SPRING IN HIDDEN IRELAND!
SPIRAL JOURNEYS
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ALL-INCLUSIVE SMALL GROUP (MAX !2) LAND JOURNEY
SPRING IN HIDDEN IRELAND
MAY 12* – 22 2020
(*Depart USA on May 11th)
ALL–INCLUSIVE LAND JOURNEY*
$4,525,00 per person double occupancy (€4,063.34)**
TWO PRIME HIDDEN IRELAND LOCATIONS
May 12th - 16th
May 17th - 22nd
ITINERARY
SHANNON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
WELCOME TO IRELAND!
Day One - May 12
Arrival: 6:30am (approximately)
Following immigration, customs and baggage claim, Ann Quinlan will greet you in the main arrival area and help you locate coffee/breakfast/bathrooms. Spiral Journeys driver will assist with all luggage as we board our private coach. Ann will orient the group along the way as we drive toward our first Hidden Ireland home, Delphi Lodge, located in the Delphi Valley of Connemara, about 2.5-hour journey with stops, as needed, along the way. Rooms will be assigned, and the afternoon is yours for exploring the grounds, resting, napping while entering into a different time zone; i.e., jet lagging! 6:30pm we will meet for drinks* in the main Drawing Room. (*please arrange your tab for alcohol as this is not covered by Spiral Journeys).
7:30pm Dinner is served!
Day Two - May 13
7- 8:30am Breakfast is served.
9:00am All -Aboard!
We will travel part of the loop through Connemara National Park and visit the villages of Roundstone and Clifden. Then on to Kylmore Abbey and Gardens. This romantic 1820s Gothic Castle, once a world-renowned Benedictine Abbey and all-girls private school, is sheltered by the Twelve Bens mountain range. Tour indoors and out on your own. Excellent lunch options available, if you wish. With group consensus, we can stop for dinner (on your own) en route back to Delphi Lodge.
Day Three - May 14
7-8:30am Breakfast is served!
9:00am All- Aboard
The Delphi Valley - Michael Gibbons. Today we are joined by Michael Gibbons, one of Ireland's leading field archaeologists. Raised in Clifden, Connemara, Michael is a graduate of University College Galway, with a degree in History and Archaeology. A member of the Institute of Archaeologists - Ireland, Michael brings thirty years of experience serving with the Archaeology Committee of the Heritage Council of Ireland. In addition to specializing in the academic and cultural tourism to the Boyne Valley and the West of Ireland, Michael has worked with the Department of Antiquities in Jerusalem, led groups in the Sinai Peninsula, SW Turkey, Peru, and Outer Hebrides.
Day Four - May 15
9:00am - All -Aboard
Galway City - the last port-of-call by Christopher Columbus, en route to The New World, is considered by the locals as the "capital" of the ancient Western Province of Connaught. With around 17,000 students arriving each Autumn, a fifth of Galway's population is non-Galwegian, giving this small city a cosmopolitan vibe. Galway is also known as the "city of festivals." At any time of year, one may find a festival, literary event or cultural shindig, along the way. It is an easy city to navigate, on foot. Ann will provide a short outline on the history of this lovely city along with suggestions for best book stores, pubs and historic attractions, including the famous Spanish Arch area. Options for dinner en route back to Delphi Lodge we welcome a group consensus.
Day Five - May 16
9:00am - All -Aboard
Westport - Co Mayo - This charming town offers the visitor some very good shopping options along with peaceful walks along the river which sits at the edge of an Atlantic Inset on Ireland's west coast. We will take a tour of Westport House - once the site of the O'Malley Clan Castle and the legendary Irish Pirate Queen - Grace (Grainne) O'Malley. The tour includes legends of the famed Pirate Queen including a visit to her famous dungeons. This is our last night at Delphi Lodge where we will enjoy a departure dinner. Please have your suitcase packed and ready to be loaded from the front hall to the coach as we bid farewell to Delphi Lodge and our wonderful hosts.
Day Six - May 17
9:30am - All -Aboard
As we leave the Atlantic Coast we will weave our way toward Ireland's Ancient East, fringed by the Irish Sea. We will visit Clonmacnoise (Cluain Mhic Nóis - Meadow of the Sons of Nós) founded in 544 by St. Ciarán, a young man from Rathcroghan, County Roscommon. With stops along the way, our arrival at Martinstown House will be approximately 5:00pm, allowing ample time to get settled into our rooms in time for drinks* prior to our reception dinner at 7:00pm. Following dinner our delightful host, Edward Booth, will share some history of the house, some of its former residents and a few legends surrounding the area. Seated on several acres of lush green land with glorious trees, including a giant Redwood, gentle walks with abundant wildlife, gardens and two pet donkeys that are happy enjoy a nose rub so long as you bring a carrot or two! (*please arrange your tab for alcohol as this is not covered by Spiral Journeys)
Day Seven - May 18
7:00 - 8:30am Breakfast is Served!
9:30am All-Aboard
Our first stop is a tour of Ireland's world-famous National Stud, The Horse Museum and the Japanese Gardens. From here we will drive a short distance to The Heritage Center and Ernest Shackleton, (Arctic explorer and native of Co Kildare) Museum in the small town of Athy - Shackleton's birthplace. With group consensus, we will stop for an evening meal prior to our return to Martinstown House.
Day Eight - May 19
8:30am - All Aboard
Dublin City - Ireland's Capital - established as a Viking settlement in the 10th Century. Our first stop is at The Dublin Writer's Museum. This treasure of a museum is a favorite of Spiral Journey travelers. We will step back in literary time while viewing several original and hand-written manuscripts of such greats as George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and numerous others, including contemporary women writers of Ireland. Dublin offers a variety of unique shops. Dublin is also noted for some of the best book stores in Europe! Ann will guide you toward the best pubs, cafes and tea rooms.
Day Nine - May 20
9:00am - All- Aboard
Russborough House - Co Wicklow. Located about an hour away,, we will first meet up with Michael Crowe, master trainer of Irish sheep dogs. Michael will share the story of these skilled animals as they round up his herds of sheep in a variety of ways. We will then have a full tour of the beautiful and historic Russborough House. Following a lunch break we will walk over to The National Bird of Prey and Falconry Center of Ireland, located on the same grounds. Here we will observe the remarkable flight and hunting skills of several native birds of prey. There will be an opportunity to handle these amazing animals, safely, if you wish! Russborough House is a non-profit foundation.
Day Ten - May 21 (*our last full day in Ireland)
8:30am - All-Aboard
The Boyne Valley - Betty Newman Maguire. Today, we will head to Co Meath, about 1.5 hour away, and meet up with Betty Newman Maguire , national and international award-winning artist and expert historian on the Hill of Tara, St Patrick, Book of Kells and the Boyne Valley region. We will round out our day at Betty's charming home, pottery studio and art gallery in Castlekeeran, a short ride from Kells. to enjoy some of Betty's home-made Irish scones, tea and cakes. Back at Martinstown House, we will enjoy our departure dinner.
Day 11 - May 22
Dublin International Airport
Please have suitcases in the front hall area ready for departure
6:30 - 7:30am Breakfast!
*8:00am - All-Aboard
We need to allow at least one hour for check-in/departures
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