Shamrocks & Leprechauns

A favorite Ireland trip for families combining happy travels with the luck of the Irish. Find your own pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, cuddling sheep on the Wild Atlantic Way. Ever wondered if boats can fly? See it first-hand in Foynes, all with no schoolbooks in sight.

YOUR MUST-SEE HIGHLIGHTS

EXPLORE Dublin, Belfast and Derry~Londonderry with Local Specialists. DISCOVER Limerick and County Galway VISIT ‘Winterfell’ Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Belfast and the Flying Boat Museum in Foynes. VIEW King John’s Castle in Limerick. SEE St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Georgian Squares in Dublin and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick. SCENIC DRIVE of the Ring of Kerry.

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SLIGO SLIGO

NORTHERN IRELAND 2

BELFAST

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CO. DOWN

Galway IRELAND

Cli s of Moher

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Foynes

LIMERICK LIMERICK

Ring of Kerry 2

KILLARNEY KILLARNEY

Blarney 1 1

DUBLIN DUBLIN

Your Itinerary

DAY 1 | FÁILTE TO DUBLIN

You’re in for a grand time on this family jaunt through the ‘Emerald Isle’, which begins in Dublin. Explore the lively Irish capital with your clan in tow before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers this afternoon for a Kickoff Party and sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist. View St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the stately Georgian Squares and Trinity College. (KP) Hotel: Clayton Ballsbridge

DAY 2 | JOURNEY TO COASTAL COUNTY DOWN

This morning, depart Dublin for a guided tour of the Hill of Slane, with its ancient ruins of a Franciscan Monastery. Legend says that here, St. Patrick lit a Paschal fire in defiance of the pagan High King Laoire, is the burial site of the Fir Bolg King Sláine and the home to a mythical healing well of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Journey to County Down, arriving at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, one of Brendan’s Stays With Stories and your home for the night. Spend the afternoon at leisure strolling along the waterfront or relaxing at the pool of this lovingly maintained Victorian hotel, where you will also enjoy dinner tonight. (B,D) Hotel: Slieve Donard Resort & Spa

DAY 3 | ONWARDS TO COLORFUL BELFAST

It’s time for some Family Fun and to play the ‘Game of Thrones’. After a leisurely start to your day, head to the ‘Winterfell’ Castle’s archery range movie set for some behind-the-scenes insights into the award-winning series. Dress in costumes from the show and try your hand at shooting medieval arrows using ancient bows. After, head to Belfast, where you’ll delve into the crossroads of British and Irish culture during an introductory sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist. See the Queen’s University, then admire the colorful murals that line the city streets – enduring symbols of Northern Ireland, depicting the region’s political and religious divisions. (B) Hotel: Maldron City

DAY 4 | A DAY AT THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

Tread in the footsteps of Finn MacCool – whose geometric Giant’s Causeway is more the stuff of legends than the result of ancient volcanic activity and has left its mark on the northern Irish coast. Admire the 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that fade into the sea on your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that will help conserve this iconic landmark. Next, see the enchanting tunnel of the Dark Hedges before heading back to the city. After a day of myths, legends and Hollywood blockbusters, consider tucking into an optional Fish and Chips pub dinner. (B)

Archery at ‘Winterfell’ Castle | ©TourismNI

Leprechaun homes, sheepdog puppies and tales of mythical giants – there’s plenty of fun to be had on this family experience through Ireland. String your bow and aim for the bullseye when you kit yourself out in medieval costumes and channel your inner Bran or Arya for some Game of Thrones themed archery at ‘Winterfell’ castle in County Down.

VACATION PLANNER

10 DAYS | 15 MEALS

START: Dublin END: Dublin

2023 DEPARTURES Apr 09 May 21 Jun 04,18 Jul 16,23,30 Aug 06,13,20 Sep 10 CODE: FSIA

WANT TO TRAVEL IN 2024?

If you’re looking even further ahead, this trip departs most Sundays from April to September 2024. Visit our website for dates and prices.

Lazing Leprechaun

DAY 5 | JOURNEY TO DERRY~LONDONDERRY & SEASIDE SLIGO

Dive Into Culture at Titanic Belfast and gain a new perspective into the world’s most famous ship and the tragedy that befell it. After, journey to Derry~Londonderry, where we join a Local Specialist who will take us on a stroll along its ancient walls. We continue to Sligo, where we’ll dine in our hotel tonight. (B,D) Hotel: Clayton

DAY 6 | DISCOVER GALWAY & LIMERICK

We Connect With Locals and join the Feeneys on their sheep farm located on the edge of the scenic Wild Atlantic Way. Martin will teach you the art of sheepdog handling and you’ll learn about the role and use of wool on the farm. You may even get to cuddle puppies at this Be My Guest experience with this warm couple. Later, we travel to Galway and enjoy an orientation tour before continuing to Limerick. (B,BMG) Hotel: Castle Oaks/Great National South Court

DAY 7 | ADMIRE THE CLIFFS OF MOHER & ON TO KILLARNEY

Your first stop today is the sheer Cliffs of Moher for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience you’ll never forget. We then travel south to the Flying Boat Museum in Foynes where we’ll Dive Into Culture and board a replica Boeing 314 to experience life as a passenger. Dinner is at your hotel this evening. (B,D) Hotel: Innisfallen

DAY 8 | EXPLORE THE RING OF KERRY

Admire Ireland’s enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Circling the spectacular Ring of Kerry, we see mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that has inspired writers and poets for centuries. The afternoon is free to explore Killarney on your own. (B)

DAY 9 | RETURN TO LIVELY DUBLIN

Visit Blarney Castle and secure your ‘gift of the gab’ after kissing its Blarney Stone. Afterwards, journey to Dublin and join your fellow travelers and Travel Director for a rousing Farewell Dinner aboard a canal barge. (B,FD) Hotel: Clayton Ballsbridge

DAY 10 | FAREWELL IRELAND

For now, it’s time to say a fond slán abhaile to your fellow travelers as you close the curtain on an unforgettable journey through the ‘Emerald Isle’. Find out more about your free airport transfer at brendanvacations.com/transfers. (B)