Athenry, Ireland |
DAY 5 • Dublin • Kilkenny We’ ll depart Dublin and head to Kilkenny, a medieval city straddling the banks of the River Nore. Our walking tour of Kilkenny includes a visit to one of Ireland’ s most iconic landmarks, Kilkenny Castle. Founded shortly after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the magnificent fortress has loomed over the city for more than 800 years. Rebuilt many times over the centuries and with much of its former glory restored, the castle is filled with a treasure trove of paintings, tapestries, and furnishings. Meals: B, L, D | Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel or similar |
DAY 8 • Inis Oirr • Traditional Irish Music Session Today we’ ll drive to the coastal village of Doolin, where we’ ll board a ferry bound for Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands. The 350 permanent residents of Inis Oirr are very friendly and welcoming, still speak Irish Gaelic, and practice traditional Celtic customs in their daily lives. Later, we’ ll gather to listen to a traditional Irish music session, performed for us by a group of local musicians, followed by a Farewell Dinner at the hotel. Meals: B, L, D | Lahinch Coast Hotel or similar |
IMMERSIONS |
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Belfast, Northern Ireland
DAY 3 • Belfast taxi tour • Controversial Topic: The violence of the Troubles This morning, we’ ll explore Belfast like a local: in one of the city’ s iconic taxi cabs. During the height of the Troubles in the 1970s, public buses stopped serving West Belfast’ s Catholic neighborhoods, and these taxis stepped up to offer their services. Today’ s cabs are driven by Catholics and Protestants alike. We’ ll break into even smaller groups for our taxi ride, where we’ ll get a very personal view of the city through our drivers’ eyes. They’ ll share their perspectives on the city’ s historic political turmoil and religious divides, as well as their views on how old controversies cast a shadow over Belfast today. After our taxi ride, we will have a chance to hear about a Controversial Topic during a conversation with three individuals who fought in the Troubles— on opposing sides. Meals: B | Ten Square Hotel or similar
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DAY 4 • Dublin Begin your Dublin discoveries with a guided panoramic and walking tour of the city’ s sights, culminating at Trinity College where we will have the opportunity to view the famous Book of Kells— an illuminated manuscript of the Gospels. Created in the medieval period, the Book of Kells is widely considered to be a masterpiece of traditional Celtic art with its vibrant illustrations, intricate Celtic motifs, and richly illuminated text. Some of these illustrations are so finely designed that they are difficult to spot without magnification. Meals: B, L | Hyatt Centric Hotel Dublin or similar |
DAY 6 • Kilkenny • Athenry • Galway On our way to Galway, stop for a visit to the Irish Workhouse Centre, a museum documenting an 80-year period of extreme poverty in Ireland— from the 1840s to the 1920s— which included the infamous Potato Famine. These workhouses were established as a means for people who were unable to support themselves and their families a way to work in exchange for food and shelter. Then, visit Athenry, the best-preserved medieval town in Ireland, for a walking tour. Notable sites include its medieval town wall, Athenry Castle, and its charming cobblestone streets and 13th-century buildings. The town is also well-known as the inspiration for the famous Irish song, The Fields of Athenry. Arrive in Galway later this afternoon. Meals: B, L | The Galmont Hotel or similar
DAY 7 • Galway • A Day in the Life of a Gaelic football club • The Cliffs of Moher • Home-Hosted Dinner Begin the day enjoying A Day in the Life of a Gaelic football club. Gaelic football has been enjoyed in Ireland for centuries. Officially codified in 1887, there are records of the game being played as far back as the 1600s. This high-octane team sport is played with a round ball like in soccer, but players are permitted to use both their hands and feet to control and pass the ball. During our meeting with a local Gaelic football club, we’ ll learn about the game’ s history, rules, and even take part in a hands-on experience playing the game. Then, we’ ll drive along the coast to visit the majestic Cliffs of Moher. These precipitous rock formations— towering more than 700 feet above the crashing ocean surf at their highest point— offer breathtaking panoramic views of Ireland’ s Atlantic coast. Later, meet a local Irish family in Lahinch during a Home- Hosted Dinner. Meals: B, D | Lahinch Coast Hotel or similar
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DAY 9 • Return to U. S. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Meals: B
Want to know more? Find the full itinerary and dates & pricing at www. oattravel. com / iel
Customize your experience
ARRIVE EARLY & STAY LATER
We recommend that you relax after a long flight or explore more in depth independently before or after your trip. Price shown includes accommodations and private airport transfer.
• Arrive early in Belfast before your adventure from $ 390 per room, per night
• Stay later in Ennistymon after your adventure from $ 190 per room, per night
Edinburgh, Scotland
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