Dexter Community Band

Dexter Community Band
American Celebration of Music in Ireland
Custom Tour #7
(7 nights/9 days)
Day 1
Friday, July 29
Depart via scheduled air service to Dublin, Ireland
Day 2
Saturday, July 30
Dublin
Arrive in Dublin
Meet your MCI Tour Manager, who will assist the group to awaiting chartered
motorcoach for a panoramic tour of the city including St. Stephen’s Green,
Merrion Square, Liffey Footbridges, Grafton Street, Temple Bar, O’Connell
Street, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and entrance to
the National Museum of Archaeology
Lunch on own
Late afternoon hotel check-in
Evening dinner on own and overnight
Dublin is Ireland’s capital and its largest, most cosmopolitan city. It wasn’t before the
Viking raids of the 9th century that Dublin was fully established. The ‘boom years’ came
in the 18th century and the city expanded across the river forming a new Dublin of stately
squares, streets and Georgian mansions. Today, with its elegant Georgian streets, gregarious
inhabitants and long history, it’s little wonder Dublin is a city of writers
Day 3
Sunday, July 31
Dublin / Glendalough
(B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel
Excursion to Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains. The steep wooded
slopes of Glendalough the “valley of the two lakes” harbor one of Ireland’s
most atmospheric monastic sites — established in the 6th century. Here we
see the Round Tower, Cathedral, St. Kevin’s Cross, and Gatehouse
Lunch on own
Shared concert with local musicians as part of the American
Celebration of Music in Ireland*
Return to Dublin for the balance of the day at leisure
Evening dinner and entertainment at Merry Ploughboys Pub. Merry
Ploughboys live in concert is widely regarded as the best traditional music
show in Dublin. The show is a highly entertaining performance of live
traditional Irish music, song and Irish dancing
Day 4
Monday, August 1
Dublin / Kilkenny / Waterford
(B)
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Kilkenny for a tour of Kilkenny Castle, begun by William de
Marshal in the 13th century. From 1391 to 1931 the castle was the principal
seat of the Butler family. Finely situated on the high river bank and
surrounded by gardens, the castle is now open to the public. Some of the
rooms have been restored; particularly charming is the Victorian Great Hall
Lunch on own
Then it is off to Waterford
Evening dinner on own and overnight
Waterford lies near the southeastern tip of Ireland on the River Suir. The river at this
point is broad and deep, and has thus enabled the town to develop into a seaport of
considerable importance. The town has a variety of industries, but is particularly known for
its glass. Waterford glass was famous in the early 19th century, and since its revival in
1947 again enjoys an international reputation. Most of the principal sights of Waterford
can be seen by going down various streets and lanes opening southwards off the Quay
Day 5
Tuesday, August 2
Waterford / Blarney / Killarney
(B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel
Morning visit to the Old Jameson Distillery. The Old Midleton Distillery was
founded by the Murphy brothers in 1825.. Follow the old distillery trail
through mills, maltings, stillhouse, warehouses and kilns and view the largest
pot still in the world. The tour ends in the Distillery pub, where all are invited
to enjoy a glass of Irish Whiskey
Lunch on own
Continue to Blarney where we will visit the Blarney Castle and Stone. The
castle dates from 1446 and is built on solid limestone in beautiful grounds.
The sacred stone is found at the top of the castle and when you catch a
glimpse of it, you may well feel compelled to bend over backwards and kiss it!
Then it is off to Killarney for dinner and overnight
Renowned for its beauty, famed for the splendor of its scenery, Killarney is one of the world's
best-loved tourist spots. Killarney (Cill Airne - The Church of Sloes) became a magnificent
town around 1750 when the local magnate, Lord Kenmare, developed the tourist business
and four major roads were built to the outside world
Day 6
Wednesday, August 3
Killarney
(B)
Breakfast at the hotel
Today enjoy a tour of the Ring of Kerry Highlights including Molls Gap and
Ladies View. Molls’ Gap is a spectacular photographic viewing with a
magnificent view of Death Valley. Close by is the famous Ladies View
viewing point which gives a different perspective of the countryside, with the
three Lakes of Killarney all surrounded by the Kerry Mountains
Lunch on own
Afternoon at leisure for sightseeing, shopping or other activities
Concert as part of the American Celebration of Music in Ireland*
Evening dinner on own and overnight
Day 7
Thursday, August 4
Killarney / Limerick / Galway
(B)
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Limerick for a visit to Bunratty Castle, the most complete and
authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. Built in 1425 it was restored in 1954 to
its former medieval splendor. Also visit the Folk Park, a living reconstruction
of the homes and environment of Ireland of over a century ago. Stroll from
house to house or around the charming village street to experience village life
in 19th century Ireland
Lunch on own
Continue to the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights. On
a clear day, the views are tremendous
Evening dinner on own and overnight
Galway is picturesquely situated at the northeast end of Galway Bay, at the point where the
short tidal River Corrib, coming from Lough Corrib, pours its abundant flow of water into
the Atlantic. With its narrow streets, old stone and wooden shopfronts, good restaurants
and bustling pubs, it is one of Europe’s fastest growing cities and ranks fourth in size in
Ireland, after Dublin, Cork and Limerick
Day 8
Friday, August 5
Galway
(B,D)
Breakfast at the hotel
Full-day at leisure in Galway. The city center of Galway is mainly pedestrian,
so walking is the best way to enjoy its atmosphere and discover some of its
most important monuments. You can see Eyre Square Lynch Castle, home to
the mayors of Galway, Saint Nicholas Church founded in the 13th century,
and the famous Spanish Arch
Lunch on own
Concert as part of the American Celebration of Music in Ireland*
Evening dinner and overnight
Day 9
Saturday, August 6
Depart for home
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer to Shannon’s or Dublin’s airport for return flight
(B)
*Subject to confirmation
This is a very flexible itinerary. Except for confirmed appointments and performances, the
places of interest and the sequence of sightseeing might be changed if necessary or desirable.
In the event of an unavoidable conflict in the performance and the sightseeing schedule, the
concert schedule will prevail, and it may be necessary to exclude some sightseeing activities.
© Music Celebrations International