ISing Ireland 2028

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Monday May 29: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Tuesday May 30: Galway

Arrive in The Emerald Isle and meet your Encore Tour Manager in the arrivals hall. Your Tour Manager will take you to your private motorcoach where your driver awaits. Start your tour of Ireland in Galway for your first two nights. En route to Galway, visit Clonmacnoise. Founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-sixth century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon, the site includes the ruin of a cathedral, 7 churches (10th to 13th century), 2 round towers, 3 high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian gravestones in Western Europe. The original high crosses and a selection of gravestones are on display in the visitor centre. Continue on to Galway for afternoon check-in at your hotel and time to relax and refresh before a welcome dinner together. (D)

Day 3, Wednesday May 31: Galway

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy another day of scenic beauty! Tour the loop of Connemara via Oughterard and Maam Cross. This landscape is a mixture of rivers, lakes, woodlands, rich meadowlands, rugged hills, dramatic mountains and as you near the coast you’ll stumble across a stunning unpolluted coastline of sandy beaches and blue waters. Your touring takes you to Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden. The story of Kylemore, both Castle and Abbey, is a truly remarkable one. The twists of fate which its occupants experienced, from moments of romance and happiness, to sadness and courage have all combined to create a fascinating history spanning over 150 years. Kylemore is home to a community of nuns of the Benedictine Order who came here in 1920 after their abbey in Ypres, Belgium was destroyed in World War I. Settling at Kylemore, the Benedictine Community opened a world renowned boarding school for girls and began restoring the Abbey, Gothic Church and Victorian Walled Garden to their former glory. There is time to explore this gorgeous area on your own after the tour and enjoy lunch on your own. Return to nearby Galway for time to relax and prepare for your premiere concert in Ireland with a local choir! Dinner is under own arrangements this evening. (B)

Day 4, Thursday June 1: Killarney

After breakfast at your hotel and hotel check-out, journey to Killarney. Your ride takes you to the stunning Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s favourite visitor experiences, the Cliffs of Moher tower over the rugged west Clare coast. Walk the safe, paved pathways and view the incredible Cliffs that sit on Europe’s most westerly tip and enjoy the spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. Their natural beauty has inspired artists, musicians, and poets for generations, as well as absorbing scientists and geologists, drawn by the unique landscape in which they sit. Next experience more of the incredible beauty of Ireland by water as the Shannon Ferry takes you and your vehicle on this memorable 20 minute journey across the estuary linking the iconic tourist destinations of the Banner County of Clare to the Kingdom of Kerry. This is a lovely experience for visitors who would like a short break in their journey to relax as they sail across the majestic Shannon Estuary. And if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the dolphins, which in the summer can sometimes swim so near the ferry, as if just to entertain you. Continue to your hotel in Killarney for check-in and a free evening to enjoy dinner and the local culture on your own. (B)

Day 5, Friday June 2: Killarney

After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a tour of the Ring of Kerry. Your visit takes you via Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Coomakesta Pass with its magnificent views over Derrynane, home of Daniel O’ Connell, known as “The Liberator” to Caherdaniel. Travel on via Sneem, Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, Killarney National Park and along the Lakes of Killarney. Return to your hotel to prepare for your second concert performance. Evening Concert (to be confirmed) - St Mary's Church of Ireland, Killarney ("the Church of the Sloes"). St Mary's (Church of Ireland) Killarney, is a beautiful church in the heart of Killarney which serves a small congregation as well as tourists. There is evidence as far back as the 1200s of a Church in this area. More significantly the name of the Town itself Killarney (in Irish: Cill Airne) means Church of the Sloes. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B)

Day 6, Saturday June 3: Waterford

After breakfast at your hotel and hotel check-out, travel to lovely Waterford for your next two nights. On your way, visit the famous Blarney Castle. The Castle was built in 1446 as a defensive fortress. The castle which stands today is in fact the keep of a much larger fortress. All visitors should kiss the famous Blarney Stone, high up on the Castle battlements. Tradition holds that those who kiss the Blarney Stone will be endowed with the gift of eloquence - “the gift of the gab” as the locals call it. After the Castle, you can visit the Blarney Woollen Mills Store to perhaps take home some of the local handy-work. Before check-in at your hotel in Waterford, enjoy a tasting at the Jameson Midleton Distillery Experience.Tour of the old distillery where you will see the machinery and manual tools used in the past. There is also a giant waterwheel which once powered all the machinery and still turns today. Your distillery guide will explain the process of distilling whiskey and will show you the largest pot still in the world. The tour ends in the Jameson bar where there will have a tasting and drinks of the famous Whiskey. Check into your hotel and enjoy a free evening to explore and enjoy dinner on your own. (B)

Day 7, Sunday June 4: Waterford

After breakfast at your hotel, visit the home for Waterford Crystal occupies a 1.5 acre site on the Mall in the heart of Waterford city – a prime location set back just a hundred yards or so from the River Suir and the city’s main quay, and bordering the city’s Viking Triangle area. The new manufacturing facility includes highly skilled local craftsmen and will produce 40,000 crystal pieces per year using traditional methods. The House of Waterford range that will be produced will include trophies for prestigious sporting events, bowls and vases from our museum, heritage and designer collections, and also the special order stemware collection. There is time for lunch on your own and to explore the town. Enjoy a delicious pub dinner at a local pub before your joint concert with a local ensemble. Celebrate your concert and new found friendships after the concert performance. (B,D)

Day 8, Monday June 5: Dublin

After breakfast and hotel check-out, travel to your last destination of Dublin with enjoyable stops along the way. First, visit Glendalough. Famed for its beautiful scenery and historic monuments, Glendalough has been a centre for pilgrims and visitors from the time of the founding of its monastery by St. Kevin in the 6th Century. The present remains tell only a small part of the monastic story. The buildings which survived, probably date from between the 8th and 12th Centuries, the most notable being a superb Round-Tower, Cathedral, Stone churches and decorated crosses. Arrive in Dublin and make a stop at the Guinness Storehouse. The Storehouse was originally built in 1904 to house the Guinness fermentation process. The core of the building is modelled on a giant pint glass. The tour takes you step by step through the brewing process, finishing at the Gravity Bar where you will receive a complimentary pint of Guinness whilst enjoying the panoramic views over Dublin city. Check into your hotel and enjoy a free evening to dine on your own. (B)

Day 9, Tuesday June 6: Dublin

After breakfast at your hotel, meet with a Local Step-On Guide for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Dublin, including O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Leinster House, Ha'penny Bridge, Georgian Houses and Dublin Doors. Your last concert opportunity is to be a part of the Lunchtime Concert Series (to be confirmed) at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. This historic Cathedral was begun in 1038 by King Sitric Silkenbeard, the Danish Viking King of Dublin, and is officially claimed as the seat of both the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic archbishops of Dublin. Contained in the cathedral is the reputed tomb of Strongbow, a medieval Norman-Welsh peer and warlord who came to Ireland at the request of King Diarmuid MacMorrough, and whose arrival marked the beginning of English involvement in Ireland. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon to further explore Dublin before gathering agin for dinner and Show at The Merry Ploughboy. The Merry Ploughboy is widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin. A highly entertaining performance of live traditional Irish Music, Song and Irish Dancing. The very best of fresh Irish food is served and offers a choice menu. What a perfect way to celebrate your fabulous Irish Concert Tour! (B,)

Day 10, Wednesday June 7: Departure

After breakfast at your hotel and hotel check-out, transfer to the Dublin airport for return flight to the United States. (B)