This program was custom designed to explore Ireland’s literature, history, and culture. This itinerary is subject to change. Travel demands flexibility. We will strive to balance adaptability with remaining on schedule. Please trust that, when it is not possible to follow the plan laid out below, your program leaders will work to find substitutions that retain the quality of this Study Travel program. Various details may be added or changed due to information obtained while making reservations, or perhaps on site, especially because of the weather. BLD indicated included group meals.
Wednesday, July 12 Depart USA
Individual departures from your hometown.
Thursday, July 13 Arrive Dublin (D)
Upon arrival, make your way to the group hotel. This evening we will have a short introductory meeting at the hotel followed by our group welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight Dublin.
Friday, July 14 Dublin (BL)
After breakfast, we’ll have a walking city tour of Dublin, including Trinity College. Group lunch at a local restaurant and then some free time. This evening we will enjoy a Literary Pub Crawl in Dublin. Overnight Dublin.
Saturday, July 15 Dublin (BD)
Jon will lead a discussion at the hotel, and then we’ll visit the Museum of Literary Ireland for a guided tour. MoLI is a collaboration between the National Library of Ireland and University College Dublin, two great institutions with an incredible shared literary history. We will also visit the National Library of Ireland and the Chester Beatty Library. Lunch on your own and some free time. Group dinner, including a traditional Irish dance show. Overnight Dublin.
Sunday, July 16 Dublin – Navan (BL)
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll depart Dublin for County Meath in Ireland’s ancient east. Here we will visit Newgrange & Knowth, followed by the Hill of Tara and Hill of Slane. We’ll find time for a discussion led by Jon, and for group lunch. Dinner on your own. Overnight Navan.
Monday, July 17 Navan – Belfast (BL)
Today we head north to Belfast, where a Republican ex-political prisoner will take us on a guided walk along the Falls Road and share their personal story. We’ll also have lunch on a walking city food tour. Late afternoon free, with dinner on your own. Overnight Belfast.
Tuesday, July 18 Belfast – Derry (BLD)
We’ll depart in our private motor coach for Derry, first visiting the Seamus Heaney Museum and St. Columba Cathedral. After group lunch, we’ll have a guided walking tour of Derry. Group dinner. Overnight Derry.
Wednesday, July 19 Derry – Sligo (BLD)
Today we’ll head to Sligo to visit Drumcliff Cemetetry and the WB Yeats Society. After a group lunch there’ll be free time. Group dinner at the hotel. Overnight Sligo.
Thursday, July 20 Sligo – Galway (B)
After a discussion led by Jon, we’ll depart for Galway, where we’ll have a guided walking tour of this medieval city, including a visit to the home of Nora Barnacle, wife of James Joyce, and the Galway City Museum. Free time with lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight Galway.
Friday, July 21 Galway/Excursion to the Aran Islands (BLD)
This morning we’ll take the ferry to Inis Mor, the second largest of the Aran Islands. There are two spectacular Stone Forts on the island dating back to between the 1st and 7th centuries AD: Dun Fearbhai and Dun Chonchuir or “Conor’s Fort” (also known as “The Black Fort”). We’ll also visit the cottage of John M. Synge, famous Irish playwright. Group lunch at an appropriate point. Dinner on your own after this full day. Overnight Galway.
Saturday, July 22 Galway (BL)/Day Excursion to Gort (BL)
This morning we’ll start with a discussion led by Jon, and then we’ll visit the town of Gort for a guided tour of Lady Gregory and Yeats Heritage Trail, Kiltartan Gregory Museum, and Thoor Balleylee. Remainder of the day free with lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight Galway.
Sunday, July 23 Galway – Shannon Airport Hotel (BD)
Today we’ll visit the Cliffs of Moher and Dunguire Castle, and the Burren, a region of County Clare in the southwest of Ireland. It’s a karst landscape of bedrock incorporating a vast cracked pavement of glacial-era limestone, with cliffs and caves, fossils, rock formations and archaeological sites. On the Atlantic coast, the precipitous Cliffs of Moher are home to thousands of seabirds, including puffins. We’ll stop in nearby Doolin village, a renowned center for traditional Irish music, for lunch on your own. Farewell group dinner. Overnight at a Shannon Airport Hotel.
Monday, July 24 Depart Ireland (B)
Individual departures.
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