Four Shillings Short

West Coast & Wild Atlantic Way Tour: MAY 29 – JUNE 11 >> THIS TOUR IS NOW FULL - JOIN US IN 2024 <<

(Day 1) The West Coast tour starts at Shannon Ireland.  We will meet you at Shannon Airport and transport you to the historic town of Limerick, founded around 922 AD by the Vikings along the River Shannon.  After getting settled at the Absolute Hotel in Limerick, you will have time to visit many of the local historic sites including King John's Castle (12th Century), St Mary's Cathedral (11th Century), St Munchin’s Church (5th Century), the Hunt Art Museum and the Limerick Museum.  In the evening, we’ll have our first group dinner together, followed by a short orientation meeting and music.

(Day 2 - 4) On day 2 we travel south to County Kerry, stopping at Killarney National Park to tour Muckross House and Gardens.  There you can also ride a horse-drawn jaunting car around the Lakes of Killarney, hike to Torc Waterfall and walk among the many acres of gardens and forest.  We end the day in the music town of Dingle where we’ll check into the Dingle Skellig Hotel overlooking Dingle Harbor.  The evening is free to go hear music at one of the local pubs, find a cozy restaurant to have dinner and walk along the harbor. 

(On day 3) we’ll tour the Dingle Peninsula, where we will travel around Slea Head, tour the Blasket Island Center, to learn more about the local history and Irish life, and visit Gallarus Oratory and Kilmalkaedar Church.  In the evening we’ll have a private concert with local musicians. 

(On day 4) you will have the option to take the day off in Dingle or go on one of many Alternative activities including: a boat cruise of Dingle Bay, taking a Ferry to the Great Blasket Island (weather permitting), touring the Caher Deargan Ring Fort, Louis Mulcahy Pottery and the Ballyferriter Museum.  In the evening, we’ll have our 2nd group meal together.

 (Day 5 – 7) On day 5, we leave Kerry and travel north via the Tarbert Ferry across the River Shannon to County Clare.  We will visit the Cliffs of Moher and drive along the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way with breathtaking views of the scenic West Coast of Ireland.  We’ll then drive to the famous music town of Ennis, County Clare, where the Fleadh Nua Music Festival will be underway with concerts, talks, storytelling and dancing.  We’ll be staying at the Temple Gate Hotel, located conveniently in the center of town. Day 6 will be packed with concerts, storytelling and music sessions and other events during the Fleadh Nua Festival.

(Day 7) will include a tour to Quinn Abbey (built in the 15th Century) and the Craggaunowen Megalithic Park, Caherconnell Ring Fort, the Burren and Poulnabroune Dolmen.

 (Day 8 - 9) On day 8 we travel north into County Mayo, stopping to tour the Museum of Country Life where we’ll learn about life in rural Ireland over the centuries.  We’ll stop at the Turlough Round Tower (9th Century) and then make our way to Mulranny, Co Mayo, where we will check in at the beautiful Mulranny Park Hotel overlooking Clew Bay where we’ll have our 3rd Group Dinner together. 

(Day 9) begins with a quick drive to Achill Island where we will visit the Achill Heritage Center and be led on a guided tour of the “Deserted Village” where over 1000 people lived before the the Great Famine of the 1840's (An Gorta Mor).  We’ll then stop for lunch at Golden Strand and tour sites connected to the famous Pirate Queen of Ireland, Grace O’Malley (Granuaile/ Gráinne Mhaol).  In the evening we’ll have an open “Music Session” at the Hotel Bar.