Day 1:

Upon arrival in Dublin Airport, enjoy a private transfer to your Dublin City hotel where you can relax after your journey. There are many wonderful pubs and restaurants within easy walking distance of your hotel as well as world class shopping. We suggest visiting Davy Byrne’s Pub for oysters and Guinness, as featured in James Joyce’s Ulysses. Stroll to Merrion Square to visit the beautifully restored home of the famous Nobel Laureate poet, Senator W. B. Yeats when he lived there in the 1920’s. You can explore his study, the reception rooms, and more. Afterwards why not take a carriage ride through some of Dublin’s historic Georgian Squares to gain a leisurely overview of the city. This evening you have the opportunity of going to see a play at Dublin’s famed Abbey Theatre first opened in 1904 by W.B. Yeats and Lady Augusta Gregory. Stay two nights at Buswells Hotel.

Day 2:

Today, perhaps you would like to join a guided literary walking tour of the city when you enter the world of O’Casey, Yeats, Joyce, Beckett, Shaw, Wilde, and more. This award winning experience brings Dublin’s literary history to life on a fascinating and intimate tour. We also recommend taking a ‘Hop-on, Hop-off’ bus tour of Dublin. It is the ideal way to get around and see all the best sights of Ireland’s vibrant capital. Highlights include: Trinity College and its Celtic treasure, The Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, The Dublin Writers Museum, The Guinness Storehouse, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and much, much more. Visit the James Joyce Centre, Martello Tower, and the National Library of Ireland to view their splendid W.B. Yeats exhibition.

Day 3:

After a hearty Irish breakfast, you pick up your rental car or meet your private Driver Guide. Depart the City of Dublin and drive west towards County Sligo. On your way to Sligo visit the UNESCO World heritage site at Newgrange, a megalithic Passage Tomb built in 3200 BC, making it older than the Egyptian pyramids. If time permits, explore the Famine Museum in Roscommon to learn about the tragic events of the 1840’s that gave rise to mass emigration from Ireland to America. Continue to The Sligo Park Hotel for a 2-night stay.

Day 4:

Sligo is aptly known as Yeats Country, since its beautiful landscape and the folklore of Sligo inspired the romantic poet William Butler Yeats. His brother Jack B. Yeats is also one of Ireland’s most famous painters, whose paintings can go for seven and eight figures at auction. In the town of Sligo, visit the Yeats Society’s photo and art galleries, and cafe.
Explore Drumcliffe, the churchyard where Yeats is buried and where you can read his epitaph: “Cast a Cold Eye on Life, On Death Horseman Pass By!” Yeats asked to be buried “Under Bare Ben Bulben’s Head,” the table mountain that can be seen for miles. Afterwards, pay a visit to Glencar Waterfall and the Lake Isle of Innisfree, two locations of natural beauty that inspired the writing of Yeats. As you explore the beautiful Sligo countryside discover ancient ruins, and let yourself be entranced by the sweep of the mountains to the sea.

Day 5:

Depart Sligo and head south through the magnificent Mayo countryside and visit the idyllic town of Westport, home to Matt Molloy, the flautist of the Chieftains. From the bay, you can see Clare Island, once home to the infamous pirate queen Grace O’Malley. Continue south via the spectacular Delphi Valley and Leenane.  This is a particularly beautiful part of Western Ireland, though it was devastated during the famine. It is not hard to imagine why so many Irish writers have been inspired by the rare beauty of Western Ireland. After lunch in a local village, continue through Connemara to discover one of Ireland’s treasures; the quaint village of Cong. Cong is most well known for being the location where the movie “The Quiet Man” was filmed, with John Wayne and our very own Maureen O’ Hara. Cong was also home to Sir William Wilde, historian and father to infamous playwright, novelist, poet, and short story writer Oscar Wilde. Continue on to Galway City for a 2-night stay the Harbour Hotel.

Day 6:

This morning visit Coole Park once the home of Lady Augusta Gregory, dramatist, folklorist, and co-founder of the Abbey Theatre with Edward Martyn and William Butler Yeats, and the center of the Irish Literary Revival in the early 20th century. Enjoy the afternoon in Galway City, exploring, shopping, and sightseeing. There are many great pubs and restaurants in this lively university town, well known as the literary and drama capital of the West. This evening we suggest you attend a performance at the Druid Theatre, founded by Garry Hynes in 1975. The theatre first premiered Martin McDonagh’s celebrated plays ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ and ‘Beauty Queen of Leenane’ which have since packed theatres in Dublin, London, and New York.

Day 7:

Depart Galway and drive south to County Clare to explore the mighty Cliffs of Moher soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic. Tour the Burren, a limestone lunar-like landscape famous for Stone Age fireplaces, Druidic altars and burial chambers, views of the Aran Islands, and unique flora and fauna. Stop in the village of Doolin for a great pub lunch at Gus O’ Connors. Continue to Adare Manor for a 2-night stay in Adare, County Limerick.

Day 8:

Visit Limerick City today, home to Frank McCourt, author of “Angela’s Ashes”. Maybe you would enjoy a literary walking tour of the city and visit King John’s Castle on King’s Island. Or why not stay local and spend the day exploring the village of Adare with its beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries, ruins and scenic village park. At Adare Heritage Centre you will find an exciting mix of shopping, dining and historical discovery. Afterwards take a stroll to Adare Manor and partake in traditional afternoon tea at this beautiful property.

Day 9:

After Breakfast, transfer to Shannon Airport for your return flight home to the United States.

Passports & Visas
To enter the Republic or Northern Ireland, you need a valid passport. While e-passports are commonly used now, they are not a necessity to enter Ireland. UK citizens do not require a passport to enter Ireland, but carriers by air or sea require some form of identification with a photograph (usually either a passport or driving license with photo).

Citizens of the EEA member states (the 27 countries of the European Union EU, together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and many other countries including USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand do not require visas to gain entry to Republic or Northern Ireland.

What to Pack
Bring a sweater, even in summer; waterproofs to accompany all outdoor activities; sunglasses; comfortable walking shoes and an umbrella. The weather is changeable so go for layers that you can put on or take off as the temperature changes.

Weather
February to April: Highest temperatures range from 46 to 54°F
May to July: Highest temperatures are between 64 and 68°F
August to October: Highest temperatures hit between 64 and 57°F.
Winter air temperatures inland normally reach 46°F, while the coldest months are January and February.
April & September are considered the most pleasant and temperate months.

Currency
In the Republic of Ireland, the official currency is the euro (€). One euro consists of 100 cent. In Northern Ireland, pound sterling is the local currency (£). One pound sterling consists of 100 pence.

Gratuities
Gratuities and tips are discretionary and are not usually included in a bill. The general custom is to give 10% to serving staff in restaurants. Cafes might have a collection box at the till and bar staff are not tipped but you are free to offer “have one for yourself”.

Emergency Services
Police, Fire, Ambulance:
Republic of Ireland, Telephone: 112 or 999
Northern Ireland, Telephone: 999

Gadgets
Plugs in Ireland are three-pronged, the same as in the UK and the electricity supply is also 230v. Adapters are widely available, and it’s a good idea to bring a couple for your various gadgets.

Public Transportation
National Coaches
Republic of Ireland: Bus Eireann
Northern Ireland: Translink

Dublin Buses
Leap Visitor Card is a prepaid pass that allows you to travel on all Dublin Bus, Airlink 747 buses as well as the Luas Light Railway Tram and DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) for up to 3 days.

Railways
Republic of Ireland: Irish Rail
Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Railways
The Dart (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) covers Dublin’s coast and city area from Howth and Malahide in north County Dublin via Dun Laoghaire in south County Dublin to Greystones in County Wicklow.
Luas light rail/tram service travels across the south and west of Dublin city including the city center areas.

Time Zone
Ireland functions on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During the summer it becomes GMT+1, that’s Irish Standard Time (IST) in the Republic and British Summer Time (BST) in Northern Ireland.
For example, New York is Irish Time -5 hours & Los Angeles is Irish Time -8 hours.

Language
English is commonly used throughout Ireland although Irish is the official language and there are Irish speaking areas called the Gaeltacht where it is the predominant language.

Driving
You will need either a full valid national driving license or an international driving permit. Cars in Ireland drive on the left-hand side of the road and both driver and passengers are required to wear seat belts at all times by law. Signposts in Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) areas are written in Irish (Gaelic) so familiarise yourself with both English and Irish spellings before you set off for those parts. Northern Ireland uses miles per hour, while the Republic of Ireland uses kilometers for signage and speed limits.

Vaccinations
There are no vaccinations required to visit Ireland.