– JOIN RICK BEDROSIAN OF –
On Our
2022 Tour of Ireland
October 1-8, 2022
$2045.00 PER PERSON (LAND ONLY)
Air additional to be quoted July 2021
Itinerary
March 20 Monday | USA - Ireland. Depart USA for overnight flight to Ireland. Dinner and in-flight entertainment shortly after take-off. |
March 21 Tuesday | Dublin Airport - Mullingar - Kilronan Castle. Morning arrival at Dublin Airport, where you will be greeted by your driver/guide. Leaving the airport, we travel to a nearby venue where everyone will have an opportunity for their first full Irish breakfast (at own expense). We begin our journey by heading west to Mullingar. Mullingar was a borough by 1210, and a parish by 1205. In 1227, an Augustinian Friary was established in Mullingar and a Dominican Friary was founded in 1237. There was also a building called the Frank House which belonged to the Knights Hospitalliers Order. We continue to Ballyfarnon and Kilronan Castle. One of Ireland's most luxurious Castle Hotels, Kilronan Castle Ireland is the ancestral home of the Tennison family and the legendary Colonel King Tennison. It is one of the few Irish castle estates that can trace its history back to royal families. Dinner & Overnight at Kilronan Castle. |
March 22 Wednesday | Ballyfarnon - Sligo - Donegal. After breakfast, our tour continues north with a stop in Sligo where famous author William Butler Yeats is buried at Drumcliffe. It is on to Donegal where the town is set in a valley girdled by Barnesmore Mountains and Donegal Bay, and the remains of several earthen forts can be seen overlooking the town. Today, Donegal Town is the center of activity for South County Donegal. The town center, known as "The Diamond" is where the Killybegs, Ballyshannon and Ballybofey Roads converge and it is here that you are likely to meet almost anybody, usually with a smile on their face and a few ready words. Overnight at Abbey Hotel Donegal. |
March 23 Thursday | Donegal. After breakfast we visit Donegal Castle. The castle is first mentioned in 1544, in connection with wars between the sons of MacSweeney Doe. Wrecked sailors from the Spanish Armada were granted refuge here in 1588. By 1600, it had been taken over by Eoghan Og MacSweeney, an ally of the English, who was unsuccessfully besieged there by his brother Rory in 1601. Red Hugh O'Donnell attacked the castle unsuccessfully in 1601, but shortly afterwards the castle was granted by the Crown to Rory O'Donnell. In the Williamite wars it was captured by Donough Og MacSweeney, but was taken again by the English shortly afterwards. It was extensively repaired by Hart at the end of the 18th century and inhabited by his family until 1843, after which it was deserted. There may have been an early Christian monastery in the valley where, according to tradition, St. Columbkille banished demons who enveloped the valley in a fog. The most conspicuous remains are the pillars decorated with cross-motifs and geometric designs which are now the centers, or 'stations' of the pilgrimage which takes place on the Saint's feast day on 9 June. The pillars are spread over an area in the valley 3.5 miles long, and the pilgrimage takes as many hours to complete. We will return to Donegal to have the rest of the afternoon free. Dinner & Overnight at Abbey Hotel Donegal. |
March 24 Friday | Donegal - Derry - Belfast. Today after breakfast, we depart our hotel and continue over the border crossing of Strabene to Derry City. To really experience Derry's history, we stroll along the parapet walkways as we do the "Walled in City Tour." The history of this area and the fact that Derry is one of the last fully intact walled in cities left in all of Europe makes this a must for every visitor. On to Belfast where we enjoy a panoramic tour and will then make our way to our hotel. Overnight at Jury's Inn Belfast. |
March 25 Saturday | Belfast - Giants Causeway - Bushmills - Belfast. Morning departure from Belfast takes us north through the majestic Glens of Antrim. We travel along the spectacular coastline and on to the Giants Causeway. The phenomenal wonder of hexagonal columns expanding out to the North Atlantic is said to have been built by lengendary Irish Folk Hero, Finn MacCool as "a path way to Scotland" to see his beloved. We then enjoy a tour of Bushmills Distillery for a spot of the wee dram. Overnight at Jury's Inn Belfast. |
March 26 Sunday | Belfast - Belfast Airport - USA. Morning departure for Belfast Airport and our flight home. In the true Irish tradition, we will wish you a "Safe Home." |
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
THE NEXT RICK BEDROSIAN TOUR OF IRELAND IS
October 1-October 8, 2022
Tour Ireland with musician, foodie, travel enthusiast and leader of Celtic Powerhouse, Hair Of The Dog, Rick Bedrosian. Join Rick and his guitar as they sing and strum their way through Dublin, Kinsale (Ireland’s Culinary Capital) and Killarney. Points of interest include The Guinness Brewery Tour, Jameson Distillery Tour, O’Connell Street, Temple Bar, the Dublin GPO, Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle & Woolen Mills, Dingle & Dingle Peninsula and more! Your Ireland vacation includes round trip airfare, deluxe motorcoach, professional Irish driver and guide throughout, porterage of one suitcase per person, 6 nights of First Class accommodations, full Irish Breakfasts daily, two dinners (1 Killarney/1 Dublin) and admission to Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery. Prices coming soon but you can submit your names now to reserve a spot. For more information or to get on the list, please contact Hammond Tours: 518-765-2056 or shammond@hammondtours.com
Your Tour Includes
- Roundtrip airfare from NYC Area (Flights announced 100 days prior to departure) if purchased.
- Six (6) Nights’ Accommodations as follows or similar:
- Kinsale – The Actons Hotel – 2 Nights **** www.actonshotelkinsale.com
- Killarney – Killarney International Hotel – 2 Nights- **** www.killarneyinternational.com
- Dublin – Camden Court Hotel-2 Nights **** www.camdencourthotel.com
- Full Irish Breakfast Daily
- Two Dinners: Kinsale, Killarney
- Admission to Cobh Heritage Center, Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Distillery
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Touring by Deluxe Touring Motor coach
- Services of Professional Irish Driver/Guide throughout
- Taxes and Service Charges except gratuity to driver/guide
Cancellation Penalties: If written cancellation is received by Hammond Tour more than 120 days prior to departure, a processing fee of $250.00 per person will apply. From120 Days or less prior to departure- a 100% cancellation penalty fee applies. We strongly recommend Travel Cancellation & Interruption Insurance. Please note, Hammond Tours and Rick Bedrosian are not responsible for any loss, damages or injuries that may happen while on the tour.
