SEPTEMBER 2024 VACATION ITINERARY

Sun, Sep-08

DEPART THE UNITED STATES

Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in- flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

Mon, Sep-09

DUBLIN ARRIVAL, WILD ATLANTIC WAY, BURREN GEOPARK, POULNABRON DOLMEN, BLACK HEAD DRIVE, CLIFFS OF MOHER ENNIS

After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs, and immigration formalities. Your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Our first stop of your Ireland with Michael tour is breakfast at a local restaurant or pub! 

After breakfast, we travel across Ireland’s lush Hidden Heartland towards the West and to the Wild Atlantic Way. We make our way to the vast, moon-like Burren Geopark in nearby County Clare, a UNESCO world heritage center and one of Ireland's most compelling landscapes. We will drive through this limestone landscape dotted with rock formations, caves, and fossils, as well as an incredible array of flowers. We will get a closer look at one of our iconic historic sites at Poulnabrone, a neolithic portal tomb older than the pyramids. See Michael’s trip to the Burren in Season #1 of Ireland with Michael on PBS.

We continue our drive along the Burren’s Wild Atlantic Way and the stunning coastal views of Black Head drive towards one of Ireland’s most famous attractions, the Cliffs Of Moher. The majestic cliffs tower over the shimmering Atlantic Ocean affording magical vistas of Ireland’s Western Coastline including Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. 

Our next stop is the beautifully restored 18th Century Manor House hotel in the medieval town of Ennis. You’ll check in to the 4-Star luxury Old Ground Hotel and settle into your room. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink, followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant, The Town Bistro, which is the former town courthouse and provide modern and creative Irish cuisine that champions local ingredients and purveyors.

OVERNIGHT & DINNER: OLD GROUND HOTEL, ENNIS

Tue, Sep-10

BUNRATTY FOLK PARK, FOYNES FLYING BOAT MUSEUM, IRISH COFFEE CLASS AND TASTING, KILLARNEY

This morning after breakfast we head to Bunratty to visit the Bunratty Folk Park, set on 26 acres of unspoiled Clare countryside, the park features over 30 buildings in a “living” village and rural setting. Farmhouses, village shops and streets have been recreated and furnished as they would have been in the early 19th century according to their social standing, from the poorest one room dwelling to Bunratty House, a fine example of a Georgian residence built in 1804 to home the Studdarts, the last family to occupy Bunratty Castle. Guests will experience actors portraying traditional lifestyles and craft demonstrations.

Onwards to Foynes in County Limerick to visit the Flying Boat Museum. The museum recalls the early days of air travel, the 1930’s and early 1940’s, when Foynes was the epicenter of commercial transatlantic flights. We’ll learn about the history of Flying Boats, and their diverse passengers. We’ll step back in time to board the only B314 flying boat replica in the world, visit its upscale amenities and amaze at its true ocean liner luxury. The museum also includes fascinating exbibits such pioneers of aviation as John Alcock, Arthur Brown, Charles Lindbergh. And we will learn about the pivotal role Foynes played as an escape route for refugees from Europe during World War II, from where they would depart for America to begin a new life.

We’ll head to the Irish Coffee Center at the Museum, the birthplace of the world-famous drink. As the story goes, in 1943 a flight departed Foynes for New York but was turned around because of weather. On arrival back at the terminal, Chef Joe Sheridan warmed tired passengers with his invention, the Irish Coffee! We will take a masterclass in making Chef Joe’s original Irish Coffee, and then, even better, we’ll drink it!

Warmed by our Irish Coffees, we travel to Killarney in County Kerry, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful spots on the island of Ireland. Nestled in a valley surrounded by the McGillicuddy Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range, is the vibrant town of Killarney. Situated at the entrance to thousands of acres of national park, the world-famous lakes of Killarney, ancient woodland, waterfalls, and pristine parkland, this is what gives Killarney it’s magical beauty.

In Killarney we check into the 5-star luxury Muckross Park Hotel and Spa. The hotel is charming, modern, and magnificently elegant, combining 18th century style with 21st century splendor. Settle into and enjoy some free time before dinner in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant with your group.

Here’s a clip from Season #2 when Michael met up with international tenor and proud Kerryman Gavin Ring who sings a south Kerry anthem in the local pub.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: MUCKROSS PARK HOTEL & SPA

Wed, Sep-11

DINGLE PENINSULA DRIVE, IVERAGH PENINSULA, LOUIS MULCAHY POTTERY, BRIAN DE STAIC, DAVID GEANY PUB

After breakfast, we discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula, once described by National Geographic Traveler as “the most beautiful place on earth”. We drive along the south of the peninsula for plenty of vistas of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, stunning green landscapes, and rocky headlands. We pause at strategic locations to absorb the views and take photos before traveling or Slea Head at the westernmost tip of the peninsula, with close views of the Blasket Islands and distant views of the stunning Skellig Islands on the southwestern horizon. A familiar sight to lovers of Star Wars, the Skellig Michael is featured prominently in the Star Wars trilogy. This excursion will give you an excellent view of mountains and coastlines, looking over to the Iveragh Peninsula.

We next stop at Louis Mulcahy Pottery in Ballyferriter to view the very best Irish handmade craft pottery in exquisite fine porcelain and robust stoneware. See Michael’s visit to the pottery in Season #3 of Ireland with Michael.

We’ll continue into the beautiful port town of Dingle, on the Wild Atlantic Way to visit artisanal jeweler Brian de Staic, whose designs center around the stories, stones, and Celtic history of the Dingle Peninsula. Just like Dingle’s ancient ogham stones, each piece of jewelry is handcrafted with meaning and purpose.

We’ll return to our hotel where the balance of your day is free for individual pursuits and dining. Perhaps enjoy a treatment at the award winning, gothic-inspired Spa at Muckross, designed to reflect the unique nature of its surroundings.

OVERNIGHT: MUCKROSS PARK HOTEL & SPA

Thu, Sep-12

KILLARNEY, YOUGHAL, DUNGARVAN, WATERFORD CRYSTAL

This morning after breakfast, we journey through the rich farming country of Cork, and continue along the south coast of Ireland to the seaside towns of Youghal (Co. Cork) and Dungarvan (Co. Waterford).

Youghal is the most easterly town in County Cork and a gem in Ireland’s Ancient East. Onwards to Dungarvan, located in the heart of County Waterford, on the doorstep of the Comeragh Mountains, with sweeping views of the Sunny Southeast and its scenic copper coastline.

On our way we’ll make a stop at the beautiful Mount Congreve House and Gardens, situated in Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford and named one of “The Great Gardens of the World”. 6 generations of Congreve’s resided at Mount Congreve since 1611; the last, Ambrose Congreve left the house and gardens in trust to the Irish State upon his passing at the age of 104 in 2011. Seldom has a family motto been more appropriate: “Non mortitur cujus fama vivit” “He does not die whose good name lives on”. Up to the very last years of his life, Mr. Congreve could be found in the gardens dispensing orders and advice relating to his beloved plants. He afforded his longevity to having a garden to care for. See Michael’s visit to this special place in Season #2 of Ireland with Michael.

Next, we head to the Viking city of Waterford and the home of the world-famous Waterford Crystal, which has been embracing Irish heritage, craftsmanship and spirit 1783. We’ll tour the iconic House of Waterford to learn about its history, glass blowing and cutting and to see one-of-a-kind masterpieces. The guided tour is a unique and captivating experience that reflects on 235 years of crystal making history.

We’ll drive a short distance to the internationally renowned 4-star Ferrycarraig Hotel, nestled in one of Ireland’s most inspiring locations, providing sweeping views across the River Slaney. Check in and settle into your room. Enjoy some free time before joining your fellow travelers for a concert by Michael Londra This evening you’ll join your fellow travelers in the in the hotel restaurant. Reeds Restaurant has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes for 7 years in a row, has been named best hotel restaurant in Wexford and listed in the top 5 restaurants in Leinster by the Restaurant Association of Ireland. Michael loves the breakfasts here. The stunning riverfront restaurant prides itself on delivering excellent, locally sourced produce, prepared, presented with amazing creativity by a top-class culinary team.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: FERRYCARRIG HOTEL, WEXFORD

Fri, Sep-13

WEXFORD WALKING TOUR (BULL RING, SESKAR ABBEY, THEATRE ROYAL) HOOK LIGHTHOUSE, JOHNSTOWN CASTLE GARDENS, CONCERT.

After breakfast, Michael will bring you on a tour of his hometown of Wexford, tucked away in Ireland’s Ancient East. This cultural coastal town dates to Viking times and is in the sunny southeast of the country. We’ll set off with a local guide for a gentle walking tour of the town, through its winding medieval streets and along the river Slaney to see the bright, colorful buildings, perched on the water’s edge. We’ll hear about the world of medieval ports, bloody insurrections ghostly graveyards and cavernous churches! On the way we will pass the famous bull ring, historic 12th century Selskar Abbey, the Theatre Royal and of course the famous town walls. Check out Michael’s visit to the Theatre Royal in Season #1 of Ireland with Michael and learn how it influenced his music career!

A short drive will take us to the oldest working lighthouse in the world. The Hook Lighthouse is the perfect spot for a social media photograph with the iconic black and white tower and the dangerous rocks below as a backdrop. We will stop here for a cuppa before heading to the other side of the Hook Peninsula. Check out the beautiful footage of the Hook Lighthouse when Michael interviews NY Times bestselling author and creator of Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer in Season #1 of Ireland with Michael.

We next continue to Johnstown Castle Gardens which were developed in the mid 19th Century and are set aside from the ornamental castle. The 4-acre walled garden and hothouses, originally designed by Daniel Robertson, who also designed the impressive gardens at the Powerscourt Estate and Wells House have been painstakingly restored by the head gardener and over 100 volunteers and have over two hundred different kinds of trees and shrubs.

After spending time in the beautiful gardens, we’ll head back to our hotel and enjoy some free time before joining your fellow travelers for a concert by Michael Londra. Afterwards, dine at your leisure. You might like to grab an independent bite at one of Wexford’s amazing gastro pubs or restaurants.

OVERNIGHT: FERRYCARRIG HOTEL, WEXFORD

Sat, Sep-14

WEXFORD AT LEISURE

Spend the morning and afternoon at leisure to rest or sightsee around Wexford. You may like to view the Westgate Heritage Centre, the bull ring or even the market square in the centre of town. You could also visit Wexford Arts Center a showcase for art and events along with the Theater Royal, now the national opera house of Ireland and the headquarters for the world-famous Wexford Opera Festival.

Return to your hotel and soak in the peaceful setting before dinner in the hotel restaurant. Reeds Restaurant has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes for 7 years in a row, has been named best hotel restaurant in Wexford and listed in the top 5 restaurants in Leinster by the Restaurant Association of Ireland. Michael loves the breakfasts here. The stunning riverfront restaurant prides itself on delivering excellent, locally sourced produce, prepared, presented with amazing creativity by a top-class culinary team. Watch a clip from Season # of Ireland with Michael where he chats with award winning Ferrycarrig Executive Chef Tony Carty.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: FERRYCARRIG HOTEL, WEXFORD