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July 2008 Tour

O'Flaherty's Celtic Tours
The Dady Brothers' 19th Annual Musical Ireland Tour   

Click here for a printer-friendly PDF six-printed-page version of this web page

July 9 - 20, 2009
10 nights

  • Dublin

  • Belfast

  • Derry

  • Sligo

  • Westport

  • Achill Island

  • Renvyle

  • Galway City

  • and so much more!

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 19th Annual Musical Ireland Tour.  


The Dady Brothers 2009 Tour itinerary
 

July 9th, Thursday, Day 1   

We're traveling Aer Lingus flight #108 leaving at 9:30 pm from JFK airport and arriving at the Dublin airport at 9:00 am on Friday, July 10th.

 

 


Dublin



Grafton Street


St. Stephens Green



Temple Bar


July 10th, Friday, Day 2

After arriving in Dublin, we collect our luggage and pass through customs on our way to the motor coach for boarding.  We then do a  “highlights” tour of Dublin on our way to the hotel for some relaxation before dinner.  The hotel is just a short and pleasant walk from many popular attractions such as St. Stephens Green, Temple Bar, and Grafton Street - one of Dublin's most prestigious and fashionable shopping areas.  We enjoy a welcome ‘get together’ before dinner in our hotel.

Hotel:  Camden Court Hotel in Dublin


Camden Court Hotel
 


July 11th , Saturday, Day 3

front gate, Dublin, Dublin Must See Activity, photo, picture, imageAfter breakfast this morning, we visit Kilmainham Gaol. This jail, covers some of the most heroic and tragic events in Irish history from 1780-1920’s. Fourteen leaders from the 1916 Easter Rising for Irish independence were imprisoned and executed here.  Joseph Plunkett married Grace Gifford at Kilmainham Gaol and then was executed two hours later.  The song “Grace” it was written to her, so listen carefully to the words the next time you hear it.

General Post Office (GPO)

Built in 1818 halfway along O'Connell Street (formerly Sackville street), The General Post Office (GPO) became a symbol of the 1916 Easter Rising. Members of the Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army seized the building on Easter Monday and Patrick Pearse read out the Proclamation of the Irish Republic from its steps. Inside the building is a sculpture of the legendary Irish warrior Cuchulainn, dedicated to those who died for their part in the Easter Rising.

We return to the hotel in the early afternoon so you can explore Dublin on your own during the afternoon and evening.  Dinner is on your own tonight.

Hotel:   Camden Court Hotel in Dublin


 
Kilmainham Gaol


The General Post Office
 


Hill of Tara
 

 
July 12th , Sunday, Day 4

http://img.groundspeak.com/waymarking/display/e9021881-8b9b-41f1-8833-67e253ae74b0.jpgTara from the airThis morning we head to Belfast.  Along the way, we visit the Hill of Tara which was once the ancient seat of power in Ireland – 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. In ancient Irish religion and mythology it was the sacred place of dwelling for the gods, and was the entrance to the otherworld. Saint Patrick is said to have come to Tara to confront the ancient religion of the pagans at its most powerful site. Though best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the Hill of Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage-tomb was constructed there. Tara was at the height of its power as a political and religious centre in the early centuries after Christ.

Saint Peter’s Church was built in 1791, designed by Francis Johnston and the present church incorporates part of that building, which was opened in 1884. The facade is an imposing structure in the Gothic style, built of local limestone.

St. Oliver Plunkett was born at Loughcrew near Oldcastle, Co Meath and trained for the priesthood abroad, being ordained in 1654 and becoming Archbishop of Armagh in 1669. He spent a lot of time in Drogheda and is credited with bringing the Jesuits to town and opening a number of schools. Because of the Penal Laws, Catholics were not allowed to practice their religion openly but Plunkett managed to defy them for a period but later he had to go into hiding, travelling only in disguise. He was arrested in Dublin in 1679 and found guilty of high treason and on the 11th of July 1681, having spent some time in Newgate Prison, he was taken to Tyburn (now Marble Arch) and hanged, drawn and quartered. He was declared a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1973. His preserved head forms the center piece of the shrine in St Peters Church.

We take a “highlights” tour of Belfast by motor coach before we checking into our hotel.

Hotel:   Hilton Hotel in Belfast

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/nations_gallery_02.shtml


St. Peter's Church



St. Oliver Plunkett's head


Belfast


Belfast Hilton Hotel


July 13th, Monday, Day 5

This morning we’re be on our way up the Antrim coast to Carrickfergus Castle, which is said to be one of the finest and best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland.  The castle was shaped to fit the crag overlooking the harbor.

http://www.portoflarne.co.uk/cruise-larne/excursions-and-attractions/carrick-a-rede-rope-bridge-and-giants-causeway/

Next, it’s on to the Giants Causeway. The remarkable geological features of the Giant's Causeway have earned it the title of the 8th  Wonder of the World.

This World Heritage Site enjoys international acclaim for its outstanding natural beauty, significant scientific interest and accumulation of age-old traditions, resulting from lava eruptions over 60 million years ago.

There’s a short but spectacular walk from the Giants Causeway along a narrow path past the strange formations of symmetrical columns with names like the Honeycomb, Wishing Chair and Chimney Pots.

The facts and the legends of the area are vividly presented in the Giants Causeway Centre where there is an audio-visual theatre, tea room and gift shop.

Hotel: TBD

 


Antrim coast


Carrickfergus Castle


Giant's Causeway
 


The Walled City of Derry


Donegal Castle
 


July 14th, Tuesday, Day 6

Today, we visit the famous Walled City (Derry) where you can take a guided walking tour along the great 17th-century walls, about a mile round and 18 feet thick, which withstood several sieges and even today are unbroken and complete.  The great siege lasted for 105 days.  It is one of the only places in Europe not to have its defensive walls breached (though the original fortified gates have been replaced). Derry is very near the border with County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

Donegal Castle showing keep, on right, and Jacobean wing

Next, we’re on to Donegal Castle for a visit. Donegal, or in Irish, Dún na nGall, translates as Fort of the Foreigner possibly coming from a Viking fortress in the area destroyed in 1159. However, due to hundreds of years of development, no archaeological evidence of this early fortress exists. The elder Sir Hugh O’Donnell, wealthy chief of the O’Donnell clan, built the castle in 1474. At the same time, he and his wife Nuala, built a Franciscan Abbey further down the river. A local legend tells of a tunnel connecting the two but no evidence for this has been found. The castle was regarded as one of the finest Gaelic castles in Ireland.

Afterwards, we’re headed to our hotel in County Sligo.

Hotel:  Sligo Park Hotel in Sligo


Sligo Park Hotel
 


July 15th, Wednesday, Day 7

This morning we leave Sligo with a stop at Creevykeel Court Tomb, which is one of the best examples of a court tomb in Ireland.

Next, we visit Drumcliffe; this site is a monastic settlement and also the burial place of the famous Irish poet W.B.Yeats.

The importance of Drumcliffe dates from 574 AD when St. Colmcille founded a monastery here.

http://www.oflahertytours.com/photogallery/photo00022250/100_1178_edited-1.jpgHotel:  Clew Bay Hotel in Westport


Clew Bay Hotel

 
Creevykeel Court Tomb


Drumcliffe
 



Achill Island


Westport
 


July 16th, Thursday, Day 8


http://www.oflahertytours.com/photogallery/photo00023820/100_1154_edited-1.jpgAfter breakfast,  we travel to Achill Island.  It’s Ireland’s largest offshore island with golden beaches and unspoiled beauty. 

The island has some of the highest and most spectacular sheer cliff faces in Europe.    

We return to Westport in the afternoon with time for you to explore the city on your own.

Hotel:  Clew Bay Hotel in Westport


Clew Bay Hotel
 


July 17th, Friday, Day 9

Leaving Westport,  we make our way to Renvyle in Connemara passing by Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain and Killary Harbor before arriving at the Renvyle House Hotel which nestles between the mountains and shores of the Atlantic Ocean on the unspoiled coast of Connemara.  Here you can roam the grounds and explore

Hotel: Renvyle House Hotel


Renvyle House Hotel
 


Croagh Patrick


Killary Harbor


Joe Dady golfing at Renvyle
 


Renvyle House swimming pool

July 18th, Saturday, Day 10

Today, you have a free day with several options for you to choose.  The hotel offers several free amenities for you to enjoy such as:  9-hole golf links, fly fishing, relaxing, croquet, snooker, swimming pool, lawn bowling, walking tours, learning a little tune, or sitting in front of a turf fire with a good book.  

Also, you can take a tour of Kylemore Abbey or go horse-back riding (we will provide transportation to the Abbey and horse-back riding)

Hotel: 
Renvyle House Hotel

 


A guest on the beach at Renvyle
 


Kylemore Abbey


July 19th, Sunday, Day 11

Leaving Renvyle we make our way to Galway City for a couple of hours for you to explore on your own before we http://www.oflahertytours.com/photogallery/photo00005139/100_1348_edited-1.jpggo on to our hotel for the evening in Ennis.

Hotel:  Old Ground Hotel in Ennis


Old Ground Hotel

 


Galway


Ennis
 


July 20th,Monday, Day 12

After a bit of Duty-Free shopping and turning in our VAT (Value Added Tax Vouchers) at the airport, sadly we leave from Shannon airport on Aer Lingus #111 departing at 1:30 pm and arriving in JFK at 3:35 pm

 

Take the next steps to Ireland . . .

Reserve your place now: The Dady Brothers' July 2008 tour sold out in only six weeks. Here's your chance to sign up for the 2009 tour and to give a memorable,
once-in-a-lifetime holiday gift to yourself and those you love.

Price includes:

§      Roundtrip flight from JFK to Dublin, Ireland and return from Shannon Airport to JFK

§      Traveling by luxury motor coach

§      Deluxe hotel accommodations

§      Full Irish breakfast daily

§      Evening meals (except the one evening dinner in Dublin)

§      Welcome ‘get together’ beverage

§      Local taxes, hotel service charges

§      Departure tax

§      Porterage for one suitcase per person

§      Tour attractions admissions

§      O’Flaherty Tours luggage tags and name tags, etc.

Not included in the price:

§      Gratuity for your motor coach driver
(recommended 5 Euros per day per person)

§    Transportation from your home city to JFK

§     Optional (but highly recommended!) Travel Insurance per person – you need to purchase the insurance with your 1st deposit

o
   Trip cost per person $2,900 – $2,950 insurance is $167

o
   Trip cost per person $3,400 - $3,450 insurance is $198

§      Lunches not included on itinerary

§      Personal shopping

Join us by mailing your $500 per person deposit plus money for optional trip insurance to: 

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

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

Note: $100 of your deposit is non-refundable
after February 1, 2009  

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

 

  • Double occupancy with air from JFK                 

 
  • $ 3,250
 
  • Single occupancy with air from JFK  
 
  • $ 3,650
 
  • Double occupancy, land only 
 
  • $ 2,950
 
  • Single occupancy, land only 
 
  • $ 3,350

*Single rooms are limited so book early


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

We highly recommend you also purchase Trip Insurance in case a medical condition may prevent your taking or completing the tour. It should be ordered with your deposit.

Reminder:  Tour itineraries are always
subject to change

Reserve your place now . . .
You don't want to miss this Celtic experience in
Ireland with
The Dady Brothers!!


Send your $500 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 included 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

Click here for a printer-friendly PDF six-printed-page version of this web page


Send mail to laurie@OFlahertyTours.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2009 O'Flaherty Tours, LLC
Last modified: 11/19/09