SEPTEMBER 2023 VACATION ITINERARY

Sat, Sept-9

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. 

Sun, Sept-10

DUBLIN ARRIVAL, WEXFORD WALKING TOUR & WATERFRONT DINING 

After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs, and immigration formalities. Your CIE Tours driver/guide, Austin will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. 

Our first stop on your Ireland with Michael tour is breakfast! Enjoy a warm Irish welcome and hearty spread at a local restaurant or pub while becoming acquainted with your fellow travelers. After your meal it’s onto Michael’s 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. Michael himself will meet you in Wexford. 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!

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 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

Mon, Sept-11

TINTERN ABBEY, DUNBRODY ABBEY AND MAZE, WEXFORD TOWN 

This morning, after breakfast, we head off into Saltmills village to visit the13th century Tintern Abbey, which was founded by the Earl of Pembroke, as the result of a vow he had made when his boat was caught in a storm nearby. The Abbey was named after Tintern, Wales and was colonized by Cistercian monks. Later in the 16th century, after Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries, the abbey was the family seat of the Colclough Baronetcy. Also, while at Tintern Abbey we will visit the magical Colclough Gardens, including the 1800s restored Georgian walled garden; split into two sections, an ornamental and a kitchen garden. 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 leave Salthills village and continue onto Dunbrody Abbey, one of the most impressive, ruined Cistercian monasteries in Ireland. The Abbey is one of the longest in Ireland and sits next to Dunbrody Castle, whose garden has one of only two full sized hedge mazes in Ireland. While here, take a stroll through the intricate Hedge Maze which is made of 1,500 yew trees and gravel paths. The Abbey and Castle are open to visitors to explore at will. The Craft Shop houses a small museum and offers a large range of items produced by local craftsmen on display. 

After our visit, we return to our hotel in Wexford and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Feel free to indulge in the leisure center which boasts exceptional facilities and an award-winning spa. In the evening, we will have a little musical treat for you all in the hotel before dinner. You may choose to dine in one of the many restaurants or pubs that Wexford has to offer or remain and dine at the hotel and have a pint afterward. – It’s up to you! 

OVERNIGHT: FERRYCARRIG HOTEL, WEXFORD

Tue, Sept-12

FOYNES FLYING BOAT & MARITIME MUSEUM, IRISH COFFEE MASTERCLASS, LAKESIDE DINNER 

After breakfast at our hotel, we depart Wexford, journeying across the Irish heartland 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 Lindburgh. 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 into the lovely waterside heritage town of Killaloe, in County Clare where we check into our hotel, the 4-star Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Club and settle into your room. Set on the banks of the River Shannon (Ireland’s largest river), Killaloe is the birthplace of the Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland (940-1014AD) and one of Ireland’s prettiest towns. An historic 13-arch bridge spans the Shannon and leads into the main part of the village. 

This evening, join your group for dinner in the hotel restaurant, overlooking the splendid gardens and majestic lake – Lough Derg. The Cois Locha Restaurant (means Lakeside in Gaelic) sources its ingredients from surrounding rich hinterland, and prides itself on its relationships with local suppliers and its farm to fork traceability. 

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: LAKESIDE HOTEL & LEISURE CENTRE, KILLALOE

Wed, Sept-13

KING JOHN’S CASTLE, LIMERICK CITY, THE BURREN GEOPARK, KILLALOE 

Today after breakfast we head into the neighboring county of Limerick and stop to visit the 13th century King John's Castle in the heart of Limerick city. Located in the city’s medieval quarter, King John’s Castle brings to life over 800 years of dramatic local history. We’ll discover the stories of ruthless King John, the noble knights, and rebellious natives. The spacious outdoor courtyard gives a sense of the bustling activity that took place many years ago. Expect to meet some interesting characters along the way! This imposing fortress with its massive walls and towers has guarded the River Shannon crossing for the past 800 years and is a must see when visiting Limerick City. 

In the afternoon we head out into the vast, moon-like Burren Geopark in nearby County Clare, a UNESCO world heritage center and one of Ireland's most compelling landscapes. Elaine O Malley, esteemed historian will guide us 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.

Of course, we will stop for tea at the Burren Perfumery to learn how local herbs are used to make their lotions and potions. We will then head back to your hotel in Killaloe for dinner in the hotel restaurant and another musical surprise. 

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: LAKESIDE HOTEL & LEISURE CENTRE, KILLALOE

Thur, Sept-14

CÉIDE FIELDS, KYLEMORE ABBEY, WESTPORT TOWN 

After breakfast, we’re off to the award-winning heritage site of the Céide Fields in County Mayo. The Céide Fields are a neolithic site that contain the oldest known stone walled fields in the world, dating back over 6,000 years. Our Stone Age ancestors constructed houses, walls and fields that created an early farming community, complete with megalithic tombs. One of these communities was the Céide Fields which overlook the mighty Atlantic Ocean, which gently laps (or vigorously pounds, depending on the weather!) up against the cliffs below. The fields were discovered in the 1930’s by a local farmer cutting turf (peat), and later excavated by his son, an archaeologist, to discover cultivated fields, houses and tombs which had lain hidden for many centuries. 

Next stop is a visit to visit to the beautiful Kylemore Abbey in the Connemara region of Co. Galway for a tour of the elegant mansion and church, set beside a tranquil lake. Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden is one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions. Originally built as castle in 1867 as a romantic gift, Kylemore Abbey and the surrounding mountains and lakes are steeped in history. We’ll hear tales of tragedy, romance, engineering initiatives and royal visits. Also, we’ll take a stroll walk through the magical Victorian walled garden. 

We head next to our hotel, the luxury 4-star Castlecourt Hotel in the center of Westport town, where you will check in and settle into your room. Tonight, join your group in the award-winning hotel restaurant for a delicious meal. There are plenty of pubs with live music nearby including Matt Molloy’s, a great spot for live traditional music, seven days a week! Matt may be known to you as a member of the famed Grammy winning group, The Chieftains. 

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CASTLECOURT HOTEL, WESTPORT

Fri, Sept-15

ACHILL ISLAND & DESERTED VILLAGE, WILD ATLANTIC WAY, WESTPORT 

This morning after breakfast, we journey along the Corraun Peninsula, on the Wild Atlantic Way, which extends from the mainland of County Mayo to reach Achill Island by a bridge. As we pass along the Great Western Greenway, through the Gaeltacht (designated Irish language speaking region) we follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful and wild scenic views of steeply sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. 

As we cross into Achill, we’ll stop to view the Deserted Village on the southside of Mount Slievemore, which provides a haunting reminder of times past on the Island. From here we will head for the famed Keem Strand, sheltered between the steep slopes in the west of Achill Island. Even from a distance the horseshoe-shaped beach attracts all eyes; it’s white sand standing out in intense contrast to the lush green of the surrounding hills. Keem was the site of many scenes in the Oscar nominated movie the Banshees of Inisherin and has been the winner of best beach in Ireland on many occasions. Michael tells the story of the trail blazing pirate queen and chieftain Granuaile (Grace O’Malley) in Season #2 of Ireland with Michael.

Afterwards we return to Westport to visit Westport House, a 400-year historic house within 400-acres of unspoiled beauty, offering magnificent views of Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. See stunning rooms with priceless furnishings, paintings, books, and silver. Enjoy a world of stories from the incredible history of the house itself tom tales of kings, queens and pirates, slave emancipators, beautiful art to 3000-year-old Greek sarcophagi. Here’s a clip of Michael’s visit to Westport house from the TV series.

Back to our nearby hotel and spend the rest of the day free to sightsee, shop and dine on your own. Westport is a quintessential Irish town, offering nature, culture, history, and a lively and authentic pub scene. A gorgeous river flows through the town with tree-lined promenades and cafes on both sides. It’s charming town center with Georgian architecture boasts many fine restaurants, specializing particularly in seafood, providing a friendly welcome and warm hospitality. 

OVERNIGHT: CASTLECOURT HOTEL, WESTPORT