THE FULL IRISH – THE BEST TOUR TO IRELAND IN 2013
Roll up! Roll up! All aboard for the Full Irish! Gather together for our most popular 2013 tour! 2013 is all about The Gathering and the Full Irish welcomes you for a proper homecoming! Throughout 2013, Ireland is welcoming friends and family from all over the world, inviting them home to Ireland. Exploring Ireland is going a step futher, inviting you to our hometown, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath , to share our town with us! This is one tour where there is no doubt that you will experience the real Ireland, you will meet with us in our local pub, see off the beaten track sites where only the locals know, you will experience local musicians and local storytellers. This is all followed by a journey around Ireland taking the very best attractions and scenic drives that the country has to offer, so you get the best of both worlds – a feel for what is like to live in Ireland and the best tourist experience around the country!
The Full Irish is chock full with:
- Loughcrew Cairns
- Belvedere House & Gardens
- A pint with Exploring Ireland
- Hill of Uisneach
- Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
- Kilbeggan Distillery
- Exploring Ireland Hooley (Those pub crawl chaps?)
- The Burren
- Cliffs of Moher Cruise
- Ailwee Caves & Bird of Prey Centre
- Dingle Town & Peninusla
- Slea Head Drive
- Connors Pass
- Tom Crean’s Public House
- Blasket Centre
- Inch Strand
- Ring of Kerry
- Torc Waterfall
- Staigue Fort
- Muckross House Gardens
- Kinsale Walking Tour
- Blarney Castle
- Glen of Aherlow & Galtee Mountains
- Rock of Cashel
- Guinness Storehouse
- Trinity College & Book of Kells
- Jameson Distillery?
- 7 Full Irish Breakfasts
- 6 Evening Meals
- 2 Marquee Events
You will tour in a luxurious modern 35 Seat coach with full touring specification.
Please note the maximum on this coach will be 12 people.
DAY 1 FRIDAY
- PICK-UP FROM DUBLIN AIRPORT
Your guide will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall at Dublin Airport, they will be with you throughout the tour, dropping you back to the airport on the last day. You will travel in style in a 35 Seat Luxury Coach with full touring specification.
- LOUGHCREW CAIRNS
With all the hoopla over Newgrange, Loughcrew is often overlooked. That’s just as well because it means you can enjoy it all in peace. Like Newgrange, the graves were all built around 3000 BC, but unlike their better known and better excavated peers were used at least until 750 BC.
Carmen Ahed @ Loughcrew
- BELVEDERE HOUSE & GARDENS
Journey through the Boyne Valley to our home, Mullingar, where Exploring Ireland HQ is based. You are staying at the wonderful Bloomfield House Hotel on the shores of beautiful Lough Ennell, sharing the shore with the estate of the old Earl of Rochfort’s Belvedere estate but separated by the Jealous Wall, which we will get you through to explore the beautiful house and gardens. Then back over the wall and into your hotel for a well-deserved rest before dinner. You are in our home town for the night, so we invite you to join us for a pint of Guinness, in our local tavern.
The Famous Jealous Wall @ Belvedere
- EVENING MEAL AT BLOOMFIELD HOUSE HOTEL
- WELCOME PINT OF GUINNESS WITH EXPLORING IRELAND
It will have being a long day, after your flight and activities, but if you are still awake, we invite you to meet us for a pint in our local tavern, Canton Casey’s, it is something of an Exploring Ireland tradition on a Friday evening and we would love to meet you there!
DAY 2 SATURDAY
- BREAKFAST SERVED FROM 7 – 9 AM; GUIDE WILL MEET YOU FOR A 9.30 AM DEPARTURE
HILL OF UISNEACH
Waking up in your rural retreat, I recommend a stroll down to the shore before or after your breakfast, or a swim in the indoor pool, before meeting your guide for a 9.30 am departure and away to the tremendous Hill of Uisneach. This is a rare treat, as it is exclusive to Exploring Ireland, the envy of all other travellers to Ireland, it sits on private lands, the owner is a neighbour and friend of Exploring Ireland and so we invite you onto this unique site. Uisneach is the geographical and sacred centre of Ireland. The most famous feature on Uisneach is the Cat Stone, named so because it resembles a cat watching a mouse. It is a huge limestone boulder almost six metres high which is estimated to weigh over 30 ton and is said to mark the dead centre of Ireland. Two gods – Eiru and Lugh are buried on the site, it is mentioned in the writings of none other than Julius Caesar, a coin minted in Herat Afghanistan around 900 BC was found on the site. Oh and someone called St. Patrick used to live here!
Celtic warrior galloping up Uisneach
- CLONMACNOISE MONASTIC SITE
After a cup of tea at the Uisneach Inn, away you go across to Clonmacnoise Monastic Site. An Early Christian site founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches (10th -13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe. The original high crosses and a selection of graveslabs are on display in the visitor centre. The long and varied history of Clonmacnoise is recounted in an audiovisual presentation shown in the visitor centre. There are also exhibitions that deal with the flora, fauna and landscape of the region.
Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
- KILBEGGAN DISTILLERY
In for a wee dram in the oldest distillery in the world! Right in the heart of Ireland lies the town of Kilbeggan, home to the world’s oldest distillery, established in 1757. It is the quintessential Irish whiskey distillery – whitewashed walls, weathered slate roof, brick chimney stack, creaking timber water wheel, even regular ghost sightings. This is no mere “visitor centre” but a real working distillery run by a team of young enthusiastic craftspeople (and a few wise old heads too), skilled in the traditional ways of making Irish whiskey.
- EVENING MEAL AT BLOOMFIELD HOUSE HOTEL
- EXPLORING IRELAND HOOLEY
DAY 3 – SUNDAY
- BREAKFAST SERVED FROM 7 – 8.00AM; GUIDE WILL MEET YOU FOR A 8.30 AM DEPARTURE
- THE BURREN
Moving out of the Midlands, over the mighty River Shannon, leaving the province of Leinster behind, venturing into the West! Morning on the Moon? You got it – The Burren –Stretching across northern Clare is the a unique limestone landscape forged beneath ancient seas, shot skyward by a cataclysmic geological phenonomen. The Burren is one the rare karst landscapes, like nowhere else on the planet, walking upon it’s primordial service is like traversing the moon. Most international visitors to Ireland are aware of the mighty Cliffs of Moher, that great bastion of 700 feet of rock that holds back the mighty Atlantic, rawly exposing the foundations that Ireland is built upon. What most people are aware of is that they form the terminal edge of a great limestone plateau that extends many miles inland – The Burren. Believe me the cliffs are worth the trip, it is like standing on the edge of the Old World, one gets swept away by the dizzying emotion. But of equal worth is heading into the Old World. For a few miles, little different is given away, it all looks quite normal. But after dipping through folkie Doolin and bachelor infested Lisdoonvarna, stuff beings to take a turn for the strange; trees and hedgerows disappear with the cattle and the sky and the ground blur. You see, The Burren is not earth, it is ocean floor, like a grandpappy at a grad party, it looks out of place. It was thrust from the ocean floor millions of years ago, formed from shale and limestone on the seabed; but it ain’t a softie, in places it is more than 3,000 feet thick!! A few ice ages ground it flat, upon which are flung as if by giants, huge boulders which educated guys call erratics. From the blacktop, the whole shebang appears like a desert floor f stone, but walking upon, you see it is cratered, moon-like.
- CLIFFS OF MOHER CRUISE @ MIDDAY
- “My husband and I hosted our wedding in Ireland in September of 2008. We came over from the States, with 63 family and friends, and our entire group went on one of your ship tours of the Cliffs. The experience was the talk of the trip! Everyone had a wonderful time – the cruise was not only a great learning experience but a fabulous way to really appreciate the beauty of the Cliffs of Moher and the West coast of Ireland. Everyone associated with Doolin2Aran Ferries was a delight and treated our group with courtesy and kindness. We’re looking forward to visiting you again on our next trip to Ireland!”
Jill and Patrick Cullinan, Maryland, US
- AILWEE CAVES & BIRD OF PREY CENTRE
Explore subterranean caves, watch eagles in flight and sample delicious local food products at Aillwee Cave, Ireland’s premier show cave in Ballyvaughan County Clare.
Over 3,5000 feet of winding passages are open to the public, with regular guided tours provided. Visitors to this popular County Clare attraction are escorted on a 35 minute stroll through caverns, over bridged chasms, beneath unusual rock formations and ending beside a thunderous waterfall. This stunning creation of nature was gradually formed by prehistoric Ice Age melt waters carving paths through this limestone mountain.
Burren Birds of Prey Centre, located at the foot of Aillwee Cave, features the largest display of falcons, harris hawks, owls, American kestrels and white tailed sea eagles in the country. During the breeding season visitors will be able to see young birds of prey being hand reared, learn about falconry as an ancient sport and become more aware of these magnificent indigenous species and the environmental issues involved in their protection and conservation.
Francoise Macamber, enjoying a spot of falconry
The nearby farm shop, which can also be reached by a delightful woodland walk, houses a range of delicious local products such as the award winning Burren Gold cheese, honey, jams and fudge. Watch as the Gouda type cheese, classed as a farmhouse cheese because it is made from unpasturised cows milk, is made and then sample the end product
- EVENING MEAL AT OLD GROUND ENNIS HOTEL
DAY 4 MONDAY
- BREAKFAST SERVED FROM 7 – 9 AM
- SHANNON ESTUARY CROSSING
- CONNOR’S PASS
- DINGLE TOWN
- DINGLE PENINSULA & SLEA HEAD DRIVE
Dingle’s mellow landscape is one of green hills and golden sands and culminates in Europe’s most westerly point. At the tip of the peninsula is the amazing Slea Head Drive, it has the greatest concentration of ancient sites in Kerry if not in the whole of Ireland – the names conjure up the ancient pass – Dunbeg Fort, Dunmore Head, Dunquin, Mt. Brandon, Blasket Islands, Gallarus Oratory
- BLASKET CENTRE
- TOM CREAN’S PUBLIC HOUSE
- INCH STRAND
Remember this! Ryan’s Daughter on Inch Strand, Kerry, where an Inch is a mile! A lovely way to end a Kerry day is to walk along the golden sands of Inch Beach, look west, next parish is Boston!
- EVENING MEAL AT THE MALTON
DAY 5 – TUESDAY
- BREAKFAST SERVED AT THE MALTON 7 – 9 AM, GUIDE WILL MEET YOU IN LOBBY @ 9.30 AM
- RING OF KERRY (KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK)
Bid adieu to the marvellous Malton and dive headlong into the marvellous Killarney National Park, stopping for an early morning ramble around it’s core – Muckross House & Gardens, followed by a leisurely stroll to pounding Torc Waterfall hidden amongst beautiful woods. Onto the best of the Ring of Kerry – Ladies View – enjoy the fine view of the Lakes of Killarney, just as Queen Victoria and her ladies in waiting did, which gives the spot it’s royal title. Continue onto Moll’s Gap – Over the pass that connects the Kerry towns of Killarney and Kenmare, looking back on wonderful views of the wonderfully named Macgillycuddy Reeks . The name of the range dates to the 18th century. It is derived from the family or clan name Mac Giolla Mochuda (anglicised MacGillycuddy) who are a sept of the O’Sullivan’s. The clan chief, McGillycuddy of the Reeks, owned land in this part of Munster for a long time prior, and continued to do so until the end of the 20th century.
- TORC WATERFALL
- STAIGUE FORT
In a word – stupendous! Staigue is remarkably intact, nay bad for something that was built 1,500 years ago and to cap it’s greatness, it is invisible! Despite having sweeping views down to the coast, it cannot be seen from the sea!
- MUCKROSS HOUSE & GARDENS
- WEST CORK HOTEL
- DINNER AT WEST CORK HOTEL
DAY 6 WEDNESDAY
- BREAKFAST SERVED AT THE WEST CORK HOTEL, 7 – 8.30 AM, GUIDE WILL MEET YOU IN LOBBY @ 9.00 AM
- KINSALE WALKING TOUR @ 10.30 AM
Drop into Kinsale and hook up with the great Dermot Ryan, Kinsale’s most famous son and his award winning tour of this amazing town.
- BLARNEY CASTLE
By this time, you are an old sweat, a veteran in all things Ireland, well versed in the banter and discourse of the Irish specimen, time now to get the gift of the gab by kissing the Blarney Stone held aloft at the top of incredibly magical Blarney Castle.
- GLEN OF AHERLOW, GALTEE MOUNTAINS & ROCK OF CAHSEL
Into South Tipperary, it’s being a long way! Cutting a dandy swathe through the beautiful Slievenamuck and Galtee Mountains through the Glen of Aherlow. Continuing until on yonder outcrop you catch your first glimpse of the majestic Rock of Cashel – A spectacular group of Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral.
- THE NEWPARK HOTEL
- DINNER AT NEWPARK HOTEL
DAY 7 THURSDAY
- BREAKFAST SERVED AT THE NEWPARK HOTEL, 7 – 8.30 AM, GUIDE WILL MEET YOU IN LOBBY @ 9.00 AM
You enter the capital, Dublin as seasoned Ireland travellers, the city is now a God given right for you, it’s essence is your final rite of passage. First stop is Guinness, Ireland’s most famous export, most popular tourist attraction, the beating heart of Dublin City for over 250 years. Located at the heart of St. James’s Gate Brewery, the seven floors are designed around a central glass atrium mirroring the shape of a pint of Guinness. Floor by floor, visitors take a surprising journey through the past, present and future of the world’s greatest beer.
- GUINNESS STOREHOUSE @ 11 AM
- TRINITY COLLEGE & BOOK OF KELLS
The coach can transfer you to Trinity College, but if the day is fine, I recommend the walk. It will take you past the world famous St. James Gate, St. Audoen’s Church, Christchurch Cathedral, down Dame St and College Green and their glut of architectural gems and through the gates of the majestic Trinity College.
- JAMESON DISTILLERY MEAL
Irish Nights start with a guided tour of the distillery, followed by a signature Jameson drink and then enjoy a delicious three course meal while being entertained by the Jameson Players and the Claddagh Dancers. All music and dancing is performed “live“
DAY 8 FRIDAY
TRANSFER TO AIRPORT
Dates All Friday Departures:
10 MAY
24 MAY
7 JUNE
21 JUNE
5 JULY
19 JULY
2 AUGUST
16 AUGUST
30 AUGUST
13 SEPTEMBER
27 SEPTEMBER
All inclusive at 1,690 Euro per person (Based on two people sharing)
Single supplement is 270 Euro.
Terms & Conditions
DEPOSIT PAYMENTS: A non-refundable land deposit of 20% per
person is required.
FINAL PAYMENTS: Full payment must be made no later than 60
days prior to departure date.
LAND CANCELLATIONS:Penalties per person apply: 60 – 35 days prior to departure – forfeiture of deposit; 35 – 0 days – 100% per person.
NOTIFICATION OF CANCELLATIONS: All cancellations must be
advised in writing (by e-mail) to Exploring Ireland Tours prior to tour departure
during normal business hours (9:00 am to 6:00 pm GMT, Mondays through Fridays).
Notification shall be deemed to have taken place on the date of receipt of such
written notification by Exploring Ireland. It is the client’s responsibility to ensure
that any notification of cancellation is received by Exploring Ireland Tours. Minimum
cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
TRAVELERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: Clients who require particular
assistance must advise Exploring Ireland Tours at time of booking and must travel with a
qualified travel companion. Exploring Ireland Tours drivers and guides cannot provide
individualized help for walking, getting on/off motor coaches or other personal
needs. As coaches are not equipped with wheelchair ramps, all tour members must
be able to mount 3 or 4 steps into coach. Motorized scooters are unsuitable for
touring. Exploring Ireland Tours is not responsible for denial of services by carriers,
hotels, restaurants, or other independent suppliers, nor any additional expenses
incurred. Due to space restrictions, passengers wishing to take wheel chairs,
oxygen tanks, walkers or other assistive devices must send a request in writing
for approval. Exploring Ireland Tours reserves the right to remove any individual from a tour who has not provided the advance notification.
COACH TRANSPORTATION: Coach tours are usually operated by 35
seat motor coaches. When passenger numbers are low, a smaller coach may be
used.
VISITS, ENTERTAINMENT, ITINERARIES AND OTHER FEATURES: Exploring Ireland Tours reserves the right to substitute visits, entertainment and other features
when establishments are closed or cannot be visited for reasons beyond our
control, or for the general convenience of the group.
EXPLORING IRELAND TOURS CANCELLATIONS: If it becomes necessary to cancel a coach tour prior to departure, Exploring Ireland Tours will offer the next available date at no additional land cost or will make a full refund of all monies paid to Exploring Ireland Tours. Exploring Ireland Tours cannot accept responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to such a tour booking or for any cancellation penalties due to
non-refundable airfares, unless ticket is purchased from Exploring Ireland Tours.
GUARANTEED COACH TOURS: Due to events beyond our control, it
may be necessary for Exploring Ireland Tours to cancel a guaranteed coach tour. Under these circumstances we will offer either the next available date at no additional land
cost or 100% refund of all payments made to Exploring Ireland Tours.
LUGGAGE: Handling of one piece of luggage per person is
included in the cost of all coach tours. Size should not exceed 30 x 20 x 10
inches and weight should be under 50 lbs. Luggage is carried at owner’s risk
throughout the tour unless insured. Airlines impose their own
restrictions, with which clients must comply. Please check with your carrier
regarding luggage restrictions and costs.
TIPS: Tips for personal services and to tour directors and
drivers are not included in tour cost and left to your discretion.
SMOKING POLICY: Smoking is not permitted on any motor
coach.
NOT INCLUDED: All items of a personal nature (room service,
beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals
not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the
client.
UNUSED TOUR ARRANGEMENTS: Exploring Ireland cannot make refunds or
exchanges for unused accommodations, services or features of any tour unless
agreed upon in writing prior to departure.
RESPONSIBILITY: Exploring Ireland, its employees,
directors, officers and shareholders does not own or
operate any person or entity which is to or does provide goods or services for
your trip, including, for example, lodging facilities, transportation companies,
local ground operators, including, without limitation, various entities which
may utilize the name Exploring Ireland . As a result, Exploring Ireland is not
liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or
entity. In addition, Exploring Ireland is not liable for any negligent or willful act or
failure to act of any person or entity it does not own or control, nor for any
act or inaction of any other third parties not under its control. You may see
the name Exploring Ireland affixed to motor vehicles, on
signs around the hotel or elsewhere. This use of those names is for reasons of
identification and does not denote ownership, supervision, or control by Exploring Ireland in any way. Without limitation Exploring Ireland is not liable for any direct,
indirect, consequential, or incidental damage, injury, death, loss, accident,
delay, inconvenience or irregularity of any kind which may be occasioned by
reason of any act or omission beyond its control, including, without limitation
any willful or negligent act, failure to act, breach of contract or violation of
local law or regulation of any third party such as an airline, train, hotel,
bus, taxi, van, local ground handler or guide, financial default or insolvency
of any supplier which is, to, or does supply any goods or services for this
trip. Exploring Ireland is not liable for any loss, injury, death or inconvenience due
to delay or changes in schedule, overbooking of accommodation, default,
insolvency or bankruptcy of any third party, attacks by animals, sickness, the
lack of appropriate medical care, evacuation to same, if necessary, weather,
strikes, acts of God or government, acts of terrorism, or the threat thereof,
force majeure, war, quarantine, epidemics, or the threat thereof, criminal
activity, or any other cause beyond its control. Exploring Ireland reserves the right at
its sole discretion to alter the itinerary as it may deem necessary or
advisable.
Exploring Ireland reserves the right at its sole discretion to decline
to accept or retain any passenger on any of its tours if it deems accepting or
retaining any such person as being detrimental to the tour. In the event any
passenger is removed from a trip, Exploring Ireland’s only obligation is to refund to
that person that portion of the payment allocable to unused services. Each
provision of this clause is severable and if any provision is held to be
illegal, void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the legality, validity and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or
impaired.
It is the travellers’
responsibility to obtain the correct travel documentation (passport, visa,
identifications) for the destination(s) to be visited. Exploring Ireland is not
responsible for penalties incurred for tickets, international or domestic, not
issued by Exploring Ireland due to schedule and/or flight changes.
Exploring Ireland reserves the right at its sole discretion to
decline to accept or retain any passenger on any of its tours if it deems
accepting or retaining any such person as being detrimental to the tour. In the
event any passenger is removed from a trip, Exploring Ireland’s only obligation is to
refund to that person that portion of the payment allocable to unused services.
Each provision of this clause is severable and if any provision is held to be
illegal, void or unenforceable in whole or in part, the legality, validity and
enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected or
impaired.
It is travellers’
responsibility to obtain the correct travel documentation (passport, visa,
identifications) for the destination(s) to be visited. Exploring Ireland is not
responsible for penalties incurred for tickets, international or domestic, not
issued by Exploring Ireland due to schedule and/or flight changes.