2008 Emerald Isle Tour

FRI, JULY 4 – DALLAS/ENROUTE

Depart Dallas on board Continental for an overnight flight to Ireland via a connection. All meals are served on board, as well as complimentary beverages, movies, and earphones for your travel comfort.

SAT, JULY 5 – DUBLIN

Arrive in Dublin where your awaiting tour manage will meet you and assist you to your motorcoach. Enroute to Dublin you will enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. Continue to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon will be at your leisure after your long journey. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

SUN, JULY 6 – DUBLIN

Irish breakfast at hotel. Possibly sing morning service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral or Christ Church Cathedral. Meet the local guide for a half-day of sightseeing, including all major sights, like Trinity College, Dublin Castle, St. Stephen’s Green, Christ Church Cathedral, and the River Liffey. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to Trinity College, which was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I on the site of an Augustinian monastery. Among the many famous students to attend were playwrights Oliver Goldsmith, Samuel Beckett, and political writer Edmund Burke. Trinity’s lawns and cobbled quads provide a pleasant haven in the heart of the city. The major attractions are the Old Library and the Book of Kells houses in the Treasury. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.

MON, JULY 7 – DUBLIN/GALWAY

Breakfast at hotel. Depart Dublin and travel west to Galway. Galway is a colorful  Bohemian town. Due to narrow, winding street of the once-walled town, it is very easy to explore on foot. This afternoon, a guide will take you on a tour of the city. Visit Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, Gallway’s finest medieval building. Dinner and overnight in Galway.

TUES, JULY 8 – GALWAY/BUNRATTY/LIMERICK

Breakfast at hotel. Depart Galways to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The castle was built in the 15^th century and is beautifully restored to its original state. The Folk Park recreates the rural and urban life of 19^th century Victorian Ireland. Spend the day there and in the evening attend the Bunratty Medieval Banquet. During the meal, the cutler and ladies will delight you with snippets of music and song. Overnight in Limerick area.

WED, JULY 9 – LIMERICK/KILLARNEY

After your hearty Irish breakfast, drive to County Kerry with its wonderful scenery and Killarney as its most popular town. People come to this region to see its dramatic scenery and lush vegetation. This afternoon enjoy a visit to Muckross House and Gardens where Queen Victoria once paid a visit to the Herbert Family in 1861. The House was later owned by Lord Ardilaun of the Guinness family and by the Bourn Vincerts. Many of the rooms in the mansion have been restored to their original Victorian splendor. Possible afternoon performance at Muckross House. Later in the day you will have the opportunity to experience a jaunting car ride in a 200 year-old cart pulled by horse. These tours are unique to Killarney and each cart holds approximately 8 people. Continue on to hotel for dinner and overnight.

THURS, JULY 10 – KILLARNEY

Breakfast at hotel. Enjoy a full day excursion of The Ring of Kerry—a ring road that boasts captivating mountain and coastal scenery dotted with slate-roofed fishing villages. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

FRI, JULY 11 – KILLARNEY/WATERFORD

Breakfast at hotel. Depart Killarney for Blarney. Visit Blarney Stone. Visitors from all over the world flock to visit the ruins of this castle. Kissing the stone is a long-standing tradition intended to confer magic upon the kisser. It is set in the wall below the castle battlements. It is tradition for the kisser to be suspended backwards under parapet by his feet while bestowing the kiss. Possible performance at Blarney Castle. In the afternoon the guide will take you on a tour of Waterford, which was founded in 853 by the Vikings and later extended by the Normans. From the 18^th century, the city grew in prosperity, including glassworks for which it’s now famous. Early dinner at hotel. Possible evening performance at Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford, or similar. Overnight in Waterford.

SAT, JULY 12 –WATERFORD/DUBLIN

Breakfast at hotel. Depart Waterford and travel north to Dublin. En route visit the Glendalough Visitors Centre. Learn about Glendalough’s history, archaelogy, wildlife, and much more at the centre’s exhibition. A video will show the many attractions in the area. From the centre, go on a guided tour of the monastery. Continue on to Dublin. Afternoon at your leisure. Celebrate the end of the tour with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Dublin.

SUN, JULY 13 – DUBLIN/DALLAS

Breakfast at hotel. Check out and transfer to Dublin airport for the return flight to Dallas. All meals served on board, as well as complimentary beverages, movies, and earphones for your travel comfort.

Total cost: $3,045.00 per person / double occupancy / minimum 45 travelers

Interested in joining the Irving Chorale on the 2008 tour?

In order to join the Irving Chorale on tour, individuals must audition, be accepted, and agree to participate in Chorale activities for one full concert year from the date of membership. 

Click for audition information.

Would you like more information about the 2008 tour? Please contact our tour coordinator Judy Garza at 214-553-1960.