St. Anne’s Ireland On and Off the Beaten Path Group Getaway beginning April 28, 2023. The purpose of the trip is fellowship and enjoyment of parishioners and others who would like to join. The choir will perform at St. Patrick’s Cathedral during our time in Dublin as well.
The full itinerary is below. Golf will also be offered as an additional option. Details to follow on golf.
Day 1 Sun. 28 April 2024 Depart Boston
- Transfer from New Hampshire to Logan Airport
- Depart on Delta 154 at 8:30 PM in assigned economy class seat
Day 2 Mon. 29 April 2024 Offaly, Galway
- Arrive Dublin at 7:45 AM
- Private Coach and Driver-Guide
- Travel to Galway
Clonmacnoise Ireland Visit – Clonmacnoise
- Founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruin of a cathedral, 7 churches (10th to 13th century), 2 round towers, 3 high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe. The original high crosses and a selection of graveslabs are on display in the visitor centre.
https://www.heritageireland.ie/en/midlands-eastcoast/clonmacnoise/
- Founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruin of a cathedral, 7 churches (10th to 13th century), 2 round towers, 3 high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe. The original high crosses and a selection of graveslabs are on display in the visitor centre.
- Some free time in Galway City on arrival
- Dinner and overnight at Menlo Park Hotel, Galway (2 nights)
Day 3 Tue. 30 April 2024 Galway, Mayo
- Breakfast at hotel
- Private Coach and Driver-Guide
- Morning Mass in Galway
Glengowla Sheep Sheepdog demo only – Glengowla Mines and Sheep Farm, Connemara
- Glengowla is home to a working sheep farm where the Geoghegan family have farmed for generations. The sheepdogs at Glengowla are an integral part of the farming family.https://glengowlamines.ie/index.htm
Ashford Castle Falconry Ashford Castle Lunch (subject to availability) – Ashford Castle
- Discover creative Irish cuisine inspired by the finest seasonal ingredients from the West of Ireland and produce foraged from the Ashford Estate, alongside an extensive wine cellar kept in the Castle’s secret passageways.
Set 3 course lunch menu - Ashford Castle is a medieval and Victorian castle that has been expanded over the centuries and turned into a five-star luxury hotel near Cong on the Mayo-Galway border, on the Galway side of Lough Corrib in Ireland.
ashfordcastle.com
- Discover creative Irish cuisine inspired by the finest seasonal ingredients from the West of Ireland and produce foraged from the Ashford Estate, alongside an extensive wine cellar kept in the Castle’s secret passageways.
- Hawk walk – Ireland’s School of Falconry
- A Private One Hour Hawk Walk
Ireland’s School of Falconry specializes in one hour private Hawk Walks where YOU fly our Harris hawks. Our aim is to share with you the pleasure and excitement of falconry, a fascination that has enthralled people for 4,000 years.
https://www.falconry.ie/hawk-walk
- A Private One Hour Hawk Walk
- Overnight at Menlo Park Hotel, Galway (night 2 of 2)
Day 4 Wed. 1 May 2024 Galway, Clare, Kerry
- Breakfast at hotel
- Private Coach and Driver-Guide
- Tour to Killarney
- Travel through the Burren
- Famous for its Lunar-like Limestone landscape and its unique flora. About 20 species of Orchids grow wild here.
burrennationalpark.ie/
- Famous for its Lunar-like Limestone landscape and its unique flora. About 20 species of Orchids grow wild here.
- Visit – Cliffs of Moher
- One of Ireland’s favorite visitor experiences, the Cliffs of Moher tower over the rugged west Clare coast. Walk the safe, paved pathways and view the incredible Cliffs that sit on Europe’s most westerly tip and enjoy the spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. Their natural beauty has inspired artists, musicians, and poets for generations, as well as absorbing scientists and geologists, drawn by the unique landscape in which they sit.
cliffsofmoher.ie/
- One of Ireland’s favorite visitor experiences, the Cliffs of Moher tower over the rugged west Clare coast. Walk the safe, paved pathways and view the incredible Cliffs that sit on Europe’s most westerly tip and enjoy the spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. Their natural beauty has inspired artists, musicians, and poets for generations, as well as absorbing scientists and geologists, drawn by the unique landscape in which they sit.
- Ferry crossing: Kilimer → Tarbert
- Shannon Ferry will take you and your vehicle on this memorable 20 minute journey across the estuary linking the iconic tourist destinations of the Banner County of Clare to the Kingdom of Kerry. This is a lovely experience for visitors who would like a short break in their journey to relax as they sail across the majestic Shannon Estuary. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the dolphins, which in the summer can sometimes swim so near the ferry, as if just to entertain you.
https://www.shannonferries.com/
- Shannon Ferry will take you and your vehicle on this memorable 20 minute journey across the estuary linking the iconic tourist destinations of the Banner County of Clare to the Kingdom of Kerry. This is a lovely experience for visitors who would like a short break in their journey to relax as they sail across the majestic Shannon Estuary. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the dolphins, which in the summer can sometimes swim so near the ferry, as if just to entertain you.
- Dinner and overnight at Randles Hotel Killarney (2 nights)
Day 5 Thu. 2 May 2024 Kerry
- Breakfast at hotel
- Private Coach and Driver-Guide
Ring of Kerry Full day tour of the Ring of Kerry
- via Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Coomakesta Pass with its magnificent views over Derrynane, home of Daniel O’ Connell, known as “The Liberator” to Caherdaniel. Travel on via Sneem, Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, Killarney National Park and along the Lakes of Killarney.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_of_Kerry
- via Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Coomakesta Pass with its magnificent views over Derrynane, home of Daniel O’ Connell, known as “The Liberator” to Caherdaniel. Travel on via Sneem, Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, Killarney National Park and along the Lakes of Killarney.
- Mass on the Ring of Kerry today (pending)
- Group late lunch on the Ring of Kerry – D O’Shea Bar
- Overnight at Randles Hotel Killarney (night 2 of 2)
Day 6 Fri. 3 May 2024 Kerry, Waterford, Cork
- Breakfast at hotel
- Private Coach and Driver-Guide
- Tour to Waterford
- Visit – Titanic Experience Cobh
- Impromptu Performance at Titanic Experience
Jameson Distillery Visit + Tasting – Jameson Distillery Midleton
- Tour of the old distillery where you will see the machinery and manual tools used in the past. There is also a giant waterwheel which once powered all the machinery and still turns today. Your distillery guide will explain the process of distilling whiskey and will show you the largest pot still in the world. The tour ends in the Jameson bar where there will be a tasting and drinking of Whiskey.
https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-IE/visit-us/jameson-distillery-midleton
- Tour of the old distillery where you will see the machinery and manual tools used in the past. There is also a giant waterwheel which once powered all the machinery and still turns today. Your distillery guide will explain the process of distilling whiskey and will show you the largest pot still in the world. The tour ends in the Jameson bar where there will be a tasting and drinking of Whiskey.
- Dinner and overnight at Faithlegg Hotel Waterford (2 nights)
Day 7 Sat. 4 May 2024 Waterford
- Breakfast at hotel
- Private Coach and Driver-Guide
- Visit (House, Shell House & Gardens) – Curraghmore House
- Curraghmore House in Waterford is the historic home of the 9th Marquis of Waterford. His ancestors came to Ireland from Normandy after a 100-year stopover in Wales around 1170, or, about 320 years before Columbus ‘discovered’ the New World. Some 2,500 acres of formal gardens, woodland and grazing fields make this the largest private demesne in Ireland and one of the finest places to visit in Ireland.
http://curraghmorehouse.ie/
- Curraghmore House in Waterford is the historic home of the 9th Marquis of Waterford. His ancestors came to Ireland from Normandy after a 100-year stopover in Wales around 1170, or, about 320 years before Columbus ‘discovered’ the New World. Some 2,500 acres of formal gardens, woodland and grazing fields make this the largest private demesne in Ireland and one of the finest places to visit in Ireland.
- Visit – House of Waterford Crystal
- The home for Waterford Crystal occupies a 1.5 acre site on the Mall in the heart of Waterford city – a prime location set back just a hundred yards or so from the River Suir and the city’s main quay, and bordering the city’s Viking Triangle area. The new manufacturing facility includes highly skilled local craftsmen and will produce 40,000 crystal pieces per year using traditional methods. The House of Waterford range that will be produced will include trophies for prestigious sporting events, bowls and vases from our museum, heritage and designer collections, and also the special order stemware collection.
https://www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com/
- The home for Waterford Crystal occupies a 1.5 acre site on the Mall in the heart of Waterford city – a prime location set back just a hundred yards or so from the River Suir and the city’s main quay, and bordering the city’s Viking Triangle area. The new manufacturing facility includes highly skilled local craftsmen and will produce 40,000 crystal pieces per year using traditional methods. The House of Waterford range that will be produced will include trophies for prestigious sporting events, bowls and vases from our museum, heritage and designer collections, and also the special order stemware collection.
- Early dinner and overnight at Faithlegg Hotel Waterford (night 2 of 2)
- Get together with a Choral Group from Waterford, with a concert and time for a mix and mingle afterwards
Day 8 Sun. 5 May 2024 Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, Dublin
- Breakfast at hotel
- Private Coach and Driver-Guide
- Visit – Dunbrody Famine Ship and Irish Emigrant Experience
- The original Dunbrody was a three-masted barque built in Quebec, Canada, for the Graves family of New Ross in 1845. She carried many emigrants to the new world from 1845-1870. The present ship is a full scale, sea-going replica. Through an interactive exhibition, visitors can experience life on board an emigrant ship.
https://www.dunbrody.com/
- The original Dunbrody was a three-masted barque built in Quebec, Canada, for the Graves family of New Ross in 1845. She carried many emigrants to the new world from 1845-1870. The present ship is a full scale, sea-going replica. Through an interactive exhibition, visitors can experience life on board an emigrant ship.
Powerscourt Garden Visit + Waterfall – Powerscourt House & Gardens
- Situated in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains, it is a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, sanctuary and ornamental lakes with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. The newly renovated 18th century house.
Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow is one of the most beautiful gardens in Ireland! The gardens at Powerscourt were laid out over two main periods. Many of the people involved in their creation and development never saw the gardens completed in their lifetime. When the house was rebuilt in the decade after 1731, the surrounding grounds were also remodeled. The design reflected the desire to create a garden which was part of the wider landscape. And what a view it is! To the north formal tree plantations framed the vista from the house, while a walled garden, fish pond, cascades, grottos and terraces lay to the south. Walks wound through the wooded grounds and a fine tree lined avenue was created. When you arrive at the tree lined avenue today, hundreds of beech trees will guide your visit.
https://powerscourt.com/
- Situated in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains, it is a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, sanctuary and ornamental lakes with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. The newly renovated 18th century house.
- Continue to Dublin
- Overnight at Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham, O’Connell Street, Dublin (2 nights)
Day 9 Mon. 6 May 2024 Dublin
- Breakfast at hotel
- Private Coach and Driver-Guide
- Morning Mass (subject to schedule)
- Few buildings have such a close association with significant moments in the political and religious history of Ireland as the Pro-Cathedral. Presidents, governments and foreign ambassadors come to the Pro-Cathedral on great national occasions. The Lord Mayor and the County Council come to extend Christmas greetings to the Archbishop on behalf of the citizens of Dublin.
http://www.procathedral.ie/
- Few buildings have such a close association with significant moments in the political and religious history of Ireland as the Pro-Cathedral. Presidents, governments and foreign ambassadors come to the Pro-Cathedral on great national occasions. The Lord Mayor and the County Council come to extend Christmas greetings to the Archbishop on behalf of the citizens of Dublin.
- Local Step-On Guide Dublin
- Meet with a Local Step-On Guide for a panoramic sightseeing tour of Dublin, including O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Leinster House.
- Guided Tour + Lunchtime Recital – St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin
- The Cathedral stands on the oldest Christian site in Dublin.
Patrick is said to have baptised converts to the Christian faith in a well which once existed north of the tower in the present park. A river at one time flowed around the cathedral. Because of its sacred association with St. Patrick, a church had stood here since the 5th century. In 1191 the Normans built another church in stone on this site. This was re-built in the first half of the 13th century and is the building we see today. The first university in Ireland was founded in St. Patrick’s in 1320 and continued for nearly 200 years.
www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/
- The Cathedral stands on the oldest Christian site in Dublin.
- A lunchtime recital performance is for 30 minutes and takes place from 13:00 – 13:30.
- There is a 15-minute rehearsaltime prior to the performance. Unfortunately, there are no changing or storage facilities, so the choir must arrive ready to perform. There is also no onsite storage for belongings. No accompaniment apart from the Cathedral piano is allowed during lunchtime recitals.
Merry Ploughboy Dinner and Show at The Merry Ploughboy – The Merry Ploughboy
- Widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin. A highly entertaining performance of live traditional Irish Music, Song and Irish Dancing. The very best of fresh Irish food is served and offers a choice menu.
https://www.mpbpub.com/
- Widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin. A highly entertaining performance of live traditional Irish Music, Song and Irish Dancing. The very best of fresh Irish food is served and offers a choice menu.
- Overnight at Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham, O’Connell Street, Dublin
Day 10 Tue. 7 May 2024 Dublin
- Breakfast at hotel
- Private Coach and Driver-Guide
- Visit the Epic Museum in the Morning
- Free afternoon and Evening
Day 11 Wed. 8 May 2024 Dublin
- Breakfast at hotel
- Private Coach and Driver-Guide)
- Transfer to Dublin Airport
- Depart at 1:15 PM on Delta 155 to Boston
- Arrive Boston at 3:30 PM
- Coach Transfer to New Hampshire
Land/Air St. Anne Ireland Price: $3950 per person based on double occupancy.
A limited number of solo rooms are available at $950 extra.
Upgraded air is not available but Delta points can be accrued. Land only option may be available for those who plan to extend.
Price includes: All items listed in itinerary, 1 suitcase per person luggage handling at hotels, taxes, driver/guide gratuity, nine breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners. Airport transportation from the local area to/from Logan airport included.
Price doesn’t include:
Travel Insurance is NOT included and will be quoted separately to each participant.
Additional services not specifically noted in the itinerary are not included.
Optional golf packages.
Note: Some itinerary items may be adjusted due to unforeseen circumstances.
To Reserve Your Spot on St. Anne Ireland:
A $250 non refundable deposit is due to secure your spot on this customized group tour. A second non refundable payment of $500 is due by October 1, 2023. Final nonrefundable payment is due by February 15, 2023.
Payments may be made by check or credit card. Credit card payments will incur a 3% fee. Checks should be made out to “Solo To Group Travel” and can be mailed or dropped off to either the church or our office. Please call ahead as we sometimes work remotely.
Wendy Schoneberger CTA ECC Solo To Group Travel 15 Ermer Road Unit 205 Salem NH 03079 603-434-8100
St. Anne’s Contact is Joan Virga. [email protected]
Tags: Ireland, Group, St. AnneCategorised in: Europe