Tuesday, June 5th
We begin our 11-day tour of the Emerald Isle with an overnight flight from TORONTO, Ontario to SHANNON. Dinner will be served onboard the plane. D

Wednesday, June 6th
This morning before our arrival, we will be served a breakfast snack onboard the airplane. Upon our arrival at the Shannon Airport, we will be met by our driver/guide and brought to our private coach. As we drive to GALWAY, have your cameras ready as we stop to admire the stunning and picturesque Cliffs of Moher. We will continue driving north until we arrive in Galway and our hotel, located in the city center. We will check in and relax and enjoy lunch on our own before going on a tour to the Irish Crystal Factory. Tonight, we will all gather for a special “welcome dinner.” The remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure. B, D

Thursday, June 7th
Following breakfast this morning, for those who might be interested, we are offering an “optional tour” to a Connemara Marble Factory and a visit to the KYLEMORE ABBEY & GARDENS. Tonight, for those who have signed up to participate, the INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL OF IRELAND kicks off with a very special Grand Reception. This special event consists of a champagne reception, a welcome presentation by festival director and Sew Many Places founder, Jim West, a keynote address by quilt legend Jinny Beyer, followed by a delicious formal dinner, and a one-hour Riverdance review show by Trad on the Prom! Trad on the Prom is Ireland's #1 music, song and dance show. Their performers hold 15 World Titles and the show is one of the holiday highlights for thousands of visitors each year. Space is limited for this Grand Reception and cost is 125 Euros per person. Reserving your space early is highly recommended as this will sell out with no uncertainty! B

Friday, June 8th
This morning after a delicious breakfast, you will have an opportunity to enjoy the first annual INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL OF IRELAND, located at the Quilter’s Village in Galway. Admission into the festival is included with your tour. B

Saturday, June 9th
This morning after a delicious breakfast, you will have another opportunity to enjoy the festival (admission cost included). Also included with your tour is an opportunity to participate in a quilting lecture on color with legendary designer, Jinny Beyer! Later this evening, for those that are interested, we are offering an “optional tour” to BUNRATTY CASTLE for a medieval banquet and show. B

Sunday, June 10th
Today is your final day to enjoy the festival (admission is included) and all it has to offer. Later this afternoon, we will say goodbye to Galway and drive south to beautiful KILLARNEY. Along the way, we will stop in one of  Ireland’s prettiest villages, ADARE, famous for its thatched roof boutique shops. Following our visit, we will continue onto KILLARNEY and check into our hotel where we check into our rooms and enjoy dinner at our hotel. B, D

Monday, June 11th
This morning, after our full Irish breakfast, we depart on a tour of the rugged DINGLE PENINSULA. Film goers will be reminded of scenes from the movie, “Ryan’s Daughter,” which was shot in this area, as we drive past little harbors and wide stretches of sandy beach, leading southward to Slea Head. This is the most westerly point in Europe, also known as “the next parish to America.” Vistas of the Blasket Islands and Dingle Bay delight the eye and Gallarus Oratory, a little beehive stone structure, more than 1,000 years old, conjures up visions of monks in early Christian times in this “land of saints and scholars. We will return to Killarney later in the afternoon. For those who are interested, you can participate (for a nominal fee) in one of the most popular attractions here in Killarney, a Jaunting Cart ride!  Whatever you decide to do, enjoy your evening.  B

Tuesday, June 12th
This morning following breakfast, we will drive to the well-known village of BLARNEY where, for a nominal fee, you can to kiss the famed Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. We will also visit and explore the Blarney Woollen Mills, renowned for crystal, china, woollen clothing, and all sorts of wonderful souvenir items. There will be time for lunch and shopping on our own before we drive to the nearby port town of COBH. One of the major transatlantic Irish ports, Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. On April 11, 1912, Cobh was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic as she set out across the Atlantic Ocean. We will return back to our hotel where the remainder of the evening is at your leisure. B

Wednesday, June 13th
This morning following breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and drive to the town of GLENDALOUGH. Along the way, we will visit the little village of AVOCA, where we will have an opporutnity to see a textile mill and a weaving demonstration. We will arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon, check in and relax for rest of the evening. B

Thursday, June 14th
Today, following breakfast, we will drive to DUBLIN, where we will enjoy a PANORAMIC TOUR of the city. Although Dublin has blossomed into a modern, bustling city, it still retains the graceful, charmed atmosphere of an earlier time. The Georgian squares, terraces, and the walk along River Liffey are evidence of this. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the city of Dublin on our own. You may opt to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. and marvel at the beautiful quilt patterned floors. Maybe you will visit the famous Trinity College to view the Book of Kells. The Guinness Brewery will be calling some of you as will the special boutique shops, art galleries and restaurants.  Our coach will drive everyone back to our hotel where we will enjoy a special “farewell dinner” as we bring our time in Ireland to a close. B, D

Friday, June 15th
This morning, following breakfast, we will say goodbye to the enchanting Emerald Isle and drive to the DUBLIN AIRPORT for our flight back to TORONTO. Lunch and a snack will be served onboard the airplane. B, L, Snack