Ireland Itinerary
May 5–13, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014—Depart Minneapolis
7:30 a.m., Call time at Augsburg to load bus
8 a.m., Depart for MSP
11:15 a.m., Depart on, Delta #1975, arrives in Atlanta at 2:42 pm
7:10 p.m., Depart on, Delta #176, arrives in Dublin at 8:15 am (5/6)
Tuesday, May 6, 2014—Arrive Dublin – Cork
AM Arrive in Dublin, Ireland and Meet your Gateway Tour Manager, Bobbi Miller, who will be with you for your entire tour to handle travel and performance arrangements. Board your buses and depart for Cork.
En route to Cork, make a stop at the Rock of Cashel. Combining spiritual grace, mysterious beauty, and scenic elegance, the Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most spectacular archeological sites. “Cashel” comes from the Irish “caiseal” meaning “fortress.” The Rock of Cashel rises as a giant, circular mound 200 feet above the surrounding plains and meadows. A cluster of ruins is nestled on its crown, including a cathedral, chapel and tower.
Cork, As the third largest city in Ireland, Cork has always been an important seaport. You’ll find yourself constantly crossing bridges as the River Lee flows through the city in two main channels. As Cork’s hilly streets go up and down, so do the characteristic voices of its citizens who are regarded as the most talkative of all the Irish.
Imperial Hotel
South Mall
Cork, Ireland
Phone from the US: 011-353-21-427-4040
Website: www.flynnhotels.com/Imperial_Hotel_Cork
Wednesday, May 7, 2014—Cork – Killarney – Kinsale
AM Depart for Killarney, traveling along a portion of the Ring of Kerry, via Kenmare, the Lakes of Killarney, and Killarney National Park.
♫ 8:00 p.m., Perform a concert at St. Multose Church in Kinsale.
Thursday, May 8, 2014—Cork – Limerick
AM Participate in a masterclass at the Cork School of Music.
♫ 12:55 pm, Perform a concert at the Cork School of Music.
Visit Blarney Castle today. Climb to the ramparts of the castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, promising the gift of eloquence. Shop for souvenirs at Blarney Woolen Mills.
Limerick, Founded by Vikings in 922 AD, Limerick was chosen for its strategic location between the Shannon and Abbey Rivers. For hundreds of years, Limerick was a witness to the endless battles of the Vikings and the Irish, and it was not until the 11th century that Ireland finally took over the island.
Clarion Hotel Limerick
Steamboat Quay, Limerick, Ireland
Phone: 011-353-61-444-100
Website: www.clarionhotellimerick.com
Friday, May 9, 2014—Limerick
AM Visit the Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s rugged western coast. Six miles of rough-hewn cliffs plunge into the Atlantic from heights of up to 668 feet. The ocean has hammered these walls into one of Ireland’s most majestic natural features.
♫ 8:00 pm, Perform a joint concert with Ancór at St. Mary’s Church in Limerick.
Saturday, May 10, 2014—Limerick – Galway – Dublin
AM Depart for Dublin today via Galway. Galway is considered the capital of western Ireland. A busy seaboard and university town, Galway has retained its medieval charm. With colorful streets and plentiful authentic pubs, it feels more like a village than a city, and the best way to discover it is on foot.
Depart for Dublin. The history of Ireland’s capital city stretches back over 1,000 years, when the Vikings settled on the banks of the River Liffey.
Wynn’s Hotel Dublin
35-39 Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1, Ireland
Phone: 011-353-1-874-5131
Website: www.wynnshotel.ie
Sunday, May 11, 2014—Dublin – Newbridge
AM Depart for your guided city tour of Dublin. See the Georgian squares with their colorful “Doors of Dublin,” the Millennium Spire on O’Connell Street, the River Liffey, and other Dublin landmarks.
Trinity College, Visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, one of the most famous books in the history of the world. Completed around 800 AD, the vellum (calfskin) manuscript contains transcriptions of the four biblical Gospels, lavishly illustrated and ornamented.
♫ 8:00 pm, Perform a joint concert with The Millicent Singers at Parish Church in Newbridge.
Monday, May 12, 2014—Dublin
AM Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. St Patrick is said to have baptized converts to the Christian faith in a well which once existed north of the tower in the present park. A river at one time flowed around the cathedral. Because of its sacred association with St. Patrick, a church has stood here since the 5th century. In 1192 the Normans built another church in stone on this site. This was re-built in the first half of the 13th century.
♫ 1:00 pm, Perform a church recital in Dublin at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Your final afternoon is at leisure for sightseeing and shopping in Dublin. For those ooking for souvenirs or gifts, be sure to visit Grafton Street and Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014—Dublin – Minneapolis
10:10 a.m., Depart Dublin, Delta 177 arriving in Atlanta at 2 p.m.
4:58 p.m., Depart Atlanta, Delta 1528 arriving in Atlanta at 6:40 p.m.
7:40 p.m., Approximate an hour to clear customs and gather luggage
8-8:30 p.m., Approximate arrival back at Augsburg.
Gateway Travel
phone: 1-800-331-8579 · fax: (763) 295-6029 www.musicfestivals.com · gmf@musicfestivals.com · P.O. Box 1165, Monticello, MN