Manhattan Beach Community Church - Ireland!

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, Thursday July 30: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States. (B)

Day 2, Friday July 31: Dublin

Welcome to Ireland! After arriving in Dublin, meet your Encore Tour Manager and transfer to the city center for a brief orientation tour. Tonight you'll enjoy a welcome dinner together. (B,D)

Day 3, Saturday August 1: Dublin

Enjoy a full Irish breakfast this morning, provided every morning of your trip, then join your licensed guide for a panoramic tour of the city of Dublin, including the famous O'Connell Street, Dublin's colorful doors, Phoenix Park and the Georgian House. At lunchtime perform a recital at the iconic Christchurch Cathedral, before spending some time exploring this reverent space at the heart of the Christian faith in Ireland. Tonight will culminate with an evening at the Merry Ploughboy, showcasing the best of Irish folk entertainment and cuisine. (B, D)

Day 4, Sunday August 2: Dublin

This morning is free to explore Dublin at your leisure, before gathering at the Guinness Storehouse, the source of the famous drink known the world over. You'll discover how the drink is produced, and some of the most iconic advertising campaigns for the brand, before enjoying a panoramic view of the city and a pint of the 'black stuff' to round off your visit. After an independent dinner, tonight will see a formal concert performance in a local church, possibly in collaboration with a local choir (B)

Day 5, Monday August 3: Cork

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and depart for Cork. Your first stop today is the world famous Jameson whiskey (with an 'e') distillery: you'll tour the old distillery, discover more about the process of distilling whiskey and ultimately taste the finished product! Your next stop will be the Castle ruins and Rock of Cashel, the seat of Irish kings and bishops for over 900 years (a quick impromptu 'sing' may be possible here). Continue to Cork to check into your hotel before an independent dinner in the city (B)

Day 6, Tuesday August 4: Cork

This morning, board your bus and head to Blarney Castle, built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland's greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland's greatest treasures. Enjoy time to explore with your tour manager and don't forget to kiss the Blarney Stone! Later, you will travel down to Cobh to visit the Heritage Center and learn about the emigration to America of more than 2.5m Irish citizens. Tonight you'll perform a more formal concert in a local church before taking dinner together (B,D)

Day 7, Wednesday August 5: Galway

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and journey northwest to Galway. Stop en route to visit the majestic Cliffs of Moher that sit high above the Atlantic Ocean looking out towards a distant North America. The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's top visitor attractions and are a designated UNESCO Geo Park. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. From the Cliffs on a clear day, one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, the Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains and Loop Head! Continue to Galway for an independent dinner (B)

Day 8, Thursday August 6: Galway

Today we'll take a tour of the loop of Connemara via Oughterard & 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. You'll also visit the Glengowla Sheep farm where you'll see a demonstration of how man and dog work together in harmony to manage the livestock. Later visit the gothic masterpiece of Kylemore Abbey and give an informal recital in the Abbey church (subject to approval). Tonight you'll have a farewell traditional pub dinner in Galway to celebrate your successful tour! (B,D)

Day 9, Friday August 7: Departure

After an early breakfast head back towards Dublin airport. En route, stop off in the town of Athlone to visit the ancient monastery site of Clonmacnoise Founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th 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 graves in Western Europe. The original high crosses and a selection of graveslabs are on display in the visitor centre. Continue your journey to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)