This is the "first cut" on the Band upcoming trip to Ireland and Scotland. for Oct. 2012. Now is the time to start thinking about it, getting your passport in order, finding a petsitter, maybe a tour guide book or two and making all the arrangements needed to enjoy the trip. Also remember that in order to go, you will need to make as many parades and other paying performances as possible. There will be a minimum number out of the total for this year and next year season.
DAY 1. Depart U.S.A Oct 3rd
The airline will be Aer lingus flight number 136 BOS/DUB leaving at 6:20PM
DAY 2 Diblin/ Armagh Oct 4
A Cead Mile Failte (One Hundred Thousand Welcomes) awaits you as you are greeted by your charming tour director, Peter Clarke in the arrivals area and escorted to your deluxe motorcoach. We depart for Armagh City, traveling through the county of Louth our first stop this morning will be Newgrange The megalithic tomb at Newgrange was built in 32 BC so it is about 500 years older than the great pyramids, then off to our first overnight stay at the Armagh City Hotel. Armagh has been an ecclesiastical focal point for centuries It is one of the most venerated of Irish cities. To make the most of your trip, we suggest a nap upon arrival. A few hours of rest here can save days of trying to get over jet lag. Overnight / Armagh
DAY 3 Armagh Oct 5th
After breakfast this morning there will be a tour of the city of Armagh. Then over to Keady and Derrynoose, and other stops along the way for some shopping and sights. We will arrive back at the hotel in the late afternoon to prepare for an evening of song and stories by friends of Tommy Makem from all around Ireland and beyond at the Tommy Makem Song festival at the Armagh City Hotel. The AOH band and a local Pipe band will also provide entrainment for you all. Overnight. Armagh
DAY 4 Armagh Oct 6th
This morning the morning can be yours to explore the city of Armagh on your own. In the early afternoon we will celebrate the 10 year of the Contlbret Pipes and Drum Band from Monaghan. A performance is planned with the NH AOH Pipes and drums. Overnight/ Armagh
DAY 5 Scotland /Glasgow Oct 7th
After breakfast we bid fare well to the emerald isle and travel through Belfast then board a ferry to Scotland (about a 2 hour cruse). We should arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. We hope to have a performance for the first time in Scotland by the AOH band at the Ashtree Hotel where some of our tour will be staying. Overnight / Paisley/Glasgow
DAY 6 Scotland /Glasgow Oct 8th
Today after a full Scottish breakfast we will board our bus and travel into Glasgow for a bus tour of the city you will have the better part of the day to tour on your own Glasgow is We hope to perform at the AOH of Edinbourgh Overnight/ Glasgow
DAY 7 Scotland / Edinburgh Oct 9th
Today after a full Scottish breakfast we will board our bus and travel to Edinburgh city. After a bus tour of the city the day will be yours to explore the city on your own the many shops and pubs the “Royal Mile” and the Castle which is the center of the city on your own visiting the many shops and pubs. We will return to the hotel in the early evening for a night of song and stories by Tommy Sweeney Overnight/ Glasgow
DAY 8 Scotland / Dublin Oct 10th
We bid farewell to the Highlands of Scotland and return to Ireland via the ferry. We should arrive in Dublin City, Republic of Ireland’s Capital City. In spite of its relatively small size and population (a little over aa million), Dublin still has the feeling of a European city but with the atmosphere which is entirely its own. We should arrive at out hotel in the late afternoon. This evening will be yours to explore the city’s night life at the many pubs and restaurants along” Temple Bar” area and around the downtown. Overnight/ Dubluin
DAY 9 Dublin Oct 11th
After a full Irish Breakfast we can board the bus for a tour of the city, or just explore on your own. Overnight / Dublin
Day 10 Dublin / Killarney Oct 12th
After breakfast this morning we bid farewell to Dublin and head for the County of Cork. Our driver takes us through the towns of Kildare. Portlaois, Thurles to our visit to The Rock of Cashel (Irish: Carraig Phadraig),also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick’s Rock, is a historic site in Ireland’s province of Munster, located at Cashel, County Tipperary. The Rock of Cashel served as the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. According to local lore, the Rock of Cashel originated from devil’s Bit, a mountain 30km north of Cashel when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock landing in Cashel. We then head to Blarney woolen mills and Blarney Castle. You will have some time to visit the Castle, Kiss the stone and revive the gift of gab, spend some time in the mill or just ramble around the village. Now it’s off Killarney, arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon The evening will be yours to explore the many musical pubs and restaurants that Killarney has to offer.
DAY 11 Killarney / Dingle Oct 13
Today’s touring beging after breakfast at our hotel. We set off for a senic drive along the spectacular Dingle Peninsula with its unforgettable views of the Blasket Islands. We will have some time to shop and enjoy the waterfront. On our return to our hotel we hope to stop off for a pint at the South Pole Pub. Shactland was a member of the survivors of this exploring ship that was stuck in the ice for many months etc. This evening we will be entertained by Tom Sweeney for our last night in Ireland. Overnight / Killarney
DAY 12 Killarney / Shannon Oct 14th
We bid fare well to the Emerald Isle this morning. After Breakfast we will board our bus and drive to Shannon airport for our flight back to the USA. There will be ample time for shopping at the Duty Free store before boarding our return flight, taking with you fond memories of visit.
