Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 90 miles, approximately 3 hours. Walking about 3 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, some cobbled areas, gravel and grass paths, some uneven terrain at Thoor Ballylee.
In the hotel dining room, the full Irish breakfast buffet offers choices such as eggs, bacon, sausages, tomato, potatoes, cereals, fruit, toast, pastries and jams, plus juices, coffee, tea, water.
We’ll board the motorcoach for a field trip to the port city of Galway, the cradle of Gaelic culture in the West. Galway is often referred to as the “city of tribes,” as it was once home to 14 famous merchant families. Enjoying an expert-led walk around the city with a local historian, we’ll conclude at the Galway City Museum for some time to explore independently. Should you wish to explore the museum, entrance is free of charge and it houses a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions dealing with archaeology, local history, arts, and crafts.
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. Galway has many bars, restaurants, and cafés to suit all tastes.
We’ll board the motorcoach for a field trip led by our Group Leader to Thoor Ballylee, a fortified tower house thought to have been constructed in the 15th century. This small castle on the Coole Estate was owned by poet W.B. Yeats between 1916 and 1929, and is popularly known today as Yeats’ Tower. The building now houses a Yeats museum, thanks to the conservation efforts of local volunteer groups. We will then return by motorcoach to the hotel.
Hotel plated meal.
We’ll be joined at the hotel by members of a local family of musicians, who will regale us with a performance of traditional Irish music. Ennis is widely considered one of the most important heartlands of Irish folk music and as we enjoy informal conversation with the performers, we’ll gain an understanding of the importance of music to community life.