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The Irish Isle: Intergenerational Enchantment

Program Number: 15503RJ
Start and End Dates:
7/1/2013 - 7/13/2013; 6/30/2014 - 7/12/2014;
Duration: 12 nights
Location: Ireland
Price starting at: $3,347.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Intergenerational
Intergenerational
Meals: 32; 11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners    
Meal Options: Gluten Free; Low Salt; Low Fat; Vegetarian    

Program intended for grandchildren from 9 - 13 years of age.

Enter an enchanting world of folklore, forts and faeries in the magical land of Ireland, where landscape, myth and tradition permeate the country. Two generations study the Emerald Isle, learning about traditional sheep farming, exploring the unique landscape of County Clare, the Irish art of storytelling, and your own family history through lessons on tracing ancestral roots! An evening of “limericks,” as well as traditional Irish dance and music, introduces the rhythms of everyday life.




Highlights

• A morning of song and storytelling with an expert storyteller captures the nuances between generations.
• Enjoy a Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle and explore the haunting landscape of the Burren, learning about faerie forts and folklore.
• Participate in living Gaelic traditions during workshops on traditional Irish dancing and music.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two hours; activities for children include an afternoon of water-based activities. Please note that Blarney Castle and the walk on the Burren may not be suitable for people with walking difficulties.



One youth per adult in shared accommodations. Adult is responsible for supervision of child at all times. All rooms are either double or single occupancy. If a family of 3 enrolls, one adult must enroll in a single and the other adult will be paired with the child. If a family of 4 enrolls, they will be provided with two rooms, one adult paired with one child in each room. We apologize, triple rooms are not available.




Date Specific Information

7-1-2013, 6-30-2014

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Cork, 3 nights; coach to Killarney, 5 nights; coach to Ennis, 3 nights; coach to Shannon for departure.



Overnight flight from U.S.A.
1 night
Arrival Shannon
Coach to Cork (Ireland)
3 nights

Enjoy the amenities of a large city and the hospitality of a small town in Cork, whose history dates back to 606. Kiss the famous Blarney Stone at the renowned castle, then explore your family tree, learn about genealogy and uncover the story of emigration at Cobh Heritage Centre, sharing stories between generations.



Coach to Killarney
5 nights

Lively and charming, Killarney is at the heart of one of the most natural, unspoiled environments in Europe. Learn about traditional sheep farming on the Ring of Kerry and explore Killarney by horse-drawn carriage. Young Learners enjoy an afternoon at a water park and aquarium. Both generations participate in a music workshop.



Coach to Ennis
3 nights
Departure

One of Ireland's most picturesque towns, Ennis combines ancient history with narrow streets and unique architecture. Explore the rolling, limestone hills of the mysterious Burren and learn about the medieval city of Galway: City of Tribes. Cap off the adventure with an evening of medieval fun at Bunratty Castle.




Ireland

In 1801, the Act of Union merged the Kingdom of Ireland with the Kingdom of Great Britain. In the mid-19th century, the Irish experienced terrible famine and crowding that led to a spirited nationalist movement. With the Government of Ireland Act in 1920, five-sixths of the island began independent governance. Northern Ireland voted to remain a part of the United Kingdom, creating an island that today fosters two shared, yet opposite identities.
Accommodations
Cork: Historic four-star hotel built in 1813. Killarney: Hotel located near Killarney National Park. Ennis: Historic Four-star hotel located near airport.
Meals and Lodgings
   Imperial Hotel
  Cork, Ireland 3 nights
   International Hotel Killarney
  Killarney, Ireland 5 nights
   Old Ground Hotel
  Ennis, Ireland 3 nights
 Imperial Hotel
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: The Imperial Hotel Cork, has been serving Cork city centre since 1813, when the Cork Committee of Merchants commissioned architect Sir Thomas Deane to design and build The Commercial Rooms. In 1816 the merchants requested Deane to extend the original building along Pembroke Street to serve as a hotel and coach-yard. The Imperial Hotel, originally the place where merchants met to discuss business, has played host to a number of renowned figures including Fr Mathew the temperance priest, writers such as Sir Walter Scott, William Makepeace Thackeray, Charles Dickens and the composer Liszt. Michael Collins, who negotiated the Free State Treaty in 1921 and is an important figure in Irish history, spent his last night in room 115 at the Imperial Hotel in Cork City Centre.
  Contact info: South Mall
Cork City,   Ireland
phone: +353 21 4274040
web: www.flynnhotels.com/Imperial_Hotel
  Room amenities: Direct Dial Telephone with Voice Mail, Digital Interactive TV, digital music library and Internet browser. Tea/Coffee Making Facilities, Hairdryer, Trouser Press, Iron/Ironing Board. 24 hour room service. Laundry service.
  Facility amenities: Pembroke Restaurant, the Food Hall with take out service, Lafyette Brasserie, South's Bar.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior:  For additional pre and post program accommodations, please contact Road Scholar Travel Services at (800) 241-1404 or via email to travelinfo@roadscholar.org
  Check in time: 3:30 PM

 International Hotel Killarney
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: Uniquely Irish!
  Contact info: Kenmare Place
Killarney, Co. Kery,   Ireland
phone: +353 64 31816
web: www.killarney-inter.com
  Room amenities: Satellite TV, direct dial telephone, hairdryer, tea and coffee facilities, trouser press, ironing boards.
  Facility amenities: Hannigans Restaurant and bar, resident's lounge, snooker room and library. Conference facilities
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes

 Old Ground Hotel
Type: Three-Star Hotel
  Description: Centrally located historic building
  Contact info: OConnell Street
Ennis
Co. Clare,   Ireland
phone: +353 65 682 8127
web: www.flynnhotels.com
  Room amenities: remote controlled television, direct dial telephone, hairdryer, trouser press and iron, tea & coffee available in room.
  Facility amenities: Restaurant, bar and meeting room on site, residents' library, wireless internet access.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after:  For additional pre and post program accommodations, please contact Road Scholar Travel Services at (800) 241-1404 or via email to travelinfo@roadscholar.org
  Check out time: 10:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Arrive to Shannon Airport. Transfer to Cork. You will be staying at Imperial Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
After breakfast in Ennis, county Clare. Breakfast ends at 10:00am and check out is by 11:00am. You will be staying at Old Ground Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
N/A.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: Public buses depart from the arrivals terminal to Cork every hour. The journey takes approximately 3 hours with a change of bus en route in Limerick city.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Overnight in Flight
  Transportation to site: POP-If arriving and departing on group travel days. Complete the Participant Information Form on-line. Or complete the form in the preparatory materials and return to Road Scholar in the UK Please include departure and arrival date, departure airport, airline, flight number, arrival airport, date and time. We recommend completing the form on-line as information will be kept for future programmes. Ground transportaton is available from airport to Cork city (first location). Public buses depart from the arrivals terminal to Cork every hour. The journey takes approximately 3 hours with a change of bus en route in Limerick city. Taxis from Shannon airport to Cork costs approx €170
  From End of Program
  Location:  Ennis
  Nearest airport:  Shannon
  Transportation from site: POP-If arriving and departing on group travel days. Complete the Participant Information Form on-line. Or complete the form in the preparatory materials and return to Road Scholar in the UK Please include departure and arrival date, departure airport, airline, flight number, arrival airport, date and time. We recommend completing the form on-line as information will be kept for future programmes. Ground transportaton is available from Ennis (end location) to Shannon airport. Public buses depart from Ennis to Shannon Airport approximately every half an hour. The journey takes apoproximately 30 mins with a change of bus en route in Limerick city. Taxis from Ennis to Shannon airport costs approx €30
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Overnight on board plane
(Monday, July 1)
   
 In Transit: International overnight flight to Ireland

Day 2: Arrive at Shannon Airport
(Tuesday, July 2)
   
 Arrive To: Transfer by coach to the Imperial Hotel, Cork city
 Lunch: Excluded
 Afternoon: Check in at hotel. Welcome meeting and orientation at 5:00pm.
 Dinner: At Hotel.
 Evening: Free Evening
   
Accommodations: Imperial Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 3: Mythology and music with Irish dancing and tin whistle workshop.
(Wednesday, July 3)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Lecture: Irish Music and Mythology. Tea / Coffee. Followed by an Irish dancing lesson and a workshop showing how to learn a traditional Irish tune on the tin whistle.
 Lunch: In the hotel.
 Afternoon: Depart by coach on a guided field trip of Cork city including St Fin Barre's Cathedral and Cork city gaol.
 Dinner: In the hotel.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: Imperial Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Cobh/Cork
(Thursday, July 4)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Lecture: Irish Folklore & Traditions: Celtic Gods, rituals and customs, curses and cures’. Depart on a field trip to Cobh: the Queenstown Story to learn at first hand about emigration from Ireland to America Field trip to Cobh: the Queenstown Story
 Lunch: Lunch in Cobh at the Queenstown Centre.
 Afternoon: Meet your guide Michael Martin to take the ‘Titanic Trail’: Follow in the footsteps of the passengers who boarded the doomed ‘Titanic’. Return to Cork via St. Colman’s Cathedral .
 Dinner: In the hotel.
 Evening: Grandchildren ‘interview’ their grandparents in order to complete their family tree. Special prize for the grandchild with the most ancestral information!
   
Accommodations: Imperial Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Blarney
(Friday, July 5)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Depart for Blarney Castle. Climb the steps to the top of the castle for spectacular views and kiss the Blarney Stone to get the ‘gift of gab’.
 Lunch: Lunch at Blarney Woollen Mills hotel.
 Afternoon: Transfer to the International Hotel in Killarney in Co Kerry.
 Dinner: In the hotel.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: International Hotel Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Outdoor Adventure Centre.
(Saturday, July 6)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Lecture: Growing up in Kerry: A Ramble down the ole Bodhrin. Tea / Coffee. Group depart for an Outdoor Adventure Centre.
 Lunch: Lunch at centre
 Afternoon: Enjoy a day’s sailing on the beautiful Carragh Lake
 Dinner: Dinner at the Centre
 Evening: Grandchildren: Supervised activities with leader
   
Accommodations: International Hotel Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Storytelling
(Sunday, July 7)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Adventures and Heroes of Irish mythology; a day of storytelling. Our story teller weaves worlds of mythic Irish lore, shrouding us in the mythological knowledge that has shaped this land. Tea/coffee. The Art of Storytelling, the traits of the craft: Release the storyteller within!. This involves the use of drama games, enactment, telling and retelling of tales both familiar and new. All the day’s activities work towards opening up the storytelling skills of each member.
 Lunch: Lunch allowance given.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon.
 Dinner: In the hotel.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: International Hotel Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Ring of Kerry. Kissane.
(Monday, July 8)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Full day field trip around the Iveragh Peninsula: - the world - renowned ‘Ring of Kerry’ including a visit to the Kissane family Sheep Farm, located in the scenic area of Moll's Gap. The goal of this family run farm is to preserve the Irish heritage of mountain sheep farming and the mountain sheep that have been in the hills and on the roads of Kerry for over one hundred years. In doing so, the heritage of a traditional family farm in this Special Area of Conservation is saved for future generations. You will have the opportunity to learn about the work of the sheepdogs and see them in action on this mountainous terrain, to catch a sheep in the farmyard and try to shear it yourself and to bottle feed some of the orphan lambs.
 Lunch: Taken en route.
 Afternoon: The field trip continues.
 Dinner: In the hotel.
 Evening: At leisure.
   
Accommodations: International Hotel Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Lakes of Killarney.
(Tuesday, July 9)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Experience the most beautiful part of Ireland in the most memorable way; on board a traditional jaunting car where you will explore the famous Lakes of Killarney on a boat with your grandchildren. This spectacular tour will inform you on the history, legends & folklore of the area, and if you are lucky enough you might just bump into the odd 1 or 2 Leprechauns!!!
 Lunch: At the Muckross Garden Restaurant.
 Afternoon: Children depart by mini bus with leader to attend an afternoon of discovery with Irish young people their own age at Killarney National Park Education Centre, whose ethos is based on a hands-on approach to learning about nature. Activities include live capture and release of small mammals, scavenger hunts, food chain games, quizzes, pond dipping, moth trapping, and use of microscopes. It is hoped that through this the participant will become more aware of the value of an unspoilt environment and the need for conservation. Grandparents have a guided visit of Muckross House, a magnificent Victorian mansion in the beautiful surroundings of Killarney National Park.
 Dinner: In the hotel.
 Evening: Depart hotel for a spectacular evening of Irish music, song and dance.
   
Accommodations: International Hotel Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
(Wednesday, July 10)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Depart for Ennis in County Clare. Stopping at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
 Lunch: Lunch in Bunratty.
 Afternoon: Look around the model village of traditional farm houses and cottages at Buratty Folk Park.
 Dinner: In the hotel.
 Evening: Evening of Limericks. Learn how to put together your very own Limerick!.
   
Accommodations: Old Ground Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Galway.
(Thursday, July 11)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Depart for the medieval city of Galway. Talk and Introduction to the City of the Tribes followed by a walking tour of this medieval city.
 Lunch: Enroute
 Afternoon: Grandparents enjoy free time in Galway while the children visit an Atlantic Ocean Aquatic Centre and Swimming Pool.
 Dinner: In the hotel.
   
Accommodations: Old Ground Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Medieval banquet in Bunratty Castle.
(Friday, July 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Depart for an excursion to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Explore the Burren, a magnificent moonscape type terrain renowned all over the world for its rare flora and fauna. via the Poulnabrone Dolmen. Dating from between 3800 and 3200 B.C., Poulnabone is one of the finest examples of a portal dolmen in Ireland. Depart for the village of Bealaclugga
 Lunch: In the cottage in Bealaclugga.
 Afternoon: Take a Ramble through the foothills of the Burren with an expert guide and storyteller. See the landscape and terrain of the Fairies. Learn about Fairy Forts, scary banshees and ancient Celtic customs .
 Dinner: At Bunratty Castle you will be taken back in time to medieval Ireland, enjoy an authentic Medieval banquet with court jesters and entertainers!
   
Accommodations: Old Ground Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13:
(Saturday, July 13)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel
 Morning: Transfers to Shannon Airport for departure.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Cork Cork
Orientation meeting followed by dinner
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Fairy and Folk Tales of Ireland


Author: W.B.Yeats


Description: This volume combines two books of folklore edited by the Nobel Prize-winning poet who spearheaded the great Celtic renaissance in the early 20th century. These stories of changelings, ghosts, mermaids, demons, saints, priests, and fairies are enchanting and entertaining.



Ireland, A Concise History


Author: Conor Cruise O'Brien


Description: With its lively even-handed tone and hundreds of well-integrated photographs and illustrations, this book conveys the essence of Irish history and the Irish experience.



The Reader's Companion to Ireland


Author: Alan Ryan (ed.)


Description: Divided geographically, this collection of satisfyingly long stories and excerpts gathers classic and modern travel writing on the Emerald Isle -- a wonderful introduction to Ireland.



Heritage of Ireland


Author: Nathaniel Harris


Description: From the arrival of the Celts to the present, "Heritage of Ireland" reveals how history, climate, and culture have worked together to create a distinctively Irish identity.



A Traveller's History of Ireland


Author: Peter Neville


Description: From the Celts to the Norman invasions and modern-day Ireland, this short history is highly recommended for those who would like a brief overview of the Emerald Isle through the centuries



For the Love of Ireland: A Literary Companion


Author: Susan Cahill (ed.)


Description: A rich anthology of writing about Ireland by such Irish luminaries as James Joyce, William Butler Yeats, Seamus Heaney, William, Trevor, Frank McCourt, Edna O'Brien, and Samuel Beckett. The well-chosen excerpts, organized by province, evoke in wonderful literary detail the geography of Ireland. Highly recommended for any traveler, the anthology is also a fine introduction to Irish literature.



Ireland in Mind: An Anthology


Author: Alice Leccese Powers


Description: Editor Powers presents three centuries of fiction, poetry, and essays on the Emerald Isle by a stellar cast of mostly Irish, English, and American writers. What is portrayed is not the stereotypical Ireland of facile travel writing but an altogether deeper and profounder place.



Ireland and the Irish


Author: John Ardagh


Description: impressionistic portrait of the two Irelands, based on interviews with leaders and ordinary people from every walk of life, includes their insights and the author's own observations and analysis. Anatomy of the country, this book is a most useful guide for the visitor wanting a complete picture of modern Irish life and the prevailing social and economic trends.



Ancestral Voices: Re;igion and Nationalism in Ireland


Author: Conor Cruise O'Brien


Description: Scholar and statesman Conor Cruise O'Brien illuminates why peace has been so elusive in Northern Ireland. He explains the conflation of religion and nation through Irish history into our own time. Using his life as a prism through which he interprets. Ireland's past and present, O'Brien identifies case after case of the lethal mixing of God with country that has spilled oceans of blood throughout this century of nationalism and that, from Bosnia to Northern Ireland, still curses the world.



The Companion Guide to Ireland


Author: Brendan Lehane


Description: A comprehensive guide to Ireland for the traveler with a focus on history and culture. Anecdotal, literate and often entertaining.



Ancient Ireland


Author: Jacqueline O'Brien and Peter Harbison


Description: From prehistoric stone circles to crosses and castles, this provides both a visual and strong supportive text analysis of the relics and history of ancient Ireland. Over 300 color photos by O'Brien compliment Harbison's beautiful overview of Ireland's history.



The Penguin Book of Irish Short Stories


Author: Benedict Kiely (ed)


Description: Beginning with an exquisite love story-an ancient saga retold by Lady Gregory-and continuing with George Moore and the birth of the modern short story at the turn of the century, this highly representative collection includes both classic writers and contemporaries.



The Bodhran Makers


Author: John B. Keane


Description: A saga of the struggle between hard-living farmers and the Church, The Bodhran Makers is set in rural Ireland in the 1950s. Every January the farmers celebrate the Celtic ancestry with a festival of singing, drinking and music made with the Bodhran (a drum made from goat skin). A thorough, pained, loving account of a lost world--with the novel itself an act of cultural survival.



Old Days, Old Ways


Author: Olive Sharkey


Description: • A wonderfully written commentary on many aspects of rural Irish life in the recent past. There are a multitude of good drawings, interesting to learn about and/or compare with American implements. The author draws on her own family's experiences and acquaintances to illumine her narrative.



The Pipes are Calling


Author: Niall Williams and Christeine Breen


Description: With two-year old Deidre in her baby seat, Niall Williams and Christine Breen take to the backroads and boreens of Ireland - all of the the sights, smells, sounds and feelings of the different places the travel to, and best of all their life back home in Kiltumper.



Eyewitness Travel Guide Ireland


Author: Guidebooks


Description: This superb on-the-ground guide features color photography, dozens of excellent local maps and a region-by-region synopsis of the country's attractions. Handsome, convenient and up-to-date, this is the guide to carry



Knopf Guide Ireland


Author: Knopf


Description: A portable guide explores Ireland's lush green landscapes and exciting cities, pinpoints its historic sites and the homes of famous people, and provides accompanying photographs and maps.





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