The HArmony Katz Trip To Ireland 2019

---

Members of the Harmony Katz and the Katz Meow will be taking a magical trip to the Emerald Isle with Leo Larivee owner of TLC Tours.

Sun., OCT 20
DEPART USA 
We depart the USA tonight aboard our wide-bodied jet bound for the Emerald Isle. Cocktails and dinner will be served shortly after takeoff. Watch a movie or sit back and relax as you approach the dawn of an Irish morning.  

Mon., OCT 21
ARRIVE SHANNON - The Mighty Cliffs of Moher
After customs and immigration formalities at Shannon Airport, your driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to the motor coach. Enjoy breakfast at the Inn at Dromoland before departing for the coast of Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises to almost 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic breakers. Next, take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary to the mountainous countryside of Kerry. We travel south through Listowel and Tralee and on to Killarney where we check into our hotel. You will have the afternoon free to relax or stroll around town on your own. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.  
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
 

Tues., OCT 22  
ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL - RING OF KERRY TOUR 
This morning, we will visit the majestic St. Mary’s Cathedral in Killarney.  Designed by the famous neo-Gothic designer, Pugin, the foundation stone was laid in 1842. The building was suspended during the worst period of the Great Famine when the partially completed building was used as shelter & hospital for the sick and dying. It was not completed until 1855. Killarney's Cathedral is reputed to have been one of Pugin's favorite buildings.  After a song or two to enjoy the fabulous acoustics, we set off to explore the Ring of Kerry - 100 miles of marvelous scenery consisting of the highest peaks in Ireland on one side and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. Enjoy plenty of stops to view the scenery and take photos. Travel through Glenbeigh and Cahirciveen and on to Waterville and the colorful village of Sneem. Stop at Lady’s View for a view of the three lakes of Killarney with the mountains and the town in the background. Return to Killarney for some free time to look around the town before dining on your own.  Tonight there are no planned group activities.
OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL, KILLARNEY
 

Wed., OCT 23
BLARNEY CASTLE & COBH HERITAGE CENTRE 
We leave Killarney for the rich farming country of Cork.  At Blarney, we stop to climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence." We also visit the Blarney Woolen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types.  They will ship and ensure goods such as Waterford Crystal for you.  You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. We then cross the city to Cobh where we will see the Cobh Heritage Museum, a converted railroad station that was the final port of call for both the Titanic and the Lusitania. It also chronolizes the fate of the coffin ships on their voyages to America. We continue a short distance to Cork and check into our hotel or dinner and your overnight stay.  Tonight, we sing with our IABS friends from Cork.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: RIVER LEE HOTEL, CORK
 

Thu., OCT 24
ROCK OF CASHEL & DUBLIN 
Depart Cork and drive north towards Dublin today. Travel through the fertile dairy country of Cork and Tipperary, past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains and stop at the Rock of Cashel for a guided tour of these majestic church ruins which are clustered high on a limestone outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside. Of particular note is the highly decorated Cormac's Chapel which was built during the 12th century, the large cruciform cathedral from the 13th century and a round tower. Drive through the midland region where you will see many farms and marketing towns. Your route will take you past the towns of Portlaoise and Kildare and into the metropolitan area of Dublin. Upon arrival take an orientation drive around Dublin city center. Dublin is one of the liveliest capitals in Europe, but there are plenty of historical places also. See the main thoroughfares of O’Connell Street and Nassau Street, the shopping streets, and some lovely public parks.  Tonight, we travel north to the fishing village of  Skerries where we will enjoy dinner and a sing-song with our friends from Skerries. 
OVERNIGHT: ASHLING  HOTEL, DUBLIN 
 

Fri., OCT 25
DUBLIN HIGHLIGHTS 
After breakfast, we will visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift. We will perform at this magnificent and historic Cathedral, and then we will take a city tour which ends at Trinity College to view the famous "Book of Kells."  The afternoon is free to explore "Dublin's fair city."   Dublin is an ancient settlement, founded by the Vikings in the 9th century. The city has been molded through the centuries with many architectural styles, reflecting the economic, political and artistic influences.  Next, we go to the Mansion House for a performance for Lord Mayor Dublin (pending availability). After the performance, you may wish to relax or freshen up before tonight’s festivities.  This evening, we relax with dinner in our hotel. 
DINNER & OVERNIGHT:  ASHLING   HOTEL, DUBLIN
 

Sat., OCT 26
MOON RIVER CRUISE & SLIGO 
After breakfast, we head northwest towards Sligo. We will stop in Carrick-on-Shannon where we will enjoy a "Moon River" cruise while enjoying the breathtaking scenery of the River Shannon.   From Carrick-on-Shannon continue to Sligo where we will enjoy a sheepdog demonstration before we check into our hotels for dinner and your overnight stay.  This evening we will get together and sing with our IABS friends from Sligo.   
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CLAYTON HOTEL, SLIGO
 

Sun., OCT 27
“QUIET MAN” - GALWAY - BUNRATTY CASTLE 
After breakfast board the coach and travel through Kilkelly to the attractive village of Cong. Upon arrival take a short walking tour through the village to discover places that appeared in the movie “The Quiet Man” was filmed with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara in 1952. Finish your walk at the Quiet Man Heritage Cottage, filled with memorabilia of the movie.  From Cong drive south via Headford to Galway for a panoramic tour of the city including, of course, Galway Bay.  Then, continue to Bunratty, where you will check into your hotel. You may wish to relax or freshen up before dinner.  This evening join in the fun and feasting at Bunratty Castle. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th-century castle during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories. 
OVERNIGHT: BUNRATTY CASTLE HOTEL, BUNRATTY
 

Mon, OCT 28
RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES 
After a leisurely Irish breakfast, you will board the motor coach for Shannon Airport, where you will have time to shop in the Duty-Free Store for last-minute gifts for family and friends. As you board your flight for home, we hope you will take with you precious memories of your time in our beautiful country.