Ireland Group Tours - Traveling Around Ireland with Patricia Tunison Preston

Summer in Ireland Tour

July 21 - 30, 2011

With

Msgr. Charlie Coen and Pat Preston

Featuring East & West Coasts & Northern Ireland

10 Days – 8 Nights – 15 Meals
2 Nights in Dublin, 2 Nights in Belfast, 2 Nights in Co. Donegal
1 Night in a CASTLE and Finale Night in Bunratty

Dublin * Boyne Valley * Armagh * Belfast * Glens of Antrim * Giant’s Causeway * Derry * Inishowen Peninsula * Malin Head * Letterkenny * Glenveagh National Park * Donegal * Belleek * Lough Gill * Sligo * Ballyfarnon Clonmacnoise * Limerick * Bunratty * Shannon Airport

Our Hotels

Davenport Hotel, Merrion Square, Dublin City - Although relatively new to the Dublin scene (opened in 1993), this 4-star hotel imparts an old world aura - incorporating the neoclassical façade of Merrion Hall, a former church dating back to 1863, with tall Georgian windows and pillars – all in keeping with an ace location in the fashionable and historic Merrion Square neighborhood. Guests are greeted in a unique domed entranceway with a six-story atrium lobby of marble flooring and plaster moldings. The 114 guest rooms are all in a newly built section, and are decorated in classic shades of burgundy, mahogany and cream, with every modern perk including flat screen TV and air-conditioning. Public areas include a charming restaurant, Lanyon’s, named after a leading 19^th century architect (Sir Charles Lanyon), and a clubby in-house pub, known as The President’s Bar, decorated with portraits of world leaders, past and present. Best of all, this hotel in easy strolling distance to Trinity College, the National Gallery, Grafton Street, St. Stephen’s Green, Temple Bar and more. Web site: www.ocallaghanhotels.com/dublinmain/Davenport.aspx

Hotel Europa, Great Victoria Street, Belfast, Co. Antrim – Situated in the heart of the city’s “Golden Mile” and beside the Grand Opera House, this deluxe 4-star hotel is the largest in Northern Ireland – and a real city centre hub for locals and visitors alike. Long popular as “the place” to stay in Belfast, it has played host to stars of stage and screen, prime ministers and presidents (including President Clinton in 1995 and 1998). Enhanced and expanded over the years, it now offers 240 guest rooms with every modern comfort including air-conditioning. Public areas include The Lobby Bar, The Causerie Bistro and The Piano Bar Restaurant with live music each evening. The Europa is part of the Hastings Hotel Group, the premier hotel chain of Northern Ireland. Web site: www.hastingshotels.com

Gallagher's Hotel, 100 Main St., Letterkenny, Co. Donegal -Tucked in the midst of the action of Letterkenny’s busy main thoroughfare, this hotel stands out, with its four-story glass façade and a buzzing atmosphere which is typical of a lively country town hotel. The decor is bright and airy with lots of mirrors, leather seating, and a dazzling two-story chandelier that extends from the lobby to the mezzanine level. There are 92 contemporary guest rooms, each with modern comforts, plasma TV, and air-conditioning. Facilities include the Ard na gCeapairi Bistro, Inis Meain Bar (on the mezzanine level with panoramic views of Letterkenny), and McCarry’s Bar, a great place to meet the locals. Web site: www.gallaghershotel.com

Kilronan Castle, Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon – A sweeping, tree-lined drive leads to this multi-turreted Gothic revival castle - secluded off-the-beaten-path amid 49 acres overlooking Lough Meelagh midway between Counties Leitrim and Sligo. This 4-star castle is one of Ireland’s newest luxury castle hotels, opened to overnight guests in 2008. It was the hit of our 2010 tour, so we are returning in 2011! Like most castles, Kilronan has a long and storied past, and is said to be one of the few Irish castles that can trace its history back to royal families and earlier. Originally, the land was chosen in the 6th century by St. Ronan to build a church (in Irish, Cill Ronain) and a holy well. In the early 1800’s, it became the domain of the Tennison family of Oxfordshire and was extended in 1876 with a baronial tower and battlements by the 12th Earl of Kingston. The public areas and the 84 guest rooms are furnished in traditional style with lots of dark woods, crystal chandeliers, textured wallpapers, and regal velvet fabrics, along with modern amenities like air-conditioning. Facilities include The Douglas Hyde Restaurant, named after the first president of Ireland who was born nearby; as well as a bar, library, and leisure center with indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, gym, fitness studio and spa. Or step outside and stroll the magnificent grounds beside the lake - you will feel on top of the world in this special setting -- and you won't want to leave. Web site: www.kilronancastle.ie

Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty, Co. Clare – In spite of the "Castle" in its name, this hotel is not a castle, nor does it pretend to be, but it is the shining star of Bunratty accommodations. Everyone wants to stay here, and for many good reasons. Situated on high ground directly across from Bunratty Castle and the legendary Durty Nelly's Pub, this hotel blends an 18th century manor house with two harmonious wings of guest rooms that offer every 21st century convenience including air-conditioning and ice machines. Facilities include The Round Room Restaurant and Kathleen’s Bar as well as a leisure center/spa with indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, and gym. Also on the grounds is the wildly popular (with locals as well as visitors) Bunratty Village Mills shopping village (including a branch of Blarney Woollen Mills) if you need to do some last-minute shopping. Web site: www.bunrattycastlehotel.com

The Full Itinerary
Tour Highlights
What the Price Includes
Comments from Past Tour Participants
2011 Summer Tour Home Page
Group Tour Main Page

Sign-up Form

(If you are unable to open and print the sign-up form, send an email to patpreston@mac.com)

$2,713 per person for Complete Land Tour & Airfare*

or $1,982 for land tour only

* plus $245 airline departure taxes/surcharges (subject to change)

I-DEPTH counter

Home