Discover the rich history and culture of Dublin City balanced out by a visit to the “Garden of Ireland” as you explore the Wicklow countryside. Visit some of the key attractions such as Book of Kells, St Patrick’s Cathedral, historic Glendalough and the beautiful Palladian mansion, Russborough House.
DAY 1
Debark your cruise ship, where your tour begins as you board your motorcoach. On your itinerary today is a visit
to EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum. EPIC is a state-of-the-art interactive experience located in the beautiful vaults of the CHQ building in Dublin’s Docklands, the original departure point for so many of Ireland’s emigrants. It will guide you on a journey to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from early times to the modern day. Discover how the Irish influenced and shaped the world. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is an interactive experience telling the fascinating stories of over 300 Irish people, past and present, and relives their great achievements in the world of sport, music, art, culture, politics, fashion and science. There is a gift store located in EPIC should you wish to purchase some memorabilia. (This is a self-guided, at your leisure visit.). After your visit here rejoin your coach for the transfer to your hotel. Although every effort will be made to have your room available prior to the 3:00pm check in, it cannot be guaranteed. Luggage can be stored with the Concierge service should you wish to take the time to explore the local area.
The afternoon is at leisure for some independent exploration of the city and all meals are on your own today.
Overnight at Shelbourne Hotel or similar
DAY 2
Following breakfast, you will depart your hotel accompanied by a local guide. You will enjoy a full day of sightseeing, taking in many of the city’s most popular attractions. Dublin is the capital of the Irish Republic and the city takes pride in its rich history and culture. The bricks and mortar of its streets provide the stage to what is a truly great city, a city built on hundreds of years of history and culture. With its ancient past, Dublin is built upon a collage of the generations which have come before us. From Vikings to Georgians you will find their ideas imprinted upon the city’s DNA. In addition to its splendid public buildings, Dublin is particularly rich in domestic architecture of the 18th Century. Fine Georgian mansions, many of them with historical associations, lend classic beauty to the city’s wide streets and spacious squares.
Travelling through the city, you will pass The Old Parliament House, now the Bank of Ireland and Trinity College.
Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1, it is Ireland’s oldest college. Your tour of the city will continue passing the
Georgian squares of Merrion and Fitzwilliam, National Gallery of Ireland, Government Buildings and St. Stephen’s
Green. Next, we pass Dublin Castle, City Hall and Christchurch Cathedral en route to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Founded in 1190, St. Patrick’s is perhaps best known for its association with Jonathan Swift, who was Dean here
from 1713 to 1745. The pulpit from which he preached is still to be seen.
Continue your drive passing the renowned Guinness Brewery, home of the famous “black stuff” for which Dublin is famous. On the north side of Dublin’s River Liffey, you will pass the Four Courts, Ireland’s courts of justice. The
north side of the city boasts the wide boulevard of O’Connell Street and here you will pass the General Post Office,
scene of the 1916 rising and birthplace of the Irish nation.
Lunch will be served in a local establishment.
After your meal you will visit the home of Pearse Lyons Distillery which is housed in St. James’ Church. The church
dates back to the 12th century and was originally constructed in a Gothic design with a cross shape, a tower and a
spire at the southwest corner. Over the years it fell into disrepair but in 2013 it was acquired by Dr. Pearse Lyons,
whose family are buried in the graveyard on the grounds. At Pearse Lyons Distillery, whiskey is only part of the story. Whether you are an intrepid whiskey enthusiast, culturally curious or just an inquisitive visitor, you are sure to enjoy a journey through 800 years of history at St. James with the local storytellers. As a listed building, the church underwent extensive restoration and has uncovered many curious stories that bring the past to life. The headstones located in the graveyard of the church shed light on the trades that The Liberties welcomed in the past. Tradesmen and women who worked as coopers, distillers, linen merchants, shoemakers, bakers, bishops and soldiers have all found a resting place at St. James’ Church. Through a storytelling guide you will hear their stories during your visit, and how they led their lives in the Liberties. Guests are brought through the history of the site and stories of the historic Liberties area before being brought inside the former St. James Church, which now distils Pearse Irish Whiskey. Here, visitors will enjoy a sensory experience, as you are guided through each step of the distilling process ending your tour with an opportunity to sample three of the Pearse Irish Whiskey range. There will be an opportunity to ask questions, explore the graveyard independently or perhaps purchase some gifts in the shop.
By late afternoon, you will return to the hotel.
This evening you will depart your hotel and travel out of the bustling city to the calm of the suburbs where you will enjoy a traditional Irish meal along with an unmissable experience of Irish song, music and dance. You will want to stomp your feet along with the rhythm of the dancers and clap your hands to the beat of the music. The enchanting evening includes a delicious four-course dinner followed by an Irish coffee. Then, your other senses will be delighted by a compelling performance of live traditional music, song and Irish dancing. All too soon, you will reboard your motorcoach for return journey to your hotel for overnight stay.
Overnight at Shelbourne Hotel or similar
DAY 3
Following breakfast in your hotel you will depart for your full day tour to the “Garden of Ireland”, County Wicklow.
Leaving the city of Dublin you will encounter the wild heather-covered glens and tranquil landscapes for which the Irish countryside is famous. Soon you will be traveling into the green and uncrowded Wicklow Mountains with their rounded summits, lush valleys and the impressive 6th-century monastic ruins of Glendalough. Upon arriving at Glendalough, you will marvel at the settlement founded by St. Kevin, a hermit monk who died about 618 A.D. The ruins, tucked into a glen with two small lakes, include the remains of early churches, a roofless cathedral and a well-preserved round tower dating back from the 10th century. This most romantic of monastic sites was one of Ireland's greatest pilgrimage centers up to the middle of the 19th century. During your visit, you will enjoy a special audio-visual presentation highlighting Glendalough and the history of monasticism in Ireland.
Lunch will be served in a local establishment before continuing on your journey.
Russborough House was built between 1741 and 1750 and is regarded as one of Ireland’s most beautiful houses. It has magnificent views of the Blessington Lakes and Wicklow Mountains. The house which is beautifully maintained and lavishly furnished contains fine furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain, silver and much of the Beit collection of paintings. It also includes stucco ceilings by the world renowned Lafrancini brothers, intricate plaster work and a fine mahogany staircase. Russborough dates back to 1741 when it was privately owned, and in 1978 the then owners, Sir Alfred and Lady Beit left the gift of learning, art and architecture with us. Russborough is also home to a beautiful maze, stunning walled gardens and a 3D exhibition which was created to honour Sir Alfred’s love and gift of capturing magical moments with his camera.
County Wicklow is famous for its sheep, so it is no surprise that sheepdog herding is a large part of country life here. You are able to witness the skill and intelligence of the border collies in action as they follow the command of a whistle in varied pitches to herd the sheep around the fields of Russborough.
Return to Dublin city for overnight stay. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure.
Overnight at Shelbourne Hotel or similar
DAY 4 - March 23, 2024
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. The morning is free for independent sightseeing or shopping in Dublin City Centre.
Check out is at 12:00pm.
You will be transferred to the airport per your flight details.
For guests with late flights, luggage storage will be available at your hotel.
Land Program Details Step by Step:
• Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program timings are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
• Itineraries with the most up to date details (at the time) will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.
• The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
• A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
9:30am Debark ship
Travel short distance to EPIC museum
09:45am Arrive at EPIC The Irish Emmigration Museum for self-guided visit
11:45am Depart for onward journey to hotel
12:30pm Transfer to hotel
The remainder of the day and all meals are at your leisure
Overnight at Shelbourne Hotel or similar
DAY 2
Breakfast at your hotel
9:00am Meet guide in Lobby and begin panoramic Dublin tour by motor coach
Travel through Dublin with visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral
12:30pm Debark coach and enjoy brief walk through Dublin’s historic Temple Bar before lunch
1:00pm Lunch will be served in local establishment
2:30pm Following lunch, travel on to Pearse Lyons
2:45pm Guided visit to Pearse Lyons Distillery
4:30pm Depart for journey to Shelbourne Hotel
5:00pm Arrive back at the hotel
6:15pm Meet guide in lobby and depart for evening show
6:45pm Dinner and Irish show in local venue
10:00pm Evening ends and return transfer to hotel
10:30pm Arrive back at hotel
Overnight at Shelbourne Hotel or similar
DAY 3
Breakfast at your hotel
8:15am Meet guide in the hotel lobby
8:30am Depart city centre hotel for Wicklow Countryside
10:00am Visit to Glendalough
11:45am Drive to Lunch Venue
12:00pm Lunch
1:30pm Continue on to Russborough House
2:30pm Guided tour of Russborough House
Followed by Sheepdog Demonstration & free time to explore
4:30pm Return to Dublin
5:30pm Arrive at the hotel
Overnight at Shelbourne Hotel or similar
DAY 4
AM Breakfast at your hotel
12:00pm Check-out
TBA Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Transfers will be based on your flight time. Luggage storage is available at the hotel should you have a late flight.
Extra Nights:
• All extra nights booked through the cruise line are confirmed at the same hotel used on the LAST NIGHT of your program.
• When you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be transferred to the airport per the flight details provided. Check-out time is 12:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast are on your own after Day 4 of your program.
Transfers: All guests booking their flights independently are required to ensure the cruise line has their most up to date flight details so that transfers to the airport can be arranged. If flight details are not received 14 days before your cruise start date, transfers will not be arranged. Should you book any extra nights on your own or your flight is not on the last day of the program, transfers are not included.
Should you have a late departing flight you may wish to book an extra night so that you have occupation of your room until your departure. You will be asked to vacate your room by 12:00pm. Day rooms can only be purchased directly through the hotel.
Expected weather:
Weather in Ireland is very unpredictable. The average high in Dublin from June through August
is approximately 18°C (65°F) and the average low is approximately 12°C (51°F).
What to bring:
Prepare for moderately mild weather at all time and be able to supplement basic dress with a warm
sweater and/or a rainproof top. Pack sensible footwear, as most rural attractions and even some urban areas are
best described as “rugged terrain,” and the ground is wet occasionally. Also bring hats and sunglasses.
Local currency:
Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Electricity:
230v / 50hz (plugs are 3 square pins). An adjacent switch typically controls outlets. Some hotels will have
adaptors available, although this cannot be guaranteed.
Documents and visa requirements:
Valid passports are required to embark on the ship. Please consult your local embassy for visa requirements.
Hotel Information:
The Shelbourne Dublin Hotel
27 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland D02 K224
Phone: +353-1-663-4500
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If a similar hotel is required, it will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
• Transfers
• Private touring vehicle for two days of sight-seeing as per itinerary
• 3 Breakfasts and 2 lunches
• Dinner and traditional Irish show in local venue
• 3 nights in a deluxe room at the Shelbourne Hotel (or similar hotel)
• Tours and entrances as listed in the itinerary with Local English-speaking guide.
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated departure information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, a departure transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes for guests:
• Gratuities to drivers and guides
• Meals and beverages other than stated as included.
• Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service.
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing, hats, sunglasses, and flat comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. The pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.