Ireland's Road to Freedom

 

Your vacation starts today at your Dublin hotel at 2:00 pm when you meet your tour director. Head out to see Dublin’s main attractions including the General Post Office in O’Connell Street, where the 1916 Rising first broke out. View Dublin's prominent buildings, parks and monuments as well as it's famous Georgian squares and elegant town houses with elaborate doorways. Tour Glasnevin Museum, Ireland’s national necropolis, a who’s who of modern Irish history. It's the final resting place of Charles Stewart Parnell, Daniel O’Connell, Michael Collins and other prominent figures dedicated to Irish independence. In the evening time your tour director will host a welcome drink with your fellow travelers and advise where to dine independently.

 

Visit the Pearse Museum in St. Enda's Park in the former home and school of Patrick Pearse, the prominent leader of the 1916 Rising. It was from this house that Pearse and his brother, William, left to fight on Easter Sunday in 1916, never to return again. Next leave Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland’s heartland to Athlone, to learn about the 1691 Siege of Athlone and the political importance of the city. Sip an Irish coffee in Sean’s Bar, which dates back to 900 AD. Stop in the town of Athenry where Irish Volunteers covering the western rebellion trained and subsequently fought in 1916. Drive to Galway city and take a walking tour around the main sights of the city before dining in your hotel. (B, D)

 

Today explore the scenic region of Connemara to admire sparkling lakes and peat bogs. While visually stunning, this area is not great for farming with many tracts of bogland. This will help you understand the policies of landlords in the east pushing peasants westward into these barren lands. Drive through the picturesque Inagh Valley to Leenane for a short catamaran cruise of Killary Harbour, a 9-mile fjord. Enjoy views of hills where traces of “lazy beds” of potato ridges from the 19th century and earlier can still be seen. Drive through the picturesque countryside and lakes to visit Dan O’Hara’s Homestead. Here you will see traditional methods of farming as well as Connemara donkies, ponies and other farm animals. Enjoy a casual lunch and return to Galway city where the evening is free. (B, L)

 

Travel southwards around Galway Bay and through the Burren, a region of rounded limestone hills which has a curious lunar-like appearance. On the coastline view the Cliffs of Moher, which rises almost 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic surf. Drive southwards to take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary and stop at Banna Strand, where Roger Casement tried to land arms to support the 1916 Rising. Learn about this incident while sampling local tea and scones. Drive onwards to Killarney, check in to your hotel in the center of the town and head to Jarvey’s Irish Night for a lively show with dinner. (B, D)

 

Drive through the Killarney National Park by traditional jaunting car to view Ross Castle, which is set on the shores of Lough Leane with mountains forming a backdrop. Next venture out on Ireland’s most popular scenic drive – the Ring of Kerry. The variety of scenery in such a small space will amaze you and there will be plenty of photo opportunities. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks which are Ireland’s highest mountains, and the heavily-indented Atlantic coastline. Take a guided tour around Derrynane House, which is home to the great 18th century statesman, Daniel O'Connell, who obtained Catholic Emancipation. Savor a light lunch and continue along the scenic route, stopping in the village of Sneem and also at Moll’s Gap where you will enjoy panoramic mountain views. Next teturn to Killarney where the evening is free. (B, L)

 

Tpday leave Killarney’s mountains behind you as you travel through County Cork’s rich farmlands on the way to Blarney. Climb to the ramparts of Blarney Castle where you will kiss the famous stone or take a gentle walk through the lovely parklands. Next drive a few miles into Cork city for a guided walk through the city center with a local guide. End the day with an Irish coffee at the Imperial Hotel, where Michael Collins, Chairman of the Provisional Government, stayed on the night before he was assassinated. Continue onwards to Waterford and check into your historic hotel, home of Thomas Francis Maher who in fact designed the tricolor flag and was the first Governor of Montana. After dinnertime, join a local guide for a walking tour through the narrow streets to learn about the Viking origins of this 1,000-year-old city. (B, D)

 

After enjoying breakfast tour the House of Waterford Crystal to watch the many stages of glass blowing, cutting and polishing by master craftspeople. At the end of the tour admire the huge display of magnificent trophies and you will have an opportunity to purchase items. Visit Enniscorthy Castle where unique displays are dedicated to the 1916 Rising in Enniscorthy. Enniscorthy is the only town to rise outside of Dublin. Learn about the 1798 Rebellion as you view Vinegar Hill where Father Murphy led fighters into a battle. Next drive to your hotel in Dublin and head to the fishing port of Howth where in 1914 a thousand rifles were openly imported to arm the Irish Volunteers. Enjoy an evening meal at the historic Abbey Tavern followed by traditional Irish songs and step-dancing. (B, D)

 

Today visit Kilmainham Gaol where the leaders of the 1916 Rising, including Patrick Pearse, were imprisoned and shot. It was also the site where earlier freedom fighters including Robert Emmett were held during the 19th century. Take a guided walking tour around central Dublin where fighting during the 1916 Rising was at its heaviest. Visit the General Post Office, where the 1916 Rising was headquartered, where you can see displays pertaining to this period of history. Enjoy some free time for shopping and dining. (B)

 

Your program ends after breakfast. (B)