Exposed Ireland Photography Tours

Transcription

1 1 Sráid Thaidhg, Ballyheigue Co. Kerry, Ireland Phone: Web: Exposed Ireland Photography Tours Exposed Ireland - Chauffeur Driven Photography Tours with Ricky Tims and Con O Leary. Welcome to Ireland. Page 1 of 11

2 Day 1. Monday Early morning arrivals at Dublin Airport where you will be met by your Driver / Guide Con O Leary. (Please let us know your flight details and arrival times). Following arrivals, we shall drive to the City centre and briefly stop off at our hotel The Stephens Green to pick up fellow guests who may have arrived a few days earlier, we then continue our panoramic tour of Dublin City to include The Georgian Squares of Dublin. Every city has little pockets that become the heart of social and cultural activity and one of those places in Dublin is its squares. Scattered across the capital, these bustling hubs are popular spots for Dubliners to escape the busy city centre, for couples to stroll around admiring the architecture and a place for families to relax, play, and feed the ducks. From medieval to modern, each of Dublin's squares offers something unique. Most notable are the five Georgian squares built between 1750 and 1830, they show off Dublin's amazing historical architecture. Not only are the capital's squares tranquil places to escape city life, they have also become go-to alternative venues to host pop culture, historical and artsy events. Our Panoramic City Tour will also include St Patricks Cathedral and Christchurch Cathedral and a visit to Dublin s Phoenix Park followed by lunch at the charming Irish Pub, Nancy Hands on Park Gate street. Following lunch, we will drive the short distance to hotel where we can check in, the remainder of the afternoon is free to relax or explore the city on your own. Dinner will be at 7:00pm. Following morning, early morning call at 06:00am, Bags outside door prior to going down to breakfast. Breakfast at 07:00am, Departure at 08:00am. Stephens Green Hotel, St Stephens Green, Dublin 1. B/B, Lunch, Dinner. Page 2 of 11

3 Day 2. Dublin Cliffs of Moher The Inn at Dromoland, Co Clare. Depart Dublin Hotel at 08:00 (Driving due West across the country). We shall make a quick comfort / coffee stop at The Apple Green Services on the M4 Motorway for 30 minutes. Arriving at 09:00 and departing at 09:30. We plan on a photo stop of 30 Minutes at Dunguaire Castle departing at 12:00 noon. Arriving at the Cliffs of Moher at 13:00 the duration of our visit shall be two hours departing at 15:00pm. We shall have the opportunity to have a light lunch at the visitor centre. Departing the Cliffs at 15:00 we plan on arriving at our hotel The Inn at Dromoland at 16:00. Dinner shall be at 18:30, followed by an optional Photography talk with Mr Ricky Tims who shall outline our photography plans over the coming days. Following morning, early morning call at 06:00am, Breakfast at 07:00, Depart Hotel at 08:00. The Inn Dromoland. Co Clare B/B, Dinner incl (Lunch on your own) Page 3 of 11

4 Day 3. Wednesday Following breakfast at 07:00 we depart Dromoland at 08:00 touring through Co Clare and Co Galway, we plan to make a stop for rest rooms and refreshments at 10:00 in Peacocks Hotel Maam Cross, Co Galway, continuing our drive touring through the breath-taking landscape of Connemara and the magnificent Maam Turk mountain range we soon arrive in the village of Leenane stopping briefly at the famous Fairy tree overlooking Ireland s only Fjord, arriving in Kylemore Abbey visitor centre at 12:00 noon we will visit for three hours with a departure time of 15:00 for the drive back to our hotel (Two and a half hours) we plan on arriving back at The Inn at Dromoland at 17:30. The story of Kylemore Abbey is a truly remarkable one that spans over 150 years of tragedy, romance, innovation, education and spirituality. Built as a breath-taking Castle in 1868, it is now the Abbey and home of the Benedictine community of nuns. The Benedictine nuns arrived at Kylemore in 1920 after their Abbey in Ypres, Belgium was destroyed in the early months of World War I. Settling at Kylemore, the Benedictine Community opened a world-renowned boarding school for girls and began restoring the Abbey, Gothic Church and Victorian Walled Garden to their former glory. The Benedictine nuns invite visitors to discover the magic, beauty and peacefulness of Kylemore Abbey. During our visit to Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Gardens Con and Ricky shall accompany guests on a tour of the Gardens and the Castle. We will avail of lunch at the excellent on-site Café / Restaurant (on your own). Departing at 15:00 we tour through the beautiful Inagh valley arriving back at our hotel at17:30. Dinner is at 18:30 followed by an optional Photography talk presented by Mr Ricky Tims. Following morning, early morning call at 06:00am, Breakfast at 07:00, Depart Hotel at 08:00. The Inn Dromoland. Co Clare B/B, (Dinner and Lunch on your own) Page 4 of 11

5 Day 4. Thursday Following breakfast, we depart the hotel at 08:00 and begin our tour towards our major visit of the day Blarney Castle, Co Cork, we will travel by ancient medieval castles and the city of Limerick which was founded by the Vikings. Driving through the charming little towns and villages of North County Cork we plan on arriving in Blarney at 10:30 (a journey time of 1:40 mins). Parking in The Blarney Woollen Mills Coach park, we can explore the Castle Grounds and extensive gardens at our leisure. Please note that your admission ticket entitles you to visit and climb the castle to kiss the iconic Blarney Stone, however please be aware that this is a very arduous steep climb of a stone spiral staircase and may not be suitable for everyone. We will have time for lunch on your own in the Blarney Woollen Mills Restaurant which has excellent traditional Irish fare including Irish stew and beer battered Fish and chips and many other favourites and a fresh salad bar. Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold in Blarney, near Cork, Ireland, and the River Martin. Though earlier fortifications were built on the same spot, the current keep was built by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster of the Muskerry dynasty, a cadet branch of the Kings of Desmond, and dates from The Blarney Stone is among the machicolations of the castle. The castle is now a partial ruin with some accessible rooms and battlements. At the top of the castle lies the Stone of Eloquence, better known as the Blarney Stone. The more adventurous visitors to Blarney Castle choose to hang upsidedown over a sheer drop to kiss the stone, which is said to give the gift of eloquence! Departing at 14:00 we plan on arriving at our hotel in Killarney The Lake Hotel at 16:00 and check in. Dinner is at 18:00 followed at 19:00 by a Photography workshop delivered by Mr Ricky Tims until 21:00. Following morning, early morning call at 06:00am, Breakfast at 07:00, Depart Hotel at 08:00. The Lake Hotel Killarney. B/B, Dinner, (Lunch on your own Page 5 of 11

6 Day 5. Friday Today we depart the hotel at 08:00 and tour along the world famous iconic scenic Ring of Kerry route. Our first stop will be at 09:30 when we shall have a visit to the hill side farm of Brendan Ferris where we will have the opportunity to see Border Collie sheep dogs herding sheep in the mountains. Brendan Ferris will introduce you to his sheep dogs. Brendan then gives a fascinating demonstration of how sheep dogs are used to bring in the sheep on real farms. Responding to Brendan s whistled commands, the dogs guide the sheep downwards. Miraculously, by the end of the demonstration all the sheep are calmly gathered in a pen beside you. Brendan will give us plenty of time to photograph the different breeds of sheep Following on from our visit we continue our tour along Dingle Bay where we can stop briefly for a photo opportunity we will pass through the market town of Caherciveen before arriving in sea side town of Waterville for our lunch stop. Our lunch today will be in the Sea Lodge Hotel at 12:00 noon, departing Waterville at 13:30. Continuing our tour of the Ring of Kerry and the Iveragh Peninsula we will stop briefly (15 minutes) for rest rooms in the village of Sneem. Departing Sneem we drive through the McGillicuddy Reeks mountain range offering breath taking views of the Lakes of Killarney and making photo stops along the way when and where opportunity permits, arriving back at the Lake Hotel for 17:30. Following dinner, you will have a free evening to relax and photograph the area, hopefully you may come across the native Red Deer that are regular visitors to the hotel grounds and you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one of our rare White-Tailed Eagles that can often be seen over the Lakes behind your hotel. The following morning, early morning call at 06:00am, Breakfast at 07:00, Depart Hotel at 08:00. The Lake Hotel Killarney. B/B, Lunch, (Dinner on your own Page 6 of 11

7 Day 6. Saturday Today following breakfast, we depart our hotel at 08:00 to begin our tour of the Dingle Peninsula, travelling Westwards through the villages of Milltown and Castlemaine we arrive at our first stop The Sewing Shed at 09:00 for a stop of 45 minutes. The cutest little quilt shop in Ireland, is located on one of the most iconic peninsulas in Ireland; The Dingle Peninsula. Tucked away in rural Kerry, this little gem has been likened to Aladdin s Cave. Packed full of Fabrics, notions and everything you need to create beautiful quilts and other stitched projects. A visit to The Sewing Shed will be a memorable experience more especially on a visit accompanied by Ricky Tims. After a short stop at The Sewing Shed we depart at 9:45 and shortly we will arrive at the beautiful Inch Beach Where many scenes from Film Director David Leanes Ryan s Daughter film were shot in the 1970s, here we plan to have a comfort stop of 30 minutes for restrooms and perhaps a Tea or Coffee, allowing time also for some photos. Departing at 10:30 we tour along the Dingle Peninsula stopping for Photography along the way. Lunch today will be in The Blasket Center Museum, with stunning views of the wild Atlantic coast and islands at the halfway point of the Slea Head Drive, the Blasket Centre on the tip of the Dingle Peninsula is a fascinating heritage centre/museum honouring the unique community who lived on the remote Blasket Islands until their evacuation in The Blasket Centre tells the story of island life, subsistence fishing and farming, traditional life including modes of work and transport, home life, housing and entertainment. The Centre details the community s struggle for existence, their language and culture, and the extraordinary literary legacy they left behind- classics such as The Island man, Twenty Years A-Growing and Peig. Their story is told using a variety of means - exhibitions, interactive displays, artefacts, audio visual presentations and artworks.is a fascinating heritage and cultural centre/ museum, honouring the unique community who lived on the remote Blasket Islands until their evacuation in Following a visit of the interpretative centre at 12:30 we will have lunch (on your own) in the An tiascaire Restaurant on site. Following lunch and departing at 14:30 and continuing our tour we will arrive in Dingle town which is a small port town on southwest Ireland s Dingle Peninsula, known for its rugged scenery, trails and sandy beaches. Arriving in Dingle we will have the opportunity we will have the opportunity to explore this quaint and colourful fishing village. Departing at 16:00 we tour along the Northern Coast of the Peninsula stopping for photography overlooking Tralee Bay arriving back at our hotel for 18:30. Dinner is on your own in the hotel or we will have a shuttle to take folks in to town to explore choose a dinner location possibly in one of Killarney s charming Pubs and enjoy some traditional Irish music. Following morning, early morning call at 06:30am, Breakfast at 07:30, Depart Hotel at 08:30. Page 7 of 11

8 The Lake Hotel Killarney. B/B, Dinner on your own. DAY 7. Sunday Today we bid farewell to Killarney and begin our return journey to Dublin City. We drive in a North Easterly direction and arrive in the charming town of Adare which is a small town in County Limerick, Ireland, located south-west of the city of Limerick. Renowned as one of Ireland's prettiest towns, Adare is designated as a heritage town by the Irish government. We will park at the heritage centre where we can have a coffee / or light lunch and avail of the restrooms. The village of Adare is an extremely attractive location for Photography, with beautiful olde world cottages and Medieval churches together with a beautiful park opposite the heritage centre. The Geraldines of Kildare developed Adare in mediaeval times and the present village was largely an early 19th century creation by the Dunravens. The building of the Gothic style Adare manor began in In 1756 John Wesley preached to the people of Adare from under an ash tree close to the Franciscan Friary and we believe the tree was still there until about Today a stone marks the place where this tree once stood, and the members of the Methodist congregation hold a field Meeting here in June of each year. In the early 19th century, the Earl of Dunraven, laid down the plans for the existing streets and townhouses of Adare. These lands and dwellings were rented to tenants under various tenancy agreements, some of which still exist today. Oh sweet Adare, Oh lovely vale, Oh soft retreat of sylvan splendour, Nor summer sun nor morning gale, E er hailed a scene more softly tender Gerald Griffin Departing Adare at 11:00 and driving through counties Limerick, Tipperary, Laois, Kildare we will arrive in our Dublin Hotel The Stephens Green at 14:00, your luggage will be brought to your rooms and you will be free to explore the city on your own. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner together in the hotel at 19:00, followed by a photography presentation by Ricky Tims. Following morning, super early transfers to Dublin airport depending on your flight times / onward plans. Stephens Green Hotel, St Stephens Green, Dublin 1. B/B, Dinner Page 8 of 11

9 Day 8. Monday This morning we will have early transfers to Dublin Airport depending on flight times and onward travel arrangements, and of course many folks will be catching flights to travel to the Quilt Show in the NEC Birmingham. England. Page 9 of 11

10 Information sheet Visa requirements. If you are a citizen of the United States, and a valid passport holder, you do not need a visa to travel to Ireland. This answer assumes that: You have a currently valid U.S. passport. You will be staying for no longer than three months. It is each individual traveller s responsibility to check the validity of their passport and whether they require a visa for travel to Ireland. Luggage allowance. 1 large suitcase per person measuring 30 x18 x10 with a maximum weight of 44 lbs (20 kg), you may also bring one small piece of hand luggage limited to small items of personal belongings (hand bags, knap sacks, etc) that can fit in the overhead luggage racks, provided it is small enough to take on board the tour coach and does not have telescopic handles, plus your photography equipment of course! Hand luggage is your own responsibility each day whilst on tour. Important: Please ensure that your luggage is securely tagged complete with your name address and contact details. (Note: No luggage, photographic equipment or personal effects to be left on board the coach at night) Luggage porterage will be arranged in each hotel for 1 piece of luggage per person. Travel Insurance: It is your own responsibility to ensure that you have adequate travel and repatriation insurance prior to travelling outside the US, as detailed on our web site. Two US based companies that can provide these services are: Page 10 of 11

11 CPAP Suppliers / Rentals. Ireland. CPAP Therapy equipment is a prescription item in Ireland and will not be issued/sold without a prescription issued by a Respiratory Sleep Consultant. Distilled Water for CPAP Machines. As supplies of distilled water are not as readily available as it is in the US, Scotia Ireland Tours Ltd will carry supplies of distilled water for the duration of the tour. Gratuities / Tipping. We ll check you in, look after your luggage and take care of all hotel porterage, tips and gratuities whether it is for restaurant staff, chambermaids or porters. Please note that Travel Director/Driver gratuities are not included in the trip cost. Page 11 of 11