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I may possibly be going on this next year. OMG SQUEE was the first thought that went through my head when I saw the post on the mailing list and then ...fuck Disney World! (which was a way to blow a couple grand we are/were possibly going to do next March or so; obviously can't afford both). This is from the Irish ex-pat dude who is the... uh... meader... whatever the equivalent to "vintner" is for mead... (master brewer? they do also make beer) at the local meadery whose tasting-room-cum-bar (it's not, not by the laws of CA, but we jokingly refer to it as "the pub") ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
enotsola and I frequent.
I'm putting together a trip to Ireland in the summer of 2010 for 20-30
people. More if there is demand.
I'd like to take our traveling companions by tour bus through a journey
around the west of Ireland to visit some of the places that are unique
to the west of Ireland. If it works out we'd be staying in some really
nice hotels and castles, visit some really cool places and of course do
some major pub crawls and sessions in many of the pubs I grew up going to.
Depending on airfare and the time of year we plan this it will be around
$2-3000 pp including all meals, hotel, portage and airfare.
The planned itinerary would look something like this;
Depart SFO and arrive in Shannon Ireland.
Day 1 - Arrive SNN - pickup by coach and go to hotel (Absolute Hotel) in
Limerick.
Dinner as a group at the hotel. Kick back and relax over a couple pints
of Guinness and a few ounces of Paddy.
Spend the day tooling around Limerick, visit the White Castle - no not a
burger joint
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=limerick+castle+&aq=f&oq=&aq\i=g2
Day 2 - Limerick to Ballyvaughan (Galway Bay)
Travel by private coach to Ballyvaughan at the northern end of the
Burren and visit some historic sites along the way. Craganowen, the
Cliffs of Moher and then the historic Burren and the Ailwee Caves,
Poulnabrone and the and other sites along the way.
We'll stay at the Highlands Burren Hotel
(http://www.hylandsburren.com/accommodation.php)
Dinner at Dunguaire Castle (Medieval).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunguaire_Castle
Day 3 - Arran Islands
We'll catch the ferry in Doolin and take a trip out to one of the
harshest places on earth that people live.
The Aran Islands, one of the last outposts of Gaelic civilization, are
stunningly beautiful with cliffs, rugged landscapes and ancient forts.
Pub for lunch and then back to Ballyvaughan for dinner.
Day 4 - From Ballyvaughan to Ashford Castle
Full Irish Breakfast at the hotel then off by coach. On the way we'll
stop in Clifden, drive around the 'Twelve Pins" and visit to visit
Kylemore Abbey on the way to the Castle for a late afternoon arrival.
We'll be staying at our hotel, Ashford Castle where we'll enjoy a few
five star meals and drinks. (maybe semi-formal).
The castle offers one of the best Spas in Ireland as well as a variety
of other things to do. Golf, Spa, Tours and fishing.
It makes an excellent 'base camp' for our exploration of the far West.
Day 5 - Touring from Ashford Castle
After breakfast we'll visit Clifden, Killary Harbour, Ashleagh Falls,
Day 6 - Depart Ashford Castle and head to Sligo
on the way to Sligo we'll take a side trip over to Croagh Patrick. If
there is interest or time we might make the climb. Those that don't want
to climb can shop in Westport where we will all meet for lunch before
heading to Sligo for our next stop.
A quick trip up the N17 to my home stomping grounds of Sligo and the Ox
Mountains.
Day 7 - Sligo
Today we'll head off to visit Sligo Abbey, Parkes Castle, Yeats Country
and Temple House, former site of the Knights Templar castle. Anyone up
for skeet shooting or hunting?
High tea in the afternoon at the Temple House.
Back to the hotel for dinner and then drinks
Day 8 -Sligo and the surrounds
Up early in the morning we'll head to the foot of the Ox Mountains, to
visit the largest collection of megalithic stone circles in Western
Europe and then head up to the top of Knocknarea (1500ft climb) to see
the fabled burial mounds of Queen Maeve of Connaught. The visibility of
the surrounding area from the top is specatcular.
We'll be staying at Castle Dargan again but will be having dinner that
evening at the foot of Knocknarea at the 'Venue' overlooking the
Atlantic facing west to the ocean.
Day 9 -
Travel to Shannon. Stopping off at Ballymote Castle, Bolye Abbey on the
way.
We'll stay somewhere cool I promise and have some real fun on our last
night. Most likely a small hotel in the Gaeltach for a real live music
session.
Day 10 - Depart for SFO
Up early to go to the airport. Duty free shopping....Guinness
enotsola and I frequent.I'm putting together a trip to Ireland in the summer of 2010 for 20-30
people. More if there is demand.
I'd like to take our traveling companions by tour bus through a journey
around the west of Ireland to visit some of the places that are unique
to the west of Ireland. If it works out we'd be staying in some really
nice hotels and castles, visit some really cool places and of course do
some major pub crawls and sessions in many of the pubs I grew up going to.
Depending on airfare and the time of year we plan this it will be around
$2-3000 pp including all meals, hotel, portage and airfare.
The planned itinerary would look something like this;
Depart SFO and arrive in Shannon Ireland.
Day 1 - Arrive SNN - pickup by coach and go to hotel (Absolute Hotel) in
Limerick.
Dinner as a group at the hotel. Kick back and relax over a couple pints
of Guinness and a few ounces of Paddy.
Spend the day tooling around Limerick, visit the White Castle - no not a
burger joint
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=limerick+castle+&aq=f&oq=&aq\i=g2
Day 2 - Limerick to Ballyvaughan (Galway Bay)
Travel by private coach to Ballyvaughan at the northern end of the
Burren and visit some historic sites along the way. Craganowen, the
Cliffs of Moher and then the historic Burren and the Ailwee Caves,
Poulnabrone and the and other sites along the way.
We'll stay at the Highlands Burren Hotel
(http://www.hylandsburren.com/accommodation.php)
Dinner at Dunguaire Castle (Medieval).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunguaire_Castle
Day 3 - Arran Islands
We'll catch the ferry in Doolin and take a trip out to one of the
harshest places on earth that people live.
The Aran Islands, one of the last outposts of Gaelic civilization, are
stunningly beautiful with cliffs, rugged landscapes and ancient forts.
Pub for lunch and then back to Ballyvaughan for dinner.
Day 4 - From Ballyvaughan to Ashford Castle
Full Irish Breakfast at the hotel then off by coach. On the way we'll
stop in Clifden, drive around the 'Twelve Pins" and visit to visit
Kylemore Abbey on the way to the Castle for a late afternoon arrival.
We'll be staying at our hotel, Ashford Castle where we'll enjoy a few
five star meals and drinks. (maybe semi-formal).
The castle offers one of the best Spas in Ireland as well as a variety
of other things to do. Golf, Spa, Tours and fishing.
It makes an excellent 'base camp' for our exploration of the far West.
Day 5 - Touring from Ashford Castle
After breakfast we'll visit Clifden, Killary Harbour, Ashleagh Falls,
Day 6 - Depart Ashford Castle and head to Sligo
on the way to Sligo we'll take a side trip over to Croagh Patrick. If
there is interest or time we might make the climb. Those that don't want
to climb can shop in Westport where we will all meet for lunch before
heading to Sligo for our next stop.
A quick trip up the N17 to my home stomping grounds of Sligo and the Ox
Mountains.
Day 7 - Sligo
Today we'll head off to visit Sligo Abbey, Parkes Castle, Yeats Country
and Temple House, former site of the Knights Templar castle. Anyone up
for skeet shooting or hunting?
High tea in the afternoon at the Temple House.
Back to the hotel for dinner and then drinks
Day 8 -Sligo and the surrounds
Up early in the morning we'll head to the foot of the Ox Mountains, to
visit the largest collection of megalithic stone circles in Western
Europe and then head up to the top of Knocknarea (1500ft climb) to see
the fabled burial mounds of Queen Maeve of Connaught. The visibility of
the surrounding area from the top is specatcular.
We'll be staying at Castle Dargan again but will be having dinner that
evening at the foot of Knocknarea at the 'Venue' overlooking the
Atlantic facing west to the ocean.
Day 9 -
Travel to Shannon. Stopping off at Ballymote Castle, Bolye Abbey on the
way.
We'll stay somewhere cool I promise and have some real fun on our last
night. Most likely a small hotel in the Gaeltach for a real live music
session.
Day 10 - Depart for SFO
Up early to go to the airport. Duty free shopping....Guinness
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