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Ireland Adventure: In Search of the Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley
with special guest author Anne Chambers
August 12-21, 2008
$2999.00 10-Day fully escorted small group tour
3-night Dublin extention with transfers, city tour & dinner performance only $550
This women-only travel adventure to Ireland includes:, Special tours with author Anne Chambers, and archaeologist Michael Gibbons, admission fees as per itinerary, 9 nights accommodations, 9 hearty Irish breakfasts, welcome reception, 2 Irish dinners, 3 lunches, welcome teas/refreshments, transfers, guided walks, and services of tour escort to take care of details so you can enjoy your vacation!
Call 207.236.0110 or email us to for availability (3 spaces)
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Irish thatch-roof house
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ABOUT THE TOUR
The itinerary of our women's travel adventure to Ireland is based on the life of Grace O'Malley (Granuaile), a 16th century Irish pirate queen. This extraordinary Celtic woman commanded a fleet of 200 fighting men, and won castles by war and love. The trip is not a history tour per se, but history and local lore are woven into the tour itinerary providing a focus for our journey. As we traverse through the beautiful western regions of the emerald island our travel adventure will take us to magical places associated with Granuaile's life and with the many legends about her. Bestselling author Anne Chambers, biographer of Grace O'Malley, will join us for a special tour of "Grace O'Malley country." Also local archaeologist Michael Gibbons will accompany us on an exploration of the archaeology and natural wonders of beautiful Connemara. We will stay at smaller properties including a stately manor house, an award-winning guesthouse, and two B-n-Bs with lots of Irish charm and warmth. The pace of the tour is leisurely with time to explore on one's own. The tour is limited to 8 to 11 women. This is a great trip for the first time visitor to Ireland as well as for returning visitors. We hope you are about to join us!
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Anne Chambers
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See travel itineray below
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BALLYVAUGHAN 1 night
We will start our journey in Ireland at a lovely award-winning manor house in the middle of the Burren, a magical place that tells of Ireland's geological and ancient past. After checking in we will gather for a welcome reception to sample Irish delicacies and get acquainted with fellow travelers. Explore the inn's gardens and in the evening gather for a welcome dinner at our hotel's gourmet restaurant. Morning guided walking tour of the Burren. Visit an ancient Dolmen burial site dating back thousands of years. Tour Dunguaire Castle. Transfer to Westport, the heart of Grace O'Malley country. |
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Megalithic grave site, the Burren |
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WESTPORT 3 nights
A guided walking tour of this picturesque 18-century town situated on the shore of beautiful Clew Bay will be our introduction to the region. We will be joined by best-selling author Anne Chambers, biographer of Granuaile, for a special visit to Rockfleet Castle, Murrisk Abbey, and the Westport House. Hike up Croagh Patrick (optional), where at the summit St. Patrick, the bringer of Christianity to Ireland, fasted for forty days and forty nights. From top of Croagh Patrick are fantastic vistas of Clew Bay. Travel by local ferry, "The Pirate Queen," to Clare Island, which was the stronghold of Grace O'Malley. |
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Western coast of Ireland
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CLARE ISLAND 2 nights
We'll be staying at a traditional style B-n-B near the harbor. On the evening of out arrival our innkeepers will prepare a delicious family-style dinner for us. In the morning our local guide will take us on walking tour of the island. We will visit the island's 13th-century abbey, which according to legend is the burial place of our Gaelic heroine. In the afternoon there will be ample time to enjoy the beaches and other natural wonders of the island. The western cliffs of this small island are among the most dramatic in the west of Ireland. Visit a local pub. Travel by ferry to the main land and transfer to Clifden in Connemara. |
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| Clare Island in the distance |
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CLIFDEN 3 nights
This pretty village perched on the edge of Clifden Bay will be our base for exploring Connemara where mountains known as the Twelve Bens create a dramatic panorama. Our guesthouse is located just out of town at the bay within walking distance to quaint shops, terrific restaurants, and pubs, which offer live music most nights. Those preferring to enjoy the peace and quite, and the natural beauty of the region can do so, and those that would like to sample some of the night-life are but a few minutes from great music and fun. Our local guide will take us on a walking tour along the coast from where Grace O'Malley began her pirating career. Transfer to Galway and after lunch travel by bus to Shannon Airport. |
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| Our hotel on Clifden Bay, Ireland |
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DUBLIN 3 nights (optional)
Those continuing on will travel by train to Dublin, the energetic capital of Ireland. Our Georgian style hotel is located near the National Museum, Trinity College, and the famous Grafton Street with its shops and sights. See Dublin's major attractions on a guided city tour with our local guide. Enjoy a special farewell dinner at Dublin's famous Abbey Tavern in the quaint seaside town of Howth, where according to legend our Celtic Queen decided to teach dinner manners to a local noble by kidnapping his heir. Since that time the owners of Howth castle have set an extra dinner plate to welcome unexpected guests. There will be time to relax, shop, and perhaps even visit one of Dublin's famous theaters. |
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| Our hotel in Dublin, Ireland |
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P R I C E: $ 2 9 9 9 . 0 0 for 10-Day Tour
Add $550 for 3 nights Dublin with transfers, 3 breakfasts, city tour and dinner performance
Price is based on double occupancy.
Single supplement for 10-day option: $550 / 3-day Dublin option add: $150
Triple reduction for 10-day option: $80 pp / 3-day Dublin option minus: 50 pp
After May 12 a late booking fee of $95 applies per person.
Aer Lingus has also reduced prices on summer flights to Ireland!
G E T T I N G T O I R E L A N D
Although the price does NOT include airfare, we can arrange airfare for those wishing to travel together from the USA departing on August 11 flying into Shannon Airport and returning from Dublin on August 24. An additional cost applies. Or if you prefer to travel independently to Ireland we can assist you with finding the best flights to suit your needs. Since airfare is not included, those wishing to use frequent flyer miles are free to do so-but please reserve your flights well in advance since space can be limited. Before making your flight arrangements please notify us of your plans.
M E E T I N G P L A C E
We will gather at Shannon International Airport in Ireland on the morning of August 12, for a group transfer to Ballyvaughvan. The 10-day option concludes on August 21 in Galway with afternoon bus transfer to Shannon airport. Should you need a hotel at the airport for a morning flight we recommend the Park Inn at the airport. Rates start at € 56 per night with breakfast (rates are subject to change and are based on availability) We will gladly assist you with any post-tour arrangements including hotels, transfers, and additional sight-seeing options. The full 13-day tour concludes in Dublin on August 24, with a morning transfer to Dublin Airport
R E S E R V A T I O N S
To reserve your space call or email Eurynome Journeys for an application form and terms and conditions. We will hold your space for up to two weeks at which time a $395 deposit per person is due along with completed and signed forms.
H I G H L I G H T S
Tour of "Gace O'Malley country" with best-selling Irish author Anne Chambers, biographer of Granuaile - Tour of beautiful Connemara with author, archaeologist Michael Gibbons - Burren walk - Ancient Dolmen - Dunguairie Castle - Ballynahinch Castle - Westport House - Rockfleet Castle - Murrisk Abbey - Famine Memorial - Croagh Patrick - Cliffs of Clare Island -13th century Abbey - Westport walking tour - Kelymore Abbey - the food, Irish summer, and MORE!
We'll visit sites associated with the O'Malleys, O’Flahertys, Joyces, MacMahons, Bourkes and others.
We hope you are able to join us on this special tour of Ireland!.
Note: This is an active travel vacation and is NOT suitable for those with limited mobility. This tour involves walking and requires a certain degree of physical fitness. Included walking tours range from one hour to four hours plus in duration and are easy to moderate in difficulty, mostly on even terrain with some inclines. The optional hike up Croagh Patrick is a strenuous 2 plus hours long climb up on uneven rocky terrain and then 2 plus hours down.
Be sure to bring a good pair of walking shoes!
Eurynome Journeys/Leisure Markets Inc., reserves the right to change the itinerary and make substitutions at anytime to ensure the safety and comfort of the group or as deemed necessary by the tour director.
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Click here to Learn IRISH! |
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Learn about Grace O'Malley and Anne Chambers
Ms. Chambers' book Granuaile: The Life and Times of Grace O'Malley, c. 1530-1603 provides a fascinating and inspiring glimpse into the life of this extraordinary Irish woman. Ms. Chambers does an excellent job painting a picture of life in Ireland during the 16th century and the role of women in Ireland through the ages. Anyone traveling to Ireland or interesting in Irish history and the role of women in Irish society will benefit from reading this biography. To learn more about Anne Chambers and the life of Granuaile, the Irish pirate queen visit www.graceomalley.com. Ms. Chambers is also the historical consultant for the Broadway musical The Pirate Queen , which is based on the life of Grace O'Malley. Visit the official web site of the new musical The Pirate Queen at www.thepiratequeen.com.
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| Photo courtesy of GreenWoodStudio |
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Please visit Green Wood Studio at www.greenwoodstudio.org. Green Wood Studio is a non-profit acting conservatory founded in 1995 by Molly Lyons (in photo).
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Ireland Travel Resources:
Airlines providing service from the USA to Ireland include: Aer Lingus, USAir, Continental, and Delta.
Buses in Ireland Find schedules and purchase tickets for buses throughout Ireland
Irish Rail Service The train is a great way to travel in Ireland
Irish Hertiage and genealogy sites:
Irish Genealogical Society International
Irish Ancesters
Irish Roots Magazine
INFO ABOUT IRELAND
President of Ireland: Mary McAleese Biography of Irish president. |
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"The trip to Ireland in search of Granuaile was perfect and author Anne Chambers was wonderful!"
Kitty, Oklahoma, August 2006
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Live. Laugh. Travel!
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