Travel with Me

SOLD OUT -- Keep an eye out for details of 2014 trip!!!

April 6 -14, 2013
3 Days in Cork, 2 Days in Kerry, 2 Days in Clare

Arranged through Authentic Ireland Travel, Ennis County Clare
Your Tour Package Includes:

• 4 Star Accommodations in Cork City, Dingle, and EnnisLuxury Coach Transportation with Native Irish Driver,
• Liam Bourke from County Limerick
• Full Irish Breakfast Daily (except day of arrival)
• Group Welcome Dinner at ELECTRIC, Cork City’s hottest new Fusion/Trad Restaurant
• Walking Tour of Cork City
• A “Wind That Shakes The Barley” Tour of West Cork!
• Admission to the Blasket Islands Visitor Centre, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry
• Admission to Galarus Oratory, early Christian Monastic Site, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry
• Admission to King John’s Castle, Limerick City
• Admission to The Cliffs of Moher Vistor Centre, County Clare
  
• Group Dinner at The Old Ground in Ennis, featuring a farewell performance by Máirtín de Cógáin
• Expert Cultural and Historical Commentary by your Guide & Historian, Allen Tatman
• Entertainment and Insight from your Host, Máirtín de Cógáin
  
• Planned Nightly Pub Crawls and Music Sessions!

Pre Tour Planning and Orientation, helping you to be absolutely prepared for your Ireland Adventure!

Planned Visits include: 
Blarney Castle, Carrigaline, Bael Ná Blath, Kilmichael, Sam’s Cross, Kenmare, Killarney National Park, Killarney Town, Slea Head Drive, Dingle Crystal Workshops, Kilmackeeder Church, Adare, Limerick City, Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Polnabrone Dolmen, and much, much more!
 
Total Cost of this once in a lifetime Tour Package:
ONLY $1,620.00 per person*

Here it is, the tentative itinerary for YOUR “Munster with Máirtín” Tour! (subject to change, with comparable and equitable substitutions).

Departure Day: Saturday April 6th:  You will depart the United States airport of your choice for an overnight flight to Shannon Airport.  IMPORTANT: You are responsible for your own flight plans to and from SHANNON airport, the cost of which is not included in the Tour Package.  Authentic Ireland Travel can assist you in the purchase of your airline tickets if you do not feel comfortable arranging it yourself.
YOU MUST ARRIVE AT SHANNON AIRPORT ON SUNDAY, APRIL 7TH  BEFORE 11:00 AM IRISH TIME.  ALSO, you want to arrange for your return flight to leave Shannon Airport NO EARLIER THAN 11:00 AM on Sunday April 14th 
 
DAY 1, Sunday April 7th : Máirtín, Allen, and Liam will meet you at Shannon Airport, assist you from the terminal to our Luxury Coach, which awaits to take you onto County Cork.
 
Once the entire group has arrived, we will sit back and enjoy a comfortable ride through the Irish countryside in Your Luxury Platinum Touring Vehicle.  Experience the pinnacle of coach travel for the duration of this tour - sightseeing has never been so relaxed and easy! A true limousine style coach steeped in comfort & design with ample space for your Luggage. This magnificent vehicle is the envy of the coach industry and is frequently used for Royal visits! Coach features include: Leather Seats, Toilet, Tables, Lounge, DVD System, CD System, Air Conditioned, Drinks Cooler, Bar Facility, PA System, Air Conditioned, Satellite monitored & Navigation.

Blarney Castle

Our first stop will be the charming village of Blarney, most renowned for its famous castle and stone. The impressive Blarney Castle dates from 1446 and is situated on magnificent grounds. According to legend, to acquire "the gift of gab" one must kiss the Blarney Stone - located just beneath the battlements at the very top of Blarney Castle. This involves bending over backwards at quite a height - not to be attempted by the faint-hearted!  Also to be found in Blarney are the world famous Blarney Woolen Mills, an Irish souvenir shopper’s dream store!

After our respite in Blarney, we will then head on to bustling Cork City. Located off the southern coast of Ireland, Cork City is often referred to as 'Ireland's Second Capital’.  Stroll along the river walk, relax in a café or pub, or visit the many museums and galleries, you won’t be lack of something to do! Cork City began on an island in the swampy estuary of the River Lee (the name Corcaigh means a marsh), and gradually climbed up the steep banks on either side. Some of the main streets are built over channels where ships nuzzled their anchor-chains a century ago. Along the South Mall,<http://www.cork-guide.ie/cork_city/southmall.html> where our accommodation, the Imperial Hotel is found, you will see large gateways at street level, under steps leading to a higher main door. These were once boathouses, when merchants arrived at their warehouses by water.
 
The 4 Star Imperial Hotel is an oasis of calm in the heart of Cork City's bustling downtown area. The charm and style of the hotel provides a perfect backdrop for your Cork City experience- a haven from a busy world at one of the finest hotels in Cork. A choice of wonderful eateries, a cozy and welcoming bar, as well as Ireland's first Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa all combine to make the Imperial Hotel “THE” hotel of choice in Cork City!
 
That evening we will enjoy dinner at ELECTRIC, one of Cork City’s hottest new fusion/trad restaurants. Owner and head chef, Kevin O’Regan’s commitment to Irish food is reflected in his menus which change with the seasons and the availability of local produce. “My menu puts on show great Irish produce such as grass fed Black Angus steaks, fantastic fish as well unique Cork delights.  ELECTRIC is a dining experience!
 

English Market, Cork City

After Dinner, for those that have the energy, we will head over to the Castle Inn Bar, one of Cork City’s oldest and venerated pubs, to have a pint with Máirtín and Allen’s friend, Mary O’Donovan.

Day 2, Monday April 8th : After breakfast, we will meet Máirtín in the lobby of the Imperial for a walking tour of Cork City, as seen through the eyes of one of its native sons.  You will explore the Shandon Cathedral, St, Finbarre’s, The English Market, and many, many other treasures of Cork City.  

Later in the afternoon, we will take a trip to Carrigaline, Máirtín’s family village, which the de Cógáin Clan has called home for more than 800 years!
 
That evening, after dinner on your own at one of Cork City’s many wonderful eateries, we will get together with the “Bhoys” of the County Cork’s own, FUCHSIA BAND for a session at one of Cork’s legendary pubs!

Ladies View, Killarney National Park, County Kerry

View from Dingle Skellig Hotel

Day 3, Tuesday April 9th : after breakfast, this is a day not to be missed!  We will head out into West Cork for “THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY TOUR”. Máirtín will show us locations where the film was shot, as well as visiting historic site such as the birthplace of Michael Collins, the Kilmichael Ambush Site, and Bael Ná Blath- where Michael Collins was assassinated during the Irish Civil War.  This will be a once in a lifetime day, surely a memory for all for many years.
 
Day 4, Wednesday April 10th : This day we move west into County Kerry and perhaps one of the most beautiful drives in Ireland- The eastern leg of the Ring of Kerry Drive.  Our drive will take us through the magnificent McGillicuddy Reeks, into the heart of Killarney National Park. There is an unspoiled nature to Ireland's most beautiful region and the Ring of Kerry provides many unforgettable memories as it passes thru Moll’s Gap and onto Ladies View, along the shores of the famous Lakes of Killarney and through the Oakwoods of Killarney's magnificent National Park.  

After a brief stop in Killarney Town, we will then head onto the mystical and magical Dingle Peninsula, where we will stay for two nights at the Dingle Skellig Hotel, situated on the most westerly peninsula in Europe and regarded as one of the finest hotels in County Kerry. From the moment you arrive at the Dingle Skellig Hotel in Dingle, the friendly staff will welcome you and help to make you feel right at home. The hotel prides itself on the care and courtesy that is paid to guests, and to ensure that your visit and time with them is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. Not only does the hotel provide luxury accommodation but it also boasts their rejuvenating spa, gourmet restaurant and state of the art leisure centre.
 
After dinner on your own, perhaps at one Dingle’s great seafood restaurants such as “Out of The Blue” or “Lord Baker’s” we will meet with Máirtín for a session at either O’Flaherty’s Pub or An Droichead Beag (The Small Bridge Bar).

Sean Daly of Dingle Crystal

Gallarus Oratory

Day 5, Thursday, April 11th:  After breakfast we have a day of beautiful scenery ahead of us on the spectacular Slea Head Drive.  On the west edge of town we will stop at the workshops of Dingle Crystal, where master craftsman, Sean Daly will give us a demonstration in the art of making Irish Crystal.

From “The Master's Hands” sums up everything about Dingle Crystal and its founder Sean Daly. Every piece is designed, cut, signed and sold by this master craftsman, guaranteeing a unique and individual piece of Crystal to each of his customers. Sean Daly is one of a very few artisans who are hand crafting crystal in Ireland today.
 
After Dingle Crystal we will head onto the far western end of Ireland (the next post office is in New York City!) The Slea Head Drive is a circular route that takes in a large number of ancient & megalithic attractions as well as offering stunning views on the western end of the peninsula.

Among the attractions we will visit on Slea Head Drive we will visit is the 8th Century Early Christian Gallarus Oratory, one of the oldest free standing dry stone churches in Europe.

We will also visit the Blasket Centre where the story of the Gaeltacht(Irish speaking region) of Dingle and the Blasket Islands is told through a state of the art visitors centre and museum.  Another stop on the Slea Head will be the 13th CenturyKilmackeeder Church yard, where knights from the Crusades are buried in the floor of the ruins of the Romanesque church.
 
After Slea Head, it is back into Dingle for shopping and strolling, and after dinner on your own, we will meet up with Máirtín for another music session at one of Dingle’s great pubs.

King John’s Castle, Limerick

Day 6, Friday, April 12th:  It is on to Clare this day, but first a couple of stops in County Limerick; Adare and Limerick City. Adare is a quaint picturesque place, lined with traditional thatched-roof cottages. Snuggled in a wooded and lush countryside setting, Adare is widely regarded as being Ireland's prettiest and most unique village. Situated on the river Maigue, a tributary of the Shannon river, Adare (Gaelic name: "Ath Dara" - the "ford of the oak" - from the combination of water and woodland) dates back, at least, to the early 13th century. Adare village has a rich wealth of heritage, as well as architectural and scenic beauty. Two groups of world famous, ornate, thatched cottages line part of the village's broad main street, punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries and ruins.
 
We will then head into Limerick, the home of our driver, Liam Bourke, who will give us a unique driving tour of the city, pointing out some of the more intimate and hidden corners of this old city that was established by the Vikings in the 10th Century.   For the history buffs, we will stop at King John’s Castle on the banks of the Shannon, a 12th Century fortress built on the orders of the infamous villain of the Robin Hood tales.  The walls, towers and fortifications remain today and are accessible through a modern visitors centre. The castle was also the scene of one of the most important battles in Irish history, the Siege of Limerick, and your guide and tour historian, Allen Tatman, will tell you the tale of that infamous battle.

After Limerick we will head to Ennis for two nights at the friendly and lovely old world charm of The Old Ground Hotel.  Ennis is the county town of Clare and is always pleasantly busy. It takes its name from the Irish word “inis” (island) as it is virtually surrounded by the River Fergus on which it sits. Its medieval streets are narrow and attractive. The Friary at the bottom of Abbey Street, was founded by the O’Briens in the 13th century. But the main attraction in Ennis is the locals' obvious love of traditional music. “Trad” music of the very highest quality is on display in the pubs of Ennis throughout the year. It often seems that those in the town that can't sing or play an instrument are very much in the minority.
Our hotel, The Old Ground is a truly magical residence, blending the warmth of a country home with the style of a contemporary luxury Irish hotel. This former manor house, dating from the 18th century, The Old Ground Hotel is one of the leading 4 star hotels in Ennis <http://www.flynnhotels.com/Old_Ground_Hotel_Ennis/Location/Location_and_Directions> .   
After dinner on your own at one of the many conveniently located restaurants within a short stroll of the hotel, we will get together with Máirtín for a session at one of Ennis’s many music pubs.

Poulnabrone Dolmen

Day 7, Saturday, April 13th: Our last full day will be another memorable experience, as we will head out ontoThe Burren, and the incomparable Cliffs of Moher.
The Burren, or Boireann, meaning Great Rock, is, without dispute, one of the most unique—and strangest—landscapes in Europe.  Bounded by the Atlantic on the west and rocked by Galway Bay to the north, The Burren is a multi-layered landscape where delicate plants have adapted in order to thrive and flourish between harsh crevices.   Stroll the meadows, be astonished by the boulders, and read the trail marks and footprints that the ice age and volcanoes left behind. 
 
The Burren is littered with ancient and megalithic sites. The most dramatic of these is the Poulnabrone Dolmen, where we will make a stop.

From there it is on to the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's top Visitor attractions. The Cliffs are 214m high at the highest point and range for 8 kilometres over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O'Brien's Tower stands proudly on a headland of the majestic Cliffs. From the Cliffs one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay, as well as The Twelve Pins, the Maum Turk Mountains in Connemara and Loop Head to the South.

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

Our final evening together in Ireland will be a great experience.  Upon arrival back in Ennis, we will meet for our farewell group dinner in the Maguire Room at The Old Ground Hotel, and after dinner will be treated to a performance from your Host- 2 Time All Ireland Story Telling Champion, No Celtic Boundaries Songwriter of the Year award winner- Máirtín de Cógáin!  It is sure to be a day, and night to remember!
Return Home Day, Sunday, April 14th: All good things must come to an end, but the memories will remain for a lifetime!
After breakfast at The Old Ground, a transfer shuttle will take you on a 20 minute drive to Shannon Airport, where you will go through Duty Free and U.S. Customs on the Irish side, then onto your flight and return home.
 
ONLY 32 OPENINGS AVAILABLE!  FIRST COME, FIRST SAVED!  RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!!!
To Book your spot:
1. Call or email Allen Tatman of Wylde Irish Productions at friends@paddymalonespub.com, 573-338-5990
This will insure your provisional reservation.

2. Allen will then contact you and will request the following information:
· Your Name
· Your traveling companion
· Your Home or Business Address
· Your email and phone number

3. Allen will then give your full details regarding payment of your tour directly to Authentic Ireland Travel.  Once you have contacted Authentic Ireland Travel, and paid your initial deposit, your reservation will be secured.

4. All payment will be made directly to:
AUTHENTIC IRELAND TRAVEL
ELEVATION BUSINESS PARK, 
CLON ROAD, ENNIS
COUNTY CLARE,
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

*PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Price of $1,620.00 per person is based on double occupancy, either twin beds or full sized bed.  
Single room rates are available at additional costs.  
Sorry, no triple or quadruple rooms are available for this tour.
The price of $1,620.00 per person DOES NOT include the following:
· Airfare to and from Shannon Airport.  You are responsible for arranging and payment of your air travel.  Please arrange your arrival at Shannon on April 7th , 2013, BEFORE 11am Irish Time, and arrange for return flight to United States from Shannon on April 14th , 2013, AFTER 11am Irish Time.  IF YOUR FLIGHT ARRIVES BEFORE OR AFTER THESE DATES AND TIMES, Wylde Irish Productions and Authentic Ireland Travel will not be able to provide transfer from and to airport on the aforementioned dates.
· Coach Driver, Guide, and Porterage gratuities
· Site fees (except those indicated as included)
· Travel insurance. 
· Any and all expenses not explicitly expressed in this description.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS:
$500.00 deposit per person is required to hold your spot.  Non-refundable deposits are due to Authentic Ireland Travel before 3:00 pm CDT, September 30th , 2012.  Balance of $1,120.00 per person is due to Authentic Ireland Travel before 3:00 pm CST, Friday February 1st, 2013. 
IMPORTANT: Wylde Irish Productions HIGHLY RECOMMENDS the purchase of a comprehensive Travel Insurance policy, either through Authentic Ireland Travel or another carrier, in the event that you must cancel or interrupt your trip. In the event of a cancellation, Wylde Irish Productions and Authentic Ireland Travel will attempt to refund a portion of payments made to them, but cannot guarantee any return, as these funds have already been guaranteed to other service providers (hotels, restaurants, transportation).

Any further questions, contact:
Allen Tatman
Wylde Irish Productions/Paddy Malone’s Irish Pub
573-338-5990
friends@paddymalonespub.com
www.HeartofIrelandTours.com