Ireland Impressions

Your journey to Ireland begins with an overnight flight* to Shannon Airport, Ireland (SNN).
*You will want to land tomorrow by 9AM, as the group van will then depart for Westport. If your airline of choice lands later in the day, you will need to fly one day earlier to be ready for van departure.

You will be met at Ireland’s Shannon International Airport and driven north to Westport, on the shores of Clew Bay. There will be photo opportunities along the way and your first visit to an Irish pub for lunch. Overnight eight evenings, Westport (B each day, D three evenings)

Each day you will visit some of these typical areas from your home base. There is no possible way to visit all of them, so your tour leader and guide will plan each day considering the interests of the group. The evenings can be spent over photographic discussions in the hotel or walk in town and enjoy the sights and sounds of the many Irish pubs in Westport. They abound with traditional Irish music every evening of the week.

A few things you might be introduced to include:

• Explore the grounds of Westport House close to town or perhaps visit a private garden located on the shores of Lough Mask.

• The Silver Strand, a super-wide beach with mountains on one side and magnificent sand dunes on the other.

• Burrishoole Abbey, founded in 1470 and shut down by Henry VIII, is a beautiful ruin located in the countryside beside a lovely little lake. The hand carved tombstones are compelling for photographing, and those who wish to make tomb rubbings can do so. This is a place for quiet reflection.

• Visit Carrickahowley Castle, a 15th-century tower house near Newport, one of the many homes of the mighty Grace O’Malley, the “pirate queen” and chieftain of the clan O’Malley.

• You will have amazing views of Mulranny Beach to photograph. Here we will have lunch in a pub with a vast view down and across at Clew Bay, from the north. Many destinations include views of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain where many a barefooted pilgrimage has been made.

• Achill Island is a very important part of the lure of County Mayo, and is located 60 minutes north of Westport. Here we will find rugged sea cliffs and jagged rocks right alongside the Atlantic coast. This part of Ireland is officially an Irish-speaking district. The Achill adventure will probably take several trips, as there is much more to see there, including an abandoned famine village, huge high sea cliffs carved by glaciers, and charming beaches to walk.

• You will also be able to visit the towns of Newport, Louisburg and Leenaune, all located along Clew Bay’s coast. Pub lunch will be taken in one or more of these charming towns.

• Doo Lough mountain pass is a remarkable spot with history and views that can take your breath away.

• Other short trips we will take: to the waterfall where the dramatic scene from the “The Field,” starring Sir Richard Harris, was filmed; to an enchanted forest where you might expect a leprechaun or hobbit to pop out from behind the trees; to a wooded pathway amongst ferns along the Erriff River, offering a beautiful view of the Sheefrey Hills.

• Who can’t go home with local spun wool items? Visit the Foxford Woolen Mills, a restored mill, given time you maybe able to see the looms at work. Close by is the quiet lake called Lough Cullen.

• You may have a rainy day to visit The National Museum of Irish Country Life, and a beautiful garden is part of this very old estate property.

• For those who want to visit pubs after dinner to have a pint and perhaps hear traditional music, Westport has you covered. Besides your hotel there are many and varied, all within short walking distance from the hotel. One of Ireland’s most famous pubs is located here, Matt Malloy’s. Matt is the flute player for the famous Irish group, the Chieftans.

• You will enjoy traditional Irish breakfasts during your stay. Lunch will be at various restaurants and pubs, or the group will stop in town and have a picnic lunch wrapped for your daily excursions in the field.

• Transportation is provided in a roomy tour van, which is large enough for both the group and your equipment.

Leave Westport today with your final destination being the Shannon Park Inn Hotel for the evening. Your local guide will share some of his favorite stops along the way, depending on the interests of the group and the weather. This evening you can enjoy your farewell dinner, rest, and repack for airport departure tomorrow. Overnight Shannon Hotel (B, D)

After breakfast, everyone can depart on your own to the airport in time for your flight check-in. There are luggage carts located just outside the lobby door which you can use for the 5 minute walk to the terminal. (B)