Day 1: Arrive Dublin
On arrival, our luxury coach with greet you at Dublin Airport and take you to your city centre hotel. After you get checked in, we allow you some free time to explore everything Ireland’s capital has to offer. Tonight, we enjoy a ’welcome to Ireland’ dinner where you will get the opportunity to meet your group and interact accordingly. Accommodation at the 4* Burlington hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner inclusive.
Day 2: Armagh & Belfast
Today, we depart Dublin and journey north into County Armagh. On route, we pass through Mullabrack and discover the roots of Samuel Morse, the creator of Morse code. Afterwards, we make our way to Armagh city and visit Navan Fort, the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ulster, here we learn of the history and mythology surrounding this place. In the afternoon we travel to Belfast where we take some time to explore all that is great about this once divided city. Staying in Belfast overnight, accommodation at the 4* Europa Hotel or similar. Breakfast inclusive.
Day 3: Carrickfergus, Ballymena & Derry
This morning, we set about exploring Ireland’s beautiful coast land on our journey from Belfast to Carrickfergus in County Antrim . Here we take a guided tour of Carrickfergus Castle which was besieged in turn by the Scots, Irish, English and French. This castle played an important military role until 1928 and remains one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland. Afterwards, we visit Andrew Jackson’s Cottage, the ancestral home of the 7th American President. Throughout his time in presidency, Jackson exemplified the common man, the farmer politician, military prowess and democracy for his time. Later we travel to Ballymena where we view Arthur Cottage in Cullybackey, the ancestral home of Chester Alan Arthur, the 23rd President of the United States. While here, we also visit the interpretive centre and experience Irish Life during the 18th Century. Staying in Derry tonight, accommodation at the 4* City Hotel or similar. Breakfast inclusive.
Day 4: Ulster-American Folk Park
After departing our hotel, we drive through the town of Strabane, Woodrow Wilson’s ancestral home. Wilson was first elected president of American in 1913 and again in 1916. Afterwards, we visit the Ulster-American Folk Park in Omagh where you are invited to immerse yourself in the world famous story of Irish emigration. Follow the emigrant trail as you journey from the thatched cottages of Ulster, on board a full scale emigrant sailing ship leading to the log cabins of the American Frontier. After that, we drive to Enniskillen to visit the Castle Museum and the Belleek Pottery visitor centre. Later, we make our way to Athlone, passing through the town of Roslea, supposed ancestral home of former President Bill Clinton. Staying overnight in Athlone, accommodation at the 4* Athlone Springs Hotel or similar. Breakfast and Dinner inclusive.
Day 5: Barack Obama Ancestors & Emo Court
This morning, we enjoy the sights of Athlone town and the majestic River Shannon before departing and driving south to Moneygall, the ancestral home of Barack Obama, recently visited by the man himself. In the afternoon visit Emo Court House in Laois before driving to Limerick City where we will stay overnight. Enjoy some free time in the city this evening. Accommodation at the 4* Limerick Strand Hotel or similar. Breakfast inclusive.
Day 6: Limerick & Tipperary
Today we drive south of Limerick City and learn about Irish leader Eamon DeValera and his American links. Later, we visit the Lough Gur Visitor Centre and see how people lived in Pre-Celtic Ireland. Afterwards, we take a scenic drive to Knockainey a few miles away where we visit Knockainey Church and Graveyard. In the afternoon, we travel through Ballyporeen, ancestral home of Ronald Reagan and visit Cahir Castle and the beautiful Rock of Cashel. Staying overnight in Cashel. Accommodation at 4* Cashel Palace hotel or similar. Breakfast inclusive.
Day 7: John F. Kennedy Country
This morning, we visit the pretty 18th Century Swiss Cottage, a delightful "cottage orne’’ built in the early 1800s by Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Glengall, to a design by the famous Regency architect John Nash. Its interior contains a graceful spiral staircase and some elegantly decorated rooms. Afterwards, we make our way to the town of New Ross where we visit the Kennedy Family Homestead and take time to view the museum and visitor centre. Thereafter, we take a guided tour of the JFK Dunbrody Famine Ship where we meet some of the passengers and hear their story. In the afternoon, we travel to Wicklow to visit the 6th Century Monastic Settlement at Glendalough, before driving to Dublin where we enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music. Staying in Dublin tonight,accommodation at the 4* Burlington hotel or similar. Breakfast and dinner inclusive.