Village of Kilcar, County Donegal

Want to come with me to Ireland for ten days of incredible sights and sounds? 

I've led 5 tours so far, and after the most recent trip I can honestly say that this is something not to be missed! 

I’ll be hosting this tour along with my truly delightful Irish partner Tom Pigott, who has been in the tour business for many years.  You will love him!  He’s got many great contacts among musicians all across Ireland, and every tour features at least a couple of private concerts just for us.   Tom is also a great singer who can often be coaxed into a song. 

The group is limited to 21 guests (on a first come, first served basis).   We’ll travel in a 30 seat luxury coach/bus, we’ll stay in lovely hotels.

I encourage you all to check out Tom’s website:  www.enchantedwaytours.ie.  

On the Bus

The tours really are incredible.  Every person who has been on one has raved about their experience.  Many say they never thought they would enjoy a group tour but loved ours.  And others who have been on group tours say it is by far the best organized tour they have ever been on.

Standing Stone Circle

The tour begins and ends at Shannon airport, 20 min north of Limerick in the west of Ireland.

First day in Ireland. A rainbow! (photo by Mary Ervin)

Once our tour starts we’ll make day trips to ancient stone circles, castles, fishing villages, bogs, beaches, museums, interpretive centers, or even an island.  After getting back to our hotel for some time to rest and freshen up at the end of each day, we’ll go have dinner and hear some great music, whether it be traditional Irish or one of Ireland’s top singer-songwriters.  And on at least one evening I’ll be performing for you.  There will also be opportunities for you to offer up a song, a story, a poem, or a joke should you feel like participating.

Beer break in Galway

COST
The cost for the tour is $2100 per person based on double occupancy.  For a single room it’s $2450.  We will do our best to match up roommates if preferred. The fee covers all ground transportation, all lodging (including full breakfasts each morning), 3 evening group meals, and the costs for our featured Irish musicians, poets, writers, etc.  A $500 deposit is required to hold slots after confirmation from me.  The balance will be due 3 months prior to the tour dates. 

The Old and the New

Guests will pay for their own flights to and from Shannon International Airport, all lunches, the remaining 6 dinners, any optional activities, and of course drinks, tips, etc.

I highly recommend that you arrive a day early, if possible, to avoid any stress caused by a cancelled flight, bags not showing up, etc.  Most folks from previous tours have arrived early and have been very glad that they did.  The flight from the US or Canada is often tiring, and it's nice to have the day before the tour starts to casually rest up and get a slight feel for Ireland.  If you can afford the time and an extra night lodging at a local B & B, you won't regret it.  We will come directly to your B & B and pick you up the morning the tour begins.

Ireland does require a passport.  If you need to apply for one, I highly suggest you do it ASAP.  It can take up to 10 weeks for your passport to arrive, although typically it takes less time.

SAMPLE ITINERARY
None of it is written in stone. If we as a group decide we’d rather do something not listed in the itinerary, and if it’s actually doable, then we can change the plan at any time. We’ll be spending three nights at each hotel. If you would prefer to skip one of our day trips to do something else on your own, you’re welcome to do so. Things will be quite flexible.

Galway Bay

The Crane Bar, Galway

A Traditional Irish Music Session

The Great John Spillane on Guitar

Fiddles and Guinness

Day 1: Drive to Skibbereen and points West with stops at Adare and Charles Fort Kinsale. Private gig at night with John Spillane, one of Ireland’s most revered songwriters.  

Day 2: Today we visit Drumbeg Stone Circle and Glandore, before visiting Skibbereen Heritage Centre, where we learn about the Great irish Famine 1845 - 1850. Tonight we visit Skibbereen and listen to a real Irish music session.

Day 3: We do the Mizen Head drive and set foot on Mizen Head, which is Ireland's most southerly point.   We will walk on Barley Cove Beach and have lunch in Crookhaven in one of the region's best fish restaurant's/pubs. Tonight we are free to explare the Skibbereen pub music scene.

Day 4: We leave West Cork today for the  Ballyferritter - Dingle area, via Bantry, Glengarriff, Kenmare, where we join the world famous Ring of Kerry and onto Dingle after a stop for lunch at Inch Beach. Tonight we have a private gig with Seamus Begley and Donogh Hennessy. 

Day 5: We do the Slea Head Drive, which is Tom’s favourite drive in Ireland. We look at the Blasket Islands on the way and we will stop for a photo op. at Dead Man's Island. Tonight we will go to Dingle and listen to some great Irish Traditional music.

Day 6: Today is a free day. There are many activities available for all,  including hiking, biking, horse riding, fishing, Ecco Tours etc. All these can be organised the day before. Chuck will do a gig at our hotel tonight.

Day 7: We head for County Clare today via the Tarbert - Killimer Ferry. We stop at the Cliffs of Moher before checking into our hotel in Doolin. We have a private gig tonight in our hotel with the wonderful Howley family from Kilfenora. These 3 girls are multiple Irish music Champions.

Day 8: Today we go to Inis Oirr,  which is one of the Aran Islands. A day not to be missed. Tonight we listen to some of Ireland's best musicians in the Doolin pubs.

Day 9: We visit the Burren region today.   This is a wonderful 250 square mile region of limestone rock.   We have a group meal tonight in our hotel where we’ll talk about our trip. If anyone has energy,  we will listen to one last Doolin session.

Day 10: Back to Shannon Airport and our flights home. 

I really hope you’ll join me on what promises to be a terrific and very unique tour through a country I’ve really come to love.  And maybe we’ll even have a 9:30 pint together.



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