Irish Cultural Center at Elms College presents… 9th “Journey of the Soul” 11-Day West Coast of Ireland Tour

September 7-17, 2014

“Some Lands Touch the Heart, Dingle Touches the Soul”

Westport * * Dingle * Killarney *

* $2,695 (AIR & LAND, taxes & fuel surcharges) Per Person sharing $329 Single Supp. (Additional, Limited Availability) Optional Travel Protection: $155 (Sharing) $171 (Single) non-refundable

Indulge yourself for eleven magical days! A leisurely paced tour to experience the “real” Ireland you dreamed about that lets you embrace Ireland’s culture, warm hospitality and breathtaking beauty as you explore Ireland’s majestic western coastline and beautiful countryside.

Day 1 USA – Shannon, Ireland: Depart from Elms College by bus to Boston’s Logan International Airport. Early Sunday arrival will allow ample time for baggage and security checks with time to relax or to grab a light snack before September 7: boarding Aer Lingus flight #134 at 8:00 p.m. for your overnight flight to Shannon, Ireland. In flight entertainment and dinner will be served shortly after take-off.

Day 2 Shannon – Ardrahan - Westport: Arrive in Shannon, Ireland at 6:45 a.m. After clearing customs, you’ll be met Monday by your Celtic Tours Irish driver/guide and escorted to your awaiting motor coach. Leaving Shannon, you’ll September 8: travel northerly via to Ardrahan in . Here you’ll stop at Rathbaun Farm (a 200 year old thatched roofed house and working farm) where you’ll be greeted with a warm “Irish Welcome” with freshly baked farmhouse scones, followed by a demonstration to see the dog maneuver the flock and see sheep shearing. Northwesterly now along Lough Corrib and Lough Mask and on out to County Mayo’s small town of Westport overlooking Clew Bay. A visit to Knock Shine is also planned—the story of Knock goes back to 1879 and draws more than 1.5 million people per year on religious pilgrimages to Ireland and is an internationally recognized Marian Shrine ranked with Lourdes and Fatima. Time to rest and relax. This evening you will enjoy a gathering with your fellow travelers for a “Welcome Drink” reception before dining at your hotel located near the Octagon in the center of town. Dinner & Overnight at the WYATT HOTEL in Westport

Day 3 Westport – Achill Island – Westport: After breakfast, we commence our day's touring which will be spent Tuesday discovering the beauties of County Mayo. We drive from Westport to Newport, along wide Clew Bay to Mulrany September 9: and still further west to Achill Island. Achill is linked to the mainland by a bridge, making this lovely spot accessible to tourist and Irish holiday-maker alike. Enjoy spectacular views of the wide Atlantic, Clew Bay, Blacksod Bay, Croagh Patrick and the nearby Famine Memorial. Return to Westport for your dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Westport – Connemara - Galway: We depart Westport this morning to head southwards to Galway City. We Wednesday will drive through the rugged yet serene Connemara area where the Irish language is still widely spoken and the September 10: traditions and old ways of life preserved. Our drive is over the Partry Mountains to Leenane, which is situated on Killary Harbor, one of the deepest fjord-like inlets in the British Isles; enjoy a visit to the stately Kylemore Abbey and its beautiful Victorian Walled Gardens-built as a private Castle and once home to the Benedictine Nuns. Continue to . Broad mountains rise up to meet the sky and pearl-like lakes glisten in the wonderful Connemara light. Still further south we arrive at Galway Bay and continue along its rocky coastline into Galway City. Dinner and overnight at the PARK HOUSE HOTEL in Galway.

Day 5 Aran Island Excursion: Today, if you have chosen this option: Today we travel to to take a short Thursday ride on a luxury ferry to the largest of the , Inis Mór-a Gaeltacht island, where Irish is spoken as a September 11: community language. Enjoy a scenic minibus tour of the island to the small village of Kilmurvey where you’ll have an opportunity to walk up to the impressive prehistoric stone ring fort, Dun Aengus, dating back to the Bronze Age (1000-700 B.C.) - perched on a breathtaking cliff edge 350 feet above the Atlantic. (Admission is not included and done there). As we head back, you’ll have time for lunch or to explore the village of , known for its Aran knit sweaters, before we take our return ferry back to Rossaveal. For those who have not chosen the option: Enjoy a free day in Galway city to shop and independently explore this City of the Tribes. Dinner & Overnight at your Galway hotel.

Day 6 Galway – Cliffs of Moher – Dingle: Leaving the west, we travel via the charming villages of and Friday and the coastline of County Clare. Stop at the mighty Cliffs of Moher, rising to almost 700 feet September 12: above the sea and stretching along the shore for five miles. On then through the seaside resort of Lahinch with its great natural golf links and south to Killimer. Here we board our ferry for the short ride across the River Shannon Estuary to Tarbert in County Kerry. From here you travel via Tralee, known as the “Gateway to the Dingle Peninsula”, out to Dingle Town. Tonight, you are free to dine on your own, take in an early concert at the St. James Church located across from our hotel or stroll around town and enjoy the quaint pubs. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the DINGLE BENNERS HOTEL in Dingle.

Day 7 Dingle: After breakfast, you will continue to explore the Dingle Peninsula. Film goers will be reminded of Saturday scenes from the movie, “Ryan’s Daughter”, which was shot in this area, as we drive past little harbors and wide September 13: stretches of sandy beach, leading southward to Slea Head. This is the most westerly point in Europe, “next parish America” and off this coast many an Armada Galleon was lost. Vistas of the Blasket Islands and Dingle Bay delight the eye! The Gallarus Oratory, more than 1,000 years old and small beehive stone structures conjure up visions of monks in early Christian times in this “land of saints and scholars”. Before returning to town, enjoy a visit to the Blasket Center Museum where you will learn about life on the Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953, and about the families who immigrated directly to the Springfield, MA area. Your stay in Dingle is during the time of the annual Dingle Trad Fest—a weekend that attracts the best in traditional Irish music. Dinner and overnight at your Dingle hotel.

Day 8 Dingle: Today, awake to a free day to independently explore, relax or shop in Dingle Town. Perhaps you’ll want Sunday to begin your morning with Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s Church on Green Street and later take the local Dingle September 14: Harbour tour to see Fungi the resident dolphin or one of the Eco Boat Tours around the Blasket Islands or go off to discover your ancestral home – your choices are many as you savor your time in this colorful and charming harbour village. Dinner tonight will be on your own. Overnight at your Dingle hotel.

Day 9 Dingle – Killarney: Leaving Dingle, we travel via Inch Strand and the small town of Milltown to Killarney. Monday Enjoy some local sightseeing by the lovely Lakes of Killarney before checking into your hotel. Remainder of your September 15: day to independently shop and explore, or perhaps take a traditional jaunting cart through the National Park to Muckross House or Ross Castle. Dinner and overnight at the INTERNATIONAL HOTEL in Killarney.

Day 10 Killarney – Ennis: After breakfast, today we’ll bid farewell to Killarney and travel north through Listowel and Tuesday along by the River Shannon to Foynes to visit the Flying Boat Museum, which recalls the early days of air travel September 16: during the 1930’s and early 1940’s and where the “Irish Coffee” originated. Continue on via historic Limerick City and out to Ennis. Check into your hotel where you are free to rest, relax or independently explore. Tonight’s farewell evening, you’ll feast like Lords & Ladies as you enjoy the merriment of a festive medieval castle banquet th in the enchanting 15 century Knappogue Castle. Overnight at the OLD GROUND HOTEL in Ennis.

Day 11 Ennis – Shannon – USA: After breakfast we will transfer to Shannon Airport for our flight home. Ample time Wednesday allowed for check-in, reclaiming VAT refunds and duty free shopping, plus clearing customs and immigration September 17: at Shannon before boarding your flight home on Aer Lingus Flight #135 at 11:40 a.m. Arrive home in the U.S. at 1:25 p.m. Boston local time on the same day. Bus transport back to Elms College.

Your Tour Includes: • Roundtrip bus transportation from Elms College to Boston’s Logan Airport including driver’s tip. • Roundtrip airfare from Boston to Shannon, Ireland via Aer Lingus. • Nine (9) Nights Superior First Class Hotel Accommodations, rooms with private facilities. • Full Irish breakfast daily, except day of arrival. • Six (6) Table d'Hôte Hotel Dinners with “Welcome Drink” Reception before dinner the first night, plus one (1) farewell medieval banquet at Knappogue Castle. • Tea/Coffee and Irish Farmhouse Scones with Dog Demonstration & Sheep Shearing at Rathbaun Farm on day of arrival. • Visits to: Kylemore Abbey, Cliffs of Moher, Blasket Center & Gallarus Oratory and Foynes Flying Boat Museum • Touring of Achill Island, Connemara Region & Tarbert Shannon River Ferry Crossing. • OPTIONAL: Roundtrip Ferry Crossing to the Aran Island of Inis Mór with a 2 ½ hour mini-bus tour of the island. • Deluxe touring motor coach for all transportation and sightseeing with the services of a professional Irish driver/guide throughout. • Porterage of one (1) suitcase per person. • Tips & taxes while in Ireland. NOTE: Gratuity to the driver/guide is not included • Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Welcome Drink/Reception, Rathbaun Farm with fresh baked scones/tea/coffee, Westport, Achill Island, Connemara, Galway, (optional Aran Island tour), Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Blasket Center Museum, Gallarus Oratory, Kylemore Abbey, Killarney, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Ennis, (9) Full Irish Breakfasts, (6) Hotel Dinners, plus one (1) Special Farewell Dinner—Knappogue Castle Medieval Banquet…and so much more!

HOTELS: (All hotels are centrally located in each town)

(2 Nights) WESTPORT: Wyatt Hotel www.wyatthotel.com (2 Nights) GALWAY: Park House Hotel www.parkhousehotel.ie (3 Nights) DINGLE: Dingle Benners Hotel www.dinglebenners.com (1 Night) KILLARNEY: International Hotel www.killarneyinternational.com (1 Night) ENNIS: Old Ground Hotel www.flynnhotels.com

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS:

INITIAL DEPOSIT: $400 Plus Optional Travel Insurance if chosen--Both are Non-Refundable TRAVEL INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED & must be purchased with initial deposit FINAL PAYMENT DUE: APRIL 15, 2014

*Air taxes and fuel surcharges are included, based on time group air was originally reserved. Air taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change until group air is ticketed. All groups are ticketed at the same time, and early ticketing is not permitted. No deviations from scheduled travel dates are allowed. Airline tickets (including taxes/fees/surcharges), once purchased are non- refundable and are subject to reissue fee if names are spelled incorrectly or need changes. Air mileage is not allowed for group space. Seating assignments for group space are given by the airline at check-in; there are no exceptions.

Land cancellation: penalty charges will apply for all cancellations. Cancellations must be made in writing to Celtic Tours during business hours: Monday-Friday, 9a.m.-5p.m. (Celtic Tours, 1860 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203). Air & Land sold as a package only - NOT sold separately.

TRAVEL PROTECTION IS AVAILABLE AND IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED The Irish Cultural Center and Celtic Tours reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary as needed.

THIS TRIP IS SPONSORED BY THE IRISH CULTURAL CENTER AT ELMS COLLEGE AND IS AN EXCLUSIVE, CUSTOM DESIGNED AND FULLY ESCORTED TOUR

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS, CALL KATHY GALLIVAN AT (413) 536-9709 OR E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.ElmsIrishCenter.org

Mailing Address: Irish Cultural Center at Elms College, 291 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013

“There are no strangers here, only friends we have yet to meet” (Yeats)