The Dady Brothers'
Ireland Musical and Cultural Tours

 

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You're invited to enjoy
a very special

21st Anniversary
Musical & Cultural
Ireland Tour

May 16-28, 2011

11 nights in Ireland

John and Joe Dady

You'll visit...

• Dromoland Castle

• Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

• Medieval Banquet

• Lough Gur

• Adare

• Dingle

• Slea Head

• Skellig Experience

• Shannon River Ferry

• Cliffs of Moher

• The Burren

• Galway

• Corrib Princess River Cruise

• Tuam

• Castlebar

• Westport

• Céide Fields

• Renvyle

• Kylemore Abbey

• Connemara Marble

• Rathbaun Farm

• and so much more!

Ireland from space...NASA

Join us for this extraordinary excursion
as we travel in Ireland experiencing its
heritage, culture,  folklore and traditions
through the eyes, songs, and music of 
The Dady Brothers as they lead their
21st Annual  Ireland Musical & Cultural Tour.

As an option, you can join The Dady Brothers
for their special "Taste of Scotland" add-on tour
May 28-June 1. 

The Dady Brothers' 2011
Ireland Musical and Cultural Tour
Itinerary

We depart Newark on Continental Flight #24 at 7:30 pm and arrive at the Shannon airport Tuesday morning at 7:00 am.

Shannon Airport

Dromoland Castle

Peter Clarke with
The Dady Brothers

Bunratty Castle Hotel
 

After arriving in Shannon, we collect our luggage and pass through customs (your landing card will be given to you on the plane). In the Reception area we meet our good friend and driver/guide Peter Clarke before boarding our motor coach.

Our first stop is the magnificent Dromoland Castle for a special treat of  tea/coffee and scones to help rejuvenate everyone after your overnight flight. One of their staff members will do a brief 'show around' on all their activities in which you may want to participate the next morning.

Next, we'll head to the Bunratty Castle and shops area  and will check in to the Bunratty Castle hotel as soon as their rooms are ready for us. In the meanwhile, you can explore the Castle area and its shops.   

We enjoy a welcome ‘get together’ drink before dinner in our hotel.

Hotel:  Bunratty Castle Hotel (for two nights)

You have the morning free to sleep in a little, have a leisurely breakfast, or, take the coach back to Dromoland Castle for the morning to enjoy one of their activities, walk around the beautiful grounds and have a little lunch there before leaving.

In the afternoon, we head across the street from the hotel to Bunratty Folk Park where 19th century life is vividly recreated. The castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland. Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendor and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times.

After visiting the park, we join the Earl of Thomond in the splendor of the Bunratty Castle for dinner and entertainment.

If you’re still wanting a little more to do, stop in at the original Durty Nelly's located in the shadows of the castle for a pint or two.  It’s one of Ireland's most famous pubs and offers a truly unique Irish experience through its history and character. Legend has it that Nelly herself introduced Poteen to Ireland.
  
Hotel:  Bunratty Castle

Bunratty Castle

Bunratty Folk Park
 

Castle shops with hotel
 in the background


Durty Nellie's bar
 

County Clare

Lough Gur
 

Limerick




Adare

After breakfast, we leave County Clare making our way to the Dingle Peninsula through Limerick to
Lough Gur which is one of Ireland’s most important archaeological sites with its captivating beauty, charm and tranquility. The Visitor Centre tells the story of Pre-Celtic Ireland dating back to 3000 BC. The interpretation includes a slide show, imaginative exhibition models and descriptive panels. 

Next, we head to Adare where you’ll have time to walk around the village and have lunch, if you like.  Adare is considered one of Ireland's prettiest villages and is designated as a Heritage Town by the Irish government.

Afterwards, we head to our hotel on the Dingle Peninsula and have dinner in the hotel.

Hotel: Dingle Benners Hotel (for two nights)

May 20th, Friday, Day 5     

This morning we enjoy the drive out around the Dingle Peninsula to Slea Head and then visit the Skellig Experience with its audio-visual tour recreating the magic of the Skellig region. Through the re-created Skellig sea cliff, with life-size models and related presentations, you can get to know, by sight and sound, the life and times of the seabirds of Skellig.

Your afternoon is free to explore the town of Dingle and its many shops and pubs.

Hotel: Dingle Benners Hotel

Dingle Peninsula

The Skellig Experience

Slea Head drive

Town of Dingle

Shannon Ferry

Cliffs of Moher
 

Shannon River

The Burren

Eyre Square

Following another great full Irish breakfast, we head North, taking the ferry boat at Tarbot to cross the Shannon River.

The majestic Cliffs of Moher is next on our itinerary with it's magnificent views and excellent Visitor Center exhibits and audiovisual presentations. Situated in County Clare and bordering the Burren area, the Cliffs of Moher are among Ireland's most spectacular sights.  On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as are the valleys and hills of Connemara. To the south of the cliffs is Hag's Head; the cliffs reach their highest point just north of O' Brien's Tower.

Leaving the Cliffs we drive through The Burren which is an amazing place. It is a limestone region of approximately 300 sq km. It is composed of limestone pavements, which are eroded in a distinctive pattern known as karren. This pavement is crisscrossed by cracks known as grykes. Underneath the pavement there are huge caves and rivers that suddenly flood when it rains. The Burren contains dozens of megalithic tombs and Celtic crosses and a ruined Cistercian Abbey from the 12th century. You can find villages abandoned since famine times and green roads on which you can walk for miles without ever seeing a car. At this time of the year, we might find rare wildflowers, such as gentian and orchids.

Next, we’ll be making our way to our hotel in Galway in the fashionable area of Eyre Square in the heart of the city for the next 2 nights.

Hotel:  Hotel Meyrick (2 nights)

Part of today you’ll have free in Galway City to explore on your own until its time to leave for our Corrib Princess River Cruise.  The journey takes you along the majestic Corrib River and onto the lake providing you views of historic monuments, castles, and natural beauty.

Corrib Princess River Cruise

Hotel:  Hotel Meyrick

Downtown Galway

Tuam Town Center

Westport
 

Castlebar


Clew Bay Hotel

We leave Galway City and head to Westport driving through  Tuam then on through Castlebar. 

Tuam owes its origin, according to legend, to the broken chariot wheel which St. Jarlath took as a sign to found his monastic settlement here in the 5th century. Tuam is the probable capital of Ireland during the 12th century, when the High King Rory O’Connor was in residence. During this period the O’Connor’s endowed Tuam with the processional Cross of Cong (now in the National Museum), and are associated with the ornamental High Crosses (now in St. Mary's Cathedral).

Castlebar was once the capital of the 'Provisional Republic of Connacht' and is the burial place of John Moore, the first appointed President of that Republic on 31 August 1798. One of the oldest buildings in Castlebar is Christchurch whose foundation stones were laid in 1739 and inside Christchurch there are excellent visual records of Castlebar from 1590 to 1914 with many plaques commemorating countless people from that era.

Next, we’ll check into our hotel in Westport.

Hotel:  Clew Bay Hotel, Westport (Two Nights)

During the morning, we visit Céide Fields in County Mayo. It is the most extensive Stone Age site in the world and contains the oldest known field systems. Using various dating methods, it was discovered that the creation and development of the Céide Fields goes back some five and a half thousand years. This Neolithic landscape has changed the perception of our Stone Age ancestors.

You have the afternoon free in Westport to have lunch, explore, and shop.

Hotel:  Clew Bay Hotel, Westport

Céide Fields

Westport

Aasleagh Falls

Renvyle House Hotel on the water at point 'A'

Today we have another beautiful, scenic drive as we leisurely make our way to the Renvyle House Hotel in Connemara, stopping at Aasleagh Falls for some photo opportunities.

We arrive at our hotel with time to do some exploring on your own, or maybe, nine holes of golf (they provide the clubs!)

Hotel: Renvyle House Hotel (2 nights)

You are in for another treat today with the free time to do any number of activities, or to simply relax in the beautiful surroundings.

You can enjoy the hotel's amenities such as 9-hole golf links, fly fishing, croquet, snooker, swimming pool, lawn bowling, walking tours, learning a little tune, or relaxing in front of a Turf fire with a good book.

Or you can also choose to tour historic Kylemore Abbey.

For those who would like to meet in the bar area before dinner, we'll have a little get together and perhaps some picture-taking. After dinner, The Dady Brothers will be performing in the lounge for our final night together!

Hotel:  Renvyle House Hotel

Sign at the Renvyle hotel entrance

Joe Dady golfing at Renvyle 

Renvyle swimming pool

Kylemore Abbey

Connemara Marble

Rathbaun Farm

Connemara Marble


Old Ground Hotel

Canal Court Hotel

Our last day is a full one! We begin at Connemara Marble where some of the most beautiful stone jewelry is manufactured. We have a factory tour before visiting their show room.

For three generations, the Walsh families have worked the beautiful, green marble that is unique to Connemara in the West of Ireland.  Their quarry at Lissoughter in the Connemara Mountains first opened in the 19th century. In 1903, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra visited it during the Royal Tour of Connemara. Today, the marble of Connemara can be found in the world's great monuments, in the halls of Trinity College Dublin, in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, in Kensington Palace and in some of America's finest buildings.

Next, we're off  for lunch at the Rathbaun Farm, a working ranch with horses, sheep and more. You take a journey through Irish farming practices. 

Sadly, afterwards the group splits into those who are returning  to the States the following morning and those who are continuing on to Scotland with The Dady Brothers.

Hotel: Old Ground Hotel (for those returning to the States)

Hotel: Canal Court Hotel, Newry (for those going on to Scotland)

Those traveling home depart on Continental Airlines flight #25 leaving at 9:00 am from Shannon airport and arriving at Newark at 11:15 am.

Or, continue with The Dady Brothers on their optional "Taste of Scotland Tour"

Stranraer Ferry

Glasgow, Scotland

After breakfast, Peter will give us a 'Belfast Highlights Tour' before we depart for on the Stranraer Ferry to Glasgow, Scotland. We'll arrive early afternoon with time to look around before checking into our hotel. Dinner will be at the hotel.

Hotel: The Menzies Hotel in Glasgow

After breakfast we have time in the morning to explore on your own.  You might like to visit St. George’s Square and nearby Glasgow Cathedral. 

Next, we're on our way towards Bannockburn Heritage Centre, site of the famous battle in 1314 when Robert the Bruce defeated Kind Edward II.

Then onto the National Wallace Monument, built to commemorate Scots patriot Sir William Wallace. 

Next, we'll make our way to the Stirling Old Bridge, a late 15^th century bridge very near the site of the wooden bridge on which Wallace’s army trapped & defeated the English forces. 

Afterwards, you’ll head to your hotel in Inverness.

Hotel:  The Columba Hotel in Inverness 

St. George's Square

Glasgow Cathedral

Bannockburn Heritage Center

Stirling Old Bridge

Inverness

Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness

Inverness was granted its city status in 2000. It is the prosperous hub of the Highlands, with an enviable location on the banks of the River Ness at the head of the Great Glen.   There’s a special romance in the Loch Lomond area.  We’ll take a leisurely cruise on Loch Ness (keep your camera ready, should you come across the ever elusive Loch Ness Monster).

Next, we’ll visit the Urquhart Castle.  Though extensively ruined, it was in its day one of the largest strongholds of medieval Scotland and remains an impressive structure.

Afterwards, we’re headed to Edinburgh for the next 2 nights. But before we arrive there’s one more stop at the Rosslyn Chapel, where its extraordinary medieval stone carvings were the backdrop for the film The Da Vinci Code.

Hotel:  The Dalmahoy Marriott

Rosslyn Chapel

Dalmahoy Marriott

Today is a free day for you to explore Edinburgh on your own.  This magnificent city is the capital of Scotland perched high above the city on a volcanic crag. 

Perhaps a walk down Princes Street and the Royal Mile. Take a tour of the Edinburgh Castle housing the Honors of Scotland.  It’s the oldest building in Edinburgh (a tiny chapel over 900 years old) and the room where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI of Scotland/James I of England. 

Besides the spectacular interior, the views over the city from the castle walls are superb.

Sadly, tonight is our final evening with the Dady Brothers

Hotel:  The Dalmahoy Marriott Hotel

Princess Street

The Royal Mile

Edinburgh Castle

We depart Edinburgh on Continental Airlines Flight #37 at 9:25 am and arrive in Newark International Airport at 12:00 pm.

Take the next steps to Ireland and/or Scotland

Reserve your place now:
Here's your chance to reserve your place for this special 21st Annual Ireland tour and to give a memorable,
once-in-a-lifetime holiday gift to yourself and those you love.

See hundreds of photos from our 2010 tour in Facebook on the O'Flaherty Tours page

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions and Terms & Conditions page.
 

Price includes:

• Roundtrip air
   

• Traveling by luxury motor coach
   

• Deluxe hotel accommodations
   

• Full Irish breakfast daily
   

• Evening meals (including your Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle)
   

• Lunch at the Rathbaun Farmhouse
   

• Welcome ‘get together’ beverage
   

• Local taxes and hotel service charges
   

• Departure tax
   

• Porterage for one suitcase per person
   

• Tour attractions admissions
   

• Dady Brothers luggage and name tags

• Land only: Double occupancy

$2.450

• Land only: Single occupancy

$2,850

• With round-trip air: Double occupancy

$3,450

• With round-trip air: Single occupancy

$3,850

Not included in the price:

• Gratuity for your motor coach driver
   

• Optional  (but highly recommended!) insurance. We strongly recommend that you have travel/medical insurance either through us or your own carrier. AAA's Access America has just announced new offerings: Basic & Deluxe insurance. For more information, please call Bobbe Petreikis at 800-452-7198 ext 6227. Please let her know that you are part of the O'Flaherty Tours group.
   

• Lunches unless they are included on the itinerary
   

• And, of course, your personal shopping

Join us by mailing your $500 (or $700 with the optional Scotland tour) per person deposit to: 

O’Flaherty Tours, PMB 146
2868 Vista Blvd. # 124,
Sparks, NV 89434. 

You may make the check out to O’Flaherty Tours.

(We accept credit cards but pass along
the 3% fee for using them to you.)

• Deposit: $500 for the Ireland Tour ($200 is the non-refundable portion) to reserve your place
   
• An additional $200 IF you are taking the optional Scotland tour
   
• February 17, 2011, $1,000 payment due
   
• Prior to March 19, 2011:
  • If cancel, only the $200 non-refundable portion of your deposit is penalty

• March 19, 2011: Final payment of balance due
  • If cancel, 25% of paid land price penalty

• April 17, 2011
  • If cancel, 50% of paid land price refunded
     
• May 1, 2011
  • If cancel, 75% of paid land price penalty
     
• May 6, 2011
  • If cancel, 100% of tour package price penalty (we encourage you to carry Trip Cancellation Insurance)
     
• May 16, 2011: Tour departure

Additional fee if you are joining The Dady Brothers
on their optional "Taste of Scotland Tour"
Note: A group of about ten people requested this optional add-on tour of Scotland.
Others on the Ireland tour may elect to extend their tour to Scotland as well.
The initial price will decrease if and as more people join the Scotland portion.

An additional deposit of $200 is required for the Scotland add-on tour.
 

Optional double occupancy price:
Price based on 20+ participants.
 

$1,200

Optional single occupancy premium:
(Effective as of 2/5/2011)
 

+$265

Special Notes

Reminder:  Tour itineraries are always
subject to change
 

* Single rooms are limited so book early
 

We highly recommend you purchase Travel Insurance.
 

For more information, call us at
775-626-9225, email
laurie@OflahertyTours.com

We will make every effort to accommodate any requests you may have, but, of course, we cannot guarantee being able to do so.

Bobby Petreikis, on our staff who handles our airline reservations, will be happy to arrange a flight for you from your home city to JFK. She can also provide you with travel insurance.
 

Reserve your place now . . .
You don't want to miss this 21st Annual Ireland Musical & Cultural Tour with The Dady Brothers!!
 

Send your $500 (or $700 with the optional Scotland tour) deposit to
 
O'Flaherty Tours
PMB 146
2868 Vista Boulevard #124
Sparks, NV 89434

Please make the check out to
O’Flaherty Tours

OR

Email Laurie to

• Reserve your place

• Be added to our mailing list or

• Have printed information on the tour sent to a friend

Please include your email address and phone number plus your home address. Thank you!

If you have a special request or question, please email Laurie or call 775-626-9225

O’Flaherty Tours: TERMS AND CONDITIONS
You’re one step closer to your Dady Brother’s Ireland tour . . . .
 

RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENTS

·         A $500 deposit ($200 of which is non-refundable) per person is required for us to hold seats

·         Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Failure to pay by "Final Payment Due" date noted on the invoice may
      result in cancellation and/or late fees.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

·         All tour documents will be sent to you approximately 20 days prior to the departure of the tour, provided full payment has
     been received.

·         Any document sent outside the Unites States will incur a minimum fee of $40.

·         Airline tickets will be issued electronically in most cases.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

·         We highly recommend you obtain Travel Insurance, whether through us or your own agent.  If you become ill, a flight is
     cancelled or delayed, your Travel Insurance will likely cover the costs. Protect your investment in this special vacation.

·         If you have a pre-existing*** medical condition, travel insurance must be purchased within 14 days of your
     deposit. Otherwise, travel insurance can be purchased anytime up to and including your final payment. ***An Existing
     Medical Condition is an illness or injury that exhibited symptoms or was treated for any time 120 days prior to purchasing your
     plan. A pre-existing condition that is treated within 120 days prior to purchase of insurance is not a covered reason for
     cancellation.***

AIR TRANSPORTATION

·         O’Flaherty Tours is not responsible for mechanical breakdowns, government actions, weather, acts of God, acts of war,
      misconnections or related expenses to/from flights or other circumstances beyond its control.

BOOKING CHANGES

·         After airline tickets are issued, name changes may be made prior to the travel date for a fee of $200.

·         Airline Tickets are non-refundable once issued to O’Flaherty Tours. Some carriers may allow you to use the value of your
     ticket less a penalty for future travel.

CANCELLATION FEES & REFUNDS

·         Airfare cancellation penalties are set forth under Air Transportation (above)

·         In the event of cancellation by O’Flaherty Tours, O’Flaherty Tours liability shall be limited to a refund of all tour
     payments by tour participants.

·         Tour participant cancellations and request for refunds must be submitted in writing to O’Flaherty Tours.

·         If you leave the tour prior to completion, no refund will be issued.

·         Please note that if the reason for cancellation falls within the Terms of the Insurance Policy that you purchased,
     then any such charges may, subject to the terms of the insurance policy, be refunded to you.

PENALITIES

·         The following land penalties apply to all cancellations:

§  61 days or more, $200 non-refundable portion of your deposit

§  60-31 days prior to departure 25% of land price

§  30-16 days prior to departure 50% of land price

§  15-11 days prior to departure 75% of land price

§  10 days or no show 100% of tour package price

PASSPORTS & VISAS

·        All US citizens require a passport.  All passports must be valid for up to 6 months after the date you return from travel. 
     No Visas are required for Ireland.

·         Clients must supply O’Flaherty Tours with the passengers' full legal name as it appears on their passport, their date of
     birth, and their gender. Name changes after ticketing will incur a $200 penalty for which the client is responsible.

ACCOMMODATIONS

·         O’Flaherty Tours reserves the right to substitute hotel accommodations in similar categories.

MEALS

·         Meals are provided as specified in each tour itinerary.

VISITS & ENTERTAINMENT

·         O’Flaherty Tours reserves the right to substitute visits to attractions or entertainment when establishments are closed or
     cannot be visited for reasons beyond our control.

GRATUITY

·         Gratuity for the driver/guide is not included in any group tour, unless otherwise specified, and is at your sole discretion.

PASSENGERS WITH A SPECIAL NEED

·         Any passenger who requires special assistance must complete a Special Information Form, to be completed before final
     payment and returned to O’Flaherty Tours.