GARDENS & CASTLES OF IRELAND
Luxury Escorted Motorcoach Tour
August, 2006

Day 1: August 17, Sunday:

Depart the U.S. for Ireland.

Day 2: August 18, Monday: Failte! Welcome to Ireland!

Dromoland Castle Co. Clare

Arrive at Shannon Airport, meet your driver and guide and transfer to Dromoland Castle for a full Irish breakfast. Considered one of Ireland’s top castle-hotels, Dromoland is a fairytale castle complimented by an extensive estate, fine dining, and excellent service. After breakfast depart for the Cliffs of Moher. The West of Ireland’s most visited natural wonder, these dramatic cliffs stand 700 feet over the Atlantic, offering views of the Aran Islands (on a clear day!). Drive through the unique Burren Region, a unique expanse known for its lunar-like terrain and colorful wild flowers. Arrive back at Dromoland Castle and enjoy lunch in the Clubhouse at Dromoland Castle. After lunch check in to Dromoland Castle and spend the afternoon relaxing in the splendor of the Castle. This evening enjoy a Welcome Cocktail reception before enjoying fine dining at the Castle this evening.

Overnight: Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare
Lunch: Dromoland Castle, Clubhouse
Dinner: Dromoland Castle

Day 3: August 19, Tuesday: Birr Castle Gardens

Glin Castle Glin, Co. Limerick

Depart Dromoland Castle after breakfast and drive to Birr Castle where you will enjoy a tour of the castle and gardens, followed by lunch with the Earl and Countess of Rosse. This castle dates back to the 17th century and has remained in the Parsons family for 14 generations. Hear from the Earl himself of the castle’s long history, tour the centuries old gardens, and dine exclusively in the preserved edifice. Continue to Glin County Limerick and check into Glin Castle for a 1-night stay. Situated on the banks of the River Shannon this elegant Norman castle, owned by the Knight of Glin, is an authentic example of Irish grandeur, offering individually decorated bedrooms, antique furnishings, and outstanding cuisine. Enjoy a tour of both the castle and Gardens upon arrival at Glin Castle. Later this evening enjoy fine dining in the castle.

Overnight: Glin Castle, Glin, Co. Limerick
Lunch: Birr Castle
Dinner: Glin Castle

Day 4: August 20, Wednesday: Killarney & Kenmare

Park Hotel Kenmare Kenmare, Co. Kerry

This morning drive to Islanmore Stud in Croom, visit the stud farm and enjoy a coffee with the owners who offer visitors some impressive grounds. Continue to Killarney and see the spectacular Gap of Dunloe before arriving at Kate Kearney’s cottage for lunch. After lunch, travel into Killarney town where you take a horse and cart ride to Muckross House. Enjoy a tour of the House and gardens before returning to Killarney for some free time in this picturesque town. Arrive in Kenmare, County Kerry and check into the Park Hotel Kenmare for a 2-night stay. As Ireland’s most established luxury hotel, the Park Hotel set the standard for 5-star service and offers individually decorated rooms, as well as beautifully manicured grounds. Enjoy dinner at the Park Hotel Kenmare this evening.

Overnight: The Park Hotel Kenmare, Kenmare, Co. Kerry
Lunch: Kate Kearneys Cottage
Dinner: Park Hotel Kenmare

Day 5: August 21, Thursday: Garnish & Dereen

Park Hotel Kenmare Kenmare, Co. Kerry

This morning drive to Garnish Island and enjoy a self-guided tour around these magnificent gardens. This treasured island is home to an Italian garden of tropical rare tropical plants. George Bernard Shaw is said to have written St. Joan on the island, which is an understandably tranquil environment. Continue to Ballylickey, County Cork where you will arrive at Sea View House to enjoy a gourmet lunch. After lunch at this gorgeous country house hotel, depart for Lauraugh and tour Dereen Gardens. In the late afternoon return to Kenmare and enjoy dinner this evening at The Lime Tree, the best of Kenmare’s acclaimed gourmet restaurants.

Overnight: The Park Hotel Kenmare, Kenmare, Co. Kerry
Lunch: Sea View House Hotel
Dinner: The Lime Tree

Day 6: August 22, Friday: The Gift of the Gab

Waterford Castle Ballinakill, Co. Waterford

Depart the Park Hotel after breakfast and travel to Blarney, County Cork and visit Blarney Castle, where a kiss of the Blarney Stone is said to impart eloquence. Perhaps do some shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills, where you will find everything from clothing to crystal, all Irish-made. Continue to Brian Cross’s “Lakemount” Gardens where you will tour the gardens followed by lunch. Continue east and arrive in Waterford and check into Waterford Castle for a 2-night stay. This authentic 12th century castle hotel is situated on its own private island with only 20 bedrooms and offers a private 18-hole golf course. This evening enjoy dinner and live entertainment at the castle.

Overnight: Waterford Castle, Ballinakill, Co. Waterford
Lunch: Lakemount
Dinner: Waterford Castle

Day 7: August 23, Saturday: Medieval Ireland

Dunbrody Country House

This morning take a tour of Waterford Crystal Factory, where you will have a tour of the process that has made Waterford synonymous with crystal. Continue to Cashel County Tipperary and tour the impressive Rock of Cashel. Dating back to the 4th Century, this mountaintop medieval fortress was once the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Enjoy a gourmet lunch at Cashel Palace Hotel before driving to medieval Kilkenny. Visit the dominating sight of Kilkenny Castle. Situated on the River Nore, this Norman castle dates back to 1192, and has been restored to its original grandeur. Across the street from the Castle is Kilkenny Design Centre. Originally the coach house and stables for Kilkenny Castle, this building is now home to some of the best designers and craftspeople in Ireland. Late afternoon return to Waterford. Enjoy dinner this evening in a local Waterford restaurant.

Overnight: Waterford Castle, Ballinakill, Co. Waterford
Lunch: Cashel Palace
Dinner: Dunbrody Country House

Day 8: August 24, Sunday: Dublin’s Fair City

The Merrion Dublin

This morning enjoy a guided tour of Mount Usher Gardens in County Wicklow, “the Garden of Ireland”, located in the scenic Wicklow Mountains. Later continue north to Dublin. Arrive in Dublin and check into The Merrion for your final 2 nights in Dublin. Comprising four Georgian mansions just steps from St. Stephen’s Green, The Merrion has set new standards in Ireland for deluxe accommodation, featuring priceless artworks, a Michelin-rated restaurant, and the finest example of 5-star Irish service. Enjoy lunch today at Mornington’s restaurant in the Merrion hotel. This afternoon enjoy a Dublin City Tour taking in the cities famous sites. Enjoy some free time in Dublin before having dinner this evening at Shanahan’s on the Green, an exquisite restaurant situated in a Georgian Townhouse on St. Stephen’s Green.

Overnight: The Merrion, Dublin
Lunch: The Merrion
Dinner: Shanahan’s on the Green

Day 9, August 25, Monday: Irish Georgian

Leixlip House

This morning make the short trip to Leixlip, County Kildare and enjoy a slideshow and tour of Leixlip Castle, the home of the Honorable Desmond Guinness. You will see an audio visual presentation in the drawing room showing the works of the Irish Georgian Society, an organization founded by the Hon. Mr. Guinness, that has been quite successful in preserving the Irish Georgian architecture of Ireland. After the lecture have lunch at Leixlip House. Later tour the recently restored Castletown House, the pride project of the Irish Georgian Society. Return to Dublin and later this afternoon enjoy a visit to the Helen Dillon Gardens. This evening enjoy a farewell cocktail reception and dinner at The Merrion.

Overnight: The Merrion, Dublin
Lunch: Leixlip House
Dinner: The Merrion

Day 10, August 26, Tuesday:

Transfer to Dublin Airport and depart Ireland for the US.

Warren Tours
Gardens & Castles of Ireland
Luxury Escorted Motorcoach Tour
2006

This package includes:

• Roundtrip Airfare on Aer Lingus from New York (other cities available for a supplement)

• 8 days Luxury motorcoach transportation and services of a professional driver

• 8 days services of Marianne Gorman a gardens and Castles expert tour guide

• Transfer from The Merrion to Dublin Airport

• 8 nights deluxe room accommodation in Deluxe 5-star castles and hotels

• Full Irish breakfast daily

• 8 gourmet dinners with wine

• 8 lunches

• Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Receptions

• Lectures and tours with Ireland’s foremost Garden and Castle experts

• Gratuities to all drivers, guides, and hotel/restaurants staffs

• Admissions to all the attractions listed in itinerary

• All taxes and service charges

• Deluxe travel documents including reference material delivered by overnight courier

• 5-star service from Warren Tours travel planners

Cost:

Cost based on sharing a double room:
$5,189.00 per person

Tour Supplements:
First/Business Class Up-grade: Add $3,600.00 per person
Room upgrade (at al hotels): Add $500.00 per person
Early Check-in on 8/18/03: Add $250.00 per person

Trip Cancellation Insurance:
From $238 per person depending on trip cost and age

Itinerary subject to change

Maximum of 20 guests per tour
Inquire for menus
Inquire for self-drive/chauffeur-drive options of this tour, tour extensions, or special requests

Please note:
A non-refundable deposit of $1,000 per person, plus total airfare, is due immediately if you wish to reserve any or all of the above arrangements. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. All changes and cancellations are subject to penalty. Please inquire about trip cancellation insurance.