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Between : 14 April 2012 - 30 September 2012
Web Ref # : TWF00635
Nights: 6 Nights
Take self-drive tour and visit Dublin and Wexford for 7 days
4* Courtyard Hotel and 4* Cedar Lodge
Return flights to Dublin from Johannesburg on Air France / KLM
7 Days car hire
All-in-price includes:
3 nights Bandamp B at the 4* Court
Yard Hotel (or similar)
3 nights Bandamp B at the Cedar Lodge
One complimentary dinner in
the hotel
(Dublin) Sightseeing to:
1. Irish National Stud
2. Kilkenny Castle
3. Powerscourt House
andampGardens
4. Russborough
5. Trinity College Dublin
the Book of Kells Exhibition
6. Croke Park Stadium
(Wexford) Sightseeing to:
1. Dunbrody Emigrant Ship
2. Kennedy Homestead
3. The Irish National Heritage Park
4. Waterford and Waterford
Crystal Visitor centre
5. Reginalds Tower
6. Rock of Cashel and Brand
Includes- Itinerary:
- Day 1: Drive to your hotel. Settle in and enjoy a relaxing dinner.
- Day 2: Head to the Irish National Stud near Kildare, which is the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public. The stud also boasts the finest Japanese gardens in Europe, lakeside walks, a horse museum and the commemorative St Fiachras Garden, whose entrance is via an underground stone passage. Afterwards, head to 13th-century Kilkenny Castle, located in the centre of the town that shares its name. The castle has been added to and altered, resulting in a complex structure of various architectural styles. Return to your hotel for the night.
- Day 3: Immerse yourself in a day of stately homes and gardens. The first on the agenda is the 47-acre Powerscourt HouseandGardens, a property containing a wealth of heritage with a surprising difference. Situated in the mountains of Wicklow, a mile-long, tree-lined avenue leads up to the main house, which was redesigned into the Palladian style in the 18th century to include a beautiful double height Georgian ballroom. Although the house was gutted by fire in 1974, regeneration began in 1996 and the ballroom was completely restored to its former glory. The gardens at Powerscourt are laid out in two main periods. To the north, there are formal tree plantations, while a walled garden, fish pond, cascades, grottos and terraces lie to the south. Next, visit the Russborough demesne to explore the grounds, walks and beech-hedge maze, its rich heritage and lovely rooms. Enjoy an interactive exhibition and guided tour of the house, which has been described by historian Mark Bence-Jones as arguably the most beautiful house in Ireland. It boasts some wonderful rooms, with magnificent interiors and ceilings, along with some exceptional collections of furniture, silverware and porcelain. Return to your hotel for the night.
- Day 4: For your final day in Dublin, visit both old and new. Take a trip to Trinity College and see the Book of Kells Exhibition, located in the heart of Dublin City. The cobbled stones of Trinity College hark back to the 18th century, when the magnificent Old Library building was constructed. Inside is housed the Book of Kells, a 9th-century gospel manuscript famous throughout the world. Other related manuscripts are on display, along with 200,000 of the librarys oldest books in oak bookcases, located in the magnificent Long Room. Before you leave for home, take a tour of Croke Park Stadium, home of the Gaelic Athletic Assocation, which offers an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at one of the most historic and modern sporting arenas in the world. Visit the dressing rooms and players lounge, walk pitchside via the players tunnel and take a seat in the VIP area. Finally, enjoy a birds eye view of Croke Park from the media centre on the top tier of the stadium. Begin your 2 hour journey by car to Wexford and settle in for a relaxing dinner .
- Day 5: Enjoy a day of Irish heritage by visiting Dunbrody Emigrant Ship. Dunbrody is a 19th-century, 3-masted sailing ship which took many emigrants to North America during and after the Great Famine. The ship provides a unique insight into a period of history that shaped modernday Ireland and America. Follow in the footsteps of a group of famine emigrants as you board the Dunbrody, which is fitted out exactly as it would be for the voyage. Then visit the Kennedy Homestead, birthplace of President John F Kennedys greatgrandfather, Patrick Kennedy, which is still owned and farmed by Kennedy family descendants today. Joining the multitudes of Irish fleeing the Great Famine, Patrick Kennedy left the homestead 1848 to set sail for the United States from the nearby portof New Ross. After lunch, make your way to the Irish National Heritage Park to explore 35 acres of Irish heritage, including ring forts, mills, fulacht fiadh (a type of archaeological site), crannogs (manmade island dwellings) and Viking houses, spanning some 9,000 years. Return to your hotel for the night.
- Day 6: Spend the morning in Waterford, Irelands oldest tourist destination. Visit the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre and enjoy a guided factory tour through the mould room, blowing department, sculpting and engraving department, and more.Afterwards, visit Reginalds Tower, a 13th-century circular defence tower and Waterfords most recognizable landmark, which houses a treasure trove of Viking artefacts telling the story of Waterfords Viking heritage. After lunch, spend your afternoon at leisure before returning to your hotel for the night.
- Day 7: Head into County Tipperary to see one of Irelands most-visited heritage sites, the Rock of Cashel. Known as St Patricks Rock, Carraig Phand#xe1;draig and the Cashel of the Kings, it is believed to be the site of the conversion of Aenghus, the King of Munster, by St Patrick in the 5th century AD. Although the Rock of Cashel was the seat of the High Kings of Munster, most of the buildings on the current site date from the 12th and 13th centuries when the rock was gifted to the Church. The buildings represent both Hiberno-Romanesque and Germanic influences in their architecture, and contain a most remarkable collection of Celtic art. Afterwards, visit Brand#xfa; Borand#xfa;, the national cultural village at the foot of the rock. Designed around a village green, it celebrates the best of Ireland with music, song, dance, theatre and Celtic studies. Theres also the Sounds of History contained within subterranean chambers, some 7 metres underground, which echo to the story of Ireland from ancient times to the present day. Begin your journey home.
Excludes- Items of a personal nature.
- Travel and medical insurance.
Terms
Prices are from a starting price per person sharing, subject to change, airfare increase, currency fluctuations and availability. Taxes are estimated and based on the current exchange rate and are subject to change. Advance purchase, peak season surcharges, block out periods and minimum stay conditions may apply. Please note that airport taxes, fuel levies & surcharges are approximate and subject to change, the exact amount will be confirmed at time of booking. Valid for dates as specified. Group rates available on request. Thompsons Standard Terms and Conditions may apply. E & OE.
Special Note
Return flights to Dublin from Johannesburg on Air France / KLM 7 Days car hireandlt;brandgt;
All-in-price includes:
3 nights BandB at the 4* Court
Yard Hotel (or similar)andlt;brandgt;3 nights BandB at the Cedar Lodge
One complimentary dinner in
the hotel
(Dublin) Sightseeing to:
1. Irish National Stud
2. Kilkenny Castle
3. Powerscourt House
and Gardens
4. Russborough
5. Trinity College Dublin
the Book of Kells Exhibition
6. Croke Park Stadium
(Wexford) Sightseeing to:
1. Dunbrody Emigrant Ship
2. Kennedy Homestead
3. The Irish National Heritage Park
4. Waterford and Waterford
Crystal Visitor centre;
5. Reginalds Tower
6. Rock of Cashel and Brand#xfa; Bor
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