WANT TO COME TO IRELAND WITH US?

THE BACKSTORY

The idea for this exciting trip, like many things in our families, started over a glass of wine. This one was poured at Shawn and Ann’s rehearsal dinner.

Uncle Bob Begley said he’d never been to Ireland but would love to go. Mic & Kos said “You should go.”  “Oh I couldn’t go. How could I?” he said. That one spoken wish grew into this private family adventure to Ireland. Pretty quickly,  it became clear if Bob would go Mom Albers/Aunt Ruth would go and so the planning began.

Mic visited Ireland years ago with Mom Albers and Kos. She had great ideas about what to see and began working with Kellie at CIE Tours International to develop our own private motor coach tour of Ireland. It’s a “short bus” with a driver/tour guide and only us on it! How perfect is that. Mic collaborated with Kellie (CIE) choosing the stops on our tour. Kellie loves Ireland and has favorite hotels etc. so we are in good hands. This trip is designed to accommodate those 20 – 100 years old. Each stop will have options suitable for all ages and adventure levels.

The Begley Tour of Ireland is 7 days/6 nights departing our home cities flying overnight to Shannon, Ireland on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018 and leaving Shannon to fly home at approximately 12:30pm on Friday Sept. 14^th.  Included in the tour price is our motor coach and driver/tour guide, hotels, all breakfasts, dinner on the first and last night. More detailed information is in the Itinerary Details below.

The price for the one-of-a-kind, custom designed Begley Private Motor Coach Tour is $1,498 per person double occupancy. Single room supplement $450.

Our small bus will accommodate 22 people comfortably. So far, these are the folks who are a definite YES: Bob Begley, Ruth Albers, Mic & Kos, Bob & Caren, Laura & Fred, Sharon & Bill, Marie, Greg & Julie.

Airfare is NOT INCLUDED in the land tour price. I’ll post more information below for those who might want to try to fly on the same flights.

Mic & Caren are YOUR tour planning guides. Mic is liaison with CIE planning and creating our itinerary. Caren will communicate and coordinate information to all of you.

  

Short Overview - The driver is available for up to eight hours a day for touring. Gratuity is not included (driver and/or tour director).

Hotels (or similar) Hotel Meyrick, Galway Malton Hotel, Killarney Old Ground Hotel, Ennis

2 nights 3 nights 1 night

Highlights

Welcome get-together drink

Guided walking tours of Galway & Ennis

Excursion to the Aran Islands

Passage on the Tarbert Ferry

Horse-drawn jaunting car ride in Killarney

Irish coffee at Foynes Flying Boat Museum

Visits - All visits outlined above are included in the cost unless otherwise stated. 

ITINERARY DETAILS

Fri, Sep-07 DEPART THE UNITED STATES

Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

Sat, Sep-08 SHANNON ARRIVAL

After customs and immigration formalities at Shannon Airport, your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland. Have breakfast at a local venue with your group before traveling to Galway, where you will join a local guide for a gentle walking tour. See the medieval city walls, Lynch’s Castle and the narrow streets. Then transfer to your nearby hotel, check in and enjoy some time to settle into your room. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant. 

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: HOTEL THE PARK HOTEL, GALWAY

Sun, Sep-09 ARAN ISLANDS & DUN AENGUS

This morning, take a short ferry ride from Rossaveal to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintained traditional fishing and farming. The Irish language is still spoken widely. Next, take a minibus ride to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs, which fall away to the Atlantic Ocean below. Have a look around Kilronan, before heading back to Galway for a free evening. 

OVERNIGHT: THE PARK HOTEL, GALWAY

Mon, Sep-10 CLIFFS OF MOHER 

Leaving Galway, drive along the coast of scenic County Clare. Stop to visit the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most beloved, natural landmarks. See magical vistas, overlooking the shimmering Atlantic Ocean along with Ireland’s Western coastline. Next, take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Continue to Killarney so you can check into your hotel. You may wish to explore some of Killarney before an independent dinner. 

OVERNIGHT: MUCKROSS PARK HOTEL, KILLARNEY

  

Tue, Sep-11 JAUNTING CAR RIDE

After breakfast, take a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park. Then explore some of the national park, which is roughly 24,700 acres of beautiful scenery. The remainder of the day is free for individual pursuits and dining. 

OVERNIGHT: MUCKROSS PARK HOTEL, KILLARNEY

Wed, Sep-12 DINGLE PENINSULA DRIVE

Today, discover the beauties of the Dingle Peninsula, once described by the National Geographic Traveler as “the most beautiful place on earth.” Drive along the south shore of the peninsula for plenty of vistas of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, stunning green landscapes and rocky headlands. Pause at strategic locations to admire the views and take photos. Continue on to Slea Head at the western tip of the peninsula. This excursion will give you excellent views of mountains and coastline and looking over to the Iveragh Peninsula. If time permits, stop for photos in front of Begley’s B&B before visiting Dingle Distillery. The Dingle Distillery is known for its distinctive whiskey, gin and vodka. After a tour of the facility, enjoy a sample of the finished product before returning to Killarney for a free evening. 

OVERNIGHT: MUCKROSS PARK HOTEL, KERRY

Thu, Sep-13 FOYNES MUSEUM & ENNIS

Depart Killarney and drive a short distance to Foynes. Upon arrival visit the Flying Boat Museum, which recalls the early days of air travel, during the 1930’s and early 1940’s. Irish coffee was first created here to warm frozen, weary travelers and you will learn how to make a perfect one and then drink it. Next, embark on a walking tour of Ennis to see the principal sights and learn some of the town's vibrant history. The town dates back to the 11th century and is full of character with its narrow streetscapes, quaint shops, monuments and markets, which give the town a medieval feeling. Then check into your hotel for dinner and your overnight stay. 

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: TEMPLE GATE HOTEL, ENNIS

Fri, Sep-14 RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES

Transfer to Shannon Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.

BASIC AIRFARE INFORMATION

Airfare is not included in the land tour price. Some may want add their own personal travel to the beginning or end of this land tour trip. Trip Insurance is available, too.

Mic, Kos, and Mom Albers are flying United Airlines out of Newark (EWR) to Shannon (SNN) on Sept. 7th.  I believe their flight leaves EWR at 9:55 nonstop to Shannon. Their nonstop return flight on Sept. 14 leaves Shannon around 12:30pm for EWR.

Caren & Bob are visiting London first then flying to Shannon.

I know this is a long first post but I wanted to give you all the information I could, more to come.  

Our max number is 22 and 13 people have already said YES. So, if this trip speaks to you reply quickly to caren.albers@gmail.com to see if there is still space available. We would love to have you join us.

Smiles and love,

Caren & Mic