Friday, June 1st
We begin our tour to IRELAND with an overnight flight from NEW YORK to DUBLIN. Dinner will be served onboard the plane. D

Saturday, June 2nd
This morning, before our plane lands, we will be served a breakfast snack. Upon our arrival at the Dublin Airport, we will collect our luggage, pass through custom formalities, and meet our driver and tour guide who will take us to our private coach. We will leave the airport and enjoy a PANORAMIC TOUR OF DUBLIN. 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. From Dublin we will drive south through Enniskerry to GLENDALOUGH where we will check in to our deluxe hotel. Tonight, a special “welcome dinner” and orientation meeting will take place at the hotel. B, D

Sunday, June 3rd
This morning, following a hearty breakfast, our tour will take us to St. Kevin’s Monastic Settlement,founded in the 6th century. We will see a video, walk through their museum, and enjoy a guided tour of the grounds. Following this visit, we will travel to the village of AVOCA. Here we will visit a wonderful weaver’s mill, enjoy lunch on our own, and have an opportunity to shop in the Avoca gift shop. Later this afternoon we will return to our hotel where the remainder of the evening is on your own. B

Monday, June 4th
This morning following breakfast, we will board our coach and drive back to DUBLIN, where the entire day is yours to enjoy the city at your leisure. You may opt to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral and marvel at the beautiful quilt-patterned tile floors, and also see the organ used by Handel where he first performed his Messiah. 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. It is a wonderful city that will provide all kinds of entertainment and fun. Our coach will return to our hotel in the early afternoon and again later in the evening. B

Tuesday June 5th
This morning, following breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and drive southwest to KILLARNEY. Along the way we will stop for a photo opportunity at the ROCK OF CASHEL. We will continue our drive until we come to the well-known village of BLARNEY, where for a nominal fee, you can kiss the famed Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. We will also visit the Blarney Woolen Mills, renowned for Irish crystal, china, woolen clothing, and all sorts of wonderful souvenir items. Later in the day, we will arrive in the city of KILLARNEY and check into our first-class hotel. We will have dinner at our hotel and relax for the remainder of the evening. B, D

Wednesday, June 6th
This morning after a delicious breakfast, the day is yours to enjoy in Killarney and all it has to offer. For those who might be interested, we are offering an “optional tour” on one of Ireland’s most popular and beautiful drives, the RING OF KERRY. Traveling from Killarney, we come to the town of KILLORGLIN, famous for the “Puck Fair”. We will continue our drive along the coastline of the broad Iveragh Peninsula, through the towns of GLENVEAGH, WATERVILLE, CAHIRCIVEEN and SNEEM. The scenery includes spectacular wind-swept cliffs, still lakes, lost valleys and rocky mountains blended amongst the awesome beauty. As one looks around it is easy to agree with the old Irish saying, “Even if a man has only a small bit of earth here, he has a lot of the heavens.” We will return to Killarney later in the afternoon where the remainder of the day is on your own. Cost of this optional tour is €42 per person. B

Thursday, June 7th
This morning after breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and drive north to GALWAY. Along the way we will for a photograph at the spectacular CLIFFS OF MOHER. We will continue driving to Galway until we arrive at our first-class hotel, the Radisson Blu Hotel. Tonight, for those who have signed up to participate, the INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL OF IRELAND begins with a very special Grand Reception. This special event consists of a Champaign 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! Space is limited for this Grand Reception and cost is 125 Euros per person. Reserving your space early is highly recommended as this Grand Reception will sell out with no uncertainty! B, L

Friday, June 8th
This morning following breakfast, you will have the entire day to enjoy the INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL OF IRELAND. Your admission ticket is included in with your tour package, so you may come and go at your leisure. There will be on-location workshops and hands-on quilt classes to sign up for, exhibits to see, and all kinds of special attractions to make this a full day of quilting enjoyment! Tonight there will be a variety of entertainment and dinner opportunities including dinner and a show at Bunratty Castle, or the Wicked Thimble Pub along with a variety of other special activities that are available to sure to make this a memorable experience! For more information on all the activities that are available tonight be sure to check out our website at http://store.iqfoi.com. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy your day at this spectacular festival! B, D

Saturday, June 9th
This morning after breakfast, you will have one final opportunity to visit the festival (admission cost included). You are also invited as our special guest, to a relaxing afternoon tea with Jinny Beyer as your hostess. There will also be special optional activities that you can join in, we are again offering an opportunity to enjoy dinner and a show at Bunratty Castle or the Wicked Thimble Pub or join in for midnight story telling or a ghost tour of a local castle, tonight Ricky Tims will also have a special musical show tonight for those that are interested, space is limited. There are many more optional activities to participate in tonight, please check our website for optional activities at http://store.iqfoi.com. Tonight, we will enjoy a lovely dinner together back at our hotel. B, D

Sunday, June 10th
This morning after breakfast will be your final opportunity to enjoy the International Quilt Festival of Ireland.and all it has to offer. (admission cost is included.) We are also be offering an “optional tour” to visit the KYLEMORE ABBEY & GARDENS and the CONNEMARA MARBLE FACTORY! Cost of this tour is included. We will return to our hotel in the afternoon where you are free to explore Galway for last minute souvenirs and a final drink in the local pub! Tonight we will celebrate a special “farewell dinner” as we bring our tour of the Emerald Isle to a close. B, D

Monday, June 11th
This morning, following breakfast, we will check out of our hotel and drive to the DUBLIN AIRPORT for our flight back to the NEW YORK. During our flight, lunch and a snack will be served onboard the airplane. B, L, Snack