Ireland’s Ancient East with the Wild Atlantic Way of the West

September 9th - September 18th, 2024

Join Casey Driessen with musicians Tommy & Saundra O’Sullivan of Dingle’s O’Sullivan’s Courthouse Pub for 9 nights experiencing the best of Ireland from Dublin to County Clare. You won’t want to miss this trip which features many of the O’Sullivan’s favorite places on the Emerald Isle, locations from Casey’s Otherlands: Ireland adventure, as well as musical friends, local tour guides and historians, and lots of sessions. Musicians, feel free to bring your instruments.

We recommend flying into Dublin and out of Shannon for this tour and allowing one additional day on the front and back of the trip in case of travel and luggage delays.

•9 nights exclusive hotel accommodation
•9 breakfasts
•3 group dinners
•2 group lunches
•Luxury coach
•Entrance fees to all group activities
•Activities planned in 7 counties with a tailored route to minimize driving time
•Casey Driessen solo concert
•Musical experience every evening

•Price per person $2950

Optional add-ons:

•3 Irish music workshops from local musicians (all instruments welcome)
•1-hr Private lesson with Casey (limited availability)
•Discounted online Irish workshop with Casey to prepare a set of tunes for sessions (prior to the trip)

Morning pick-up in Dublin will be at the Crowne Plaza Dublin airport location. We will have a brief Meet-N-Greet then leave for the Ancient monastic city at Glendalough, CO. Wicklow. The site dates back to the 6th century and is a part of Wicklow's National Park.

Next we will head to Johnny Fox’s, nestled in the Dublin mountains, where we’ll have our first group lunch. This pub was built in 1798 and is world renowned for being the highest pub in Ireland.

Our final destination on this first day is the medieval city of Kilkenny, where we’ll stay for 2 nights at the 4 star River Court Hotel, overlooking Kilkenny Castle. For those with stamina we’ll head to Kilkenny’s longest running traditional Irish music session. Dust off those party pieces and be ready to join in!

NO DRIVING DAY

After breakfast we explore Kilkenny with a guided tour of “The Medieval Mile”, followed by a tour of Kilkenny Castle. Then the group will have free time to adventure and explore the many cathedrals and castles of the medieval city before we gather in the evening for a group dinner at the hotel. After dinner we head to the pub for some traditional Irish music and Craic!

We leave Kilkenny and head to Ballvourney west Cork, where we stay for 2 nights at the Mills Inn. Established in 1755, it is one of the best kept secrets of the “real” Ireland in west Cork.

Along the way we’ll stop at the Kindred Spirit Sculpture, in Middleton followed by the Jameson experience tour at the Middleton Distillery. Once we arrive at the Mills Inn, have a bite, and dust ourselves off, we are invited to a special traditional music concert in Ballyvourney.

Today we explore west Cork and get our first glimpse of the Wild Atlantic Way. Cork is known as the “rebel” county and had a major roll to play in the War of Independence, as depicted in the movies, The Wind That Shakes the Barley and Michael Collins. We will explore 2 of these important historical sights.

We’ll then journey to Gougane Barra, the tranquil setting of St. Finbarr’s 6th century monastery, followed by lunch and free time in Glengariff. Back to Ballvourney we’ll then go. Put on your dancing shoes, set dancing tonight!

Dingle peninsula
We take you to our home ground where we stay for 3 nights at the 4 star Skellig Hotel and Peninsula Spa.

Among the highlights of the next 3 days will be:
Inch Beach
Folk concert at St James Church
Archeological tour of Slea Head
A short hike back west, where the most westerly point in all of Europe is found, and some of the most breathtaking views to be seen on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic way.
Traditional concert at our own O’Sullivans Courthouse Pub
And plenty of other special surprises to be announced

Drive to Ennis Co. Clare where we stay for 2 nights at the 4 star Old Ground Hotel a beautifully restored 18th century manor house hotel in Ennis town center.

Free time to explore the medieval narrow streets and lane ways of Ennis will be followed by a group meal at the hotel. After the group dinner, we will meander to the Poets Corner and join in a traditional Irish music session with local musicians.

Until you've seen the Cliffs of Moher from the sea you haven't seen them at all. Today we will take a boat to see these majestic sea cliffs named from the ancient Gaelic word, 'Mhothair" which means ruined fort.  They rise to over 700 feet. The boat will meander just north of O'Brien's Tower, the furthest point of the cliffs.  Here we'll see the 1st century fort, Moher Tower, that it's named for.
 
Stroll around the picturesque village of Doolin.  Farewell lunch and session in Doolin.

Drop-off at Shannon airport which is only a 30 minute drive from Ennis.

PLEASE NOTE
This is a summarized itinerary and there are more activities, music sessions and surprises planned that are not detailed. All activities are optional and subject to change due to weather or other influencing factors.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected]

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