Ireland Tours (2021)
Celtic Journeys Presents:
False Mermaid Tour to Ireland With Erin Hart
July 6–17, 2021 (10 nights/12 days)
$3,200.00 per person based on sharing a room | Single Supplement: $875.00 (singles are limited)
AIRFARE (not included): Approximately $1,300
DEPOSIT: $700 per person secures your place
Please ensure that your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the date of travel.
Full Itinerary
(B) and (D) indicate whether Breakfast or Dinner are included
Tuesday 06: Depart USA for Dublin, Ireland
Depart USA on your overnight flight to Ireland.
Wednesday 07: Hill of Uisneach—Durrow High Cross & Holy Well—Tullamore
Arrive Dublin and after clearing customs & immigration your driver/guide will be waiting to greet you. Travel across the midlands and to the mythological and spiritual center of Ireland at the Hill of Uisneach. During a guided tour learn of the many ancient monuments and the story of Éiru, from whom Ireland is named. Ériu is believed to be buried beneath the Catstone at Uisneach. Continue to Durrow, the site of the monastery founded by St. Columcille, to see a High Cross and Holy Well. From Durrow continue to Tullamore where you will have some time to relax and refresh before a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Thursday 08: Clara Bog—Saint Manchan's Reliquary—Ballinahown Craft Village
After breakfast, travel to Clara Bog Visitor Centre for a guided tour and learn about the natural history of these ancient fuel sources and amazing finds within the bogs. Later visit St. Manchan's shrine, an outstanding example of early Irish decorative work, commissioned by the High King of Ireland, Turlough O'Connor. After time for lunch, visit Ballinahown Craft Village to see handmade sculptures made from reclaimed bogwood from Midland bogs. Return to Tullamore for dinner at leisure and overnight. (B)
Friday 09: Birr Castle & Gardens—Tullamore Dew
Following breakfast, travel to the town of Birr to visit Birr Castle and gardens, with rare trees, flowers, and wonderful wildlife. Celebrating 400 years this year, the Castle is home to the 7th Earl of Rosse, and to an observatory that housed the largest telescope in the world from 1845-1914. Visit the Tullamore Dew distillery and learn about the art and science of this original triple-distilled Irish whiskey, known all over the world for its smooth and gentle complexity. Return to Tullamore for overnight and dinner at leisure. (B)
Saturday 10: Corlea Trackway Center—Dooney Rock—Ardara
After breakfast, travel to the town of Longford and visit the Corlea Trackway. Following in the footsteps of the Celts, learn how they cut down hundreds of oak trees to build this trackway to traverse the bogs and cross the country in ancient times. Onwards past Rath Cruachan and through Boyle to Sligo for lunch. Later travel to Slish Woods and take the woodland walk around Dooney Rock, where W.B. Yeats wrote the "Fiddler of Dooney." Continue around Lough Gill to Ardara for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Sunday 11: Triona Design—Sliabh Liag Distillery—Sliabh League
We start this morning with a visit to Triona Design to see the traditional Donegal Tweed woven in this old family business. Continue on to Killybegs, with a little time for a stroll along the pier in one of Ireland's largest fishing ports. Stop for lunch in Carrick and visit the Sliabh Liag Distillery. Continue to Teelin Pier for a boat trip to see the highest sea cliffs in Europe at Slieve League, and perhaps some sea creatures. Afterwards travel to the top of the cliffs, before taking the Glengesh Pass back to Ardara for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Monday 12: Creevykeel Court Tomb—Mullaghmore—Clifden
After breakfast, begin the journey south with a brief stop at Creeveykeel megalithic tomb and thin place. Travel further south and along the coast road to Mullaghmore and the neo-gothic gloom of Classiebawn Castle. Onward to Sligo and the town of Cong (filming location of the 1950s classic "The Quiet Man.") Continue through the Maamturk Mountains to the Maam Valley and rugged Connemara to the town of Clifden for dinner and overnight (B,D)
Tuesday 13: Inis Mor—Gabriel Ó Fatharta—Dun Aengus
Breakfast at the hotel and then travel to Rossaveel to board the ferry to the Aran Islands. Visit Gabriel Ó Fátharta and his herd of Inis Mór goats. Minibus tour of the Island with time to look out for seals and explore the hillfort at Dun Aengus. Return to the mainland with dinner at Abbeyglen, and the remainder of the evening free to enjoy the pubs of Clifden. (B,D)
Wednesday 14: Connemara day tour—Killary Sheep Farm—Glassillaun Beach
After a leisurely breakfast, drive through the unique bog landscape of Connemara surrounded by the mountains known as the Twelve Bens. Visit the Killary Sheep Farm overlooking Killary Fjord, and enjoy a walk to the bog to cut some turf and have an Irish Coffee with Tom Nee. Enjoy a stroll amid the rocks and tidepools on Glassillaun Beach, a true gem on the Connemara west coast. Return to Clifden for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Thursday 15: Clonmacnoise & Dublin
Depart Clifden after breakfast and make your way across the midlands to the 6th-century monastic settlement founded by St. Ciaran on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to Dublin for afternoon arrival with a panoramic tour of the city to acquaint you with its many historic sites. Evening at leisure for dinner on your own. (B)
Friday 16: Walking Tour Dublin & Farewell Dinner
After breakfast, start the day on a walking tour with Lorcan Collins, highlighting the tragic history of the 1916 Rising. The remainder of the afternoon free to explore the city. Tonight, a farewell dinner to share the memories of the tour. (B,D)
Saturday 17: Fly from Dublin to the USA
Depart for Dublin Airport and your return flight to the US. Please allow 3 hours for check in, as you will clear US customs and immigration before departure.
Options available for extending your stay in Ireland before or after the tour. Erin will make sure that you experience music with locals as you tour throughout Ireland.
Highlights:
- Hill of Uisneach—Clara Bog
- Ballinahown Craft Village
- Corlea Trackway
- Aran Islands
- Gabriel Ó Fátharta
- Lorcan Collins 1916 Walking Tour in Dublin
- Stay in a Castle Hotel
Included in your trip:
- Hill of Uisneach—Durrow High Cross & Holy Well
- Clara Bog
- Saint Manchan's Shrine
- Ballinahown Craft Village
- Birr Castle & Gardens
- Tullamore Dew
- Corlea Trackway
- Dooney Rock
- Triona Design
- Sliabh Liag Distillery
- Slieve League Boat Trip
- Creevykeel Court Tomb
- Mullaghmore Beach
- Gabriel Ó Fátharta
- Killary Sheep Farm
- Glassillaun Beach
- Clonmacnoise
- Walking Tour of Dublin with Lorcan Collins
Hotels:
- Tullamore—Tullamore Court (3 nights)
- Ardara—Nesbitt Arms (2 nights)
- Clifden—Abbeyglen Castle (3 nights)
- Dublin—Ashling Hotel (2 nights)
Not Included:
- International Airfare
- Items of a personal nature (laundry, telephone, etc)
- Gratuities for your driver-guide, recommended €7 per person per day
QUESTIONS? Contact Jean Wynne at Celtic Journeys, jean@celtic-journeys.com, or call (651) 291-8003.
