Fitzgerald Ancestry Tour
Tour Overview
Fitzgerald: one of the most common Irish-American surnames. Travel with us and embark on a wonderful voyage of self-discovery by uncovering your Irish ancestors and visiting the land they left behind. Visit the counties of Ireland with records of the highest number of Fitzgerald households, from the Primary Valuation property survey of 1847-64.
Kilkenny: 162 Fitzgerald households
Waterford: 410 Fitzgerald households
Cork: 740 Fitzgerald households
Kerry: 578 Fitzgerald households
Co. Clare: 163 Fitzgerald households
Limerick:619 Fitzgerald households
DAY 1
Arrival at Dublin Airport and you are met by your experienced driver-guide. Afternoon city tour of Dublin. Among the many sights to visit 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. Today you will depart Dublin and take the road to Waterford but you will first of all stop in the mediaeval city of Kilkenny. Visit Kilkenny Castle: a 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. Due to major restoration works, the central block now includes a library, drawing room, and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendour as well as the beautiful Long Gallery. It is then onwards to Waterford and visit the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre. Visit the New House of Waterford Crystal, displaying a visual journey of over 225 years of glass making and watch how each individual piece of crystal is created by highly skilled craftsmen using unique and traditional methods. Continue to Cork for overnight.
DAY 3
Full Irish Breakfast. Travel to Cobh and visit Cobh Heritage Centre, 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. Return to Cork where you can enjoy some free time and overnight in Cork.
DAY 4
After breakfast, morning at leisure. Why not browse the stalls of the Old English Market, located on Princes Street and Grand Parade in the City Centre. The Market has a long history, dating back to 1778. The Market was recently chosen by the ‘Observer Food Magazine’, among the ten best food markets in Europe. Or visit Cork City Libraries to explore and research the local genealogical records. In the afternoon we travel to Tralee for free time. You may wish to attend a show at the National Folk Theatre of Ireland Siamsa Tíre’s. The Theatre Programme provides an eclectic mix of high quality performance across the following art forms: Drama, Dance, Comedy, Literature, Children and Family, Opera, Music, Traditional Arts, Arts through the Irish Language and Circus. Overnight in Tralee.
DAY 5
Full Irish Breakfast at your Hotel. A day of splendid scenery as you tour the Dingle Peninsula where drama, history and great beauty are combined in a spectacular arrangement of mountain, coast and ancient settlements. During your tour you will see marvelous vistas all the way to the Blasket Islands. The excellent seafood, the pubs and the traditional music will draw you to this famous and beautiful peninsula where the Gaelic Language is still the everyday tongue of the people. Visit Blennerville Windmill and Visitor Centre, which includes an Emigration Display. Blennerville was the main port of emigration from Co. Kerry during the Great Famine (1845 to 1848) and was, during those years, the home port of the famous emigrant barque “Jeanie Johnston”. Overnight in Tralee.
DAY 6
After Full Irish Breakfast, you leave Tralee and travel to the small village of Tarbert to board a ferry to cross the Shannon Estuary to Killimer Co. Clare. You will then travel to the spectacular Clare coastline and be treated to a visit at 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. Continue to Limerick for overnight.
DAY 7
After Full Irish Breakfast, you are met by your local guide, for a walking tour of the City. Stroll by buildings ancient and historical, middle-aged and stately, modern and exciting on both sides of the River Shannon. See the famous King John’s Castle, King’s Island, Irish Town, Georgian Limerick and Newtown Perry. You may wish to visit Limerick County Library, which is the headquaters for Limerick Genealogy, providing a full time research service for those wishing to trace their ancestry in Limerick City and County. The computerised database contains over three million records and sources available to the service consist of church records of various denominations, civil records of births, deaths and marriages, land valuation records, the 1901 and 1911 Census, gravestone inscriptions and ancillary sources. This evening, enjoy a Medieval banquet in Bunratty Castle: The Earl of Thomond entertained lavishly and he was famous for his hospitality. The Ladies of the Castle, aided and abetted by the Earl’s butler, will welcome guests to an evening of refinement and fun. The entertainment provided by the superb Bunratty Singers is a fitting compliment to a four-course meal. Overnight in Limerick.
DAY 8
Time to bid farewell to Ireland. Early breakfast at your hotel and transfer to Shannon Airport.
