Women-Only Tour of Ireland: Best of the West & South!

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, and within the next few weeks the whole world is going to be getting their Irish up. I wanted to get the celebrations going a little early by announcing this wonderful women-only tour to Ireland I've put together. This September, Wayfaring Women Tours is heading to this extraordinary island country of spectacular beauty, fascinating history and culture, and the friendliest people on earth for 9 days of craic go leor (that's Irish for "fun galore"). We’ll be visiting Ireland’s stunning western and southern counties, beginning in Galway and making our way down to Cork. All the while we'll be viewing breathtaking mountain and seaside scenery, drinking jars of black stout in cozy pubs, dancing to the tunes of local fiddlers and pipers, gobbling jam-slathered scones and sipping mugs of strong, steaming tea, tramping around gardens and past ancient ruins, hearing stories from Ireland’s long, rich history, and so much more!

On the Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry

This tour is September 8-16, 2011 and starts at $1,825 per person (for double room sharing). You can read on for more details or check out the itinerary (and make your reservation) at the Wayfaring Women Tours website here.

Your tour manager, on Spiddal beach in County Galway

Best of the West & South Ireland Tour for Women: September 8-16, 2011 (9 days/8 nights)

Tour Includes

• Nine days of touring covering Counties Galway, Clare, Kerry, and Cork
• Accommodation for 8 nights in comfortable hotels and guesthouses, located in Galway City, Lisdoonvarna, Inis Oirr (the Aran Islands), Dingle Town, and Shanagarry (outside Cork City)
• Walking tour of Galway City to see its historic pubs and churches, the Spanish Arch and Lynch’s Castle, and the home of Nora Barnacle (the woman who would become Mrs. James Joyce and inspire Bloomsday)
• Visit to Brigit’s Garden in Moycullen with tour of gardens, tea break, and special workshop on the Brigit tradition in Celtic folklore and culture
• Tour of Connemara, including the charming village of Clifden and picture-perfect Kylemore Abbey
• Free night in Galway City for you to enjoy the pubs, sit in on a traditional Irish music session, stroll along the bay, venture out to nearby Salthill, whatever you fancy
• Tour of the Burren with a relaxed walk led by Tony Kirby, Burren guide and author
• Visit to the Cliffs of Moher, with plenty of time to take in the views
• Two nights of music, dancing, and all-around merrymaking at the world-famous annual Matchmaking Festival in Lisdoonvarna
• Optional excursion day to Lahinch, a seaside town noted for it beaches and golf course, with opportunities to sign up for a surfing lesson
• Trip to Inis Oirr, the smallest and loveliest of the Aran Islands, with ferry transport from Doolin (weather permitting)
• Overnight stay on Inis Oirr and afternoon Irish language lesson and activity led by islander and Irish teacher Bríd Ní Chualáin
• Tour of the Dingle Peninsula and its many archaeological sites
• Afternoon cookery course at the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, focusing on scone, jam, and bread making
• And of course, visit to Blarney Castle and opportunity to kiss the Stone for the gift of eloquence as well as shop ‘til you drop at Blarney Woolen Mills
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  Plus: All breakfasts (8) included (full Irish), welcome dinner on first night in Galway City and farewell dinner on last night at Ballymaloe House), transportation in a roomy, comfortable coach with reclining seats, professional driver and guide, and transfers from Shannon Airport to Galway City on first day of tour and to Shannon from County Cork on last day (for guests arriving in/leaving from Shannon)
   

Colorful, cobblestoned Quay Street in Galway City

Galway Bay meeting the River Corrib, Galway City

Price: $1,825 per person (based on double person occupancy)
Single supplement is $345
Required deposit is $500 per person

Making a deposit or full payment on this tour is equivalent to having read and agreed to our Terms & Conditions.

Meals included: All breakfasts (8), three (3) dinners, one (1) tea break, plus tea and generous tastings during afternoon cookery course. Some drinks and all alcoholic beverages are not included and factored into price of tour.

Not included in price of tour: Transportation (airfare) to Ireland; airport transfers not specifically stated in itinerary (only airport transfers to/from Shannon Airport on the dates of Sept. 8 and Sept. 16 are included in price); local transportation expenses during free time on tour (i.e., taxi fares); travel insurance; meals where not stated in itinerary; personal items/shopping expenses; fees such as room service, laundry service, telephone calls, Internet use in hotels or elsewhere, etc.; entrance fees or expenses for any activities engaged during free time on tour, including optional excursions; any expenses incurred for tour members spending additional time in Ireland before or beyond tour’s start and end; tips for tour leader, driver, and local guides; passport/visa fees (for tour members arriving from outside Ireland). No refunds will be given for any unused portion of a tour by a tour member.

It's even prettier in real life!

Activity description: This tour involves several walking activities. We will be taking a 90-minute leisurely walking tour of Galway City, a 1-hour guided walking tour of Brigit’s Garden (at a very leisurely pace), and a 2-hour walking tour of the Burren (at an easy pace). Our time on Inis Oirr may also involve a walk or another easy but physical activity (depending on the weather). Many of the other sites we will be visiting involve some walking too, such as visiting the grounds of Kylemore Abbey or Blarney Castle (the latter also involves climbing narrow, winding stone steps to reach the Blarney Stone). The terrain we will be covering includes cobbled streets and sidewalks (in the cities and towns) and rocky earth (the Burren and Inis Oirr). None of the walking will be strenuous, but please be prepared and bring good walking shoes.

We will also be visiting beaches and cliffs, where the wind can be quite strong. There may be some opportunities for heartier activities such as swimming or surfing--these will be optional during your free time. There may be some dancing (wink). We will also be crossing on a small ferry for our visit to Inis Oirr and while traveling from Clare to Kerry (via a car ferry). If you tend to seasickness, please prepare accordingly when packing for this tour. Rain gear, an umbrella, and warm clothes are essential for this tour as well. If you can brave a dip in the bracing Atlantic waters, consider bringing a swimsuit too.

Note: This tour requires a minimum of 10 people and has a maximum of 15 people. The minimum age requirement for this tour is 16 years. Participants under age 18 must be accompanied with an adult (over age 18).

In the most enchanting country on earth, even the dogs and doorways are charming to behold.

Horse saying "Dia duit" (Hello) on Inis Oirr, Aran Islands

This is a tour filled with the Emerald Isle’s best-known highlights as well as some of its hidden gems, making it ideal for both first-timers to Ireland and women who have been there before and want to see more. This is also a tour that was put together with a lot of care for what makes Ireland so wonderful and unique. Ireland has been a home away from home for me since my first visit there in 1994 and my first summer living and working there the following year. It is home to some of the best friends and happiest memories of my life. I'd love to have you along and see for yourself what makes Ireland so enchanting and easy to keep coming back to.