in the 6th Century. It was once a great seat of learning, a university in its time with students from all over Europe. After your tour you transfer by coach to your hotel, your base for the next two nights. Dinner will be at the hotel this evening. (B D) Sunday 31st July
Visit to Connemara Celtic Crystal and visit to Galway
After breakfast you leave the hotel for a short walk to the train station. You travel westward to Westport, at the south-east corner of Clew Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. You then have a visit scheduled to Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, a nineteenth-century castle now owned by Benedictine nuns but originally part of Kylemore Castle, built in 1868 as a private home. There’ll be time to explore and buy lunch before you visit Connemara Celtic Crystal, one of the last surviving Irish Crystal factories. It incorporates Celtic designs and Gaelic motifs on ornate, beautifully crafted crystal pieces. You then depart by coach to Galway. Located near an earlier settlement, Galway grew around a fortification built by the King of Connacht in 1124. You’ll have time to explore some of the ancient sites such as St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church, the largest medieval church still in everyday use in Ireland, before returning by train to Athlone and dinner at your hotel. (B D) Monday 1st August
Cliffs of Moher and The West Clare Railway
After breakfast you leave Athlone by coach for a scenic tour of the Cliffs of Moher with photo stops, pausing in the sea port village of Kinvara for refreshments. Afterwards you head to Kilkee, where you will have time to enjoy lunch before moving on to visit the West Clare Railway and Museum. The West Clare Railway was one of a network of narrow gauge lines built across rural West Ireland in the wake of the 1883 Tramways Act. The line was closed in 1961. Afterwards you travel to Bunratty Castle Hotel, where you’ll stay for the next two nights. A tour highlight this evening is a magnificent Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle. (B D)
two parts, the first retracing the steps of the 123 passengers who boarded Titanic from Cobh on April 11th, 1912. Part two examines the almost impossible sequence of events that caused Titanic to sink. After lunch you travel to Blarney Village and historic Blarney Castle & Gardens, built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy. You’ll have time to kiss the famous stone, which is said to bestow the gift of eternal eloquence on those lucky enough to do so. A must see is the Rock Close area and Poison Garden where the world’s most poisonous plants are kept. After your visit you return to your hotel where dinner will once again be served in the hotel restaurant. (B D) Wednesday 3rd August
Tour price
£2295
Single supplement £325 Ground only £2095 (Holyhead to Holyhead) Price includes: • First Class Rail Travel from London Euston to Holyhead and return • 8 nights accommodation
Waterford Crystal and Private Charter on the Waterford Suir Valley Railway
• 8 breakfasts
After breakfast you travel by coach to Limerick Station for a train trip to Waterford and a guided tour of The House of Waterford Crystal. See in detail how this stunning crystal has been made since 1783 and the traditional methods still used to this day. After your Waterford tour you enjoy a private charter on the Waterford Suir Valley Railway, Ireland’s longest narrow-gauge railway. Enjoy the panoramic views of the River Suir as you journey to and from Carriganore, where the merchants of Waterford are said to have hidden their treasures from Cromwell’s soldiers. Later you transfer to Wexford Town and a local hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)
• All visits, train, coach and ferry travel as detailed in the itinerary
• 8 dinners
• The services of a tour manager All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing. Meals included each day are shown as: B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner July 2022 Mon
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Thursday 4th August
Explore Wexford and Celtic Dinner and Music Evening at the Arlington Hotel
This morning you have leisure time to spend exploring Wexford. Walk around the vibrant centre and indulge in the many cafes, pubs and eating places. You then depart Wexford by train and travel to Dublin before transferring to your hotel. In the evening you have a final tour treat with an unforgettable Celtic Night with dinner, traditional Irish music, and dancing at the famous Arlington Hotel. Later you return to your hotel for overnight accommodation. (B D)
Approx. timings London Euston Holyhead
Outward Return 09:10 17:36 13:10 13:57
Friday 5th August
Tuesday 2nd August
Ferry Crossing to Holyhead and First Class Avanti Service to London Euston
You leave your hotel by coach after breakfast to visit the Cobh Titanic Experience. Cobh is a picturesque town in Cork Harbour. It’s also famous for having been the last port of call for the ocean liner ‘Titanic’. The Experience is in
After breakfast at the hotel, you meet with the rest of your group in reception with your cases. You then have a coach transfer to the ferry terminal and depart Dublin by ferry to Holyhead. On arrival, you transfer to Holyhead train station where you depart on a First Class Avanti Service to London Euston. (B)
Visit to Cobh Titanic Experience and Blarney Castle
Tour Summary
UK TOUR – 9 Days
19
