Dublin Itinerary, October 1-6, 2006

Join us on an exciting journey to Dublin following the C&H Conference in Galway. We will stay at a hotel close to all the main attractions easily reachable by foot. Dublin is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland and is steeped in history, and of recent years, incredible prosperity and hospitality. We will visit many historical landmarks while contrasting the recent show of development and the vibrant energy of Dublin City. We will take short day trips north and south of the city. A visit to an archaeological wonder of Western Europe, Newgrange in the north, and a visit to one of the most beautiful remaining pilgrimage and spiritual sites of Ireland, Glendalough in the South. Dublin has an international reputation as one of the most loved places to visit in Europe. It provides an education system and work force that attracts business interests from all over the world, especially in medical research and technology. You will enjoy great food, music and pubs on every corner. Your stay in Dublin would not be complete without a visit to the Guinness Brewery, Trinity College and viewing the Book of Kells.

DAY 1, Sunday, October 1: Co Galway to Dublin City
We leave the West of Ireland and begin our journey east, making an important visit to Clonmacnoise, the largest remaining monastic settlement founded by St. Ciaran and the place of the high Celtic crosses. In early Irish history the position of this settlement was considered the crossroads of Ireland, because the main artery of the Shannon River converged here at the shores of the monastery. The location contributed to its development as a major religious, crafts, and political center of Irish life more than 1500 years earlier. We will explore the remains of the cathedrals and high crosses dating from the 10th century. Evening arrival to the magnificent city of Dublin. Evening group gathering with dinner (B, D)

DAY 2, Monday, October 2: Dublin
Morning visit to the famous Trinity College, Long Library and Book of Kells. The University was founded in 1592 and covers some 40 acres of cobbled squares and green spaces. The Book of Kells is a 9th Century manuscript of the Gospels, renowned world-wide for its rich illustrations. Afternoon free to walk down Grafton Street for shopping, St. Stephens Green, or visit the National Museum which houses many of the country's finest historical finds, including the Tara Brooch. Afternoon we board our coach for a city tour, stopping at Phoenix Park. Then a visit to St.Patrick’s Cathedral, the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. It is said that St. Patrick baptized converts on this site, and consequently a church has stood here since A.D. 450, making it the oldest Christian site in Dublin. Evening free or join the guided Musical Pub Crawl with pub food along the way. (B)

DAY 3, Tuesday, October 3: Dublin
We travel a short distance north of Dublin City to County Meath. County Meath is best documented in Irish history as the royal seat of the High Kings in Celtic times. Numerous remains of castles and burial mounds surround the rural countryside. We visit two of the most noted: Newgrange and Knowth. These passage tombs, believed to be older than the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge, were first discovered in 1699. The communities of people who lived here and the burial remains that have been found in these tombs remain a mystery. The most impressive aspect of Newgrange is the roof box over the entrance. It is aligned to catch the first rays of the rising sun on the morning of the winter solstice on December 21.Time permitting, we will conclude our time in County Meath with two other significant sites, Hill of Tara and Monasterboice. Return to Dublin for dinner at the hotel. Rest of the evening free or join a literary walking tour and enjoy hearing about many of Ireland’s great poets and writers. (B, D)

DAY 4, Wednesday, October 4: Dublin
Morning free to shop and explore on your own or join the guided tour of Dublin Castle. Dublin received its name from the Black Pool—‘Dubh linn’— which was on the site of the Castle gardens. The remains of the 13th century Castle and the Round Tower are at the junction of the River Liffey and where an early Gaelic Ring Fort stood. In the early afternoon we will take lunch as a group and then a guided tour of the Guinness Brewery. Plenty of time for tasting and shopping. Evening free to enjoy on your own or join an organized activity. (B, L)

DAY 5, Thursday, October 5: Dublin
This morning we conclude our journey of Dublin and surrounding areas by traveling south into the county of Wicklow. We first visit the ruins of Glendalough, in the Wicklow Mountains and one of the most significant and spiritual sites in Ireland. We will explore the gardens, wildlife, lakes and monastic settlement of the impressive Interpretative Center. We conclude the afternoon with the stunning Powerscourt Gardens, a 1,000-acre estate, featuring some of the finest gardens of Europe. This evening we join together for a farewell dinner and reflect on our time together and experiences we take home from Ireland and our footprints that we leave in Ireland.
(B, D)

DAY 6, Friday, October 6:
Morning transfer to airport with flights back to USA. (B)

Cost: $1,852.00

Land Package Includes:
• Ground transportation by private coach from Shannon Airport to hotel in Dublin on October 1, 2006*
• Ground transportation to Dublin International Airport on October 6, 2006
• Daily ground transportation by private coach for all excursions
• Five (5) nights Hotel accommodations with private bathrooms (based on double occupancy)
• Full Irish breakfast served daily; 2 lunches; 3 dinners
• Bottled water available on coach during travel days
• All excursions to ancient sites and rural villages, walking tours
• Entrance fees to excursion sites.
• Evening entertainment with traditional Irish music
• All in-country guides and leadership
• Pre-trip materials, luggage tags

* Or meet group in Dublin at hotel on October 1, 2006

**PLEASE NOTE: Final schedule may modify depending on new information that might allow our group to visit additional venues that would highlight the journey. Traveling Matters reserves the right to augment the cost if the fluctuation of the Euro should dramatically change. All participants would be notified in advance of departure date.

NOT INCLUDED: International air flight; personal spending; pints of Guinness; other beverages; meals not included in itinerary; laundry service; discretionary tips to wait staff, driver, guides, and musicians.  Single Room: add $225

Insurance: We recommend travel insurance for losses necessitated by you having to cancel your participation or potential injury or illness while traveling. Travel Insurance recommendations are included on the registration form.

ABOUT YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:
We recommend Beeline-Hickory Travel Agency to arrange your flights. They are working toward providing the best fares and possible group fares depending on your gateway departure city. For assistance booking your flight contact Mike Savitt or ask for the agents that are booking the flights for Traveling Matters Group to Ireland in September, 2006. You can reach Hickory Beeline Travel at 1-800-845-1054, M-F 10am-5pm EST.  You may choose to use your air miles or book your own flight to Ireland. However, if you would like to take advantage of the group's ground transportation to and from to Shannon or Dublin Airport you will need to arrange your arrival and departure times to coincide with the group. For more information please contact Margarita (707 939-7638).

DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM HERE.