Chan's CIE Fam Trip to Ireland

“CIE promotional Tour to Ireland”

Saturday November 12 to Saturday November 19, 2005

Highlights: After landing at Shannon Airport traveled to Killarney. Visited town of Adare, Kenmare, the Moll’s Gap, took a tour of Muckross House. (Two nights in Great Southern Hotel). On our way to Waterford visited Blarney Castle, shopped at Blarney Woolen Mills, visited the Cobh Heritage Centre, (one night in Granville Hotel). On our way to Dublin visited the famous Waterford Crystal Factory, took guided tour of Kilkenny Castle. (Two nights in Jury’s Corke Park Hotel). Visited Dublin Castle, Old Jameson Distillery, and the most famous O’Neal’s Bar & Pub for lunch. On our way to Limerick visited Bunratty Folk Park and Bunatty Castle. (One night in Drmoland Castle Hotel). The last evening we attended once again the Bunratty Castle for a medieval-style banquet.

General about Ireland: Ireland is a small country. 32,000 sq. miles with 4 major provinces; North, South, East and the West and 32 counties – 26 in Ireland and 6 in Northern Ireland (under British jurisdiction). In southern Ireland 90% are Catholics and 10% Protestants while in Northern Ireland 60 % Protestants and 40% Catholics.

In Ireland, elderly people are very well taken care of. The reason simply; what they did for their country. Retirement age is 65 for every body and every one gets a pension at the age of 66. In addition to state pension every body gets full medical/dental coverage and free transportation.


November 13, 2005. Weather sunny and clear. Arrived at Shannon Airport at 7.30a.m. and left in our CIE Tour Bus at 9a.m. Shannon is a new town and was built due to the Shannon Airport. On our way to Killarney we passed the Shannon River, which is the longest (250 miles) in Ireland. Passed Raheem Industrial Park. Stopped to see the picturesque thatched houses in the village of Adare before heading into Killarney, set beside glorious scenery of mountains and lakes. Checked into Great Southern Hotel. For lunch we had great vegetable soup with Irish soda bread.

In the afternoon walked around town and did some shopping. Had one of the best salmon fish with potatoes dinner with local beer.

November 14, 2005. Weather; morning cloudy and later sunny. After breakfast, left Hotel at 9 a.m. Stop for a brief tour/visit to see the Hotel Brehon. Then we started driving to explore some of Killarney’s scenic areas that make this region so popular with visitors from all over the world. We arrived into the town of Kenmare and everybody did some shopping and had Moca coffee. Left at 12 noon toward the Moll’s Gap, a vantage point on the famous Ring of Kerry route. At Moll’s Gap took many pictures including that of the Black Valley. At Café Avoca, we had homemade soup with bread for lunch and Strawberry Moreng pie with cream for desert, the best dessert ever. Continued along this popular road where every bend, and there were many of them, revealed new panoramas of mountains and the Lake of Killarney. Stopped at Ladies View to take pictures, where some parts of the movie “Far and Away” were filed here.

Upon arriving at Killarney National Park, we took ride in Horse Buggy and took many pictures of the Lake, animals, old abbey etc. Stopped at Muckross House for a tour of this stately 19th century mansion, built overlooking one of the Killarney’s lakes. Enjoyed the magnificent furnishings and learned about the history of the owners of the house. Returned to Hotel.

This evening participated in an educational seminar for CIE before dining in Hotel. (For NJ CIE person to be contacted is Carol). After dinner we joined the bar until midnight and had the best Irish coffee.

November 15, 2005 Weather; started with light rain and fog and later son came out. Left Killarney at 8.30 a.m. and passed through Macroom to Blarney. Macroom is a birth place of William Hunt, who later founded the state of Pennsylvania. Stopped at Blarney’ castle, walked around, (some people climbed 100 steps to kiss the blarney’s stone for good luck), did some shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills, which had a superb selection of quality Irish made goods.

Passed Cork city as we drove to the port town of Cobh. Visited the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of immigration from Ireland to the United States. Learned about travel conditions for the many Irish emigrants on the early sailing ships and steam vessels, including Titanic and Ultaniac ships. Followed the coastal route via Youghal, where Sir Walter Raleigh was once mayor, to Waterford for dinner and overnight stay. Waterford is the 5th largest Industrial and one of the oldest cities in Ireland with population of 50,000.

Checked-in Granville Hotel at 4p.m. and at 6p.m. listened to Jack the comedian about the city of Waterford and about the Hotel. Then took a short tour/walk into the oldest part of the city with Jack. After dinner watched live cricket (England vs. Pakistan).

November 16, 2005 Weather was clear. Bags out at 7.15a.m., breakfast at 7.30 a.m. and left Hotel at 8.30a.m.

First stop, visited the famous Waterford Crystal Factory to see the cutting and polishing of this fine product and also the excellent display of trophies and stemware in the showrooms. Did some shopping including a pair of yearning made of Ireland crystal on sterling silver. Left at 10.45 a.m. for Kilkenny (Kilkenny means church of corts) and while in bus, enjoyed its intriguing medieval streets and buildings. Upon arriving at Kilkenny castle at 12.00 noon, took a guided tour around Kilkenny Castle, home of the Butlers, Earls and Dukes of Ormonde. The castle was first built in 1192 and added to over the centuries. Restored to 1830’s splendor, it houses wonderful paintings and furniture. Also walked around the castle and did some shopping and had lunch containing Apple/Ginger/Barley soup with homemade Bread.

Continued north through the prime horse-breeding country of County Kildare and into the greater metropolitan region of Dublin. On our way to Dublin passed by the Greenness’s factory, U-2 Bono’s restaurant Scarlet, area where River Dance (Irish step dance) was invented and the tallest building in Ireland. At 4 p.m. checked in our Hotel Jurys Croke Park Hotel of Dublin. In the evening draw to Taylor Three Rock Pub, located on the outskirts of the city. Savor enjoyed a great meal with Irish specialties and then relaxed with an Irish coffee and enjoyed a lively show with traditional Irish songs and a display of intricate step dance.

November 17, 2005 Weather was sunny but cold. This morning took a tour of the Dublin City Center to see the prominent public buildings, elegant Georgian townhouses and peaceful gardens. Noted big contrasts between centuries-old historic places and modern streets which pulse with activities.

Next stop was Dublin Castle. Took a guided tour and observed the magnificently furnished State Apartments and learned about historic events that have taken place there. Then we arrived at and took a guided tour of the Old Jameson Distillery where we learned the number of steps needed to create Irish whiskey. Participated in whisky testing panel of 4 people. Took pictures and got certificate.

Then we were dropped off at Perry’s St. Right in the main shopping center of Dublin. Had a late lunch at the most famous O’Neal’s Restaurant Bar in Dublin metropolitan area. Later, visited the historic Trinity Library to look at Kills evaluation and history and visited the one-of-kind library. We also did some shopping. Returned to our hotel (took a cab) at 6 p.m.

Late this evening hit the bar and later watched live cricket.

November 18, 2005 Weather was cloudy and cold. Left Dublin at 8.30 a.m. for Limerick by train. Enjoyed the scenery while we travel south west in a comfortable high carriages took us through an excellent views of rich farmlands and busting market towns scattered through the countryside. Arrived Limerick, situated at the last crossing point on the Ireland’s longest River Shannon, at 10.15 a.m., where our CIE motor coach was waiting for us

Arrived at the Bunratty to visit the Bunratty Folk Park, with a collection of charming cottages and houses and traditional lifestyles in days gone by. Took a self guided tour of the Park and had lunch (vegetable soup and homemade bread). Checked into deluxe, 5 stare, Dromoland Castle Hotel, one of the most famous in Ireland and enjoyed sometime to explore the amenities and grounds and took many pictures.

In the early evening, once again, headed for the Bunratty castle for a medieval-style banquet where food was served at a long table (no utensils allowed) and the “lords” and “ladies” of the castle entertain us throughout the evening. Returned to Dromoland for overnight stay and once again stopped in the Hotel Bar for last drink in Ireland.

November 19, 2005 Weather was clear. This morning bags were checked at 7.15 a.m., had breakfast at 7.30 a.m. and left for Shannon Airport at 8.30 a.m. Took American Airlines Flight # 211 departed at 11.30 a.m., which arrived at Boston on time at 1.15 p.m. From Boston took the AA Eagle flight at 4.30 p.m. and arrived Newark at 6 p.m.



C/P/Nov 2005