O'Flaherty's Celtic Tours
'Pass-the-Music-On' Celtic tour photos and itinerary
            July 25 - August 5, 2007

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• Clontarf Castle

• Dublin

• Trinity College

• Kilkenney

• Kilkenney Castle

• Cobh

• Jameson Whiskey Distillery

• Kinsale

• Dingle Peninsula

• Bunratty Folk Village

• Cliffs of Mohr

• Scenery

Information about the tour

'Pass-the-Music-On' Celtic Tour
Itinerary
with links to key sights, cities and hotels

Fly from Chicago to Dublin on American Airlines Flight # 92 leaving at 7:15 pm arriving in Dublin at approximately 8:30 am the next morning.  

Dublin

Bewley's Cafe

Dublin Hotel
 

Day 2: Thursday, July 26th 

After arriving, collecting our luggage and passing through customs, we’ll board our motorcoach on our way to our first stop in Dublin City. Dublin is the Capital City of Ireland. It is steeped in culture through arts, theatre and folklore. There are many architectural features of interest around the city from Georgian Dublin to the very modern Spire on O'Connell Street.

We'll make our way to Bewley’s Café for tea and sconces to help rejuvenate ourselves.  Bewley’s has been supplying Dubliners with tea still 1842.  While we’re enjoying our tea, you can see the 18^th century Parliament House, which is now the Bank of Ireland.  It was originally designed in 1742. 

After tea, we’ll take a motorcoach tour of the city’s highlights.  We’ll stop in the early afternoon for you to have lunch on own and if you like, check out the area.  As soon as our rooms are available, we’ll check into our hotel.  You’re free to relax until this evening when we have a ‘welcome’ get together before dinner.

Hotel:  Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin 

Day 3: Friday, July 27^th

After breakfast this morning, we’re headed to Trinity College and the Old Library.  The Library houses Ireland’s collection of books and manuscripts; the principal treasure is The Book of Kells as well as The Book of Armagh and The Book of Durrow,  and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Hotel:  Clontarf Castle Hotel

Trinity College

Old Library

General Post Office

Kilmainham Jail

Day 4: Saturday, July 28^th

This morning, we’ll be seeing the General Post Office and touring Kilmainham Jail before we leave Dublin on our way to New Ross, traveling through Carlow and stopping along the way for lunch.  We’ll arrive in the late afternoon to check into our hotel. 

Hotel:   Brandon’s Hotel (New Ross)
 

Day 5: Sunday, July 29^th

After breakfast this morning, we head up to Kilkenny and the Kilkenny Castle, which is noted to be a very fine Victorian, 12^th-century Norman fortress  Afterwards, we’ll be driving back to New Ross and touring the famous Dunbrody Ship.

Kilkenny Castle

Cobh Heritage Centre

Day 6, Monday, July 30^th

Today, we’ll be visiting Waterford Crystal for a tour and time to shop for all those ‘special’ gifts.  Afterwards, we’ll stop at the Cobh Heritage Centre for a tour and you can have lunch there at the old railroad station.  Next we’re on our way to the Jameson Whiskey Distillery for a tour and taste testing before we head to our hotel.  The Imperial Hotel is where Michael Collins spent his last evening before he was ambushed the following day. 

Hotel:  Commodore Hotel, Cobh

Day 7: Tuesday, July 31^st

Today we’re on our way to Kinsale to explore its narrow streets which all lead to the sea, dropping steeply from the hills that rim beautiful Kinsale Harbor.  Kinsale is also noted as the “gourmet capital of Ireland”.  It fits the picture-post card image of what a charming Irish seaport should look like with narrow, winding streets, well-kept homes, painted shop fronts, window boxes, street carts with colorful flowers, and a harbor full of sail boats. Take a walk up to Charles Fort, which dates back to the 17^th century.  From restaurants, to shopping, to exploring on your own . . .  your day will be full enjoying this village.

Hotel:   Commodore Hotel, Cobh

Kinsale Harbor

Inch Strand

Day 8: Wednesday, August 1^st

After breakfast this morning, we leave Cork and make our way to Killarney for several hours before heading out to the Dingle Peninsula. We’ll make our way towards Inch Strand (where Ryan’s Daughter was filmed). This evening, we’ll enjoy O’Flaherty’s Pub where we might be able to convince the owners (who happen to be O’Flahertys) to join in on a little seisiún.

Hotel:  Dingle Benners Hotel

Day 9: Thursday, August 2^nd

Today, we’ll be exploring the Dingle Peninsula, Annascaul, and Slea Head.  In the afternoon, you’re free to explore all the shops and pubs in Dingle

Hotel:  Dingle Benners Hotel

Annascaul

Tralee

Lough Gur

Day 10: Friday, August 3^rd

After breakfast this morning, we’ll make our way towards Bunratty, passing through Tralee and stopping at Lough Gur.

Hotel:  Old Ground Hotel, Ennis

Day 11: Saturday, August 4^th

This morning you’re free to explore the shops at Bunratty Mills, you might want to walk over to the Bunratty Folk Village and spend some time there, or get a head start on a little shopping at the Avoca village or stroll over to Durty Nellie’s for a pint or two.  This evening we’ll have a ‘special’ farewell dinner in the Castle. . . .’

Hotel:  Old Ground Hotel, Ennis
 

Bunratty Mills

Day 12: Sunday, August 5^th

We return to the US on American Airlines, Flight # 255 departing at 10:15 pm and arriving Chicago at 12.10 pm.