8:30 Load Bus- we will take our bags to the bus, where we will meet our driver for the rest of the week, and he will load the bus with our luggage and clubs.

* Golfers, if you are golfing at Powerscourt, have your clubs packed last on the coach. We’ll be dropping you off at the course before parking at the estate for the rest of the group.

9:00 Depart to Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, CO Wicklow, for a day of luxurious, indulgent atmosphere!

For those who golf, we’ll be dropping you off at the EAST course first. The coach will continue with the rest of the group to Powerscourt Estate where we will tour the house, gardens, waterfall, and shops. Enjoy award winning restaurant lunch on your own. www.powerscourt.ie Please check out this site, as it is one of the most famed in Ireland, as well as the world. I couldn’t be more delighted than to offer this venue on our 4th of July!

5 July, Saturday
8:00 Breakfast at the hotel’s lavish buffet
9:00 Departure Galway, CO Galway

This is our day to experience the culture of Ireland. We’ll travel through the rough Connemarra Coast through the WEST of Ireland with the stone fences of famine days, and flocks of sheep, synonymous to what we know of Ireland as a post card or calendar scenes! On clear days one is able to see the Aran Islands off the coast of CO Galway.

Noon Arrival Galway Bay, City of Tribes

Your visit to the capital city of Connacht, will be filled with options to visit: Nora Barnacle’s House (James Joyce’s wife), Lynch’s Castle (where the mayor was forced to hang his own son), medieval city wall, Cladagh Museum (where the Cladagh ring originated), King’s Head Pub (great historic pub not to be missed, and also has fantastic fish and chips) Eire Square (JFK’s famous speech was give here), and of course shop after shop on High and Shop Streets for those “must have” souvenirs to take home to friends and family.

*Golfers…your day of golf will be at the Tullamore Golf Club. www.tullamoregolfclub.ie

4:30 Depart Galway for Glasson Golf and Country Club

6 July, Sunday
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Departure, Clonmachnoise, CO Offaly
* Golfers Day at Esker Hills, Co. Offaly www.eskerhillsgolf.com

Clonmachnoise, is an ancient, holy site of Ireland. St. Ciaran established the first university of Ireland here in 548 AD. The site is fantastic with views of the River Shannon surrounding the ancient monastery with original high crosses and round towers. This was not only a holy site, but also a major crossroad with the Shannon River, and the logical land route for travelers, a true hub of ancient times. More recently, Pope John Paul said mass here for 33,000+ people during his visit to Ireland in the 1980’s.

10:30 Arrival at Clonmachnoise, we’ll have a guided tour and short video presentation regarding the importance of Clonmachnoise in the history of Ireland.

Lunch will be on site, on your own at the café. Wander beyond the coach park for views of the ruins, and also a visit at the gift shop.

12:30 Departure

1:15 Arrival Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, Bury Quay, CO
There’s nothing like an understanding of how to make a fine Irish Whiskey and its enduring presence in the world of liquors. Evidently, a tasting is encouraged at the end of the tour for “those over 18 years of age.”

3:00 Departure for Athlone
The coach will park across the River Shannon, and we’ll have a short walk into town. We will visit Athlone Castle, a 12th century Norman fortress, and then wander into the city centre and stop at Sean’s Bar, the oldest bar in Ireland (and most recently being researched as the oldest in all of Europe). Sean will most likely be there! …not the original Sean…of course! He’s a cancer survivor (lung cancer, and never smoked a day in his life- secondhand smoke in Ireland was quite prevalent before the ban on public smoking was enacted several years ago).
The modern name Athlone comes from the Irish Ath-Luain the ford of Luain. According to tradition a man called Luan, the son of Lewy kept a hostelry close to the ford. He acted as a guide to travellers who needed to venture across the rapid torrent. In time the place came to be known as Athlone or Ath Luain: the ford of Luain. (athlone.ie)

* Golfers will taxi back to the hotel after their round.

7 July, Monday
7:30 Breakfast

Enjoy your journey to Strokestown through CO Westmeath and the Oliver Goldsmith Countryside, known fondly from ancient times as Sweet Auburn. As we pass Glasson, Village of the Roses, we’ll have a stop at Ballymahon, former home of Goldsmith’s, (for a photo with the statue of the man himself) and local grocery to stock up on favorite treats. We’ll continue on to Ardagh, lovely heritage village and winner of 4 Tidy Town Contests to view the inn Goldsmith had “mistaken” in his drama, She Stoops to Conquer.

The highlight of our tour will be our half day visit to Strokestown Park House, Gardens, and Famine Museum. This venue has won Irish awards, and once you’ve visited, you’ll have the knowledge to understand the famine, the exile, the civil unrest, and the settlement of Irish throughout Australia, Canada, and the United States

4:30 Depart Strokestown
Our return to Glasson will be via Knockcrockery, CO Roscommon, with a visit to the Clay Pipe Factory where my friend, Ethel Kelly, will reveal the history of the clay pipe and how she was able to revive the tradition through her artistic endeavors. She is a true artisan who also has captured the Ogham writing of ancient Ireland.

6:00 Depart the Clay Pipe Factory and head back to our hotel.

8 July Tuesday
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Departure Cliffs of Moher
(kerry will have a day off…the driver knows the route!)

The Cliffs of Moher are 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. (official site www.Ireland.ie)

The Cliffs of Moher majestically stand facing the sea and bracing the elements. It is one of the most sought after sites in Ireland, and your visit to these magnificent cliffs completes the tour of Ireland.

* Golfers….another wonderful day at Glasson Golf and Country Club!

4:00 Depart Cliffs and upon return to Glasson Golf and Country Club for our last night’s farewell cruise on Lough Ree, and dinner at the GGCC dining room (included). I promise you’ll have time for a last pack of suitcases and souvenirs for the journey home with your treasured memories of Ireland, ancient and modern with many new friends.

9 July, Wednesday
7:00 Check Out, and stow bags with Reception
7:30 Breakfast
8:30 Load the Coach

9:00 Departure
Coach will escort us to Dublin Airport and we’ll say our good-byes to our driver and new friend. Tipping the driver and your guide is quite common and welcomed!

Upon arrival at the airport, we’ll proceed through ticketing, and then I’ll guide you to the VAT Refund for any tax return that you may be due from shopping while on tour. Details will follow.

It’s sad to say good-bye to Ireland, but you’ll leave with fond memories of new friends with great accents, and grand stories whether on the golf course or on tour.

Slainte, Kerry

Kerry@kerryedutours.com