This Tour is a Physical Level One Tour.
Day 11 Tuesday, After a full Irish breakfast we will check-out of ‘The Hodson Bay Hotel’, and head towards Dublin. On the way to Dublin, we’ll stop at ‘Charleville Castle'. After a short coach ride through the oldest, deepest forests of Charleville Demesne to the Most Haunted Castle in Ireland, Charleville Castle. We have a private, guided tour of the castle and thank goodness for our early arrival, it will still be daylight! Because even the guides won't stay after dark! Charleville Castle has a reputation as the “most haunted castle and grounds in Europe”. It appeared on Living TV's “Most Haunted “and Fox's, “Scariest Places on Earth”. It also was featured on,” Ghost Hunters International”. The most frequently seen of these ghosts is that of a little girl called Harriet, who died after a fall in a staircase. Whether it was a fall or whether she was thrown is the source of why she still appears. It has also been visited by numerous paranormal investigators and psychics. In Dublin, you will tour ‘The Guinness Storehouse’. Guinness is the most visited tourist attraction in Dublin. You will learn the history of how this Irish drink was made, marketed, and why it was called ‘The Protestant Porter’. We’ll check-in at ‘The Camden Court Hotel’. Dinner this evening will be at ‘The Richmond Dublin Restaurant’.
Day 2 - Sunday, you will arrive in Dublin early morning. After collecting your luggage and clearing customs, you will meet your ‘Tour Guides and Driver’. They will stand-out and be easily recognizable by their Yellow Windbreaker Jackets. You will travel by luxury coach to ‘The Malahide Castle' for a guided tour’ and a well-awaited coffee! We will spend some time at the castle to accommodate those travelers whose flights might have been late. After accumulating the group, we will head South West to Bunratty. We will visit ‘The Bunratty Folk Park and Castle'. At the Bunratty Folk Park. you will get a chance to breathe the fresh Irish air and get over your jet lag. We will have time to explore and enjoy all that the village of Bunratty offers as well as 'The Bunratty Castle'. Admission to the castle and park are included in your package. Enjoy the fascinating 15th century castle and the 26 acres on which an 18th-century rural village was completely and authentically reconstructed and re-presented. Since you will only be in two rooms of the castle tomorrow night, I suggest you trundle up to the ramparts for a view of the area that had once been reserved for the castle’s lords, ladies and defenders! You could easily spend the day in the Park which showcases 30 individual buildings from manor house to a fully licensed pub! Tonight, we will stay at ‘The Clayton Hotel’ in Limerick'. Dinner tonight will be at ‘The Locke Bar’ in Limerick.
Day 7 - Friday, after a full Irish Breakfast at ‘The Glass House Hotel’, we will take some time for Art, History, Music, and the Pubs! Sligo isn’t the biggest town in Ireland, but it’s up there with some of the liveliest! It’s a hotbed of traditional Irish music, with almost nightly sessions in venues across the town. On top of that, there are festivals dotted throughout the year, celebrating the local culture as well as themes from across the globe. The area in which Sligo Town is now situated has long been an important area, with an abundance of prehistoric monuments and sites in and around the town. Geography no doubt plays an important role, with the sea providing much-needed food and nourishment. Indeed, the name Sligo comes from the Irish Sligeach, which translates to ‘shelly place’. Shellfish are abundant in the area and have sustained humans in the Sligo area for millions of years. Ancient sites are almost as abundant as shellfish, with tombs, cairns, and forts strewn across the town and its surroundings. In more recent times, Sligo Town has grown from a street settlement and castle built in 1245, to the lively, charming town we know today. Nowadays, it’s known as a hotbed of traditional music, art, and a great craic. The inspiration of countless poets and authors, it’s a truly wonderful town that’s just waiting to be discovered. We’ll take our coach to view William Butler Yeats grave in Drumcliffe. William Butler Yeats was a Former Senator of the Irish Free State. At Yeats grave you will have the opportunity to have your picture taken with Benbulbin in the background. We will return to Sligo and have dinner at ‘Fiddlers Creek Restaurant & Bar’.
Day 9 – Sunday after a Full Irish Breakfast at ‘The Mill Park Hotel’, we will head North and cross the border into “Northern Ireland’. The currency changes but on this tour, you will probably not have a need for cash. Northern Ireland is still under British rule, and operates on the ‘Pound Sterling’ not the Euro. We will go just outside the town of Bushmills to ‘The Giant’s Causeway’. There you will learn how a Giant named Finn McCool (also called Fionn Mac Cumhaill). When another giant – Benandonner, across the Irish Sea in Scotland – threatened Ireland, Finn retaliated by tearing up great chunks of the Antrim coastline and hurling them into the sea. There are several other true stories about Finn, we will leave it to yourself to find the one you believe in. When we leave ‘The Giant’s Causeway’ we will stop in Derry (AKA by the Brits as Londonderry). You will have the opportunity of a guided tour as you walk on the ‘Wall of Derry’. We will also view the political artwork on Derry walls. We will return to Ireland for dinner in Donegal. After dinner Patrick will walk with you to the river and escort you into The Reel Inn or The Scotsman Pub for an evening of Irish Music.
Our 2024
Fall Tours
Day 6 - Thursday, after a Full Irish breakfast at the Wyatt Hotel, we’ll check out and drive North to Sligo. Our first stop his morning will be at the 'Museum of Country Life' in Tourlough Park. The museum is on the beautiful grounds and gardens of Turlough Park estate. The Museum of Country Life has exhibitions spread over four floors, which give a glimpse how the people of rural Ireland lived in the hundred years between the Great Famine and the end of the 1950s. By contrast, the original 19th century, Irish Gothic manor house shows us how the landowners lived. You may also want to visit the Victorian greenhouse, gift shop and café for a scone and tea. This is the only Government sponsored museum located outside of Dublin. Our second stop will be the 'Foxford Woolen Mills' where you can find great buys on area products and learn the inspiring story of the woman who founded the woolen mill in 1892. We’ll stop and shop for bargains at the 'Foxford Woolen Mills'. We will check in at ‘the Glass House Hotel’ and have dinner this evening at our hotel
Day 10 ~ Monday After a Full Irish Breakfast we will check-out of the ‘Mill Park Hotel’. We will board our coach travel South to the Westport. From Westport we will head East to the medieval town of Athlone. A city at the geographic center of Ireland and due to natural features of the geology, also at the center of East-West and North-South routes of trade and seasonal migrations commerce from pre-history. Athlone’s location made it a seat of secular and ecclesiastic power. We’ll be visiting ‘Sean’s Pub’, seated at the ancient crossing point of the river Shannon since 900AD. Tourlough O’Connor a High King of Ireland built the first wooden castle at the Crossing Point in 1129. The age of the pub has been well documented by the National Museum, Dublin which has many artifacts from the pub on display. In 2004, Guinness Book of Records named Sean’s as the oldest pub in Europe now clocking in at 1,120 years old. Anne, your tour guide, will buy you an Irish coffee or a Pint, atSean's Bar. You’ll be regaled, educated, amused and mesmerized by Tim (the senior man in management) who entertains everyone with his lively explanation of how they invented whiskey right on the spot you’re standing. We reluctantly leave Sean’s and now from the secular-to the sacred as we follow the course of the River Shannon South to the major, then a short ride to the other side of Athlone where we’ll check in to 'The Hodson Bay Hotel' for the night. Dinner tonight will be at the Hodson Bay Hotel.
Patrick's Custom Tours reserves the right to substitute visits, entertainment, hotels and other features when they cannot be visited for reasons beyond our control.
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Day 8 – Saturday, After a full Irish Breakfast, we will check-out of ‘The Glass House’ and head North to the lovely town of Donegal. You will find friendly coffee shops with great pastries and friendlier pubs with or without coffee! Donegal also has a wide assortment of shops including a somewhat expensive men’s clothing store. On the way we will stop at ‘The Ferry Bridges’. The Fairy Bridges are a natural arch in the cliffs, with blow holes that date as far back as the 1700s. The Wishing Chair is also very popular with visitors, who take advantage of the magical powers of the natural stone chair. As we continue to Donegal, we will take a quick step across the border into Northern Ireland to visit Belleek Pottery. After seeing the craftsmen create the world renown pottery and shopping for fine pottery and Galway Crystal in Donegal, we’ll check-in at ‘The Mill Park Hotel’. This evening we’ll have dinner at a ‘The Mill Park Hotel’.
Day 13 Thursday, After a full Irish breakfast at ‘The Camden Court Hotel’ we will check-out of the Camden Court Hotel and head for the Airport. You will have a bit of time at the Duty-Free shop because we must check-in a minimum of two hours before take-off. You will leave the land of ‘Smiling Irish Eyes’ and take with you a hundred thousand memories that will last a lifetime. You’ll be sad to leave but happy to return to ‘The land of the Free and the home of the brave.
Day 3 - Monday, after a well-needed rest and a full Irish breakfast at The Clayton Hotel, we will board our coach and travel north to The Cliff of Moher. We will enjoy the view from 702 feet above the sea. Cliffs of Moher is world famous for the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Mother Nature will decide how long we stay at the cliffs! If you like you can have lunch or a snack at the Café. We’ll leave the Cliffs and travel to Bunratty. Tonight, we’ll be reveling with the lords and ladies who will serve and entertain us as characters at the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet and show.
Itinerary:
Day 1 - Saturday, August 24th, or Sep. 7th, or Sept. 21st, or October 5th, 2024 you will fly overnight from ‘Your Chosen Airport’ to Dublin Ireland.
(Airports are listed on the next page.) If you are booking your own Airfare, we will coordinate where you will meet the group on Sunday morning.
Thanks, for taking the time to view our Tour.
I know you will be happy visiting Ireland with us.
Patrick M. Rowley
These Tours Include:
* Round Trip Airfare from your preferred airport to Dublin Ireland
(Airports are listed on page two)
* Land transportation on a Luxury Coach by a Professional Driver.
* Anne, a knowledgeable guide with insight into ancient and current Irish History.
* A full Irish Breakfast every morning except the day of arrival.
* 22 Meals, 11 are Evening Meals.
* 2 Nights at ‘The Clayton Hotel’ in Limerick.
* Dinner at the 'Locke Bar' in Limerick.
* Admission to 'Bunratty Folk Park and Castle'.
* Evening Admission to 'Bunratty Medieval Banquet and Show'.
* Admission to ‘The Cliffs of Moher’.
* A stop, to shop and pub hop while exploring Galway.
* A tour of Kilmore Abbey.
* 2 Nights at ‘The Wyatt Hotel’ in Westport Co. Mayo
* Sightseeing of 'The Wild Atlantic Way' by
Coach on Achill Island.
* Entrance to 'Museum of Country Life' at Tourlough Park.
* Shopping at 'Foxford Woolen Mills'.
* 2 Nights at ‘The Glass House Hotel’ in Sligo.
* A photo opportunity at Benbulben.
* A tour of Drumcliffe Church to view ‘W. B Yeats' Grave.
* Dinner at 'Fiddler's Creek' in Sligo.
* A stop in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland to shop at ‘Belleek’.
* 2 Nights in Donegal at 'The Mill Park Hotel'.
* Admission and a guided 'Tour of Donegal Castle'.
* A day trip to 'Derry' in Northern Ireland.
* Admission to ‘The Giant’s Causeway’ in Northern Ireland.
* Admission to a 'Guided walking tour of ‘The Wall of Derry'.
* 1 Night at ‘The Hodson Hotel’ in Athlone, Ireland.
* A stop at Ireland’s 'Sean’s Bar' the oldest pub in Europe.
* Admission and tour of the infamous haunted Charleville Castle.
* 2 nights at 'The Camden Court Hotel' in Dublin!
* Admission to ‘The Guinness Storehouse’.
* Dinner at ‘The Richmond Restaurant’.
* Dinner and Irish Cabarete at 'Taylors 3 Rock' The best Irish show in Ireland!
* Transportation from ‘The Camden Court’ to the Dublin Airport, to catch your flight home.
* 100,000 memories that will last a lifetime!
* Your Driver's and Guide's Gratuities are not included and are left to your individual discretion.
Day 4 - Tuesday, after a full Irish breakfast at The Clayton Hotel, we will board our coach and travel north to County Mayo. We will have an early start (leave about 9am) and head North along the Atlantic Ocean to the hustle and bustle of the university city of Galway. Known as, “The City of the Tribes” Galway is a Medieval city that was granted permission by the English King to be walled in 1484; a large portion of the wall can still be seen along with its history in the Eyre Square Shopping Center. We’ll arrive in Galway at about 10:15 and leave at 1:30. We each will enjoy 3 hours on our own to discover the uniqueness of Galway. Again, your guide will orient you to the numerous sights to see in Galway which include: “Shop St”, three blocks of pedestrians only” wandering among traditional, Irish specialty shops; Galway City Market (Church La. Off of Shop St) a unique, centuries-old, open-air market where you can visit is it the local artisans’ stalls or grab lunch al fresco; Galway City Museum near the Spanish Gate (admission is free) to learn more about Galway’s history; or find a good pub for lunch like, 'The King’s Head'. We’ll leave Galway Town and take Rt N59 to ‘Renvyle’. In Renvyle we’ll tour Kylemore Abbey. You will enjoy your visit to Kylemore Abbey. Kylemore Abbey's Victorian Walled Garden is an oasis of ordered splendor in the wild Connemara Countryside. Developed along with the Castle in the late 1800s. We will leave Kylemore Abbey and continue on to Westport in County Mayo. This evening we’ll dine at our hotel, ‘The Wyatt Hotel’.
Leave on August 24th return on September 5th, 2024or
Leave on September 7th return on September 19th, 2024 or
Leave on September 21st return on October 3rd, 2024 or
Leave on October 5th return October 17th, 2024
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Day 12 Wednesday, after a full Irish breakfast at 'The Camden Court Hotel' your day is free to enjoy the many sights of Ireland’s capital city. Dublin is rich with history; Anne will give you that personal attention by suggesting sights and areas of the city that would most interest you. We will meet back in the Camden Court’s lobby at 6:00 PM to meet our coach to be taken to ‘Taylor’s 3 Rocks’ for dinner and the best Irish Show in Ireland! Watch the video below!
Day 5 - Wednesday, After a Full Irish breakfast at ‘The Wyatt Hotel’ You will have time to explore the Shops in this picturesque Western Ireland town. We will gather at the Wyatt about eleven am to board our coach. We will visit and take a guided tour of the “church that refused to die!”. Ballintubber Abbey is an important sacred Irish historical site was built by Cathal O’Connor in 1216 and has had continuous services for the last 800 years. Catholic mass has been said here daily since its founding in 1216. However, at this site 800 years earlier St. Patrick baptized the Irish at the pagan Druidic well for which the town is named. The well is still in existence. We’ll have a private, guided tour and watch a video about the Abbey’s fascinating and terrifying history during Oliver Cromwell’s campaigns against Catholics and the Irish in the 16th century. We’ll leave Ballintubber for sightseeing from our coach on 'The Wild Atlantic Way'. We will enjoy the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean from the Atlantic Coast Road. Anne will narrate and explain the unusual flora and environs that are found on Achill. Rhododendron hedges, Fuchsia huge calla lilies, and wild rhubarb from Jurassic Park. If weather conditions are right, Mother Nature will put on quite a show along the drive. We’ll stop along the way and have a photo opportunity on "The Wild Atlantic Way". When we head back across the Michael Davitt Bridge at Achill Sound, it’s a short ride to Nevin's Inn where we’ll have dinner about 6:30. Once back in Westport, any night-owls in the group can do a very short walk to, 'Matt Molloy's' Pub'. It’s a must for music lovers! Matt Molloy won several 'Grammy's' playing the flute with the 'The Chieftains'. If you have the luck of the Irish, you may actually meet Matt who does frequent the pub. Make sure you have your camera! We will have dinner on the way back from Achill Island at, ‘Nevins Inn, Newfield Inn.