Emigration Trail Itinerary
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DAY 1
Arrival at Dublin Airport and you are met by your experienced driver/guide. Panoramic tour of Dublin. Among the many sights to see are St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Christchurch Cathedral and the Shrine of St. Valentine, after whom the February 14th holiday is named. See the Georgian Squares, Leinster House (now the seat of Parliament), the Phoenix Park which is the largest enclosed park in Europe, O’ Connell Bridge and the Four Courts. Overnight at your Dublin Hotel.
DAY 2
Full Irish Breakfast at your hotel. This morning you visit the Jeanie Johnston Ship, which sailed between Tralee Co. Kerry and North American between 1847 and 1855. Learn about the experiences of Irish emigrants as they made a daunting transatlantic passage full of hope yet desperate to escape the hardship in Ireland during the Famine years. The Jeanie Johnston made her maiden voyage on 24th April 1848 from Blennerville, Co. Kerry to Quebec with 193 passengers on board. Afternoon at leisure or you may wish to take a visit to the National Library of Ireland just walking distance from your hotel. There is a free Genealogical Advisory Service at the Library making it easier. The genealogist on duty will provide you with an overview of Irish genealogical records and explain how to locate finding aids and access records. Alternatively the National Archives of Ireland also has a service staffed by a genealogist who will assist you in locating records such as Census 1901 and 1911, wills, Griffiths Primary Valuation, Tithe Appointment Books and the other holdings at the Archives. Overnight at your Dublin Hotel.
DAY 3
Full Irish Breakfast. Leaving Dublin this morning you travel to Wicklow, the “Garden of Ireland”. You journey down through the picturesque town of Enniskerry. First stop is at Glendalough, the 6th century monastic settlement at Glendalough which was founded by St. Kevin. See the many churches, round towers and cathedral in this Valley of the Two Lakes. Travel onwards to New Ross and visit Dunbrody Famine Ship, here you will follow in the footsteps of many Irish emigrants, as you board the Dunbrody and are issued tickets like it was 1849. Dunbrody was primarily a cargo vessel and carried timber from Canada, cotton from the southern states of the USA and guano from Peru. The ship was fitted out with bunks and facilities for passengers desperate to escape the harrowing conditions at home. From 1845 to 1851, between April and September, she carried passengers on her outward journeys to Canada and the USA. She usually carried 176 people but on one crossing, at the height of the Famine in 1847, she carried 313. Continue to Cork for overnight in your Hotel.
DAY 4
Full Irish Breakfast at your Hotel. Visit Cobh, the Queenstown Story: a dramatic exhibition of the origins, history and legacy of Cobh, a unique port town which recalls the many historic events associated with the town. From 1845 to 1960 over 2.5 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland via Cobh on coffin ships, early steamers and finally on the Great Ocean Liners. Travel to Blarney and visit Blarney Castle: this historic castle is world famous for the Blarney Stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word “Blarney” was introduced into the English language by Queen Elizabeth 1 who used it to describe pleasant and entertaining conversation that was possibly not all true. It’s then time to transfer to Limerick where you can enjoy some free time.
Overnight in Limerick.
DAY 5
After Full Irish Breakfast, you will visit the Cliffs of Moher. Here you see sheer cliffs dropping 600 feet to the water below, one of the most impressive stretches of shoreline on the west coast of Ireland. On a clear day, you can see to the Aran Islands. You pass through the mesmerizing landscapes of the The Burren, an area of scenic attractions where the clear light, reflected from the stone-grey hills, seems to radiate an air of timelessness, which is made more realistic by the presence of the many prehistoric remains that dot the fields and the valleys beneath. Here the unfolding layers of limestone form terraces on the slopes of the hills – a limestone desert but with a quick-changing landscape. Continue onwards to Galway – ‘The city of the Tribes’. Following dinner, a local Genealogist will give a talk on “Irish Archeology”. Overnight in your Galway Hotel.
DAY 6
Full Irish Breakfast at your hotel. Today you will see the rugged landscape where you can experience the wild and desolate beauty of Connemara – the ancient Gaelic Kingdom where it is still possible, in the present, to “touch” the Irish Past. Visit Dan O’Hara’s Heritage & History Centre, which is based around the restored pre-famine cottage of Dan O’Hara who was forced to emigrate in the 1840′s when he was evicted from his home. Hear his story and learn the history of the area. Your next visit is Kylemore Abbey, the convent of the Benedictine Nuns of Ypres, beautifully set on Lake Kylemore. Visit the picturesque Abbey (reception rooms, video and exhibition), and enjoy a stroll to the beautifully restored Gothic Church; browse in the craft shop and sample the home cooked food. Overnight in your Galway Hotel.
DAY 7
Full Irish Breakfast at your Hotel. Before your transfer today back to Dublin enjoy a morning walking tour of Galway. Learn about this medieval city from past to present. Transfer to Dublin and en route you may like to visit the Ancient Christian Settlement at Clonmacnoise. Situated on the banks of the River Shannon this settlement was founded in 548AD by St. Ciaran and this once great mediaeval city is one of Irelands Great Holy Places, renowned as a Centre of Piety and Learning. Optional farewell dinner in an Irish Pub with music and dance. Overnight in Dublin Hotel, near the Airport.
DAY 8
Transfer to the Airport and depart the Emerald Isle.
