Ireland


Download a registration form here for the RKID Journey

Ring of Kerry Irish Dancers Journey to Southwest Ireland

June 25-July 6, 2007

Our 10-day journey will explore the stunning landscape of  lakes, rivers and oceans of nearby Co. Kerry, Co. Cork and Co Clare.   We meet at Shannon Airport the morning of Tuesday, June 26, 2007 for coach transfer to Killarney Town.  Our trip concludes on Thursday, July 5 in the charming village of Ballyvaughn in the Burren, Co Clare.  Group will transfer back to Shannon Airport the morning of Friday, July 6, 2007.

TRIPS HIGHLIGHTS

  • 10 nights in stunning Southwest Ireland
  • 6-8 dinners
  • Irish storytelling and set-dancing with locals
  • Visits to ancient islands led by  local guides
  • Excellent tour leadership and presentations
  • Exclusive use of chartered 50-foot yacht
  • Whale and seal Watching
  • Walk in nature preserve
  • Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare
  • Walks in the Burren
  • Irish music and pub crawls
  • Visit castles and monastic ruins

We begin our journey in Killarney Town. Our hotel is situated steps away from pubs, restaurants, shopping and the stunning Killarney National Park which makes for wonderful walks in solitude or with a group. Irish music is abundant in Killarney and we will have ample time to participate in the pub scene and dance with local set-dancers one evening.

While in Killarney, we have many options (weather always dictating) for day trips including: Spend the day crossing the Atlantic and climbing Skellig Michael – eight miles off the South Kerry coast, where you will experience the monastic spirit of medieval Ireland and the home of  6th century monks who lived 600 feet high up on the wave-lashed island; Take an all day journey into some of the most up-close and personal scenery by pony trap – or horse back and then by boat for the seven mile journey through the Gap of Dunloe.

A visit to Killarney would not be complete without a drive around the Ring of Kerry and perhaps a visit to Ross Castle and Inisfallen Island. Imagine a misty morning in row boats to visit the ancient monastic ruins on Inishfallen where scribes wrote a book of annals, now preserved in Oxford. 

After three nights, we will meander our way further south to Baltimore in Southwest Cork.  We travel through the Beara Peninsula, Glengarriff, Bantry and down to Mizen Head Fog Station with its suspension bridge and the 99 steps. We spend the next three days exploring native islands and lighthouses and again joining local set-dancers in Casey’s of Baltimore Country Inn and the possibility of an afternoon ceili on Clear Island – a 40 minute ferry ride to an island inhabited by 100 people year-round.  We may have the privilege to dance on a 104 year- old wooden floor in the historic Club Cléire with walls that reverberate with stories and memories of the local natives. In the small coastal village of Baltimore, we are hosted by Ann and Michael Casey who own the Country Inn where we will stay. A 50-foot yacht will take us exploring the nearby 100 islands surrounding Baltimore.

Each day will bring many choices of activities including walking in the Knockomagh Wood Nature Trail above the Lough Hyne River, which is the only salt water river in Ireland. We will visit nearby towns of Skibbereen with its Heritage Center and famine Exhibition and Clonakilty an enchanting and brightly painted neighboring town that boasts an exhibit of scale model towns as they existed in the 1940s. 

Our ten-day journey concludes with a stay in Co Clare – quite befitting, as County Clare was the birthplace of many of Ireland’s most famous musicians and poets.  We stay for three nights in the charming Galway Bay village of Ballyvaughn which is the entry way to the Burren – the stony limestone place that will fascinate us with more species of wildflowers than any other place in the world.  We will take walks on the Burren, visit the Cliffs of Moher and the new interpretation center.  A visit to the Burren would not be complete without visiting the wedge tomb of the Poulnabrone and surrounding monastic sites and holy wells. 

We will celebrate and dance our remaining days at two very special locations in County Clare. Our intention is to immerse ourselves in the music of the Burren and carry the melodies home inside to remember for a long time.

LAND PACKAGE INCLUDES:

NOT INCLUDED: international air flight; travel/cancellation insurance, personal spending; pints of Guinness; other beverages; meals noted that are not included in itinerary; laundry service; discretionary tips to wait staff, driver, guides, and musicians.

NOTE:  Single Room Supplement please contact Margarita (707)939-7638

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 to Ireland in June, 2007. You can reach Hickory Beeline Travel at 1-800-845-1054, M-F 8:30 am-5:30 pm 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 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).