We have been to Ireland two times before and cannot wait
to go again. Come join Eric and myself on a complete tour of the North and
South of Ireland in May 2005.
This tour, which will arrive in Shannon, will have lots
to do and see. Some of the sights will include the village of Bunratty,
which has spectacular scenery, and the most beautiful thatched cottages
I have ever seen.
We will be visiting a farm that will allow you to experience
shearing of sheep and learning how sheep dogs are trained to keep them in
a flock and herd them where the farmer wants them to be. At the farm, we
will have coffee and homemade scones. You will definitely want more than
one scone.
At the Connemara Marble factory you will learn how they
mine the marble and make it into wonderful jewelry. This is a very remote
but beautiful area that has many mountains, rivers, and lakes. Kylemore
Abbey is a very large castle that belongs to the Benedictine nuns and has
some great gardens to walk through. People from all over the world come
here to visit since some locals have seen apparitions. On our trip from
the castle to Sligo Bay we will visit the grave of he poet W. B. Yeats.
The next day's travel will be heading to Donegal Bay
with its views of the Finn Valley and the Blue Stack Mountains. Later this
day, we will stop at the Belleek Pottery Factory known for cream-colored
pottery. When shopping here, or anywhere else in Ireland, you can have your
purchases shipped home. The store will tell you what day it will arrive
and, believe it or not, your package arrives as scheduled.
A trip to the Giant's Causeway is a must and is included
in our tour. This awe-inspiring sight consists of thousands of symmetrical
columns jutting out to sea as if built for a giant's stepping-stones across
the sea.
An orientation drive in the city of Dublin includes an
informative tour of Trinity College where you will have the opportunity
to view the 1200-year-old Book of Kells. Also, take a picture of a friend
with the statue of Molly Malone on the corner of O'Connell St. One more
thing about this town- locals do not get lost because they paint their front
doors many different colors and have many different decorations.
Now we are ready for a day of crystal. The Waterford
Crystal Factory tour is very informative and a perfect chance to get that
one special piece you have been waiting for. Again, have it shipped. After
leaving Waterford we will head to Queenstown. This was the last port of
call for the Titanic in April of 1912.
Let's now head to Kilkenny and the famous Ring of Kerry.
This day will bring many choices for picture taking. A natural harbor where
colonies of seals live and the mountains along the way are just some idea
of the views along the way. We will travel to Killarney and visit Dingle
(the setting for the movie Ryan's Daughter starring Robert Mitchum and Sarah
Miles).
On our last day enjoy the green, lush and beautiful countryside
of Ireland. Also, on this final day and evening lets celebrate the thrilling
tour we had with friends made on the trip and those that we leave behind
in Ireland.
Again, let me invite you to experience this wonderful
country and it's many happy people in May of 2005.
Written by Ramblin' Rose Mascarenhas of Gadabout Travel
