Travel with Dana Aspinall to Discover Ireland

Tentative itinerary includes Galway, Sligo, Donegal, Killybegs, Glencolumkille, Drumcliffe, Trinity College, the Georgian Squares, a traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl, and much more!
Please contact Dr. Dana Aspinall at 508-767-7577, or daspinal@assumption.edu

Ireland: March 4th – 11th, 2006

Day 1 Saturday, March 4th 2006: USA Enroute­
Overnight transatlantic flight to Shannon, Ireland.

Day 2 Sunday, March 5th 2006: Shannon - Galway - Sligo
Warm greetings from our Driver/Guide on arrival at Shannon. We proceed north via Ennis and Gort to Galway, City of the Tribes, with some free time here. Later travel northwest via Claremorris and Tubbercurry to Sligo and check-in to hotel for three night stay. Dinner included this evening.

Day 3 Monday, March 6th 2006: Sligo - Donegal - Glencolumbkille - Yeats Country Drive
Today we travel north to Donegal town where we pause to visit the 15th century O'Donnell Castle with its 17th century Jacobean additions. Turn west joining the coastal route for the pretty fishing village of Killybegs and picturesque Glencolumkille, which boats a local cooperative founded by Father Mc Dyre. We later continue to Ardara on our return to Donegal town and Sligo. Our afternoon drive takes us through scenic countryside and places associated with William Butler Yeats, in the shadow of Ben Bulben and Knocknarea. We visit the tiny churchyard at Drumcliffe, final resting-place of this world renowned poet. Later return to Sligo town with dinner under own arrangements.

Day 4 Tuesday, March 7th 2006: Yeats Memorial Centre / Day at Leisure in Sligo
Time this morning to browse at the exhibition on display in the Yeats Memorial Centre. Balance of day at leisure to enjoy Sligo town and its surroundings. Free for dining locally this evening.

Day 5 Wednesday, March 8th 2006: Sligo - Boyle Abbey - Carrick-on-Shannon - Dublin City
Departing Sligo we travel via Collooney to Boyle, where we pause to visit the ruins of the 12th century Cistercian Abbey. >From here we continue through the midland towns of Carrick-on-Shannon, Longford and Mullingar to the capital city of Dublin for a three-night stay. Dinner included at hotel this evening.

Day 6 Thursday, March 9th 2006: Dublin Sightseeing/Irish Musical Pub Crawl
This morning's sightseeing tour of Dublin City includes a visit to Trinity College to view the magnificent manuscripts of the 'Book of Kells'. Savour the ambience of bygone centuries when traversing the cobblestone grounds of Trinity College, resting place for this national treasure. Admire the unusual architectural features of the south city embassy belt and marvel at the Georgian Squares. Free time this afternoon to shop on Grafton Street or down a pint of Guinness in a pub whilst chatting with the locals. Come early evening we enjoy a traditional Irish Musical Pub Crawl taking in many of the famous pubs in the popular Temple Bar area. Later a chance to sample a local eaterie of which there are many.

Day 7 Friday March 10th 2006: Day at Leisure
Day free for independent activities, strolling through St Stephen's Green and enjoying the convivial ambience of Dublin City. Perhaps take time to view the Book of Kells at Trinity College, visit the National Art Gallery or Museum. Opportunity this evening to dine in one of Dublin's many fine restaurants.

Day 8 Saturday March 11th 2006: Dublin / USA
Transfer to Dublin Airport with time for duty free shopping before boarding our transatlantic flight to the USA.