Spirit of Connemara, Galway, Ireland

Transcription

1 Spirit of Connemara, Galway, Ireland 19th - 24th September, 2013 Galway, Ireland Photo: GAA Hurling All-Ireland Final. Daire Brennan / SPORTSFILE Unique Cultural & Heritage Tour, Galway, Ireland

2 19 THURSDAY: Cliffs of Moher, River Cruise & Irish Coffee Making Demonstration Our Professional Tour Guide and Coach Driver will meet you at Shannon Airport. Emma O Sullivan who hails from Connemara will get your vacation kick started as she welcomes you to Ireland by performing a sean-nós (old style) dance accompanied by a talented accordion player. Your journey will commence after a light breakfast to the Cliffs of Moher, a designated UNESCO Geo Park. The majestic Cliffs command some of the most incredible views in Ireland. You will then travel through the Burren to Galway City where you will enjoy a cruise of the river and lough (lake) Corrib, Ireland s 2nd largest lake. There is a full commentary on all points of interest and brunch is served on board. Roisin, an Irish Coffee making World Champion will also give you an Irish coffee demonstration and tell the history of Irish whiskey. After the cruise, check into your hotel with time to rest and refresh. Evening at your leisure. DBL Above: Sean nos dancing Above: Cliffs of Moher

3 20 FRIDAY: Hidden Gems of Connemara This morning you will travel off the beaten track to one of the hidden gems of Connemara, the small village of Lettermore, an island now linked to the mainland by road. Here, Gaelic/Irish is the spoken language. In Lettermore, you will meet with a local guide from the community who will accompany you on a walk of this beautiful scenic area. You will see an ancient Mesolithic fish trap, dating back to years B.C, a Holy Well named after Saint Anne and hear the folklore and history of the area. In the afternoon you will participate in a variety of cultural workshops and master classes delivered by local experts. You will learn a Séan Nos dance, enjoy an introduction to spoken Gaelic and try your hand at hurling. Wild & rugged connemara Hurling is believed to be the world s oldest field game. This very fast and exciting game is one of the most popular sports in Ireland. One of the greatest moments in the history of Galway hurling was when Captain Joe Connolly lifted the McCarthy Cup on the All Ireland Final day. After a short introduction by Joe Connolly you will have an opportunity to try your hand at the art of hurling coached by the great man himself. A Night in Connemara / Oíche Chonamara - a spectacular showcase of local traditions of the Irish language, dance and song. Connemara s rich traditions of music, song, dance and story-telling are very unique and one of the great pleasures of the region. Tonight you will attend a function featuring some of the finest artists from this area including musicians, singers, dancers and story-tellers. You will get a chance to hear the hauntingly beautiful tradition of Sean Nós singing (old time) and dance, a style native to this area. Our host on the night is Séan Bán Breathnach an Irish-language broadcaster who presents several television and radio programmes and documentaries. Séan is famous for his catch phrase Beidh Ceol, Caint agus Craic againn We ll have music, chat and fun. A memorable night is guaranteed. BD Traditional Irish Music Stunning scenery

4 21 SATURDAY: Learn about Irish traditions & attend the International Hurling Final You will spend the morning at Cnoc Suain (restful hill) in Spiddal, a renovated small village of thatched and slated stone cottages located on 200 acres of stunningly beautiful ancient landscape, bog, lake and sea. Some of the cottages date back to As Gaelic speakers, musicians, natural scientists and owners of this historic hill village, Dearbhaill Standun and Charlie Troy are the perfect hosts. They will accompany you on a short walk through the Connemara bogland that surrounds Cnoc Suain. Charlie will introduce you to the fascinating archaeology & natural history of the bog including turf harvesting. An Sean Teach - The Old House at Cnoc Suain In one of the old thatch cottages, Dearbhaill, will relay the history and folklore of the local area. You will hear the Irish language spoken and enjoy stories about the life and customs of the inhabitants of the cottage. She will also demonstrate the art of bread making. Dearbhaill, a talented musician is a founder member of the much acclaimed traditional music group Dordan. She will play the fiddle and will be accompanied by a local musician on the accordion and tin whistle. Together they will perform a selection of jigs and reels as guests enjoy a drink in the main cottage. There will even be an opportunity to learn some Ceili dances! This afternoon you will attend the final of the International Hurling Festival. The best hurlers from North America, the UK, Continental Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada will descend on Galway for the first hurling competition of its kind. The tournament will feature sixteen international teams competing in four groups of four, with the eventual winners crowned in Galway s legendary Pearse Stadium. Tonight you will be free to explore the pubs and restaurants of Galway city at your leisure. B Hurling fastest game on the planet GAA Hurling All-Ireland Final. Daire Brennan / SPORTSFILE

5 22 Sunday: Folklore, Dance and Song of The Aran Islands This morning you will board a ferry to the Aran Islands where you will visit Dun Aengus, an Iron Age fort built as four concentric stone walls. The fort has been called the most magnificent barbaric monument in Europe. You will visit Na Seacht dteampaill, the Seven Churches which make up a monastic settlement dedicated to St. Brecan. After lunch you will be joined by a number of Islanders and hear the folklore, language and song of the Island. This will be led by Treasa Ní Mhiolláin who has an international reputation in traditional Irish sean-nós song (old style). Treasa teaches many young singers the art of sean-nós and continues to tour and perform internationally. She has given concerts and taught in Germany, Switzerland and Sardinia among other countries. Teresa will be joined by the Mulkerrin Brothers a trio of young traditional Irish musicians and performers from the Island. They play the box, fiddle, banjo and a major feature of their performance is sean-nós dancing. Ceili Mór Unforgettable Ceili Dancing This evening it s time to get your dancing shoes on and enjoy a night of Ceili Dancing. A number of local Irish dance instructors will be on hand to guide you in the art of Ceili Dancing a popular form of folk dancing in Ireland. It doesn t matter whether you can dance properly, as long as you join in! You ll love it. BD Stone walls, Aran Islands

6 23 Monday: Kylemore Abbey And A Walk Through Hidden Connemara with Local Archeologist, Micheal Gibbons This morning you will return to Connemara. You will travel through the Inagh Valley to Kylemore Abbey enjoying its picturesque lake and famous abbey. Kylemore Abbey is the only Irish home of the Benedictine Nuns. Built originally as a Castle (1868) it is one of the best examples of Irish neo-gothic architecture. Michael Gibbons, a native of Connemara and one of Ireland s leading field archaeologists will join you. He is a writer, broadcaster and mountaineer. He will accompany you for short walk through one of Connemara s most scenic areas, Carna. He will give you some fascinating insights into the history of this beautiful countryside. You will see a recently discovered Connemara lake dwelling which is over 2,000 years old and one of the best preserved lake dwellings in Ireland. Mountains of Connemara This evening you will have a unique opportunity to enjoy an evening of entertainment and food in Claregalway Castle. The owner of the castle is looking forward to sharing the Castle s history and the stories behind the many antiques housed there. The views of the Galway countryside from the rooftop are amazing. You will marvel at the woodwork of the great hall roof and the stonework that has stood the test of time, wars, floods and strife for hundreds of years. BD Talented Irish Traditional Musicians Kylemore Abbey

7 24 Tuesday: Free Day In Galway City of The Tribes Overnight Hotel. B 25 Wednesday: Day of Departure Traditional Irish music led by the harp Group transfer to Shannon Airport. B B = Breakfast included L = Lunch included D = Dinner included Galway City of the Tribes

8 Cost of land package per person sharing or $1,166 usd* per person sharing *Dollar equivalent is based on current exchange rate of 1usd = and is subject to fluctuation What s included: 6 night s accommodation with full Irish breakfast in the 4 star Galway Bay Hotel or equivalent All internal transport All admission fees Dinner & Entertainment in Claregalway Castle 3 group dinners in hotel Excursions to Connemara & the Aran Islands with local experts Sean-nós dance lesson, Hurling demonstration & Workshop on Conversational Irish/Gaelic Spectacular Show of Traditional Irish Music and Dance Ceili Mór International Hurling Festival What s not included: Flights, driver and guide gratuity and porterage. We recommend that you arrange personal travel insurance. How to Book enquiries@celticfootstep.com Phone: