2020 A Journey to the Emerald Isle
Ireland & Northern Ireland with Monica Bayda
May 8th - 27th
ITINERARY
Meals as indicated: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner.
Day 01, Friday, May 8th (D): Depart Canada for Dublin, Ireland. See flight itinerary for times. Overnight flight to Dublin.
Day 02, Saturday, May 9th (B/D): After clearing Irish Customs and Immigration, we will be welcomed by our driver Liam. We will then board Liam Leahy’s Devitts motor coach for a trip to Tipperary. We will stop in Naas where we will have lunch and take a guided tour of the famous Irish National Stud Farm and Gardens. We will then continue to Clonmel. We will enjoy a four-night stay at Hotel Minella. The hotel is situated on the River Suir with beautiful serene grounds and just a short distance from Clonmel. It has a lovely indoor pool so after checking in you can rest or enjoy a swim in their Leisure Center, or we can just go for a stroll along the riverbank. Dinner this evening at the Hotel Minella.
Day 03, Sunday, May 10th (B/D): 9:30 am - After breakfast, we set out on a journey to visit Kilkenny Castle at 11:30 am and surrounding area. This Castle is steeped in history and in recent years has been restored to its former glory. After our Castle visit, we will have some free time to have lunch and enjoy Kilkenny town. We continue to the town of New Ross, Co. Wexford, where we will tour the Dunbrody Famine Ship at 3:30 pm where you learn about the plight of the starving Irish Immigrants during the famine of 1845. Dinner this evening at a local restaurant.
Day 04, Monday, May 11th (B/L/D): 10:00 am - After a hearty Irish Breakfast, we will depart for Clonmel where a leisurely walking tour is planned. The history of Clonmel goes back hundreds of years. Clonmel was once a walled town and today you can see remains of this former medieval town. Our next stop is a visit to Monica’s village of Kilsheelan where we will enjoy a leisurely visit of this lovely little village. After our visit we will enjoy lunch at Nagle’s Pub. Our afternoon will take us to Waterford City, home of the world-famous Waterford Crystal. A tour of the factory is at 2:00 pm where we can see the artisans at work creating the beautiful crystal pieces. We will return to the Hotel Minella via the scenic Copper Road. Dinner this evening at Ceili in the Kitchen with entertainment at 6:30 pm.
Day 05, Tuesday, May 12th (B/L/D): 10:00 am - The Rock of Cashel is a very historical site and a must for everyone visiting Tipperary. We will visit the Heritage Site with tour commencing at 10:30 am. Later we will visit my father’s hometown of Fethard, where we can enjoy lunch at the world-famous McCarthy’s Pub at 12:30 pm which is a place that has not changed since it was built in the 1850’s. Many famous movie stars have visited this pub. Our journey will continue up the side of Slievenamon Mountain where we drop in and say hello to my Niece Mia who is a local artist. Mia is excited to have a bus load of Canadians drop by for a cup of tea. On our return to Hotel Minella we will visit St. Patrick’s Well. This is a spiritual site for many, as it is a belief that St. Patrick himself baptised many into the Christian faith at this site. Dinner this evening at the Hotel Minella.
Day 06, Wednesday, May 13th (B/D): 9:00 am - Time to say good-bye to Tipperary as we leave for Counties Cork and Kerry. Our first stop will be at Cobh, a seaport town and the last place the Titanic sailed from. A short visit in Cobh and then continue to Blarney Castle. For those of us who might be lacking in the “gift of the gab” well, we can obtain it by climbing to the top of Blarney Castle and kissing the stone of eloquence. Blarney is a very lovely spot and for those who love to shop, you will be very happy to visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can purchase every type of Irish souvenir. If an Aran Sweater is on your list, you will have lots to choose from. Lunch stop is in Blarney. Later we continue our journey through scenic Cork and Kerry to Tralee for a three-night stay at the Meadowlands Hotel. Dinner at the Hotel.
Day 07, Thursday, May 14th (B/D): 9:30 am - West Kerry also known as the Kingdom of Kerry is one of the most scenic areas of Ireland and a drive around the Ring of Kerry is a must. Here you will see quaint Irish Villages where the native language is still spoken. Lunch stop in Cahardaniel. Dinner this evening at the hotel.
Day 08, Friday, May 15th (B/D): 10:00 am - This morning we will visit the Kerry County Museum, where the history of this unique area of Ireland is told. After our visit there we will drive the short distance to Killarney. Here we will have a lunch break and some free time to enjoy this little town. This afternoon a ride on a traditional Irish jaunting car will be at 2:00 pm. After our 5:45 pm dinner at Kirby’s Brogue, we will enjoy the Tralee Theatre called Siamsa Tire at 8:30 pm which is a celebration of Irish, Music, Song and Dance. This performance is mostly in the Gaelic language.
Day 09, Saturday, May 16th (B/D): 10:00 am - Depart Tralee for Co. Clare with our overnights at The Bellbridge Hotel in the Spanish Point area. On route we will stop at the quaint village of Adare with its thatched roof cottages and enjoy a driving tour of Limerick City with time to have lunch. We will then visit the Bunratty Folk Park; a place where you can enjoy travelling back in time to “Old Ireland”. Continuing, we will enjoy Knappogue Castle with a 6:30 pm Medieval banquet consisting of traditional Irish food and entertainment. This area is part of the “Wild Atlantic Way.” Late check-in at Bellbridge Hotel.
Day 10, Sunday, May 17th (B/D): This morning you can sleep in or enjoy a stroll on the beach. Our start time will be 11:00 am when we take a short ride to the Cliffs of Moher for our 11:45 am entry. Here you will really see the wild Atlantic pound the shores of this little Island. We will visit the interpretive center, enjoy some lunch, and for those of us who love to shop there is even a beautiful souvenir shop there. Return to Spanish Point via Lisdoonvarna the famous Irish match-making town. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 11, Monday, May 18th (B/D): 9:00 am - Depart for Doolin which is down the road from Spanish Point. Here we will board the Ferry at 10:00 am for our Aran Islands experience. The Ferry ride is approximately 90 minutes to Inishmore. The Aran Islands to some are just rocks and stones, but you will be taken back in time when you visit this remote and ancient Island. A van tour is booked so you can learn about life on this barren Island. This Island is the home of the famous Aran sweater. We will be back on the mainland around 5pm. Dinner at the Hotel.
Day 12, Tuesday, May 19th (B/D): 9:00 am - We depart for the Village of Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. On our way we will take a short coffee break in Galway City and continue through Counties Galway and Mayo. We will drive through the quaint village of Cong. Our next adventure will be to board the 80-passenger boat “The Inisfree” at Lisloughery Pier, one mile from the Village of Cong. Our boat and land tour will take approximately two hours. We will visit the magical island of Inchagoill and see the 5th century St. Patrick’s monastic site. This Island is considered one of Ireland’s hidden treasures. Here you will see the stone of Lugna which is ancient, however you can still see the inscription on it which dates to 450 A.D. and is believed to be the second oldest Christian inscription in Europe. We will end our day of sightseeing with a brief stop at the religious site at Knock before arriving at Murphy’s Hotel. Dinner with local entertainment at the hotel.
Day 13, Wednesday, May 20th (B/D): 11:00 am - A half day of sight seeing in this very quaint area of Ireland. After lunch, we will visit the Eagles Flying Irish Raptor Research Centre where we will enjoy these majestic creatures during our guided tour. Dinner with local entertainment at the hotel.
Day 14, Thursday, May 21st (B/D): 9:30 am - Today we leave Southern Ireland and head for the controversial and historical town of Derry, also known as Londonderry. On our way we will stop at the burial site of one of Ireland’s beloved Poets W. B. Yeats. One of his most famous poems is Lake Isle of Innisfree. Approximately an hour and half later and we will be in Derry. Here we will have a lunch break and after lunching our local guide will take us on a 2-hour tour where we will learn about the trials and tribulations of this now peaceful town. After our Derry Tour we will travel for about fifteen minutes to the lovely little town of Limavady. Here we will stay at the Roe Park Resort for three nights. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 15, Friday, May 22nd (B/D): 9:30 am - After breakfast we depart for Bushmills Distillery for our 10:00 am admission where they have been making the finest Irish Whiskey for four hundred years. After our tour we will drive a short distance to the spectacular Giant’s Causeway for our 12:45 pm visit. Located on the fabulous coast of Antrim, this World Heritage Site is a result of volcanic activity that helped Finn MacCool forge this wonder of the world some 60 million years ago. One must walk on those rugged columns to realize the power of nature. After our visit to the Causeway we will continue to the town of Ballycastle, a lovely little seaside town where we can enjoy a late lunch at one of the many pubs and restaurants. If time permits, we will stop at Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, before returning to Limavady. Dinner this evening at our hotel.
Day 16, Saturday, May 23rd (B/D): 10:00 am - Sightseeing in Northern Ireland. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 17, Sunday, May 24th (B/D): 8:30 am - We depart Derry for Dublin on our way we will stop in Belfast where our local guide will relate to us the history of this beautiful city. After the tour we will visit the Titanic Museum arriving at 12:00 noon, where we enjoy a modern take on the construction of the famous ship Titanic. Lunch can be had at the Titanic Restaurant. Later this afternoon we will head for the City of Dublin where will stay at the Grand Hotel in Malahide. We will spend three nights here. Dinner this evening at the Hotel.
Day 18, Monday, May 25th (B/D): 9:30 am - This morning we will tour in Dublin, where our local guide will introduce us to the Capital of the Republic of Ireland. A visit to Trinity College and the world-famous Book of Kells is included at 12:00 noon. Free time this afternoon to shop for those last minutes souvenirs. This evening we will enjoy dinner and traditional entertainment at the “Irish House Party” starting at 7:00 pm.
Day 19, Tuesday, May 26th (B/D): Today is a free day in Dublin or you can choose to take a scenic tour to Glen da Lough. Dinner this evening at a local restaurant.
Day 20, Wednesday, May 27: After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye to the beautiful Emerald Isle as we depart early for Dublin Airport for our return flight to Canada. See flight itinerary for times.
ITINERARY SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
2020 A Tour to the Emerald Isle with Monica Bayda includes:
Return flights between Saskatoon/Regina and Dublin.
Devitts of Cashel Luxury Motor Coach and Driver.
18 Nights Hotel Accommodation.
18 Full Irish (B) Breakfasts.
15 (3-Course) (D) Dinners at Hotel or Local Restaurants.
3 Special (D) Dinners with Entertainment.
4 (L) Lunches.
All entrance fees to attractions listed in the itinerary.
Ferry boat to Aran Islands.
Boat ride to Inchagoill Island.
Expert Local Guides in Londonderry, Belfast, and Dublin.
Price:
$5,975.00 per person. Based on double occupancy. Taxes included.
Single Supplement: $800.00 extra per person.
Deposit: $750.00 per person, due at time of booking. Final Payment Due: March 05, 2020.
Tour Director: Monica Bayda
(Phone 306.764.4828) Email: monicabayda@sasktel.net
Lobstick Tours: Dana Bayda (Owner/Manager)
(Local 306.763.7415) (Toll Free 1.800.665.0171) Email: dbayda@lobsticktravel.com
Lobstick Travel & Tours - Address: 2 - 17th Street East, Prince Albert, SK S6V 1G5
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Documents: All passengers require a valid passport valid for 6 months beyond date of return to Canada.
Medical Issues: Please contact a public health nurse or international travel clinic regarding required booster shots or medications for traveling to Europe.
Insurance: All passengers must have adequate out of country medical insurance to travel on this tour. Passengers have the option to obtain insurance at their discretion.
Manulife World Travel Insurance - We offer the personalized coverage that you need, to be financially protected against the cost of unexpected emergencies that may happen prior to or during your trip. For insurance rates contact Dana at Lobstick Travel 1.800.665.0171. Passengers have the right to obtain insurance at their discretion. If you decline or purchase insurance elsewhere, we require our waiver form to be signed and returned.
Cancellation - If you must cancel for any reason, contact Dana at Lobstick Travel 1.800.665.0171 IMMEDIATELY.
Cancellation Policy - Applies the day you notify us.
Over 90 days - loss of deposit
90 days to 60 days - 35% non-refundable
59 days to 30 days - 50% non-refundable
29 days to departure day - 100% non-refundable
