ITINERARY

October 1 - Depart New York City
Our group flight departs JFK Airport at 9:40 PM.

October 2 - Welcome to Ireland, Ulster Folk Park & Letterkenny
We arrive at Dublin Airport and meet with our guide, and then our adventure begins as we travel northwards. Our first stop will be the Ulster American Folk Park, located on the outskirts of Omagh town. The Folk Park grew up around the restored boyhood home of Judge Thomas Mellon (founder of the Pittsburgh banking dynasty). It has a permanent exhibition called "Emigrants", which explains why two million people left Ulster for America during the 18th and 19th centuries. It also has an impressive collection of historical quilts. Costumed guides and craftspeople are on hand to chat and explain the art of spinning, weaving, and candle making.

Following our visit we will continue on to the delightful town of Letterkenny. Tonight we enjoy a Welcome Dinner at our hotel in Letterkenny.

October 3 - Giant's Causeway, Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle
Today we travel the Antrim Coast and visit Giant's Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. County Antrim forms the northeast corner of Ireland, where a channel only 20 kms wide separates Ireland from the Scottish coast. The Giant's Causeway, a striking basalt rock formation, is truly awe-inspiring and is a must-see on any visit to the North of Ireland. The Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is often referred to by the Irish as the "Eighth Wonder of the World".

Our next stop is Carrick-a-Rede, on the Antrim Coast, and the spectacular rope bridge which spans a chasm some eighty feet deep. Primarily a seasonal working bridge for fishermen, it connects a small island to the mainland.

We end the day at the ruins of Dunluce Castle located on the North Antrim coast. The castle dates largely from the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Castle can only be reached over a bridge, which now replaces an original rocky connection. On the "mainland" area of the Castle complex can be found the remains of the Earl's garden laid out in three terraces. Enjoy dinner tonight on your own in one of the area's fine restaurants. Our guide will offer suggestions about dining options.

October 4 - Donegal & Hand Weaving
Its location in the northwest of Ireland has kept County Donegal a secret--and stunningly wild. The Irish consider it to be the most beautiful county In Ireland because of the great diversity of scenery. Donegal is formed by coastal scenery, mountains, lakes and bogs covered in heather, all of which combine to give the area a unique charm. Its roads are narrow, forcing you to take your time and allowing you to enjoy  wild and unspoiled nature.

In Donegal, hand weaving is a skill that has been passed down for centuries through many generations. In the old days, many families lived by hand-spinning and hand-weaving cloth in their homes. Perhaps because industrialization hardly touched Ireland, this tradition continues to thrive and develop.

Today there are still about 25 local craftsmen working at home, turning out the all-wool, hand-woven fabric that is treasured throughout the world. We will meet a local craftsman, and we will also enjoy a guided tour of Triona Design, including a description of the Tweed-making process. Late this afternoon we return to our hotel.

October 5 - Return to Dublin via Lisburn
This morning we travel back to Dublin via the town of Lisburn - south of Belfast City. Today we will visit the Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum, situated in Lisburn's 17th century Market House. This permanent exhibition features the story of the Irish linen industry from earliest times, including skilled demonstrations of hand spinning of flax and hand loom weaving of fine linen cloth on original looms. We will see the finest costume, dress and household linens dating from a past when Irish linen from Lisburn was known world-wide. You can choose to enjoy either a weaving, spinning or natural dyeing workshop. We then continue to Dublin for check-in to our hotel. You are free to have dinner on your own tonight in Dublin.

October 6 - Dublin's Fair City
Today is our day to discover Dublin, the beautiful and charming city where one third of Ireland's inhabitants live. It is a very young and dynamic city in the process of undergoing an economic boom. Adored by its people and visitors alike, Dublin has everything a capital needs: a multitude of interesting sights and unforgettable cultural experiences.

Our panoramic tour of Dublin starts on the north side of the River Liffey. This area offers striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on the city's main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street, and the Custom House along the quays, as well as the Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe.

The south side of Dublin appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares, such as Merrion Square, where Oscar Wilde's House can still be found (today owned by an American College), along with colorful doors along Grafton Street and high-quality shops. Not so far from St. Stephen's Green, in Kildare St., you will see the house of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula.

Next, we will stop at Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Elizabeth the First on the grounds confiscated from an Augustinian priory. Within its walls, you will be able to admire Parliament Square and its 18th Century edifices.

Trinity College has had many famous students, such as Jonathan Swift and Samuel Beckett. The ninth century Book of Kells, famous for its precious illuminations, is exhibited on these premises. We will also make a brief stop at the National Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of Bronze Age gold in the world. The centerpiece of the collection is the Ardagh Chalice, which dates back to 800 AD. We stay overnight at the charming Dublin Hotel.

October 7 - The Gardens of Ireland
This morning we travel south of Dublin to County Wicklow, also known as the Garden of Ireland. This region features all the various types of scenery that make Ireland so beautiful. In the heart of its gentle and rounded hills are nestled Enniskerry and Avoca, both very picturesque villages.

The tiny village of Avoca shot to fame in 1996 when it was chosen as the location for the popular TV series Ballykissangel. The focal point of the village is Fitzgeralds, an Old World pub with a fine restaurant. Also in the village is Avoca Hand Weavers, established in 1723, and which claims to be Ireland's oldest surviving business. We will see the three different kinds of weaving, including the traditional fly shuttle handloom, still in use today.

We also visit Ballyknocken House and Farm and Cookery School, a haven for those seeking to learn the skills of preparing fresh local foods in a countryside setting. The emphasis is always on the use of good local ingredients, many of which are supplied from the local farmers of Wicklow. Here we will enjoy a scone-making demonstration (hands on) with tea and scones afterwards.

For our farewell dinner we go to the Abbey Tavern, which offers great Irish food and traditional Irish entertainment in an authentic 16th century tavern with original stone walls, gas lights and blazing turf fires. The Abbey Tavern is located in the old fishing village of Howth, overlooking Dublin Bay. The entertainment features a lively performance of music, song and Irish dancing.

October 8 - Farewell
After a hearty full Irish breakfast at the hotel, we head to the Dublin airport for our flights home.  After a final full Irish breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Dublin airport and our flights home.

*THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE