July 2024 Tour To Ireland

About the July tour

An Turas go hÉirinn

Join us in Ireland in 2024!

Tour Prices

• $3199 per person sharing ($2999 for members of the Friends of Irish Studies)

• $500 Single Traveler Supplement

• A $300 deposit is due at the time of registration to hold your place.

Cairde Léann na hÉireann – The Friends of Irish Studies

Don't miss out on the opportunity to join the Friends of Irish Studies for an unforgettable 9-day tour of Ireland this summer! Revisit your ancestral home, reconnect with your roots, and immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Ireland. Led by Dr. Traolach Ó Ríordáin, Professor of Irish Language and Literature at the University of Montana, this tour is limited to just 20 people, so act now to secure your spot. The tour runs from July 9th to July 18th, 2024, and it's not just a typical sightseeing tour - it's a chance to reconnect with your past and your people.

2024 Tour Itinerary

9 July: Ag teacht go hÉirinn

Please note that we would like all participants of the tour to arrive in Ireland on July 9th. This means that you should plan on leaving the United States on July 8th. We recommend this extra day to help you adjust to any jetlag. It is also suggested that you arrive at Shannon airport.

10 July: Fáilte romhat go hÉirinn

THE JOURNEY BEGINS! / WELCOME TO IRELAND

You will be picked up from your accommodation in the morning and driven to Galway City, also known as the "City of the Tribes" and considered the gateway to the West. Along the way, we will make two stops - one at the Cliffs of Moher and another at the Burren.

The Cliffs of Moher are a well-known tourist attraction and require no introduction. On the other hand, the Burren is an unspoiled and unpolluted expanse of limestone rock covering over 100 square miles. The word ‘Burren’ is derived from the Irish word ‘Boireann,’ meaning ‘rocky place.’ Although it looks barren, it is home to a diverse ecosystem of plants, including the Arctic, Mediterranean, and Alpine, that extends into the Atlantic Ocean to form the Aran Islands.

We will take in the beauty of the Burren, the Aran Islands, and the western Atlantic before heading north to see the Poulnabrone Dolmen, one of Ireland's most iconic and photographed sites. As we continue our journey, we will eventually reach Loughrea, a historic and rural town known for its hospitality and love of hurling! We will spend the first night here and experience the warm hospitality of the locals.

11 July: Cluain Mhic Nóis & Cathair na Gaillimhe

CLONMACNOISE & GALWAY CITY

A delicious and fulfilling Irish breakfast will provide us with the necessary energy for the next step of our journey. Today, we will be travelling towards the northeast, visiting Clonmacnoise and Aughrim. Clonmacnoise was founded in the 6th century by St. Ciarán and quickly became a significant centre of religious and intellectual life in Europe due to its strategic location. However, its importance began to decline in the 11th century as Ireland shifted from a monastic to a diocesan church. Despite this, it remains the most famous of Ireland's ancient monasteries.

From the peaceful and meditative environment of Clonmacnoise, we will move towards Aughrim, where the deadliest battle in Irish history took place on July 12, 1690. It was during this battle that the reign of the Stuart monarchs ended and the House of Orange came to power in England. After leaving the battlefield, we will head back to Loughrea, where we will experience rural life in the Irish tradition by learning how to cut turf, milk cows, and feed calves. We will end the day with a dinner with a local family.

12 July: Ó Dheas go Cluain Meala

SOUTH TO CLONMEL

Today, we will head southwards and east into Tipperary, which is widely known for its hurling. Our focus for today is architecture, and our first stop will be Portumna Castle and Garden, the former home of the Burke family, Earls of Clanrickard, and was constructed in the 17th century. The castle is an excellent example of transitional architecture, as it combines medieval and Renaissance architecture styles, illustrating the shift from fortification to elegance during that era.

We will now make our way to the Rock of Cashel, which was the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster. This is also the place where St. Patrick started the conversion of Munster. The Irish church architecture reached its highest achievement on this rock, with the completion of King Cormac's Chapel and the Cathedral. The Rock of Cashel is probably the most impressive medieval site in the south of Ireland.

In the afternoon, we will visit Cahir Castle, which is one of the largest and best-preserved castles in Ireland. The castle was built on the site of an earlier stone fortification constructed by the O' Briens. Although the O' Briens started building the castle in the 12th century, it was the Butlers, Earls of Ormond, who completed the construction. If the walls of the castle could talk, they would tell stories of the most turbulent times in Irish history. During the guided tour, we will get to learn about some of those events that shaped the fortunes of Ireland and its people. After exploring Cahir Castle, we will head to Clonmel, the location of the 1848 trial of Thomas Francis Meagher and the Young Irelanders.

13 July: Cluain Meala & Tiobraid Árann

CLONMEL & TIPPERARY

The name Clonmel derives from the Irish words 'Cluain Meala' which means 'meadow of honey', referring to the fertile soil in the surrounding areas. It is the largest urban settlement in County Tipperary and serves as the seat of local government. The town was initially fortified by the Butlers, Earls of Ormonde, and later by the Fitzgeralds, the Earls of Kildare, who were the most powerful family in Ireland in the 15th and 16th centuries. Clonmel is most famous in Irish history for its courthouse and jail.

Some notable individuals who were imprisoned at the town jail in Clonmel include Friar William Tirry, who was executed on May 2nd, 1654 for saying Mass; O' Donnell of the Whiteboys, who wrote the famous ballad ‘PríosúnChluain Meala/The Jail of Clonmel’ before being executed alongside two accomplices and having their heads displayed on the prison gates; and the Young Ireland rebels Thomas Francis Meagher, Patrick O'Donoghue, William Smith O'Brien, and Terence McManus.

Today, we will be visiting the courthouse and stand in the same room where Meagher and his fellow rebels were tried back in October 1849. Later in the afternoon, we will travel from Clonmel to Kilcash to see the house where Meagher's grandfather was born and also take the opportunity to meet some of his relatives.

June 23: Corca Dhuibhne/The Dingle Peninsula

Today will be spent savoring the delights of the Dingle Peninsula, a place celebrated in story, song and poetry for centuries. Our morning will begin with a trip to Slea Head and its panoramic views of Dingle Bay, South Kerry, the Skellig Rocks, and the Blasket Islands. Our first main stop will be the Blasket Heritage Centre in Dunquin, followed by a visit to Gallarus and the ancient monastic site of Kilmalkedar. We return early to Dingle, leaving time to walk the town, visit the shops, restaurants and bars of this popular destination. But June 23rd is midsummer’s night, Oíche Shan Seáin, and we don’t want to miss the evening’s festivities. It could be a long night!

Dinner and Overnight: Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry

14 July: An Turas go Cathair Phort Láirge

TRIP TO WATERFORD CITY

We'll be taking the road less travelled, passing through some of the most stunning scenery in the south of Ireland to reach Waterford city.

Our first stop will be at the Vee and Sam Grubbs' Grave, after which we'll head to a unique monastery, Mount Melleray. This monastery is no ordinary one - it was the first Cistercian Monastery built in Ireland after the Reformation. Here, we'll have a tour of the facility and enjoy a light snack before heading to Dungarvan for lunch. Following lunch, we'll continue our journey to Waterford city.

TOUR OF WATERFORD CITY

Waterford is renowned for its crystal, which was a must- have at Irish weddings. However, beyond the crystal lies the oldest city in Ireland which saw some of the most significant events in Irish history. The city was founded by the Vikings in the 9th century and became a significant commercial and political centre. Its proximity to France and England made it the second- largest city in Ireland until the 16th century, and it witnessed some of the most notable events in Irish history.

Strongbow, the leader of the Norman invasion, married Aoife, daughter of Diarmuid Mac Murrough, King of Leinster, in Waterford in 1171. King Henry II claimed Waterford and Ireland for the crown and compelled the native chiefs, Norman invaders, and leaders of the Irish church to submit to his authority when he landed in Waterford in October 1171. Waterford remained loyal to the crown and rebelled against the two pretenders, Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, in the 15th century. The city remained Catholic during the Protestant Reformation, which broke its relationship with the crown and its standing as the second most important city in the country. Trade with the American colonies brought great prosperity to the town and to Catholics living there, including the prominent Meagher family.

During our visit, we'll explore the homes where Thomas Francis Meagher was born and raised and see the spot where the first Irish flag was flown. Waterford is one of the best-preserved Viking and medieval towns in Ireland, and we'll take a tour of the Viking Triangle, which includes Reginald's Tower, the Waterford Museum of Treasures, the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, and the Waterford Glass Factory.

16 July: Corcaigh

CORK

Today, we will be heading to Cork, and in the morning, we will stop at Cobh. Cobh, previously known as Queenstown, was the departure point for millions of Irish people who emigrated to the United States. It was also the last stop of the Titanic before its ill-fated journey to New York. It was off the coast of Cobh that a German submarine sank the Lusitania on May 7, 1915, which was one of the events that led the United States into the First World War. On our way to Cobh, we will visit the Lusitania Monument in Clonmel Old Church and Cemetery, where most of the 1,198 people who died are buried.

Our first stop in the town will be the Cobh Heritage Centre, which has a very impressive display telling the story of Irish emigration since the 17th century. If people are interested, several places in the town deal with the Titanic. For those who are interested, I will take them to St. Colman's Cathedral, the tallest church in Ireland. The construction of the church began in 1868 and was completed in 1919. By the time of its completion, the original budget of $30,000 had exploded to $235,000. The cathedral is one of the most beautiful in Ireland, and we will have lunch in Cobh.

After leaving Cobh, we will head to the Midleton Distillery, where all the spirits come out of a bottle! This is where well-known liquors such as Jameson, Paddy, Power's, Redbreast, and many more are distilled. Everyone who takes the tour leaves feeling much, much better about life!

17 July: Bunratty

BUNRATTY

Today, we are traveling to Bunratty which is located near Shannon airport. It's going to be a long drive, so we may plan on making a stop in Adare on the way. Once we arrive at Bunratty, we will spend 2-3 hours visiting the Bunratty Folk Park and doing some last-minute shopping. After that, we will check into the hotel and freshen up before heading back to Bunratty at 7:30 pm for the Medieval Banquet or dinner.

18 July: Slán Abhaile!

SAFE HOME: RETURN TO AMERICA

Please ensure that you have all your belongings, including your bags, gifts, and passports, as you will be departing for home today. The bus will take you to the airport two hours before your flight and give you an emotional goodbye. We are confident that you will return to the ‘Land of a Hundred Thousand Welcomes’ and the home of your ancestors in the near future.

Trip Includes

• 9 nights accommodation in different counties.

• Sightseeing and Professional Irish Driver Guide throughout

• Tour guide with in-depth knowledge of the local area.

• Transportation and Other Luxury air-conditioned coach

• Daily Full Irish breakfast and 6 dinners

• All Hotel Taxes and Service Charges

Reservations require a $300 non-refundable deposit by Friday, May 5, 2024

Click Here to download a printable PDF of the tour itinerary and here for registration/release forms.

You may pay your non-refundable deposit by check with your registration, or by credit card below.