2008 Tour

The Heritage of Dublin & Surrounding Counties (3 Days)

Day 1: Dublin's Heritage

Guided tour of the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin. Guided tour of the Trinity College Campus including the Book of Kells(c.800). Afternoon tour of "Dublinia", an exhibition bringing the lives of the Viking and medieval inhabitants of Dublin vividly to life. Followed directly by tour of Christchurch Cathedral (1030). Finally a visit to the Guinness Storehouse, including a short tour of the history of the production of the "Black Stuff" and a free pint in the gravity bar with incredible 360 degree views of the entire city. Return to your city centre hotel.

Day 2: The Prehistory of the Boyne Valley and the Royal County of Meath

Guided tour of the world famous Hill of Tara, the pre-eminent Iron Age ritual site in Ireland, the coronation place of Irish pre-Christian Kings. We travel onto Newgrange Passage Tomb (c.3000BC), and after lunch at the interpretive centre we are taken on a guided tour of this Neolithic Monument and into the tomb itself! In the afternoon we visit the Loughcrew Cairns (c.3500BC) in the west of county Meath. We have been permitted access the chamber of "Cairn Tá", which contains some of the finest examples of Neolithic art in Europe. Return to our County Meath hotel for Dinner.

Day 3: Medieval Meath and Louth

Visit to Trim Castle (1176AD), County Meath. We will have a guided tour of the Keep of this Anglo-Norman Castle, the largest of its kind in the country. Short coach ride to the town of Kells & its Medieval Abbey (Founded by St. Columba 554) and associated round tower and Celtic Crosses. Afternoon journey County Louth, and a guided tour of Old Mellifont Abbey (1142), the ruins of Ireland's first Cistercian Monastery, founded by St. Malachy of Armagh. After our visit we return to Kildare Street in Dublin City and tours end.