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Toursbynorm.com invites all our friends to join
us for Norm’s 55th Birthday Trip.
The party starts late afternoon on Wednesday, July 22,
as we wing our way to Shannon, Ireland via Philadelphia on USAir, arriving the
morning of July 23.
Upon arrival in Ireland, each family picks-up their very own economy car.
We then proceed to the famous Glin Castle. Update, Glin is closed for 2009, we are now staying at the Adare Manor
23/Jul Limerick: Adare Manor Situated
on the banks of the River Maigue within an estate of 840 acres, Adare Manor was
the ancestral home of the earls of Dunraven for over 250 years, set in the
heart of the pretty village of Adare. The Manor is an architectural masterpiece
of mock gothic turrets and towers and elaborate stonework. While inside
original features of ornate woodcarvings, stunning staircases, and huge gothic
archways grace the reception of Adare and throughout the hotel. One of the most
renowned parts of the manor is the Minstrels Gallery, inspired by the Hall of
Mirrors in Versailles and lined with 17th Century Flemish Choir Stalls.
Adare is often described as the prettiest village in Ireland. A regular winner
in the Tidy towns competition, Adare scooped the national title in 1976 and has
been a contender ever since. Adare has an informative heritage centre, which
uses models and audiovisual displays explaining the history of the area. It is
open from May to September.
24/Jul Kerry County: Ballyseede Castle Hotel Ballyseede Castle is
ideally located, on the main Tralee/Killarney road, two km east of Tralee. The
15th century Ballyseede Castle is an ideal base for a memorable vacation. The
castle hotel still is an imposing three-storey stone building, with a cut-stone
doorcase, following a broad flight of steps up to the hall door. The impressive
lobby features doric columns leading to an elegant wooden staircase of fine oak
joinery which is almost unique in Ireland.
Tralee sits in the shelter of Tralee Bay, with a panaroma of sea and mountains
stretching into the west. Lying in the heart of Kerry, the coast, lakes and
mountains of the Kingdom are all within arm's reach. The town is the capital of
the county, the hub of its affairs. One of Tralee's main attractions is Kerry
County Museum with its theme park 'Kerry the Kingdom'. Set against the backdrop
of a western sky, the broad white tower and circling sails of the Blennerville
windmill stand out from the landscape. The windmill has been a landmark in Tralee
since 1780 and has in recent years been revived as the largest working mill in
Ireland. Tralee hosts the renowned Rose of Tralee International Festival every
August, with enough attractions to occupy a few pleasant days including
open-air free concerts, floats featuring the Roses, the circus and street
entertainment.
25/Jul Clare: Dromoland Castle One of the top luxury hotels of the
world, Dromoland Castle in Co. Clare, dates back to the 16th Century and is the
ancestral home of the O'Brien clan, direct descendants of the last High King of
Ireland; Brian Boru. Dromoland is one of the most romantic and picturesque
castles you will find, with a rich depth of history going back to the Gaelic
Irish royalty of old. Set within a private estate, Dromoland Castle is one of
Ireland's and the world's finest hotels and has played hosts to Princes and
Presidents, including George W Bush on his recent visit to Ireland.
County Clare is renowned for its legacy in traditional Irish music and is home
to an abundance of visual riches and spectacular scenery. Clare is located on
the far west coast of Ireland, bordered by Galway Bay to the north, Lough Derg
to the east, the River Shannon to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
In Clare you'll find some of Ireland's most recognisable picture postcard
icons, from the stunning Cliffs of Moher overlooking the Atlantic, to the
Neolithic tomb, the Poulnabrone Dolman and the famous Bunratty Castle. This
13th century castle now forms the heart of a heritage park and host's world
famous medieval banquets with lively entertainment.
26/Jul (Norm’s Birthday) Mayo: Ashford Castle
For centuries Ashford Castle has overlooked the shores of , Lough Corrib as
one of Ireland's most magnificent castles and one of the most luxurious resort
hotels in the world. Ashford Castle's long and distinguished history dates back
to 1228 when the Anglo Norman de Burgos family founded it. The castle changed
hands throughout the years whose owners including the Guinness Family adapted
its appearance from defens ive castle, to French Chateaux to Victorian Neo
Gothic.
Mayo is a largely rural county located on the western coast of Ireland. Its
coastline is indented with cliffs and peaks while inland County Mayo is set
with blanket bogs and two great lakes Lough Conn and Lough Mask. The southern
borders of Co. Mayo run into the spectacular Connemara countryside of Co.
Galway, with some spectacular scenery of its own, particularly around Lough
Mask, the Doolough Valley and Killary Harbour.
27/Jul Sligo: Markree Castle The Castle lies in the romantic landscape
where the poet Yeats found his inspiration, north of awe-inspiring Connemara
and south of the beautiful Donegal coast, with the impressive cliffs of
Bunglass and Magho. The entrance contains a monumental staircase, which leads
to a wonderful hall, from where a second staircase in carved wood leads to the
guestrooms. On the landing, a huge stained glass window depicts the family tree
of the Coopers.
Situated in the north west region of Ireland, Sligo Town sits at the head of
Sligo Bay between the mountains of Benbulben and Knocknarea. A bustling market
town and port, Sligo is best known for its association with Ireland's Nobel Prize
winning poet Laureate William Butler Yeats and his artist brother Jack Butler
Yeats. The town's museums and galleries contain some of their works and related
items while the surrounding countryside includes some wonderful scenery and
sites of archaeological importance.
28/Jul Antrim: Ballygally Castle Ideally located on the scenic Antrim
coast only 20 miles from Belfast, the Ballygally Castle hotel faces the soft,
sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay and is an ideal base for touring. The hotel
dates back to 1625 and is unique in that it is the only 17th Century building
still used today as a residence in Northern Ireland. This small, friendly,
traditional hotel is even reputed to have its own friendly ghost! The 44
bedrooms at the Ballygally Castle are full of character and charm. Beautiful,
original beamed ceilings and antique pine furnishings give the rooms a feeling
of stylish living in the last Century, with all the top facilities of a modern
hotel.
Situated in the north eastern corner of Ireland, County Antrim is one of the
six counties of Northern Ireland, Belfast is its chief city and the famous
Giant's Causeway forms part of its stunning coastline. At its far north-eastern
tip of Torr Head, Antrim is just 12 miles from the coast of Scotland, while to
the south the county is bordered by Belfast Lough and Lough Neagh, the largest
lake in Ireland, while to the west is Co. Derry.
29/Jul Antrim: Europa Hotel One of Belfast's most prestigious and famous
addresses, the Europa hotel is both a landmark and something of an institution
in Northern Ireland. Situated in the very heart of the city, the Europa is
Belfast's central landmark and has played host to Presidents, Royalty,
celebrities and discerning travellers for decades. The Europa is a large city
hotel, which successfully blends the needs of business and leisure travellers,
with a hugely spacious lobby, stylish Brasserie and the highest standards of
service and hospitality.
The administrative, commercial and cultural centre for Northern Ireland ,
Belfast is a fascinating city of huge character, a city ingrained with the
history of this country. Belfast is a city that challenges preconceptions; it
is a city in the process of rebuilding and transformation with huge amounts
invested in Belfast in the recent years following the peace process. But while
Belfast is reinventing itself as a cosmopolitan, urban city it still retains
much of its earlier Victorian and Edwardian character.
30/Jul Dublin: Camden Court Hotel Located in the southside of Dublin,
The Camden Court Hotel hotel is just a short and pleasant walk from St Stephens
Green, Grafton Street, the focus of Dublin's premier shopping district and
historic Trinity College. The Liffey's riverside quarter 'Temple Bar' is also
close by. The yellow brick exterior harmoniously continues the streetscape
while its principal entrance off Camden Court is a vaulted passageway
reminiscent of the carriage entrances of days gone by. Guests arriving by car
have access to an underground car park.
We are recommending just returning the rental car and using public
transportation the next few days.
31/Jul Dublin: Camden Court Hotel An optional day trip via the fast ferry to visit Wales. This is for all the country counters to pick
up one more country. Our Guide for the day
will be Welsh Dragon Tours.
01/Aug Dublin: Camden Court Hotel A
day exploring Ireland's capital. Dublin
needs no introduction and for many visitors to Ireland, Dublin is the number
one destination. Dublin has history, charm, sights, museums, galleries,
theatres, shops, pubs, restaurants and an abundance of character. Dublin was
voted Europe's fourth most popular city break destination, behind London, Paris
and Rome and is one of the friendliest capital cities in the world. Dublin's
elegant Georgian architecture makes it one of Europe's most attractive capitals
and Dublin's relatively small size, and its comprehensive public transport
system, the Luas, makes it one of the easiest to get around in.
.
Sunday, August 2, Return home flying from Dublin, arriving
early evening.
I’m working with Vivienne Stanley
at http://www.myguideireland.com
to coordinate the land arrangements.
We know that everyone has commitments, so if
you are unable to attend, we understand. As the Irish say:
There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.