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IRISH WRITERS
Ireland's Literary Heritage - Western Ireland & Dublin
8 days / 7 nights - Wednesday to Wednesday
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This unique tour explores both Southern and Northern Ireland through the world of its greatest novelists, poets and playwrights including Joyce, Christie Brown, C S Lewis, Yeats, Beckett, Shaw, Swift, Wilde and Synge. Our intention is see an Ireland through the eyes of its creative genius, not simply to see sites connected with individual writers. Along the way you'll absorb the country's 'craic', that distilled essence that makes it such a unique and exciting culture. Naturally, as we're passing by some memorable tourist spots we'll stop where we feel so inclined!
By definition it can only have one departure as we culminate this literary extravaganza attending the famed 'Blooms Day' in Dublin. It is traditional to dress up and go out for the day, visiting the locations of the book and taking part in readings, walks and convivial activities of all sorts which in some way connect with Ulysses, its author and its world. Not a day easily fogotten!
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DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES FOR 2009
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Tour Code
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Depart Dublin
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Return Dublin
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ILIT
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Wednesday
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Wednesday
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ILIT01
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10 Jun
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17 Jun
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Price per person in GBP Pounds Sterling
£995 Twin Share / £1125 Single room
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What your tour price includes
- Your accommodation for 7 nights while on the tour is included in your tour price, and this includes both full breakfasts and dinners
- Your price also includes all entrance fees to attractions, transportation, services of driver/guide-companion and all taxes and tips other than those you may wish to give your guide
- Airport transfers and pre/post accommodation, sightseeing and car hire are available on request.
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TENTATIVE ITINERARY
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NIGHTSTOP
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Day One - Wednesday
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| Our routing as we depart Dublin takes us along what they call here the 'North West Passage'. We'll stop at Kells, Tara and Newgrange. All sites that have inspired the literary tradition. Today we are exploring Celtic folklore, the world of the mystical Ireland and the influence of the mediaeval church. |
Omagh
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Day Two - Thursday
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A tale today of two cities: Armagh and Belfast.
The ancient city of Armagh takes its name from Ard Mhacha or "Macha's Height" after the legendary queen goddess Macha. In English Street the Saint Patrick's Trian Visitor Centre, has an exhibition dedicated to the words of novelist and poet Jonathon Swift, who was a frequent visitor to the district. Also in the city is the Robinson Library. This is a beautifully restored library where there are many literary treasures.
To Belfast where we feature a literary walking tour of Ulster's capital city. Concentrating on both historic and contemporary poets, playwrites and novelists, this excellent tour introduces us to the city's heritage and astounding recent history in a unique way. Of course, no visit can be complete without a tour of both sides of the sectarian divide and to see the most amazing political murals.
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as above
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Day Three - Friday
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Brian Friel, Benedict Kiely, Alice Milligan and W.F. Marshall are all names of the literary world closely associated with the Omagh area. These associations are brought to life, in the Marshall Country Trail, a signposted trail which commences and finishes in the town of Omagh and takes you through the heart of Tyrone along uncluttered country roads where you can still experience the lifestyle that Marshall loved to write about. 23 stops along the trail mark the way and provide information on the surrounding area and help you experience the countryside which has become synonymous with Marshall and his writings.
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Sligo
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Day Four - Saturday
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Our focus today is on W.B. Yeats country: including Coole Park, Kylemore Abbey, Sligo County Museum Drumcliffe Church and Cemetery. Perhaps the country's greatest poet? Perhaps its greatest literary figure? No doubt there will be lively debate!
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Sligo
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Day Five - Sunday
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| Our morning touring route today is one that takes us through breathtaking Connemara scenery to Rosaveel. We'll arrive in time to catch the afternoon ferry across to the Arran Islands. In 1897 J.M. Synge came here seeking recuperation from sickness. He spent the next five summers on the islands, collecting stories and folklore and perfecting his Irish. His Playboy of the Western World evokes the islands as no other. Tonight we'll enjoy some live music in Galway. |
Galway
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Day Six - Monday
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This moring we'll enjoy half a day simply discovering Galway. A highlight will lie in discovering Joyce connections here through the family heritage of his wife, Nora. This afternoon we return across central Ireland to Dublin, visiting historic sites en route that complement our literary theme. This evening we'll enjoy a fantastic literary pub crawl in Dublin!
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Dublin
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Day Seven - Tuesday
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Dublin writers day, with the festival events of 'Bloomsday' as the June departure highlight. Additional highlights include Irish writers museum, Joyce's Martello Tower and tour of Irish writers homes. We'll 'go with the flow' today, following in Blooms footsteps and seeing where the day takes us.... Dinner is not included tonight to allow for personal exploration of Ireland's lively capital.
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as above
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Day Eight - Wednesday
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After breakfast, check-out from hotel. End of tour arrangements.
Tour participants may wish to extend thier time in Dublin to enjoy the two more remaining days the Bloomsday festival, or to simply explore more of the ciy's rich literary heritage.
We'll be happy to assist with any pre/post tour accommodation, sightseeing and transfers throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.
<< Go to other tours departing from Dublin
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Tour ends in Dublin
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