Sept_Oct 2020

Extended Travel

Enchanting Ireland September 7-16, 2021

Join friends old and new on a delightful trip through one of the most beautiful

and friendly countries in the world – Ireland!

Day 1: Travel to Chicago O’Hare to board our overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland. Day 2: Arrive in Dublin to meet our Irish driver/guide and tour Dublin, Ireland’s capital city. Next, tour the Guinness Brewery and sample Ireland’s famous stout. Mid-after- noon check into the Davenport Hotel for two nights. Our hotel is perfectly located in the heart of the city. Take time to rest or explore the area’s shops, museums, and pubs. (B, D) Day 3: Travel to Glendalough in County Wicklow, where we will visit a monastic site that was founded by St. Kevin in the sixth century. Our next stop is Powerscourt to see the formal gardens - recently voted No. 3 in the World’s Top Ten Gardens by National Geographic! Upon return to Dublin you will have the remainder of the afternoon free to relax or explore on your own. Dinner is included at our hotel. Then walk into nearly any pub in the city to enjoy live, local music. (B, D) Day 4: We travel to Kilkenny today. In this charming town, enjoy lunch, shop at the Kilkenny Design Centre and walk the beautiful grounds of Kilkenny Castle. Then to Waterford to meet an entertaining Irish guide. Afterwards, we will travel to the countryside and check into the luxurious, four-star Faithlegg Hotel for one night. Dinner is included. (B, D) Day 5: Our day starts with a visit to The House of Waterford Crystal with time to shop in the Crystal Showroom. Travel the scenic southern coastline through Dungarvan, Youghal, and Cork on our way to Blarney, stopping for a pub lunch along the way. In Blarney we will visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone, said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who dare. On arrival in Killarney, we’ll check into Killarney Plaza Hotel, for three nights. Enjoy Ireland’s most charming small town! Our posh hotel is in the heart of Killarney with hundreds of shops and pubs all easily accessible from our hotel. Enjoy dinner in the hotel this evening. (B, L, D) Day 6: We embark on one of Ireland’s most famous tours – the Ring of Kerry. We will stop at Kerry Bog Village and then through the rugged landscape of the Iveragh Peninsula. Enjoy a sheepdog demonstration and witness how amazingly intelligent they are. We’ll pass through Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahirciveen, Waterville and Sneem before returning to Killarney. Next to Kate Kearney’s Cottage for a traditional Irish dinner in a cozy atmosphere with music and Irish dancers. (B, D)

Day 7: On to Dingle Peninsula, once cited the most beautiful place on earth by National Geographic. We’ll visit the most westerly point of Ireland where you will see beautiful patchwork fields of a hundred shades of green. From the high cliffs you will marvel at the crashing sea against the pitch-black boulders. We will stop at the Brian de Staic Studio in Dingle which specializes in Celtic jewelry. Then continue around Slea Head and visit the Gallarus Oratory, and to Blasket Islands, the location for such films as Ryan’s Daughter , and Far and Away starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. On to Dingle Cookery School where we will don aprons and learn how to make a tasty chowder using fresh local seafood. We will also bake brown soda bread and create something sweet to follow, then enjoy the fruit of our labor for lunch! Back in Killarney for free time, our guide will have good suggestions from fine dining to great “pub grub.” (B, L) Day 8: Our day begins with the fabulous Muckross House. Afterward, we depart Killarney and make our way to Clare where we check into the five-star Dromoland Castle Hotel, originally the home of Gaelic Royalty. Enjoy an elegant gourmet dinner here this evening. (B, D) Day 9: We’ll travel to Lahinch - famous for its challenging golf course, and then we’ll continue along the coastline to the majestic Cliffs of Moher, rising 600 feet over the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. Upon arrival in Blanchardstown, just outside Dublin, we’ll check into the Crowne Plaza Hotel with time to refresh before meeting for our farewell dinner. (B, D) Day 10: The time has come to bid a fond farewell to the Emerald Isle. (B) Per person price is $4,349, double occupancy. Pricing does not include optional travel protection. A deposit of $100 is due at registration, final payment is due May 28.

Travel Preview: Tuesday, October 6, 2020, 5:30 p.m., MidWestOne Bank at 9th & Main St., 12th floor. Call 589.0804 to register to attend.

20 Connections Club

Connections Club 21