Irish Adventures

Céad Míle Fáilte! Shannon in the Emerald Isle this morning and meet your Encore Tour Manager. Together, discover Ireland at its most beautiful as you travel through The Burren’s karst landscape before visiting the extraordinary Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy lunch at your leisure before continuing to Shannon Ferry Crossing where you will cross by ferry. Continue on to Killarney. Check in and enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation at the hotel!

Today’s excursion explores the Iveragh Peninsula, or otherwise known as the Ring of Kerry, Ireland’s famed countryside of beaches, castles, beehives and abbeys. In the evening, perform your debut concert at a local venue in Killarney. Afterward, enjoy dinner as a group at the hotel.

Today, board your deluxe motorcoach for your tour to Dungarvan near Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city! Visit Blarney Castle, built in 1446 as a defensive fortress. The Castle which stands today is in fact the keep of a much larger fortress. All visitors should kiss the famous Blarney Stone, high up on the Castle battlements. Tradition holds that those who kiss the Blarney Stone will be endowed with the gift of eloquence – “the gift of the gab” as the locals call it! You will have free time for lunch and shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills. Continue by bus to Cobh where you will visit the Cobh Heritage Centre. From 1848 to 1950 over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland — over 2.5 million departed from Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration. The Titanic and the Lusitania are just two of the many liners and ships which visited the historic port town of Cobh. The Heritage Centre traces the evolution of maritime traffic to and from Cobh beginning with depictions of the early coffin ships to the latter day luxurious transatlantic liners. Continue to Dungarvan where you will check in to your hotel and enjoy a group dinner.

In the morning, visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross, Co. Wexford. The original Dunbrody was a three-masted barque built in Quebec, Canada, for the Graves family of New Ross in 1845. She carried many emigrants to the new world from 1845-1870. The present ship is a full scale, sea-going replica. Through an interactive exhibition, visitors can experience life on board an emigrant ship. In the afternoon, transfer to a local venue for your next performance! Return to the hotel for your group dinner.

Begin today with a guided panoramic sightseeing tour as you transfer to Dublin. En route, stop at the Rock of Cashel to visit the imposing ruins of Cormac’s chapel. A spectacular group of Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone, including a round tower, Romanesque chapel, cathedral and restored hall of the Vicar’s Choral. Continue to Kilkenny where you will have the opportunity to explore Kilkenny Castle. A 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. Due to major restoration works, the central block now includes a library, drawing room, and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendour, as well as the beautiful Long Gallery. Enjoy free time to explore the medieval city of Kilkenny and have lunch at your leisure. Continue to Dublin. On arrival, enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city before transferring to your hotel for check in. Enjoy a group dinner this evening.

Sightseeing this morning shows you the busy streets and tranquil Georgian squares of Dublin. Visit Trinity College, home to the Book of Kells, before continuing to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore Dublin at your leisure. Tonight, perform your final concert! Celebrate your successful performance tour with a farewell dinner on your last night in Ireland.

Return to the U.S.