country and market towns.  End your journey in Dunboyne, just outside of Dublin, and check into your hotel. Spend the balance of the day shopping or sightseeing independently before joining your group for dinner in the hotel. After dinner join your group in the Cellar Bar for traditional Irish music.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: DUNBOYNE CASTLE HOTEL, DUNBOYNE

RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES
All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to the end. Depart Dunboyne and 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 flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States. 

Travel Package Pricing:
         $1,300 per person (double occupancy before July 15)
        
$1,400 per person (double occupancy after July 15)
         $1,525 per person (single occupancy before July 15)
         $1,625 per person (single occupancy after July 15)


Travel Package Includes:
• Round trip airfare
• Transport by luxury motorcoach with a driver/guide for five days.
• Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath.
• Full breakfasts (5)
• Five dinners (including the flight to Dublin)
• Dinner and evening entertainment at Jameson’s “Shindig”
• Entertainment at Dunboyne Castle Hotel
• Guided tour of Dublin
• Guided walking tour of Kinsale
• Ghost tour of Kinsale
• Guided tour of the Titanic Trail in Cobh
• Visits and admission fees to:
• Trinity College and the Book of Kells
• Cobh Heritage Center
• Blarney Castle and Woolen Mills
• Charles Fort
• Hotel porterage, service charges, and government taxes
• Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags, and identifying straps
 
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.

The online registration period for this event has expired. If you have additional questions regarding this year's trip, please contact the CUA Office of Alumni Relations at (800) 288-ALUM.



Trip Payment and Cancellation Details: Final payment must be made before September 19, 2009. 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.