Alumni Travel: Ireland 2008 Itinerary
Day 1: Sun, Aug 24th BELFAST ARRIVAL
After landing and meeting each other at the Belfast Airport, we will be welcomed by our driver/guide and begin the morning with a panoramic tour of Belfast. We will see Queen’s University and the city center including the Albert Memorial, the ornate Victorian buildings of the Opera House and the Crown Liquor Saloon. In Donegall Square we will visit the richly decorated city hall, which was built in 1906. Following the tour, we will be able to stretch our travel legs on a pleasant walk and then enjoy tea-time and a snack together before arriving at our hotel for early afternoon check-in. The rest of the afternoon will be yours to explore the city on your own before a group mass and welcome dinner. (D)
Hotel: Belfast Holiday Inn
Day 2: Mon, Aug 25th BELFAST: GIANT'S CAUSEWAY & DERRY WALKING TOUR
As a part of your Ireland experience, a traditional Irish breakfast, complete with freshly cooked eggs, sausage, brown bread, cheese, fruit, yogurt, cereal,
oatmeal, tea and coffee will await you every morning.
Today we will travel north along the coast and see the Nine Glens of Antrim which offer wonderful views of mountains, valleys and coastline. We will then continue along the Northern Coast to the Giant’s Causeway. This impressive area of hexagonal columns was formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava and has given rise to many legends. Following our visit to the Causeway, we will stop in Derry and take a guided walking tour. Here we will see 17th century city walls, which are some of the best-preserved in Europe, and explore the main central square called the Diamond. We will also pass the 17th century St. Columb’s Cathedral, the Tower Museum with local history displays, and the Guildhall where the history of Derry is depicted in stained-glass windows. After some time on your own, we will reconvene, board the coach and return to Belfast. The rest of the day and evening will be at your leisure for independent activities and dining. (You may opt-out of today’s tour to enjoy Belfast on your own if you wish.) (B)
Hotel: Belfast Holiday Inn
Day 3: Tue, Aug 26th BELFAST TO DUBLIN: JESUITS ON PORTADOWN
On our third day in Ireland we will leave Belfast and travel southwest to Portadown for a visit with the Iona Jesuit Community. We will then board the coach and continue on, passing the Monastery at Kells where the famous Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript of the Gospels was written. Our journey will then head south through Newry and Dundalk with views of the Mountains of Mourne in the background. Our final destination will be the metropolitan region of Dublin where we will check-in to our hotel for three nights.
After check-in you will have the opportunity to relax and settle in before a reception with SCU alumni living in the Dublin area! (B)
Hotel: Grand Canal Hotel
Day 4: Wed, Aug 27th DUBLIN
Our morning will begin with a city sightseeing tour of Dublin. Along the tour we will stop at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is almost as old as the city itself. We will also visit the Dublin Castle and see the State Apartments where many state functions are held in the richly decorated chambers. A trip to Dublin would not be complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse! Here we will see exhibits on how this world famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today. The tour will conclude with a visit to the roof-top bar, Gravity. Here you can sample a draft Guinness and enjoy the view of the city. The afternoon is at your leisure so that you can browse, shop and sightsee independently.
In the evening the group will come back together for a literary Pub-crawl. Dublin is full of taverns which were frequented by some of Ireland’s foremost writers. Two actors will be our guides and will also re-enact scenes from the works of authors such as Oscar Wilde, Sean O’Casey, Brendan Behan, Myles nag Copaleen and Patrick Kavanagh. (B)
Hotel: Grand Canal Hotel
Day 5: Thu, Aug 28th DUBLIN: TEA WITH LORD MAYOR & MERRY PLOUGHBOY PUB
Today we plan to have tea with the Lord Mayor of Dublin in the Mansion House. When SCU alumnus Tom McEnery ’67 was mayor of San Jose, he helped make Dublin and San Jose sister-cities. They remain “sisters” to this day and continue to foster economic opportunities and cultural development between the two technological cities.
After tea we will visit Trinity College to view the 8th century Book of Kells. The remainder of the afternoon is free for independent activities, sightseeing, shopping and more. There are plenty of museums of Irish interest such as the National Museum, the National Gallery or the Writers Museum to explore. There are popular boutiques along Nassau Street and in the pedestrian zones on Grafton and Henry Streets. Or you can pop-in for refreshments at Temple Bar or enjoy a proper high tea at the prestigious Shelbourne Hotel.
In the evening, the group will reconvene and drive to The Merry Ploughboy Pub in the town of Rathfarnham for a group dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music. (B, D)
Hotel: Grand Canal Hotel
Day 6: Fri, Aug 29th DUBLIN TO KILKENNY & KILLARNEY
We will leave Dublin and travel to Naas, into Kildare, the prime horse-breeding county, through farmland to the town of Carlow and onto
Kilkenny, known for its winding streets and medieval merchants’ houses. After a possible Jesuit visit along the way, you can enjoy some free time in Kilkenny for a walk, a snack and/or sightseeing on your own. We will then board the coach and travel southwest through the scenic Irish countryside of County Cork and into County Kerry. Our journey will then go west through the rugged countryside to Killarney, widely celebrated for its setting overlooking lakes and mountains. After checking in to our hotel, there will be a group dinner in the comfort of the hotel. The rest of the evening will be free to browse this busy little town. (B, D)
Hotel: Killarney Towers Hotel Day 7: Sat, Aug 30 KILLARNEY: RING OF KERRY TOUR
Today we will explore the Ring of Kerry which is 100 miles of marvelous scenery consisting of the highest peaks in Ireland on one side and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. There will be plenty of stops to view the scenery and take photos. The group will then travel through Glenbeigh and Cahirciveen and onto Waterville and the colorful village of Sneem. The tour will stop in Kenmare where you are welcome to enjoy free time. Our drive will then continue to Moll’s Gap for a view of the three lakes of Killarney with the mountains and the town in the background. The tour coach will drop the group off back in Killarney for some additional free time and the chance to choose from the many restaurants and pubs the town offers. (You may opt-out of today’s tour to enjoy Killarney on your own.) (B)
Hotel: Killarney Towers Hotel
Day 8: Sun, Aug 31 KILLARNEY: JAUNTING CAR & MUCKROSS HOUSE
Today you will have the opportunity of starting your morning off with a mass celebrated by Fr. Fitzgerald and Fr. Garavel at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Afterwards an old-fashioned
horse drawn jaunting car will bring you through the Killarney National Park. We will then drive along the shores of Lough Leane to Muckross House, an elegant 19th century mansion set beside the tranquil Muckross Lake. We will also enjoy a guided tour of the manor house. (You may opt-out of today’s tour to enjoy Killarney on your own.)
The rest of the afternoon will be available for independent activities. A group dinner will take place later in the evening. (B, D)
Hotel: Killarney Towers Hotel
Day 9: Mon, Sep 1 BLARNEY TO COBH TO KINSALE: BLARNEY CASTLE & COBH HERITAGE CENTRE
Today we will depart from Killarney and drive into the rich farming county of Cork. Here we will stop in Blarney to to kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence at the Blarney Castle. We will also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which offers a wide range of Irish products. (They will ship and insure goods such as Waterford Crystal for you.) You will also have time to browse around the village. We will leave Cork and drive a short distance east to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Here we will visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which depicts the varied history of emigration from Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the past 150 years. Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic and many liners that carried emigrants to the New World. This informative display is housed in the rail station through which all of the Irish emigrants had to pass. We will then board the coach for Kinsale where we will check-in to our hotel.
Prior to the group dinner, you will have the rest of the afternoon/early evening to yourself. (B, D)
Hotel: Carlton Hotel
Day 10: Tue, Sep 2 KINSALE: TOUR OF KINSALE & OLD HEAD
We will begin today with a brief walking tour of the town of
Kinsale. The town traces its origins back to 1177. It grew as a port town during the 18th century and today the harbor is favored by yacht-owners. The town has steep, narrow streets with many fine Georgian houses. The town is renowned as “the gourmet capital” of Ireland as there are many award-winning restaurants and pubs. After our tour, we will drive a short distance south to visit the Old Head of Kinsale, one of Ireland’s most stunning locations with panoramic views of the south and west Cork coastlines. It has a protected bird sanctuary and is also home to many other rare flora and fauna including Ireland’s only reptile, the viviparous lizard. After the tour we will return to Kinsale where the rest of the afternoon and evening will be free for independent activities and dining. (B)
Hotel: Carlton Hotel Day 11: Wed, Sep 3 ADARE, BUNRATTY FORK PARK, & GALWAY
We will leave Kinsale in the morning and drive north through Cork city and the pleasant hilly region of County Cork known as the “Golden Vale” where much of Ireland’s cheese is produced. We will then pass through the town of Mallow and onto the village of Adare. We will stop in Adare to look at the picturesque thatched cottages and colorful gardens. Our journey will continue north, pass the outskirts of Limerick and cross the wide River Shannon to Bunratty. Here we will visit the Bunratty Folk Park, which consists of a collection of farmhouses from different regions of Ireland. We will then visit Durty Nelly’s pub, which stands in the shadow of Bunratty Castle and has been in business for about two centuries. Following our time in Bunratty we will drive through Ennis and Gort and the countryside of County Clare which is dotted with ruined castles. The drive will take us past the rounded limestone hills of Burren, around the shores of Galway Bay to Galway, a bustling city with a unique Irish flavor. There will be a group dinner and the rest of the evening will be free. (B, D)
Hotel: Forster Court Hotel
Day 12: Thu, Sep 4 GALAWAY: TOUR TO THE ARAN ISLANDS
Today we will board a boat to the Aran Islands, which are located in Galway Bay, 30 miles west of Galway city. The land is extremely stony and the islanders have formed dry stone walls to protect the windswept fields. The popular hand-knit Aran sweaters evolved from unique patterns used by each family. A ferry will take us from Rossaveal on the mainland to Aran Mor, the largest of the three islands. We will travel around the island by minibus with a local driver. At the western end of Inis Mór we will visit Dun Aengus. This vast fortification is perched on the side of a cliff 300 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. The site consists of three concentric enclosures and dates back to 1,000 BC or earlier.
Our farewell dinner will be held at a very special historic home. Over 300 years, Moran’s Oyster Cottage has seen many famous people pass through its doors, like Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Woody Allen and the Emperor and Empress of Japan, Julia Roberts, Bono, Edge, Naomi Campbell, Brian McFadden, Kerry Katona, Ronan Keating, Phil Coulter, Chris Rea, Paul Simon and The Clancy Brothers just to name a few. On a fine sunny day, you would surely believe you were in heaven sitting outside Moran’s sipping wine, eating succulent Galway Bay oysters and watching the swans glide gracefully by. After dinner we will return to Galway.
Hotel: Forester Court Hotel
Day 13: Fri, Sept. 5 OUR JOURNEY'S END
We will bid farewell to the Irish countryside as we head to the Shannon Airport. Along the way, we will get one last chance to soak in the beauty of Ireland as we pass the rounded limestone hills of Burren and the towns of Gort and Ennis. (B)
Price Includes:
- Literary pub crawl in Dublin
- Guided tours of Belfast, Dublin, Derry, & Kinsale
- Horse-drawn jaunting car rides in Killarney
- Boat trip and bus tour to the Aran Island
- Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
- Visits and entrance fees to: Giant Causeway, Dublin Castle, St. Patrick Cathedral, Guinness Storebouse, Trinity College, Muchross House & Gardens, Blarney Castle & Wollen Millks, Cobh Heritage Center, Bunratty Folk Park, Durty Nelly's Pub, and Dun Aengus.
- Transport by luxury motorcoach with same driver/guide throughout for 13 days
- Hotel accommodations for 12 nights in hotels based on double occupancy/twin bedded rooms with private bath
- 12 Full Irish breakfasts and 7 group dinners, including dinner and Irish entertainment at the Merry Ploughboy Pub, near Dublin and dinner at the historic Moran’s Oyster House on the Weir, on the sea near Galway
- Tea with Lord Mayor of Dublin (San Jose’s “sister city”) in Mayors Mansion
- Reception with local SCU Alumni living near Dublin
- Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s in Killarney, celebrated by Paul Fitzgerald, S.J. ’80 and Andrew Garavel S.J.
- Hotel porterage for 1 suitcase, wait staff and table service gratuities for 12 breakfasts and 7 group dinners, service charges and government taxes. (Gratuities to driver/guide, tour hosts, local guides and chambermaids are not included as they are customarily left to the individual or group’s discretion and appreciation)
- Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags, and identifying strap (distributed prior to departure)
- Daily SCU stories, activities and outings that will surprise and delight, as well as forever connect you to your travel companions and the Isle of Éire
- The SCU Fight Song in Gaelic (or at least in English every morning)!
