Liza Betz Tour to Ireland 2023

Provisional Itinerary
Mon 25 Sept
Morning Arrive Dublin airport
Depart for Headfort Arms
Breakfast on route
Afternoon Gather at Kells Courthouse for a welcome and short
introduction to the medieval heritage town of Kells. In the 9th century, Kells
was known as Áinius Érenn, the splendour of Ireland. The town will be forever
associated the Book of Kells, that originated there over 1,200 years ago. See
the remains of the monastic settlement of St Columba, the Round Tower, High
Crosses and early Irish church
Evening Welcome dinner at hotel

Tues 26 Sept
Morning Depart by coach for morning visit to Bru na Boinne and the Neolithic age
burial chambers of Newgrange and Knowth. Their survival through more than
5,500 years reflects the sophistication of their design, and ingenuity of the
Stone Age people who constructed them.
Afternoon Visit the Ulster American Folk Park, an open-air museum that tells the poignant
story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Continue to Co Donegal and check into Harveys Point
Evening Free

Wed 27 Sept
Morning Full Day excursion around Southwest Donegal. The wild and majestic sea cliffs
at Slieve League are amongst the highest in Europe. On a clear day you can see
right across to Sligo and Leitrim and all the way to the mountains of Mayo.
Lunch Meet the Shine Family and learn about their innovative sustainable
family run Tunafish business
Afternoon Continue to the beautiful small town of Ardara via the high mountain pass of
Glengesh, stopping to take in the amazing views. In Ardara, enjoy a unique
insight into the skill and craft of traditional weaving at Donegal Tweed. Witness
5th generation master weavers at work
Evening Dinner at Hotel

Thurs 28 Sept
Morning Depart for Athlone
 Stop at the Glencar Waterfall, famous for inspiring Ireland’s greatest poet
William Butler Yeats,
Continue to Drumshanbo, on the shores of Lough Allen enjoy a fully guided tour
of the first distillery in Connacht in 101 years: The Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney
Afternoon Check into the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone
Evening Dinner at the Hotel

Fri 29 Sept
Morning Located on the banks of the River Shannon, with a commanding position in
Athlone town, Athlone Castle has been at the crossroads of Irish history for
over 800 years. Learn about its important role during the Siege of Athlone as
well as during the Irish fight for independence.
Afternoon Enjoy a drink in Sean’s Bar, one of the oldest and best loved pubs in Ireland.
Evening Free to explore local fare

Sat 30 Sept
Morning Depart for Dingle
Visit Birr Castle Demesne and Historic Science Centre, which celebrates early
Irish achievements in astronomy, photography, botany and engineering, see
the Great Telescope, once the largest in the world
Lunch in Roscrea
Afternoon Check into the Skellig Hotel Dingle. This is the weekend of the Dingle Food
Festival, known amongst locals as the best weekend of the year. The town is
alive with music, street entertainment, food stalls, workshops and tastings.
Evening Dinner at Hotel

Sun 1 Oct
Morning Meet with a local Sheep Farmer at Slea Head and experience a demonstration
of sheepdog skills. This skill has been handed down from generation to
generation as sheep have been kept on the mountain (Mount Eagle) for
hundreds of years. Take in the fantastic views of the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Bay,
and the Skellig Islands.
Return to Dingle town to join in Dingle Food Festival activities
Afternoon Enjoy the Dingle Food Festival Taste Trail – using your book of tickets to visit a
selection of the over 70 venues offering tastings of the best food and drink
Dingle has to offer.
Evening Free to explore local fare

Mon 2 Oct
Morning Depart for Cork, further exploring the Dingle Peninsula on the way, stopping in
Annascaul at the South Pole Inn, the historic pub once owned by Antarctic
hero, Tom Crean and for a walk on beautiful Inch Beach, famous as the location
for the David Lean classic movie Ryan’s Daughter
Afternoon Visit Gougane Barra, one of the most naturally spectacular unspoilt landscapes
in Ireland, surrounded by mountains, a lake and the country's first national
park. It is the location of a famous holy island in the middle of this lake, that is
linked by a causeway to the mainland. Since the 6th Century this island has
been associated with the patron saint of Cork, St. Finbarr, and contains
numerous religious buildings dating from the 17th to 20th centuries. The
scenery in this area is breath taking and it offers the visitor a little time out in
this peaceful valley.
Arrive in Cork and check into the River Lee Hotel
Evening Dinner at the Hotel

Tues 3 Oct
Morning At your leisure to relax and enjoy Cork city. Ireland's fun-loving, independent-
minded city is known to locals, only half-jokingly, as 'the real capital'. Built on a
series of islands this ancient merchant city is steeped in maritime history and a
rich artistic culture. With a thriving food scene, the country's friendliest pubs
and an artisan coffee bar on every corner, Cork is the best place in the world
to relax, unwind and soak up the atmosphere

Visit the iconic Old English Market in the city centre, trading since 1788 this is
one of the oldest covered markets in Europe. It attracts thousands of visitors
each year, including Heads of State, Queen Elizabeth II made an historic visit in
2011. Fresh, local and innovative food produce as well as international
delights are strongly represented at the market stalls. Many stalls have been
operated by generations of the same family.
Evening Free to explore local fare

Wed 4 Oct
Morning Depart for Malahide
On route, visit the Rock of Cashel, A spectacular group of Medieval buildings set
on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale its 12th century round tower,
High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th
century Castle are full of fascinating history
Afternoon Continue to the Irish National Stud & Gardens— a 1,000-acre holding owned by
the Irish government — where some of Ireland’s best racehorses are bred and
cared for. The site is also home to what is often considered to be the finest
Japanese Gardens in Europe.
Evening Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant in Malahide

Thurs 5 Oct
After breakfast, say farewell to Ireland and depart for Dublin airport

Activities are provisional and subject to change

Price per person twin share accommodation

 $3799 per person with a minimum of 20 paying participants

 $899 single supplement – limit to 4 per booking
 $1199 round trip airfare on Delta from Lexington 9/24 – 10/5

Availability and final price is dependent on final dates, final itinerary and number
of participants. No accommodation or services are currently being held

Inclusions

• Group Arrival Transfer from Dublin Airport to the Headfort Arms

• 1 Nights Hotel accommodation in Co Meath
• 2 Nights Hotel accommodation in Donegal
• 2 Nights Hotel accommodation in Athlone
• 2 Nights Hotel accommodation in Dingle
• 2 Night Hotel accommodation in Cork
• 1 Nights Hotel accommodation in Dublin
• Breakfast each day
• 6 dinners
• 1 lunch
• Porterage at each hotel
• Programme of activities as per the provisional schedule including entrance fees
o Bru na Boinne and Newgrange
o Ulster American Folk Park
o Slieve League Cliffs
 o Triona Design / Donegal Tweed
o Shed Distillery tour and tasting
o Birr Castle Demesne
o Sheepdog Demonstration
o Dingle Food Trail
o Rock of Cashel
o Irish National Stud
• Internal Transport as per the Programme of Activities by private motorcoach with
driver/guide
• Group Departure Transfer from final hotel to Dublin Airport

Exclusions

• International Travel to Ireland

• Medical, Accident & Travel Insurance
• Single room supplements
• Meals not stated above
• Gratuities
• Additional Activities

CTL Ireland services

• Booking of all accommodation, transport and activities
• Liaising with hotels and service providers prior to the tour and throughout its duration
• Management of rooming lists and hotel bookings
• Pre tour inspection of hotels and sites as required
• Pre tour training of Tour Leader. Communicating with Tour Leader throughout tour
• Welcome meeting and information packs for tour group
• Handling of invoices and payments for all hotels and service providers on tour
• 24 hour in-country support by phone and when necessary in person
• Personal Service and attention of CTL director