Travel Bare Feet™ Tour in Ireland - Music & Dance Tour
Itinerary
Day 1: Fri, Oct 10
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Day 2: Sat, Oct 11
After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach. Drive to your hotel and check in. After you settle into your room you may like to rest or explore some of the city on your own. In the afternoon, attend a Hop-up Ceildh Dance Class, which allows you to dance alongside professional Irish dancers. After class, there will be a break before your next dance related activity begins. The Jig, The Story of Irish Dance explores Irish dance in its traditional and contemporary forms. See many marvelous dancers perform in this unique showcase. Then join your fellow travelers for dinner at a local pub in Dublin after the Jig Performance concludes.
OVERNIGHT: STEPHEN’S GREEN HOTEL, DUBLIN
Day 3: Sun, Oct 12
Spend the morning at leisure in Dublin. You can choose from a wide variety of pursuits. There are plenty of museums of Irish interest such as the National Museum, the National Gallery or the Writers Museum. There are plenty of shops along Nassau Street and the pedestrianized Grafton Street or Henry Street and you may like to explore Temple Bar or visit some of the traditional pubs. In the afternoon, visit the Talbot Dance Centre, which carries an assortment of unique dancing shoes. Find the one that fits you best! Next travel to the Dance House studios to have private dance lessons with Breandan de Gallai, former Riverdance principal. Return to your hotel, where you will have time to dine independently.
In the evening, take part in a literary pub crawl. A literary pub crawl may sound like an oxymoron but not in Dublin, which is full of taverns in the center of Dublin which were frequented by some of Ireland's foremost writers. As two actors guide you around some of the famous pubs this evening, they will enact scenes from many of the works of Oscar Wilde, Sean O'Casey, Brendan Behan, Myles nag Copaleen and Patrick Kavanagh and other popular Irish writers.
OVERNIGHT: STEPHEN’S GREEN HOTEL, DUBLIN
Day 4: Mon, Oct 13
Leaving Dublin travel across Ireland from east to west today. Drive through the fertile midland region, which has many farms and marketing towns. All along the way you can see how Irish people make a living from agriculture, one of the most important sources of revenue for Ireland. Travel through the towns of Moate, Athlone and Ballinasloe to Galway, which is located on the shores of Galway Bay. Upon arrival embark on a panoramic tour to see the principal sights of the city. A drive around will take you to the large modern cathedral set on an island on the River Corrib. See the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, formerly a fishing village, the City Museum, National University of Galway and the Cathedral of Our Lady, which is built on the site of the former county jail. Then check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. You may choose to relax in your hotel or spend some time around Eyre Square, the hub of the city. Most of the shops are within easy reach and there are also many quaint pubs where Irish traditional music is played. In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant.
After dinner, head out to a night of Irish entertainment at the Trad on the Prom Show which features the best of Irish music, song and dance.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: GALWAY BAY HOTEL, GALWAY
Day 5: Tue, Oct 14
Enjoy the morning at leisure in Galway to explore this bustling city with unique Irish flavor. This afternoon depart Galway and drive southwest to the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. Then continue your journey to the town of Doolin. Join your group for lunch at Gus O’Connor’s Pub. After lunch, motor to your hotel in Doonbeg and check in. Take some time to relax or freshen up before dinner with your group in the hotel restaurant tonight.
This evening join the festivities of a traditional Irish Celebration with storytelling provided by Fear an Ti. There will also be performances by Irish musicians and brush dancers in an intimate setting as you indulge in a meal of Irish specialties.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: LODGE AT DOONBEG, DOONBEG
Day 6: Wed, Oct 15
Depart Doonbeg this morning and take a short ferry across the River Shannon Estuary to Tarbert. From Tarbert, journey south into the mountainous country of Kerry and out along the Dingle Peninsula to reach Dingle town. Upon arrival check into your hotel where the afternoon is at leisure for sightseeing, shopping and much more. In the evening, learn Irish Polka Dancing from John Harte. Then enjoy dinner at the Chart House with your group.
After dinner, head to one of Dingle’s many pubs for a Trad Show featuring the dance styling of John Harte, once more, along with traditional and contemporary Irish music.
OVERNIGHT: DINGLE BENNERS HOTEL, DINGLE
Day 7: Thu, Oct 16
Today discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula, made famous by David Lean’s movie, “Ryan’s Daughter.” Drive along the south shore of the peninsula for plenty of vistas of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach and rocky headlands. There will be frequent stops at strategic locations to admire the views and take photos. Continue your drive on to the western tip of the peninsula. Here the scenery becomes wilder as the influence of the open Atlantic Ocean strengthens. You will pass early Christian monastic beehive huts and small fishing villages. On the return to Dingle visit the Louis Mulcahy Pottery near Dunquin. This company specializes in huge earthenware jars with brilliant blue glazes. You can see a demonstration of how these masterpieces are formed and perhaps you can try to form a pot. After your visit enjoy the balance of the day in Dingle at leisure for individual sightseeing, shopping, dining and more.
OVERNIGHT: DINGLE BENNERS HOTEL, DINGLE
Day 8: Fri, Oct 17
Depart Dingle after breakfast at your hotel and travel southeast through Milltown and Listry to Killarney, widely celebrated for its setting overlooking lakes and mountains. Upon arrival check into your hotel and spend some time relaxing or stroll around town. Later in the afternoon, attend Sean Nos Dance Class, which mainly showcases a regional style of dance similar to tap dancing but more relaxed compared to step dancing. Anne Marie Nelligan of Torc Trad Irish Dancing Group will be leading this dance class. After class, the evening is free for individual pursuits and dining.
OVERNIGHT: MALTON HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Day 9: Sat, Oct 18
Leaving Killarney drive into the rich farming country of Cork. At Blarney, stop to climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence." Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Then drive into Cork and upon arrival visit the English Markets. Here, sample a variety of Irish delicacies and enjoy some independent time for lunch. After lunch, check into your hotel and freshen up before a farewell dinner with your group.
DINNER & OVERNIGHT: RIVER LEE HOTEL, CORK
Day 10: Sun, Oct 19
All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to the end. Transfer to Dublin Airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear security and claim your VAT refund. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
