This itinerary adds the famous horse breeding counties to our traditional Southeast & Southwest tour along with one night in Galway, combined with luxury features and accommodation. Probably the most comprehensive, luxurious, personally escorted tour of Ireland you will ever find. Packed with historic sites, visits and entertainment, with all the features you've always wanted in a tour! Rated "all 10s" by tour members! Described by former tour members as the "best planned, organized and conducted tour we have ever taken! " Choose from 5 departure dates.

ITINERARY


Day 1 - Sunday
WELCOME TO DUBLIN
Welcome to Dublin, Ireland's Capital. You'll be met by your experienced driver-guide and a luxury Mercedes touring vehicle and tour into the city center. This afternoon explore Dublin on your own. You can visit the National Gallery, the museums and maybe view the Book of Kells at Trinity College. You may wish to tour the State Apartments at Dublin Castle. You stay in the heart of Dublin at the Merrion Hotel at Merrion Square, just a short stroll from St. Stephen's Green and also Temple Bar. A welcome reception of Irish Coffee - followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel and chat about our forthcoming Ireland adventure.

Day 2 - Monday
BOYNE VALLEY CENTER & DUBLIN'S FAIR CITY
Tour to Bru na Boinne Visitor Center (Boyne Valley Center) which presents one of Europe's great archaeological mysteries along the Boyne Valley and Newgrange and Knowth burial tomb. These monuments predate the pyramids of Egypt. Return to Dublin and enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin City. View the Georgian Squares of Merrion, Fitzwilliam and St. Stephen's Green with their brightly decorated doors. You have the afternoon to shop and enjoy this 1,000 year old city. Tonight, you'll laugh and sing the night away to the music of the harp and fiddle, flute and bodhran (goatskin tambourine). Join in the songs, marvel at the intricacy of the Irish step dancing, but most of all enjoy the wit and humor of an Irish dinner and cabaret. Note: On the May departure you will enjoy an evening of Ballads with dinner at the Merry Ploughbou Pub.


Day 3 - Tuesday
COUNTY KILDARE
Tour from Dublin through County Kildare. Stop at the Curragh and view the horse training in progress and see the 'gallops.' On to the National Stud, the center of horse breeding success in Ireland. Across the road are the Japanese Gardens, an exquisite gardens. Arrive at the Heritage Resort. You'll want to explore and see all of the facilities and features of this 5 star retreat. Maybe take in a Spa Treatment, a swim in the pool or a walk on the marked trails around the golf course. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner followed by an Irish Coffee. Dinner in the dining room this evening.

Day 4 - Wednesday
KILKENNY,THOMASTOWN & WATERFORD
Tour to the medieval town of Kilkenny, visiting 12th century Kilkenny Castle and tour the State Apartments which have been fully restored. You'll visit the Kilkenny Design Center with its craft shops. On to Kells and a view of the 13th century Kells Priory. Continue south to Waterford for a visit to the Waterford Crystal Visitor Center. Time permitting: Visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship Museum at New Ross. Return to The Heritage for a relaxing evening. Dinner on your own tonight.

Day 5 - Thursday
CAHIR & CASHEL
Tour to County Tipperary and to the town of Cashel. The impressive Rock of Cashel looms up in front of you as you approach the town. This cathedral-fortress dates to the time of St. Patrick when he used the shamrock as the symbol of the Holy Trinity as he converted the King of Munster to Christianity. Continue to Cahir with a visit to the 12th century Butler castle - Cahir Castle. This has been fully restored to its original state. Continue to Cork City on the River Lee, a city more than 800 years old, the second largest city of the Irish Republic, lively and prosperous with a keen sense of its own cultural identity. No visit to Cork would be complete without a tour to the town of Blarney. Northwest of Cork City this 15th century McCarthy Castle is legend. You'll visit the estate and enjoy a stroll through the estate to the castle and then climb to the top and kiss the Blarney Stone. It is said that you'll obtain the gift of eloquent speech by kissing the stone. Arrive at Hayfield Manor. You'll want to explore and see all of the facilities and features of this 5 star retreat. Maybe take in a Spa Treatment, a swim in the pool or as you are in Cork City, a walk around the town. Dinner in the dining room this evening.

Day 6 - Friday
KINSALE, MIDLETON & COBH
Tour to the quaint harbor town of Kinsale. See the star-shaped Charles Fort at Summercove with its own ghost story. Explore the town with its boutiques, shops, restaurants and pubs. Tour to Midleton and a visit to the Midleton Irish Whiskey Distillery. You'll enjoy a wonderful tour of the facility and a sample of the 'water of life.' On to the harbor town of Cobh, a place formerly known as Queenstown and one of the major embarkation points of emigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries. It was also the last port of call for the Titanic and the Lusitania. The Emigration Museum will tell you 'The Queenstown Story.' St. Coleman's Cathedral rises at the top of the town. Return to Cork and Hayfield Manor for a relaxing evening. Dinner on your own tonight.

Day 7 - Saturday
LIMERICK & GORT
Depart Cork and tour north to the City of Limerick, Ireland’s third largest city and view 12th century King John’s Castle. Stop at Bunratty to view 15th century Bunratty Castle and have some refreshment at Durty Nelly’s Pub, one of Ireland’s oldest. On to Gort and a stop at Thoor Ballyleethe summer home of W. B. Yeats, Ireland’s greatest poet. On to Galway where you stay at the Glenlo Abbey Hotel in this vibrant city. Christopher Columbus stopped here on his way to the New World. Stay at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, a beautiful resort with its own golf course. Dinner in the dining room this evening.

Day 8 - Sunday
DEPART FOR HOME
Transfer from Galway to Shannon Airport Airport. Depart for home. Note: Should you need to return from Dublin Airport we can arrange a special transfer.

Slan Leat!

TOUR INCLUDES:
• Arrival and Departure Transfers
• Sightseeing by Private luxury motorcoach.
• Luxury Manor and Hotel accommodation with private bath for 7 nights.
• Professional driver/guide throughout the tour - from day 1 to day 8
• Full Irish breakfast daily
• Welcome Dinner with Irish Coffee in the Cellar Restaurant
• Dinner & Irish Entertainment Evening at the Merry Ploughboy Pub in Dublin
• Dinner included in the hotel restaurant on three evenings
• Visits and admissions to The Boyne Valley Center, The Curragh, National Stud, Japanese Gardens, Kilkenny Castle, Jerpoint Abbey, Kells Priory, Waterford Crystal Visitor Center, Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, Emigration Museum, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woolen Mills, Thoor Ballyle, Coole Park
• Hotel service charges, tips for baggage handling and local taxes.
• Journey Through Ireland Souvenir Shirt
• Maximum 12 Tour Members
• All tours personally driven and escorted by experienced driver-guide.

HOTELS:
You will be staying at the following Luxury Hotels & Manor Houses:
Dublin: The Merrion Hotel - 2 nights
Killenard: The Heritage Resort Hotel & Spa - 2 nights
Cork: Hayfield Manor Hotel & Spa - 2 nights
Galway: Glenlo Abbey Hotel - 1 night

8 Day Private Escorted Motorcoach Tour
Only 12 Tour Members
FULL TOUR PRICE: $3,399
price is per person sharing double/twin room
Single room Supplement: $799

---

PAY BY CHECK DISCOUNT: If you wish to pay the land tour price BY PERSONAL CHECK you can deduct 5% from the Land Tour Price shown in RED. Tour Deposit may be made by credit card but remaining tour balance must be paid by personal check to receive discount. You may, of course, pay for the tour by credit card at the price shown. Call us at 1-800-828-0826 to take advantage of this SPECIAL OFFER!

---

=

2011 Tour Dates
Start Dublin	Finish Shannon or Dublin	Full Tour Price	Status Places Remaining	Tour #
April 24	May 1	$5,399	Available	20230
May 15	May 22	$5,399	Available	20231
June 12	JUne 19	$5,399	Available	20232
July 10	July 17	$5,399	Available	20233
August 14	August 21	$5,399	Available	20234
Sept. 11	Sept. 18	$5,399	Available	20235

Step 3: Call our toll free number - 800 828 0826 - give us your details to request your COME BACK TO ERIN ESCORTED TOUR VACATION package proposal... and we will get back to you promptly with a PRO FORMA statement showing the EXACT tour price and recommended travel insurance. You'll also receive the Come Back To Erin brochure, pictures of the hotels, an Ireland DVD and critiques from past tour members! Study the proposal, view the video, check out the references, pick your date! Call us at 1-800-828-0826 and we'll confirm your place on the tour.

OR E-mail: info@irelandtouring.com

We will email your COME BACK TO ERIN ESCORTED TOUR VACATION package price!

WEST & NORTHWEST TOUR OPTION

See Come Back To Erin 7 - 8 Day The West & Northwest - with a maximum of 12 tour members