Abbey Tour's Dublin
DAY 1 - WELCOME TO IRELAND
Arrive at Dublin Airport.Transfer to your hotel We overnight at The Conrad Hotel in Dublin
DAY 2 - DUBLIN’S FAIR CITY
Meet with coaches and guides at Conrad Hotel. Depart for Panoramic City Tour
A panoramic City Tour is the ideal introduction to "Dublin’s Fair City". The tour will introduce you to the principal sites. You will visit the elegant Georgian squares, famous for its architecture and of course its famous - doors. Highlights of the tour will be a visit to Trinity College, to view the 8th century Book of Kells and the long room with its 200,000 books.
No visit of Dublin would be complete without a visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral. Built in 1192, it is one of Ireland’s largest Cathedrals made famous by its former dean Jonathan Swift, author of "Gulliver’s Travels." Pass by Christchurch, built by the Anglo-Norman’s in 1172 to replace an earlier Church built by the Vikings in 1038, on your way to the Phoenix Park with its many monuments including the Papal cross.
Return to the city centre via the Quays, passing by the Guinness brewery, and Collins Barrack, now part of the national museum, before arriving back into O’Connell Street and the city centre.
Visit St. Patrick Cathedral
St Patrick’s is the National Cathedral of Ireland and is built on the site where St Patrick preached. There was a small church on the site which was still in existence when the when the Anglo-Normans arrived. This church was replaced with a stone church in 1191 and it was further remodelled in 1225 to the same design as Salisbury Cathedral. Ireland's first university was founded at St. Patrick's in 1320 and intermittently operated for 200 years. St Patrick’s is Gothic in style and its splendid interior, is adorned with funeral monuments, such as The Boyle Family Memorial and the grave of Dean Jonathan Swift. Swift was dean here until his death in 1745. The Chancel has ornate stained-glass windows, and spectacular choir stalls, once used by the knights of St Patrick adjoin the Altar. The massive west towers, houses a large peal of bells whose ringing tones are so much part of the character of Dublin.
Visit Trinity College
Trinity was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1st on grounds confiscated from an Augustinian priory and is the oldest University in Ireland. The Campanile, erected in 1852, was built on what is believed to be the centre of the monastery. Built to further the education of the ruling Anglo-Irish families, restrictions were imposed to prevent Catholic from attending courses. These restrictions were not fully lifted until the 1970’s. Trinity however admitted women in 1902, earlier than most British universities. Most of the main buildings off the main square were built during the Georgian period, some of which replaced older buildings. Within its walls, you will be able to admire Parliament Square and its 18th Century edifices. Trinity College has had many famous students such as Jonathan Swift and Samuel Beckett who later became a lecturer in French at the university. The Inter-denominational Church is very much worth a visit, should it be open during your visit.
3-course Lunch in Nancy Hands Pub
Remainder of afternoon free with coaches and guides at group’s disposal for local touring as required
Evening at leisure
We overnight at The Conrad Hotel in Dublin
DAY 3 - KILDARE
Meet with coaches at Conrad Hotel Departure transfer from Conrad Hotel for Castletown House
Welcome Tea/Coffee and Scones in Castletown House on arrival
Guided tour of Castletown House
Castletown House was built in 1722-32 for William Conolly, speaker of the Irish Parliament, and was the grandest house in the country at the time. The work of Florentine architect, Alessandro Galilei, the building gave Ireland its first taste of Palladianism. The magnificent interiors date from the second half of the 18th century. The house remained with the Connolly family until 1965, when the Hon Desmond Guinness and the Irish Georgian Society purchased it. The house contains many interesting features, including the Red Drawing room, the Boudoir Wall paintings, the long gallery and the Print room. The garden has an interesting Conolly Folly, which was built in 1740 by Speaker Conolly’s widow as a memorial to her late husband.
Depart Castletown for Village at Lyons
Arrive Village at Lyons and meet with local Historian, Jim Tankard for private tour of Estate.
The Village at Lyons Demesne in County Kildare is a rare and amazing treasure of architectural features, master craftsmanship and decorative detailing. Lovingly restored and encompassing the Georgian Canal Station, The Village at Lyons is one of Ireland's most exciting and spectacular projects which opened in early September 2006.
3-course private lunch in Mill Restaurant.
Afternoon at leisure in Mill Restaurant (exclusive use until 17h00) The Mill at Lyons offers formal dining. Its panelled walls are complimented by rich tapestries, offset by a soft and relaxing palette of neutral shades, luxurious drapes and rugs which enhance the pleasure of an exquisite culinary experience.
Round tables of 6 + 2 tables available for group Return coach transfer to Conrad Hotel.
We overnight at The Conrad Hotel in Dublin
DAY 4 - DAY AT LEISURE
Day at leisure in Dublin Meet with coaches at Conrad Hotel Departure with coaches for Gala Dinner at Clontarf Castle.
Drinks Reception in foyer of Great Hall 2 x Musicians to play during reception (acoustic) Dinner in Great Hall 2 - 2 x Musicians to play on stage during dinner.
After dinner 4 x Musicians play on stage with a traditional and Contemporary Dance Display (5 dancers each)
Return departure transfer to Conrad hotel We overnight at The Conrad Hotel in Dublin
DAY 5 - STUDY VISITS
Meet with coach at Conrad Hotel Morning transfer from Conrad Hotel to Beacon Hospital.
Evening transfer from Beacon Hospital to Conrad Hotel
We overnight at The Conrad Hotel in Dublin
DAY 6 - STUDY VISITS
Transfer during day to local hospitals for study visits Evening coach transfer to US Ambassadors Residence for Reception in the Phoenix Park Reception at US Ambassadors Residence Return coach transfer from US Ambassadors Residence to Conrad Hotel
We overnight at The Conrad Hotel in Dublin
DAY 7 - DAY AT LEISURE
Day at leisure in Dublin
We overnight at The Conrad Hotel in Dublin
DAY 8 - GOLF
Coach transfer to Powerscourt Golf Club Arrive Powerscourt Golf Club
Just half an hour south of Dublin, set in breath taking surroundings of one of the finest estates in Europe, Powerscourt is one of Dublin’s premier golfing centres.
Tee off Powerscourt Golf Club (arranged directly by client)
Departure coach transfer back to Conrad Hotel
We overnight at The Conrad Hotel in Dublin
Day 9 - FAREWELL
Irish breakfast at hotel
Transfer to Dublin Airport for departure flights home.
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