We begin our Ireland Quilt Tour, departing New York's JFK Airport for an overnight flight to the SHANNON AIRPORT. Dinner will be served onboard the plane. D

This morning we will be served a breakfast snack before our plane arrives at the Shannon Airport. We will pass through customs and collect our luggage and meet our Irish driver/guide who will take us to our first-class hotel, the Killarney Plaza in the charming town of KILLARNEY. Along the way, we will see lakes and fells as we travel southwards. Our route will take us through the market towns of Castleisland, Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West and the quaint old world village of Adare, with its gentle ruins and thatched cottages. There will be time to enjoy lunch here and then continue our drive to our hotel. We will arrive at our first-class hotel and check in. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your leisure. A special "welcome dinner" and orientation meeting will take place at the hotel with Jim West and our special guest, Rita Fishel. B, D

This morning, following a delicious breakfast, for those who have signed up for our "optional tour," we will drive to the town of KENMARE. Here we will enjoy a very special Irish lace demonstration. There will be time for shopping on our own and lunch before we drive to our next stop, the exquisite Muckross House, a 19th Century Tutor mansion set in a beautiful landscape surrounded by 11,500 acres of parkland. Inside Muckross House, the upper floors are furnished in the manner of the great houses of Ireland and include some fascinating exhibits. In the basement, you’ll find a marvelous folk museum and craft shop that brings to life the vivid country lifestyle of a long time past. Our final stop this afternoon will be to the Phoenix Restaurant, where we will enjoy afternoon tea and sweets. Our very special friend, Nikki Foley will host our afternoon and bring Irish fabrics and all kinds of other items from her quilt shop for us to purchase. We will return back to our hotel where we will have time to relax before dinner. Tonight, Rita will enlighten us with something fun!. B, D (The cost of this optional full-day tour is 42 Euros.)

After a hearty Irish breakfast this morning, we will depart 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, Cahirciveen, Waterville 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." From Sneem, we will continue via "Ladies View" back to Killarney. It may even look like parts of the landscape are quilts just waiting to be made. Later in the day, we will enjoy a delicious dinner back at our hotel. Tonight following dinner, we will be joined by the quilting ladies from the Killarney area for a special Show and Tell, hosted by Jim, Nikki and Rita. B, D

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. Dinner will be served back at our hotel, and the remainder of the evening is free. B, D

This morning we say goodbye to Killarney as we check out of our hotel and travel north to the city of DUBLIN. Along the way we will stop in the well-known village of BLARNEY. Here we’ll have a chance (for a nominal fee) to kiss the famed Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle. We will also visit and explore the Blarney Woolen Mills, renowned for Irish crystal, china, woolen clothing, and all sorts of wonderful souvenir items. This is one of the greatest shopping stores during our entire trip, so be sure you have your credit cards ready to spend, spend spend! In the later part of the afternoon, we will arrive into the city of Dublin where we will enjoy a Panoramic Tour of the City. Following our tour, we will arrive at our deluxe hotel, the Fitzwilliam hotel where we will stay for the next three nights. 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. Our hotel is just a few yards from the very popular Grafton Street and fantastic shopping. You’ll have an opportunity to enjoy Dublin’s nightlife, and all it has to offer for the remainder of the evening. B

This morning, following a hearty breakfast, our tour will take us to the Garden of Ireland, County Wicklow. We leave the city behind and head for the heathery hills of the Wicklow Mountains that spring up at the edge of Dublin’s southern suburbs. We drive south through Enniskerry to Glendalough where St. Kevin founded his 6th Century monastic settlement. From there we will travel to Avoca, made famous by Thomas Moore’s song, "The Meeting of the Waters." Enjoy the roads that wind through the mountain passes, cross over the high glens, and thread their way to the sandy beaches. We will visit a wonderful yarn mill and have an opportunity to shop in their quaint gift shop. Tonight you have another opportunity to enjoy Dublin on your own. Maybe you’ll visit a singing pub or just sit back and have a leisurely evening back at our hotel. B

Today is our final full day in Ireland and an opportunity 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. It is a wonderful city that will provide all kinds of entertainment and fun. Tonight we will wrap up our day and our tour with a special "farewell dinner." B, D

This morning, following breakfast, we will say goodbye to the Emerald Isle and drive to the DUBLIN AIRPORT. We will check in for our flight back to New York's JFK Airport. B