July 24-30, 2006
Date	Day	Location
July 23	Sunday	Depart U.S.
July 24	Monday	Arrive Shannon, Ireland
July 25	Tuesday	Bunratty, Adare, Killarney
July 26	Wednesday	Killarney
July 27	Thursday	Killarney, Blarney, Cashel, Kilkenny
July 28	Friday	Kilkenny, Dublin
July 29	Saturday	Dublin
July 30	Sunday	Dublin, Flights Home
Itinerary subject to change
September 11-17, 2006
Sep 10	Sunday	Depart U.S.
Sep 11	Monday	Arrive Shannon, Ireland
Sep 12	Tuesday	Bunratty, Adare, Killarney
Sep 13	Wednesday	Killarney
Sep 14	Thursday	Killarney, Blarney, Cashel, Kilkenny
Sep 15	Friday	Kilkenny, Dublin
Sep 16	Saturday	Dublin
Sep 17	Sunday	Dublin, Flights Home
Itinerary subject to change
July 24-30, 2006 September 11-17, 2006

Overview Enchanting Ireland resonates with a rich history, proud people and breathtaking landscapes. As we tour Ireland, magical settings unfold that will never be forgotten. Ribbons of mist glide gracefully past small villages, over forests, moors and countryside. Medieval castles stand regally along the fertile banks of deep blue lakes. Sophisticated Dublin teems with vibrant energy and modern neighborhoods blend with historic buildings and majestic cathedrals. All around are hidden delights waiting to be experienced, captivating us with their beauty and charm. These RSVP tours are designed to make the most of Ireland. And it is especially comfortable to travel with fellow RSVP gay and lesbian travelers. There is no better way to experience the rural beauty of the Island than with your new friends. In Dublin we'll help you get your footings with a city tour so you'll know the general sites and gay-specific things to do when you strike out on your own in this exceptional city on the Green Isle.

Our journey begins in western Ireland at the town of Shannon. The island of Ireland is smaller than you may think, but is packed with amazing sites. It's only about 300 miles long and 150 miles wide. Shannon is about a third of the way from the southern tip of the Island. It is a dramatic and beautiful area that has postcard-perfect scenes of green countryside. The picturesque village of Bunratty is famous for its 15th Century Castle and park and is Ireland's top visitor attraction. The castle was built in 1425 and authentically restored in the middle of the last century. Dromoland Castle is also in the area as is perhaps the most beautiful village in Ireland - the nearby town of Adare. It has a famous and elegant manor house and many quaint thatch roofed cottages. Our journey continues to Killarney where you can visit the famous Mockross House via jaunting cart, or hike through the hills, woods and upland bogs above the lakes of Killarny. You also have an option to take a cooking class by a local Irish chef in the town of Kenmare. We'll visit Garnish Island via ferry, which is a beautiful garden with condensed sections including a walled garden and an formal Italian garden. And we'll drive along the beautiful "Ring of Baera" to enjoy the spectacular views of the cliffs and the sea.

Near Cork, the Republic of Ireland's second largest city, we'll visit Blarney Castle, of Blarney Stone fame, with time for shopping for Irish lace and fine wool and crystal from the many great crystal makers in Ireland including Waterford, for those few shoppers among us. Then we are on to the Rock of Cashel, a spectacular castle ruin sitting atop a hill overlooking the town and countryside. We then head to Kilkenny to enjoy this mid-sized Irish town with it's own castle and beautiful cathedral.

A tour of Dublin acquaints you with the city and some of its best offerings: Trinity College; St Patrick's Cathedral; the 1781 Customs House designed by James Gandon, and the modern St. Stephen's Green Mall and some of the gay establishments will be pointed out for you to explore on your own.

Throughout the tour we'll stay in hotels that are conveniently located so that when you have time on your own to explore, you'll be right near the heart of things. And traveling with our gay and lesbian friends and families, you'll be sure to meet new people with whom you'll share interests, and together discover all that Ireland has to offer. On an RSVP vacation it is easy to make lifelong friends and traveling mates. Many of our guests plan their next RSVP event with the people they meet on our vacations. We provide a great, comfortable way to travel among friends.

Activities

Day 1 - DEPART THE U.S.
Depart for Shannon Ireland.

Day 2 - ARRIVE SHANNON IRELAND (optional pre-nights in Shannon are available if you wish to arrive early)
It is only a short drive from the Shannon Airport to the Hotel. After check in the balance of your day is at your leisure. We suggest, depending upon the time of your arrival, that you visit the Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. It may sound a bit corny, but it is an interesting 25-acre museum recreating rural living of bygone times. Mention to the ticket attendant that you are a member of the "RSVP - Brendan" tour group and the admission fee will be waived. Tours to the Castle itself close at 4pm sharp, but the gates to the grounds are open until 5pm and the Folk Park closes at 6pm. The park which has many buildings which have been built on the site or moved to it from various parts of Ireland and its history and we believe is well worth the visit. There is also a tourist shopping area just across the street from the park.

At 6:30pm please meet at the hotel for a cocktail hour (included) at the hotel to meet other RSVP guests and to get important information from your RSVP tour guide. Dinner is on your own. There are several restaurants in the area including Durty Nellies Pub. Your RSVP tour Guide will have restaurant suggestions. (Cocktail Reception included)

Day 3 - BUNRATTY, ADARE, KILLARNEY
If you plan to take the hike later today, please be sure you have your hiking boots with you in the carry on upper part of the coach as you may not have access to your checked luggage until after the hike. Please make sure your checked bags are outside of your room by 8:00am with your Brendan luggage tags attached. Breakfast begins at 8:00 (included). Depart Bunratty at 9:30am. We will pass through Limerick City on our way to the village of Adare. Adare is a picturesque and historic area. Located here are the ruins of a 13th century castle and a Franciscan Friary, two other medieval Abbeys, which are under restoration, and a line of quaint thatched cottages. The coach usually parks near the Heritage center, so it is easy to walk about and get some good photos. At the center there are rest rooms and a coffee shop. This stop is about one hour and 30 minutes.

We continue on with a drive through the countryside arriving at Killarney. The town on the lake is famous for its open cheerful atmosphere, a place full of what the Irish call craic - a Gaelic word for lively fun. After lunch on your own in Killarney you may spend time on your own in town, or you have the choice to either take the jaunting cart ride to the Mockross House, or take an impressive (approximately 7 mile) hike through the hills, woods an upland bogs in the lake area around Killarney. The hike ends at the Mockross House, so you will be able to see the gardens of the house and the house exterior before taking the coach back into Killarney town.

You should be fit if you plan to take the hike. Dinner is on your own this evening. (Breakfast included)

Day 4 - KILLARNEY
Depart Killarney at 9:00am after breakfast (included) at the hotel. This morning we'll take the road that winds around the Ring of Baera. The drive is very beautiful. Along the way we'll stop at the town of Glengarriff where we will board a ferry for a brief ride across a small bay to the beautiful gardens of Ilnacullin (Garnish Island), where you'll have an hour to stroll many small gardens including an Italian garden, a walled garden, a bog garden, and stop at several lookout points to across the bay. There also is a small coffee shop on the island. After returning on the ferry to Glengarriff, we'll have a short break for you to take lunch in one of the local cafes (Lunch is on your own). On our way around the ring, we'll take a break from the drive at a small art gallery with great gardens and a view of the bay. This is not a typical tourist type of gallery.

We'll continue our drive around the beautiful Ring of Baera while making our way to the town of Kenmare where you will have a chance to visit the local shops and where you'll have time for Dinner (on your own) in one of the village's fine restaurants. Also in Kenmare, instead of dining in one of the local restaurants, you may choose an optional event: a casual Irish cooking class from one of the areas great local chefs. Details will be available from your RSVP guide. The fee for the class, which includes dinner and beverages, is 45 Euro, payable to the chef. The class comes very highly recommended by previous RSVP Ireland tour guests. Class size may be limited.

At approximately 9:30 we will board the coach for our transfer back to our hotel in Killarney. (Breakfast included)

Day 5 - KILLARNEY, BLARNEY, CASHEL, KILKENNY
Depart Killarney at 8:30am, today's journey takes us to Blarney Castle with its magical stone that gives the gift of eloquence for a kiss. You will have time to explore the Castle and Castle gardens and the large shopping area for fine wool, Irish lace, and the many various brands of famous crystal from Ireland. From Blarney we'll head northwestward to the Rock of Cashel to visit one of the most beautiful Castle sites in Ireland. The ruined Castle and Cathedral sits prominently upon a rocky outcrop above the town. You will have time for a quick lunch (on your own) in Cashel before we continue on our way to our hotel in Kilkenny. This evening is on your own. (Breakfast included)

Day 6 - KILKENNY, DUBLIN
Breakfast at the hotel. We'll depart for Dublin at 9:00 for our drive into the city. Information about Dublin and its gay scene will be given to you on the drive into the city. At 5:00 please meet us in the hotel lobby for a cocktail reception. Later in the evening you will have the option to go on a lively Literary and Pub Crawl featuring stories of some of Dublin's famous writers including Oscar Wilde and visiting their local haunts. This optional tour's fee will vary depending upon the number of guests who wish to join the tour. (Breakfast & Cocktail Reception included)

Day 7 - DUBLIN
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet at 10:00am if you would like to join on the approximately 2 hour tour of Dublin (included). After the tour, we will bring you back to the hotel or you may return on your own giving you the chance to continue your explorations of Dublin. At 2:00pm meet at the hotel for the optional tour to the Druidic ruins in Newgrange or Knowth the location of impressive ceremonial burial chambers aligned with the solstice and built a thousand years before the Pyramids of Egypt. In the evening, meet at the hotel lobby at 7pm. We depart for our last dinner together (included). After dinner, either stay in the area for the bars and pubs, or return after dinner to the hotel on the coach. (Breakfast and Dinner included)

Day 8 - DEPART DUBLIN
Fly home. (optional post-nights in Dublin are available if you wish to visit Dublin for extra days) Breakfast in the hotel. (Included)