IRELAND:   The Emerald Isle Jaunt 2007    (8 nights - 9 days)

Dublin highlights: Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol, The National Museum of Ireland, The National Gallery of Ireland, Christ Church Cathedral, St Patrick's Cathedral, Old Jameson Distillery, The Guinness Storehouse, Temple Bar, and lots of 'craic' - which can be summed up to mean 'a good time' in Irish!

Overnight: Dublin City (Inclusive tour: B&B).

Day 2     North to Ancient Kingdoms, Myths, Legends & Troubles

Heading North from Dublin an hour's drive brings us to one of Ireland's most spiritual places, Tara with its' stories of the ancient Kingdom. We'll take a walk around the site with an explanation of some of Ireland's ancient origins. We're talking pre-Viking/pre-Norman-English domination, and it should help you to understand why the long yearning for independence burned so fiercely within the Irish soul for more than a millenia.

Leaving Tara, we'll journey a short distance to the mysterious prehistoric burial site of Newgrange, a Megalithic Passage Tomb built about 3200 BC. The 97 kerbstones, some finely decorated, enclose a kidney shaped mound which contains an inner passage leading to a cruciform (cross shaped) chamber with a corbelled roof. Archeologists estimate that its construction would have taken a work force of 300 at least 20 years to construct. The passage and chamber of Newgrange are illuminated by the winter solstice sunrise when a shaft of sunlight shines through an aperture over the entrance and penetrates the passage to light up the chamber. The excellent audio-visual display and museum add to the understanding of these ancient ancestors. The experience culminates in a guided tour of the amazing site itself.

It's mid-day now, so we'll sample the hospitality of a local pub before making a couple of hours drive over the border into Northern Ireland and on to the fine Ulster capital city of Belfast.

A short walking tour of Belfast's city centre is followed by a drive through some of the 'Troubles' areas. This brief insight brings Ireland's troubled history sharply into focus, where you'll see the passion of members of both sides of the community expressed in their street art. The murals and pavement decoration have become quite an attraction for visitors, but finally the people of this region can begin to hope for real peace as over the last few years we've witnessed an increasing realisation by politicians and the people on both sides of the divide that their 'adversaries' have some legitimacy and their views should be counted. Although the scars of the conflict will take many years to heal, the process has undoubtedly begun in earnest. And not before time.

We're staying in the charming small village of Bushmills tonight, and a chance to experience some Northern Irish hospitality, just like their cousins in the south they don't disappoint!

Newgrange		Fine Belfast architecture

Today's Highlights: Tara Hill; Newgrange; Belfast; Antrim Coast ...  Overnight Bushmills (B&B).     

First enjoy a good early Irish breakfast because we've a big day today. Then we'll take a bracing walk over the quite unique phenomenon of The Giant's Causeway. If the group votes for it, we'll also take an interesting tour of Bushmills Distillery, Ireland's oldest, before heading west. Our journey takes us via the attractive City of Derry before leaving the United Kingdom and re-entering the Republic of Ireland at Donegal. We'll pause here to admire the views and take some lunch, a little time to stroll the town and shop, take a glass of Guiness. Or if we're doing a picnic lunch we'll enjoy it with some of the finest coastal views in the World. We'll end the day with a picturesque drive through Connemara finally arriving at Galway City our home for the next couple of days by mid-evening.

The Giant's Causeway		Donegal Castle		Dramatic west coast cliffs

Today's Highlights: The Giant's Causeway; Bushmills Distillery; Derry; Donegal; A Connemara Drive ..  Two nights in Galway City. (B&B).

Day 4     The 'Big' Island ...

This morning we've a  different treat in store - we'll drive to a local port where a pleasant forty minute boat trip carries us to the fascinating Isle of Inishmore in the Aran Islands. A relaxing whole day on the Island will slow down the pace of our tour and more importantly, allow Ireland's soul to work its charm.

We'll see the Island by bike if you're reasonably fit, or for those who prefer a more sedate method, our means of transportation will be by pony and cart or by minibus.Inishmór - the big island - is actually only around sixteen square miles in size, but contains all that is special about these Aran Islands. There's beautiful scenery, some rich archaeological sites, 437 varieties of wild flowers, thatched roofed traditional Irish stone cottages dotted around the landscape, many miles of stone walls, dramatic cliff and coastal walks with panoramic views of the Connemara coastline and on the clearest days right down to the Southlands and highest peaks in County Kerry. Add to that a community living the Celtic traditions of generations gone by and still speaking the original Irish tongue and you have a truly special place. It's no surprise to hear that Inishmore continues to inspire writers, poets and artists.

Although our pace will be leisurely, the island still has many superb sites to visit. The most spectacular is Dún Aengus, an ancient cliff top fort, plus Clochan na Carraige, the last remaining ancient dwelling to be found on the islands, and Teampall Bheanain, named after the saint of that name and one of the smallest churches in the world. Other highlights include Dun Dubchathair located on the southern cliffs and probably the oldest of the Aran Island forts, and Airkins castle, built during the 16th century, and occupied by Cromwell's troops when they arrived on the island. Lunch is at an Island pub, or we'll take a picnic if seeing the Island by bike, it's your choice. We return to Galway around 6pm.

We leave this lively little city in the morning so why not enjoy the local craic for a last time tonight?

Inismor		A Galway night out

Today's Highlights: The Aran Islands - Inishmór .. Overnight again in Galway City. (B&B).

Day 5

Cliffs, West Coast ...

We need an early start today and our direction is south. First we visit The Burren and take a look at a limestone landscape which is quite unique, almost as if it was planted here by aliens. Despite the inhospitable terrain, we know it was more fertile once upon a time and those early dwellers have certainly left their mark. We'll tke a close-up look at the evidence for this and admire some of the Dolmen stones. Dolmens (also known as cromlechs, Hünengräber, Hunebedden and quoits) are megalithic tombs constructed from large stones or megaliths which were set in formation and originally covered with earth or smaller stones. In many cases the covering has been weathered away leaving only the stone 'skeleton' of the monument. They are a 'single-chamber' type of megalithic tomb. Paulnabrone Dolmen, more than 5,000 years old, is a striking portal tomb in the middle of the limestone plain. It's an impressive sight, especially at dawn or sunset. The tomb was excavated in 1989, and urns were found containing the remains of a number of people, together with pottery and jewellery.

Nearby, the Cliffs of Moher will also greatly impress! A brief stroll gives some good photo opportunities, but don't get too close to the edge, it's a very long drop!

We take lunch at a Doolin pub, later followed by a visit to Bunratty Castle and the reconstructed medieval village. This interlude will please the shoppers in our group as they will discover a veritable feast of Irish products to tempt. The rest of us can seize the chance to buy postcards to send to those unfortunate friends and family back home!

Paulnabrone Dolmen		The Cliffs of Moher		Seafood platter and Guinness

It's a two hour scenic drive to our base for the next two nights, Dingle. This small fishing town has some excellent seafood restaurants (not to mention the ubiquitous pubs) so we'll enjoy a lively night with the locals.

Today's Highlights: The Burren; Cliffs of Moher; Poulnabrone Dolmen; Bunratty Castle .. Two nights in the Dingle area. (B&B).

Day 6     

Mountains, beaches and gorgeous views ....

Finish that wonderful Irish breakfast, because we're going to time-travel through 6,000 years today! That is, we'll explore Corca Dhuibhne – The Dingle Peninsula. It's believed that the first settlers here were nomadic hunters and gatherers who foraged on the coast for their food almost 6,000 years ago. They were followed by Stone Age then Bronze Age man who built their tombs, raised their standing stones, and worked the land for the first time. Around 200BC the Celts settled here and brought their ancestoral goddess "Duibhne", after which the Dingle Peninsula has been named in Gaelic: Corca Dhuibhne, the seed (or tribe) of Duibhne. In the centuries that followed the Vikings, Normans and English all left their mark.

The Dingle Peninsula is one of the richest areas in archaeological remains on the entire west coast of Europe, with almost 2,000 sites. There's the largest collection in the world of clocháns or beehive huts, of the stones with the unique ogham writing, and of dúnta or ring forts. These remains, including the Oratory at Gallarus and the cross stone of Reasc, give evidence of a sophisticated society who could practise skilled craftsmanship. But we must also mention the wonderful views; from Slea Head to the hills and mountains behind, you'll get some great photos.

Later, we'll include a good pub lunch, and a stroll on one of Ireland's loveliest beaches, ending the day a little earlier so that you can explore the charming little town of Dingle and enjoy some relaxing free time.

Atmospheric brief storm		That's tonight sorted then ..

Today's Highlights: The Dingle peninsula - a Micro-cosm of Ireland's History ... Dingle B&B again.

Day 7      

Cork, some old Blarney, Cork , Cobh and some rather fine crystal ....

We continue in a southerly direction leaving the Dingle peninsula for another, that of Iveragh or Kerry, and the pretty city of Killarney makes a good choice for a coffee stop, perhaps a short stroll, before we climb up and away to take in one or two of the fine Ring of Kerry views.

Blarney Castle is our lunch spot, and kissing the famous stone will be a must for some of you, I'm sure! It may not give you the instant gift of eloquent speech but you will certainly feel a rush of blood to the brain. Or is that something to do with hanging upside down 80 feet in the air! Either way it's a good interlude and an opportunity to get some of those embarassing photographs we don't want our friends to see.

The port of Cobh (meaning Cove) saw hundreds of thousands of mostly hungry and penniless men and women leave Ireland to build a new life, especially during the Famine years of 1844-1848. Many thrived and prospered, some of you may be descendants of theirs, but many died on the journey in the terrible travelling conditions of the time. We'll pause to appreciate this pleasant town, once called Queenstwonwhose streets climb the steep slope of a hill, the top of which is crowned by St Coleman's Cathedral. Cobh is situated on one of the three large islands in Cork harbour, all now connected by roads and bridges. The harbour is one of the largest and safest anywhere, capable of taking the largest ships. The great Transatlantic liners used to berth here up to the 1950s.

Blarney Castle		Annie Moore and her brothers		Cobh waterfront

We end this full day with a visit to the famous Waterford Crystal Factory, before arriving at our guest house for tonight and tomorrow night.

Today's Highlights: Killarney, Blarney Castle, Cork, Cobh, Waterford Crystal Factory .... Two nights in the Central area. (B&B).

Day 8    

Our Grand Finale ....

''There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet as that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet...''  The words of a song by Thomas Moore in 1807, confirm the charm of the area we'll visit today and describe two 'meetings' in the Vale.  The famous one is where the Avonmore meets the Avonbeg – their names translate from the Irish as ‘Big River’ and ‘Small river’.  The second Meeting is beside the pretty hamlet of Woodenbridge, where the Aughrim River meets the Avoca River.

The Vale of Avoca, has enjoyed two hundred years of fame, and became even greater when, in the 1990s, it became the location for the internationally acclaimed TV soap Ballykissangel.  No visit to the village would be complete without a stroll along familiar-looking streets and a look at the world famous Avoca Handweavers Mill where unusual cloths, throws and scarves are woven in a myriad of wonderful colours and natural fibres.

Leaving Avoca we'll make our way through the Wicklow Mountains National Pak, and take in some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world. If fine weather we'll enjoy a good picnic lunch in a wonderful setting.

Our final port of call today is the attractive town of Cashel, once seat of the Kings of Munster. The town lies below the famous Rock of Cashel which rises dramatically out of Tipperary’s Golden Vale. The Heritage Centre has a model of Cashel in the 1640’s and a multimedia presentation worth seeing. Then the rest of the afternoon is yours to stroll or relax and discover Cashel for yourself.

Today's Highlights: Avoca, The Wicklow Mountains National Park, Cashel ... Final night, again in the Central area. (B&B).

Day 9    

Farewell, and a safe journey home ...

After a final Irish breakfast it's sadly time to depart for Dublin airport and to say ''goodbye''.