Ireland
Ireland at a Slower Pace: Countryside & Culture, Galway to Dublin
Program No. 22586RJ
Experience Ireland’s cities, villages, farms and nature, and interact with her people as you journey at a leisurely pace from the rural West through County Kerry and on to Dublin.
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11 days
10 nights
22 meals
9B 6L 7D
At a Glance
Experience Ireland’s cities, villages, farms and natural environments and interact with her people as you journey from the rural West through County Kerry and on to Dublin. Friendly locals accompany your discovery, moving at a relaxed pace that allows for thorough exploration of the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Bunratty Castle and more, as well as for conversation in cozy pubs where lively traditional music is played.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Participants must be able to handle their own luggage, climb a few stairs, stand for up to an hour, get on and off a motorcoach easily and walk a few blocks indoors and out at one time, up to 2-3 miles over the course of a day with breaks and slower pace.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn about the natural forces behind the legendary beauty of Ireland’s wild spaces on expert-led discoveries of the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren and County Kerry.
- Discover traditional Irish food.
- Join locals to take part in customary Irish pastimes, including the country’s vibrant music and dance traditions.
General Notes
You may be interested in a more active version of this program, "Enchanting Ireland: Town and Country" (#21258).
Suggested Reading List
(11 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Ireland at a Slower Pace: Countryside & Culture, Galway to Dublin
Program Number: 22586
Ireland in the 20th Century
Ireland entered the twentieth century savaged by poverty and memories of the famine but inspired by the Celtic Dawn, a remarkable cultural renaissance led by Yeats, Synge and Lady Gregory. She left it in the era of the Celtic Tiger, with unparalleled prosperity and a new, confident, outward-looking view of herself and the world - although this prosperity and self-confidence is now giving way to uncertainty. In the intervening hundred years, Ireland has experienced more 'history' than almost any other country: beginning under the British crown, she was racked by revolution, the Anglo-Irish war, partition and civil conflict. Led by towering figures such as Michael Collins and De Valera, she has suffered terrible hardships and disputes but has nevertheless provided brilliant cultural and literary examples and is now a country of importance in the wider international community, providing leadership in a variety of moral and development issues. In this readable and authoritative study, Ireland's bestselling popular historian tells the extraordinary story of how contemporary Ireland came into existence. Covering both South and North and dealing with social and cultural history as well as political, this will surely become a definitive single-volume account of the making of modern Ireland.
Legendary Ireland – Myths and Legends of Ireland
This captivating book takes readers on a journey through twenty-eight atmospheric sites, each linked to legendary tales of love, betrayal, courage, and revenge, featuring iconic figures from Celtic lore such as Cu Chulainn, the children of Lir, and Queen Maeve.
This is Happiness
This historical novel spans over four centuries of Irish history, from pre-Christian times through to the establishment of the Free Irish State in 1922. Rutherfurd weaves together the lives of a diverse cast of characters—monks, noblemen, soldiers, and rebels—against the backdrop of significant historical events such as the Viking invasions, the Great Famine, and the Easter Rebellion.
How the Irish Saved Western Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe
A compelling historical narrative that explores the crucial role of Ireland during a pivotal period in Western history, specifically from the fall of the Roman Empire to the rise of medieval Europe. First published in 1995, the book argues that as Europe descended into chaos and barbarism, Irish monks and scholars preserved the remnants of classical knowledge, ensuring its survival for future generations.
I Never Knew That About Ireland
A treasure trove of fascinating stories, I Never Knew That About Ireland is packed full of information on the colorful history of the Emerald Isle. This irresistible book gives a captivating insight into the heritage, memories, and monuments that have shaped each county in Ireland, searching out their secrets and unearthing their hidden gems.
Tracing your Irish Ancestors
This book serves as an essential resource for both beginners and experienced genealogists, offering detailed insights into the various sources available for tracing Irish ancestry.
Dubliners
A seminal collection of fifteen short stories that provides a vivid and unflinching portrayal of life in early 20th-century Dublin. The narratives revolve around middle-class characters who grapple with themes of paralysis, disillusionment, and the quest for identity amidst the constraints imposed by society, religion, and politics.
A Brief History of Ireland
Designed as an introduction to Irish history, this pocket-sized book details the history of the island, from Viking and Norman invasions, Plantation and the Cromwellian wars to the present.
We Don’t Know Ourselves
This acclaimed work intertwines O'Toole's own experiences with significant historical events, capturing the transformative changes in Ireland from 1958 to the present day.
The Rebels of Ireland
This historical novel spans over four centuries of Irish history, from pre-Christian times through to the establishment of the Free Irish State in 1922. Rutherfurd weaves together the lives of a diverse cast of characters—monks, noblemen, soldiers, and rebels—against the backdrop of significant historical events such as the Viking invasions, the Great Famine, and the Easter Rebellion.
• 101 Things You Didn't Know About Irish History: The People, Places, Culture, and Tradition of The Emerald Isle
This book is packed with fascinating facts and stories about Irish history, culture, and traditions, making it a great introduction to the island of Ireland.
