FAWCO Conference
Pre Tour to Ireland’s West & Mid West - Saturday 17th March 2012
Day 1 – Guests will be transferred from Dublin to the wonderfully scenic region of the Shannon, famous for being the longest river in the British Isles, it is a river that winds through the countryside meeting the Atlantic Ocean at Limerick City
Guests will be taken to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, which includes a 13th century castle and a fascinating folk park, which recreates rural and urban life in 19th-century Victorian Ireland.
Transfer time to Bunratty Folk Park is approximately 2 ½ hours from Dublin.
Within the grounds of Bunratty Castle is Bunratty Folk Park where 19th century life is vividly recreated. Set on 26 acres, the impressive park features over 30 buildings in a „living‟ village and rural setting. Meet and chat with the Bean an Ti (Woman of the House) and various street characters including the Policeman and Schoolteacher who give the site its sparkle during the summer months. Enjoy the tastes, scents, sights and sounds of this enchanting place as you stroll from house to house or around the charming village complete with school, post office, doctors house, hardware shop, printers and of course the pub! It‟s a wonderful experience for adults and children alike with something for everyone to enjoy!
Check in and relax in the Limerick Strand Hotel (4*).
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Day 2 – Breakfast is served in the Hotel before guests carry check-out formalities and board the coach to transfer to County Galway.
On the way, guests will visit the Burren Perfumery where guests can relax in the rose covered Tea rooms, which serve a mouth watering selection of organic cakes, scones and pies. Homemade soups with freshly baked bread, selections of local cheeses and salads all made with organic vegetables from local suppliers accompanied by herbal teas from the garden and coffees from around the world.
Next stop is the Burren Smokehouse where guests will learn all about Irish Smoked Salmon! Why not even enjoy a tasting with a glass of wine!
Last stop before reaching Galway is a visit to the beautiful Cliffs of Moher.
Upon arrival in Galway, guests will check in to Hotel Meyrick (4*) and enjoy the rest of the evening.
Hotel Meyrick in Galway is one of the most an elegant 4 star Galway hotels, located on the very fashionable Eyre Square in Galway's City Centre. One of the leading Galway hotels, Hotel Meyrick combines a stunning Victorian hotel with a superb convenient location ~ the delights of Galway City are right on your doorstep; with many shops to explore, theatres to delight, restaurants in Galway to sample and nightlife to enjoy all a short walk from the Meyrick Hotel in Galway City.
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Day 3 – Today guests will enjoy a trip to the Aran Islands. Only access to the islands is by ferry, this can take anything from 40-45mins.
The three Aran Islands, Inis Mór Island (Big Island), Inis Meáin Island (Middle island) and Inis Oírr Island (East island) are situated in a north westerly, south easterly direction at the mouth of Galway Bay, Ireland. They are famous for their geological formation, historical monuments and their linguistic and cultural heritage. The Irish(Gaelic) language is still spoken here and in the twenty first century all native born islanders are bilingual in both Irish and English.
Guests will embark on a guided tour of the largest of the three Islands, Inis Mór.
The island of Inis Mór ( meaning the big island) is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Ireland. Well known internationally, it is steeped in history and resembles an outdoor museum with over 50 different monuments of Christian, pre Christian and Celtic mythological heritage. There isn‟t far you can go before being somewhere where there‟s something of historical interest and little reason to question its importance in modern Irish Culture.
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An outdoor Museum The islands featured monument is the world heritage site of Dun Aonghasa Fort which stands over a dramatic 300 foot cliff that spans the entire western part of the island and faces the moods of Atlantic sea. Others include the Black Fort set over cliffs, the seven Churches, St Benins Church perched isolated on a hill at the southern tip of the island, Temphaill Chieran, and the old Light House at the islands highest point.
Other places of a geological nature include the worm hole which is a large natural square hole in the ground beside the sea, and the puffing holes where inland holes in the ground, fountain water on a turbulent day.
A Unique Landscape The islands inland landscape of uniquely blanketed rock surface are glazed with man made rock walls that meander and cross all directions as far as one can see. Such does this environment draw you in and inspire the creative spirit, it is little wonder that the island has played host to many internationally renowned artists and writers including the setting for the Film Man of Aran which immotalized the Aran Islands culture.
After enjoying some time on Inis Mór, guests will take the ferry back to the main land and transfer to Cnoc Suain for a Gaelic Cultural Experience.
Cnoc Suain (pronounced Kunnuck Soo-in) means “Restful Hill” in Irish. It is located on two hundred acres close to Spiddal in Connemara. Cnoc Suain has just won an international award conferred by a jury involving Nobel prize-winning economist Dr. Joseph Stiglitz, and was the only European winner in 2010 Travel Leisure Global Vision Awards.
The awards recognize the outstanding efforts of individuals and organizations with a commitment to preserving the world‟s natural and man-made environment. Cnoc Suain secured its placing for “cultural immersion” in the preservation category. Situated in an Irish/Gaelic speaking area, steeped in traditional music, song and dance. Cnoc Suain is also rich in the unique flora and fauna of the wild and beautiful Conamara landscape.
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Thatched and slate-roofed stone cottages, some dating back to 1691, and providing modern conveniences (discretely) for the comfort of our guests, exude peace, tranquility, comfort and ease.
This cultural programme is a complete authentic, high-quality learning experience, where you can access Irish culture in its purest form.
Irish traditional music, song & dance - with live performance.
An opportunity to learn a ceili dance.
The Irish Gaelic language - poetry & song, with Gaelic speakers.
Natural history & Archaeology of the Connemara landscape.
Traditional customs & practices of a Connemara Gaeltacht farm, including: Irish Soda bread-making - a demonstration.
After the Gaelic Cultural Experience it‟s off back to the hotel for some time to rest.
As an additional option guests may enjoy dinner in the Pullman Restaurant tonight.
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Converted into a wonderful Restaurant Car without losing any of its original character, this historic Pullman train carriage had been residing at Elsenham Station in Hertfordshire, England, before joining the many and varied facilities already available at Glenlo Abbey Hotel. Located just behind our golf courses First Tee, it overlooks the old Clifden – Galway Railway Line which passed through the estate until its removal in 1935. The Pullman has experienced a very varied life. Built in 1927, its routes included the Monaco/Istanbul/St. Petersburg runs, and also the Brighton run.
Day 4 – Guests are transferred back to Dublin.
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Cost per person sharing €560.00 Single supplement €60.00
Optional Dinner in the Pullman Restaurant
3 course meal per person and ½ bottle of house wine & mineral water per person €72.00
Costs include:
Accommodation including breakfast at The Limerick Strand & Hotel Meyrick (3 nights). Coach Guide Entrance fee to Bunratty Folk Park Tasting and wine at the Burren Smokehouse Aran Island Ferry ticket Tour around Inis Mor Activities at Cnoc Suin Gratuities for your tour guide and driver
Tour fare does not include:
Meals other than those listed above; beverages; items of a personal nature such as laundry, room service, phone bills, and all other items and/or services not specifically listed in the itinerary
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