Ireland July 6-14, 2023 – Jefferson Choral Society

TOUR ITINERARY - you may also download it as a printable pdf below.

The meals that are included on the tour are specified for each date: Breakfast (B) and Dinner (D). 

DAY 1 – Thursday, July 6
Flight from Dulles to Dublin

DAY 2 – Friday, July 7 (B, D)
We go to Bunratty where we experience a window into Ireland’s past and explore the acclaimed 15th century Bunratty Castle and the 19th century Bunratty Folk Park. The castle is the most complete and authentic medieval castle in Ireland. Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendor and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. At the folk park you will enjoy sights, sounds, tastes, and scents as you stroll from house to house or around the charming village street complete with school, post office, doctors house, hardware shop, printers and of course McNamara’s pub! Meet the village characters and even sample some freshly baked bread. You will have lunch on your own in Bunratty. We then head to Adare for free time to explore. Adare is a small village in County Limerick, Ireland, located southwest of the city of Limerick. Renowned as one of Ireland's prettiest towns, Adare is designated as a heritage town by the Irish government. Then it is off to Killarney where we check into our hotel and have dinner as a group.

Lodging: Arbutus Killarney - www.arbutuskillarney.com

DAY 3 – Saturday, July 8 (B)
The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s best-known attractions on the southwest side of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. We will observe dramatic sea views, sheer cliffs, and ever-changing skies. Rural sheep farming is a way of life here, carried on in green fields and valleys divided by ancient stone walls. Our tour will take us through quaint villages and towns dotted along the coastal route with their old-world pubs, restaurants, and craft centers. The area is surrounded by Ireland’s highest mountain ranges reaching down to the wild Atlantic Ocean and perched on the very edge of the continent of Europe. We will drive through Killarney’s National Park with its world-renowned scenic locations such as Molls Gap and Torc Waterfall and home to Ireland’s only surviving herd of native red deer and the recently reintroduced rare white-tailed sea eagles. We end with a visit of the exterior of Killarney’s Muckross House and Gardens.
Lodging: Arbutus Killarney - www.arbutuskillarney.com 

DAY 4 – Sunday, July 9 (B)
Today we visit the Dingle Peninsula, taking in Inch Beach, the scenic driving route of Slea Head with its magnificent views of the Great Blasket Islands, the wild Atlantic Ocean, and ancient Beehive Huts. We will also visit the Kilmalkedar Church and monastic site.
Lodging: Arbutus Killarney - www.arbutuskillarney.com

DAY 5 - Monday, July 10 (B) - 8:00 p.m. concert at the Church of the Sloes in Killarney

We go to Blarney Castle and Gardens where you will have the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone and be bestowed with the “Gift of Eloquence”. Don’t miss the beautiful gardens before heading to the Woolen Mills, Ireland’s largest shopping center. Lunch will be at the Woolen Mills before we return to Killarney.
Lodging: Arbutus Killarney - www.arbutuskillarney.com

DAY 6 – Tuesday, July 11 (B) – informal sing at St. Finbar’s oratory
We visit Gougane Barra, located in a scenic valley and heritage site in the Shehy Mountains of County Cork. Then we go to the town of Glengarriff and take a boat trip to Garnish Island which is renowned for its walled garden and Martello tower. It is well known to horticulturists and lovers of gardens, trees and exotic flowers. Seal Island is close to Garnish Island which is home to a seal colony visible from the boat. We arrive back to Glengarriff for lunch in one of its many pubs and restaurants. We return to Killarney via the town of Kenmare with a visit to the ancient Stone Circle which is over 1000 years old.
Lodging: Arbutus Killarney - www.arbutuskillarney.com

DAY 7 - Wednesday, July 12 (B) – possible concert in Limerick
We say goodbye to Killarney and head to the Cliffs of Moher, the most famous sea cliffs in Europe. The Cliffs of Moher are spectacular, rising 720 feet above sea level and offering stunning views of the Aran Islands. Lunch will be at the Cliffs before we drive to Dublin.
Lodging: Dublin area

DAY 8 – Thursday, July 13 (B, D) - 1:30 p.m. concert at Christchurch Cathedral -
You are free to explore Dublin on your own when we aren’t singing. There is much to see, including the Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse, Grafton Street, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. We will enjoy our final dinner on tour as a group.
Lodging: Dublin area

DAY 9 – Friday, July 14 (B)

We fly home after a fun time exploring the Emerald Isle!
 

Tour Costs and Payments

$3,300 (per person) for a double occupancy room and $3,800 for a single occupancy room.

$200 (per person) deposit will secure your place on this tour. Please include your completed Registration Form with the deposit; Terms & Conditions and the Registration Form can be found at https://internationaltourco.com/important-documents 

Your balance is due 90 days before the start of the tour.

You may purchase your tour with a check or credit/debit card. Please make your check payable to International Tour Company and put 2023 JCS Ireland on the memo line. 

You may give a check to Aaron Garber in person or mail it to:

International Tour Company
P.O. Box 23
Cloverdale, VA 24077-0023

You may pay with a credit/debit card by requesting an invoice that can be securely paid. There is a 3.3% fee added to credit card payments.

What is included:

Round-trip air from Dulles to Dublin, including fare, taxes, and airport fees
Round-trip airport transfers from Lynchburg to Dulles on a private motorcoach
Private motorcoach in Ireland, including airport transfers

Lodging every night in Ireland

Breakfast daily in Ireland and two dinners

Entrance fees to various sites
Venue and instrument rental for concerts
One Jefferson Choral Society polo shirt per tour participant

All tips for your driver and guides

What is not included:

Drinks that are not already included with our group meals

Travel insurance is highly recommended. International Tour Company is an agent for Allianz Travel Insurance and will be pleased to help you with your insurance. Purchasing your insurance within 14 days of your first tour payment/deposit gives you coverage for pre-existing medical conditions with Allianz.

Other Important Information

I suggest bringing $300 in cash or less cash if you choose to use a credit/debit card. Ireland uses the euro. Visa and MasterCard should work most places on this tour, but you need to contact your credit card company before you leave.

You need a U.S. passport that is valid six months beyond the return date.

You do not need a visa for this trip.

No special shots or vaccines are necessary for this tour.