CELTIC TOUR ITINERARY 2010

Attached is the updated itinerary for 2010 / proposed flight details (these of course are flexible and we can take you out of Sydney or Brisbane) & the Registration form.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions that you may have.

The itinerary attached definitely outlines all that you do with regards to touring, etc.  However, I don’t think it gives you the real feel of the tour and that of course is what Maria Forde adds to it.  The music and the fun just does not come across on the written itinerary and the feedback from past tours has been amazing.

Upon arrival, meet your driver-guide and take a group transfer to your hotel for check-in.  Early dinner, so that you can hit the hay after your long journey.

Dinner & Overnight at your hotel.

DBB: Davenport Hotel  (4*) Dublin

This morning, meet a local guide to take a tour of Ireland’s Capital.  Covering the main points of interest in Dublin, this tour will help to orientate visitors to the geography of the city. The tour includes a visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral, founded in 1106 and where Jonathan Swift was Dean. His tomb bears the epitaph, which he penned himself: "Where Savage indignation can no longer rend his heart". The tour also includes a visit to Trinity College (founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I) to view the Book of Kells, a 9th century illuminated manuscript.    Afternoon transfer to/from Mercy Centre.  Visit to the Mercy Centre  .

DBB: Davenport Hotel  (4*) Dublin

Leave Dublin this morning and head westwards.  Drive through the midland region to visit the monastic site of Clonmacnoise, founded by St. Ciaran in 545 AD.  Situated high on the banks of the River Shannon and overlooking the surrounding countryside, the site contains a well preserved round tower and the remains of nine churches.  Continue via Athlone to Knock.  Knock Shrine is one of the world's leading shrines where the Virgin Mary appeared to 15 people on August 21, 1879.  Travel on through more rugged country via Castlebar to Westport, a planned estate town with an attractive central mall.  The remainder of your afternoon is free in Westport, with Matt Molloy’s Pub, reigning pride of place in the town centre.

DBB: Wyatt Central Hotel (3*) Westport

Travel around Clew Bay, through Newport and across the Curraun Peninsula to reach Achill Island, joined to the mainland by bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful, wild views of steep mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean and stretches of golden beaches. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of 100 cottages abandoned in the 1840’s Famine. Driving back by Westport, drive to visit Kylemore Abbey, a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion in a charming setting, which is now a girls' school.  The grounds and chapel are open to the public. 

1400hrs - Visit Kylemore Abbey

Continue to Clifden for dinner & overnight

DBB: Clifden Station House Hotel (3*) Clifden

Drive from Clifden to Galway.  Remainder of your day is at leisure.  This evening, dinner at your hotel.

DBB: Meyrick Hotel (4*) Eyre Square, Galway

Visit the Aran Islands which are located in Galway Bay 30 miles west of Galway city.  Irish is still the vernacular in this isolated setting and the islanders retain many traditional ways of farming and fishing.  The land is extremely stony and the islanders have formed dry stone walls to protect the windswept fields.  The popular hand-knit Aran sweaters evolved from unique patterns used by each family and the oiled wool repelled the rain.  Take a short ferry ride to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These rocky islands are renowned for traditional fishing and farming communities. Drive to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs. In Kilronan, the main town on the island, visit the Aran Heritage Centre to learn about local customs before returning to the mainland & continuing to Galway for dinner & overnight.

DBB: Meyrick Hotel (4*) Eyre Square, Galway

Drive around the shores of Galway Bay and through the Burren Country, a unique region of limestone hills where many rare flowers thrive in the sheltered crevices.  View the Poulnabrone Dolmen and at Kilfenora visit the Burren Centre, which gives the visitor an introduction to this unspoiled corner of Ireland. This walk through time will take you back through the aeons to a time when this area lay beneath a warm tropical sea. Follow the story of the formation of the Burren's lunar landscape where man hunted bear, and wolves roamed the forests. See how, thousands of years ago, man left his mark on the landscape in the form of Dolmens and burial chambers. They still stand today, stone sentinels at the gates of our civilisation's history. Stop at the Cliffs of Moher, a wall of rock that plunges 700 feet to the churning Atlantic Ocean below.  Pass by Ennis & Limerick to Glenstal Abbey (arranged by Groupleader).  Afterwards continue to Castleconnell, for dinner & Overnight at your beautiful period hotel.

DBB: Castle Oaks Hotel 3*, Castleconnell, Co Limerick

This morning, drive via Adare to the Dingle Peninsula for a tour Journey along the scenic road which winds along portions of the shoreline and through hilly country, enjoying spectacular views of mountains and coast, with new vistas opening up at every turn in the road. You can also see the Iveragh Peninsula to the south.  Enjoy visits to Blasket Centre and Gallarus Oratory. Stop in the town of Dingle for dinner and overnight.

DBB: Dingle Benners Hotel (3*) Dingle

Embark on Ireland's most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry, by skirting Ireland's highest mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks.  Your route takes you through Glenbeigh, with palm trees and beautiful beaches; Waterville, a golf and fishing mecca; and Sneem, a colourful villages grouped around two central squares.  Then head back towards Killarney through Moll's Gap and Ladies' View in time for a visit to the 19th century Muckross House and Folk Museum.

DBB: Killarney Plaza Hotel (4*) Killarney

Drive via Killarney travel south through lovely mountain scenery to Glengarriff and Bantry Bay where the mild climate allows sub-tropical vegetation to thrive.  Continue along the West Cork coast through peaceful fishing towns.  Pause to visit Skibbereen Cemetary.  Climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "stone of eloquence".  Drive the short distance into Cork city to check into your hotel.

DBB: River Lee Hotel (4*) Cork

Cork is built on many hills so be prepared for some walking as you visit Shandon Church where you can ring the bells and also get a wonderful view over the city.  Driver will provide a panoramic drive-around of Cork City.  Pass St. Finbarr's Cathedral in the city centre and join the busy shoppers along MacCurtain and Patrick Streets.   This afternoon, drive just outside Cork city to visit the Cobh Heritage Centre which was opened in 1993 in the former railway station through which emigrants actually travelled. The detailed exhibition depicts the varied history of emigration & the transportation from Ireland to Australia & the Americas.

DBB: River Lee Hotel (4*) Cork

Drive a short distance to Midleton to visit the Old Midleton Distillery.  Visit the restored distillery complex where whiskey production started in 1825, learn about distilling methods and sample the end product.  Drive to Waterford to visit the Christian Brothers International Heritage Centre(arranged by client).  Continue to your hotel for dinner & overnight.

DBB: Dooleys Hotel (3*) Waterford

This morning, after breakfast, you'll travel through the rich dairy country of the Golden Vale, to visit the majestic Rock of Cashel, a rocky outcrop containing several ecclesiastical ruins. Continue to Kilkenny, a town with many medieval houses and dominated by Kilkenny Castle which dates from the 12th century and was the stronghold of the Butler family.  Have some free time before you continue to the Garden of Ireland – Co Wicklow to the hotel at Laragh in the Glen of the Two Lakes – Glendalough.

DBB: Glendalough Hotel (3*) Co Wicklow

Visit Glendalough, an important monastic settlement, founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century, which became one of the most important centres of learning in Europe.  Today, the well preserved round tower and church ruins are interesting to explore and the Visitor Centre explains the history of the settlement. Depart Glendalough for Dublin, where your afternoon is at leisure.

DBB: Davenport Hotel (4*), Downtown Dublin

After your final Irish Breakfast, we must bid adieu, or as the Irish say Slán (Farewell).  After completing your check-out procedures, transfer to Dublin Airport for your return flight home.

COSTINGS LISTED BELOW

COST PER PERSON – this includes airfare ex. Melbourne / Brisbane / Sydney

(Based on Twin Share)            $7690.00 plus airport taxes

(airport taxes are approx. $300 - $500.00 – this is based on travel to

Ireland – it can change subject to your individual itinerary)

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT                         $1100.00

TOUR ONLY (Based on Twin Share

                      Not including Airfares)                  $5890.00

Price Includes:

• Airport Transfers Day 1 & 15
• Sightseeing by luxury coach throughout the tour where indicated.
• English-Speaking speaking driver/guide (1 man) to escort & entertain you
• 3-star and 4-star hotel accommodation as listed with private bath or shower for 14 nights
• 14 Full Irish breakfasts
• 14 Table d’Hôte Hotel Dinners
• Step-on Guide for Dublin tour.
• Passage on the Aran Islands ferry Service
• Minibus Tour on Inis Mór
• Tour & Tasting of the Old Midleton Distillery
• Visits & Admissions to: St Patrick’s Cathedral, Book of Kells at Trinity College,  Clonmacnoise, Kylemore Abbey, Dun Aonghus Fort, Burren centre, Cliffs of Moher, Blasket Centre, Gallarus Oratory, Muckross House, Blarney Castle, Cobh Heritage Centre, Church of St Anne Shandon, Rock of Cashel Glendalough.
• Porterage (one suitcase per person)
• Hotel service charges
• All local taxes

NOT INCLUDING

TIPS TO GUIDES

COACH OR GUIDE ON LISTED DAYS.

FLIGHTS                                   

FREE PLACES                                   

LUNCHES

BEVERAGES                       

PERSONAL EXTRAS                       

ANY SERVICES NOT LISTED IN THE “YOUR TOUR INCLUDES” SECTION

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards
Chris Moloughney

Emerald Travel
Level 3, 316 Queen Street
Melbourne   VIC   3000

t: +61 3 9670 9696
f: +61 3 9670 7007
e: chris@emeraldtravel.com.au
w:emeraldtravel.com.au