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TENTATIVE ITINERARY
Pre-Tour
Independent arrival into Dublin & free time to explore the city as you wish. There are lots of sightseeing options for this amazing city! We can add city tours, Abbey Theatre tickets, accommodation and airport transfers to your package, please discuss your choices with us.
Your Irish Literary tour will explore the city’s rich literary heritage together at the conclusion, as the tour’s grand finale during the annual Bloomsday celebrations!
Accommodation: Dublin
Day One
Our routing as we depart Dublin takes us along what they call here the 'North West Passage.' We'll see the Book of Kells, Tara and Newgrange, all sites that have inspired the literary tradition. Today we are exploring Celtic folklore, the world of the mystical Ireland before the written word and the later influence of the mediaeval church.
Our day will include the Hills of Tara, the foremost spiritual and political centre of Ireland for 1000 years and the seat of power until the coming of St Patrick. Also step back through the mists of time, to almost the very start of history. The New Stone Age Passage Graves at Newgrange are regarded as among the most impressive prehistoric monuments in Europe, dating from around 3200 BC - predating Stonehenge, Mycenae and the pyramids of Egypt.
Accommodation: Omagh
Day Two
A tale today of two cities: Armagh and Belfast.
The ancient city of Armagh takes its name from Ard Mhacha or "Macha's Height" after the legendary queen goddess Macha. During our time here, we’ll see the Saint Patrick's Trian Visitor Centre and the exhibition on novelist and poet Jonathon Swift, who was a frequent visitor to the district. Also in the city is the Robinson Library, a beautifully restored building where many literary treasures are housed.
Our next destination is Belfast, where we feature a literary walking tour of Ulster's capital city. Concentrating on both historic and contemporary poets, playwrites and novelists, this excellent tour introduces us to the city's heritage and astounding recent history in a unique way. Of course, no visit can be complete without a tour of both sides of the sectarian divide and to see the remaining political murals.
Accommodation: Omagh
Day Three
Brian Friel, Benedict Kiely, Alice Milligan and W.F. Marshall are all names of the literary world closely associated with the Omagh area. These associations are brought to life, in the ‘Marshall Country Trail,’ a signposted trail which commences and finishes in the town of Omagh and takes you through the heart of Tyrone along uncluttered country roads where you can still experience the lifestyle and lovely countryside that Marshall so loved.
Accommodation: Sligo
Day Four
Our focus today is on W B Yeats country – our day can include Coole Park, Kylemore Abbey, Sligo County Museum, Drumcliffe Church and Cemetery. Perhaps the country's greatest poet? Perhaps its greatest literary figure? No doubt there will be lively debate!
Accommodation: Sligo
Day Five
Our touring route today is one that takes us through breathtaking Connemara scenery to Rosaveel and then into Galway. A highlight will lie in discovering Joyce connections in the area through the family heritage of his wife, Nora. Tonight we'll enjoy some live music in Galway.
Accommodation: Galway
Day Six
Today, much of our day will be spent on the Arran Islands. In 1897 J M Synge came here seeking recuperation from sickness. He spent the next five summers on the islands, collecting stories and folklore and perfecting his Irish. His Playboy of the Western World evokes the islands as no other! Tonight is another opportunity to enjoy some live music in Galway.
Accommodation: Galway
Day Seven
Our journey today will take us across central Ireland to Dublin, visiting historic sites en route that complement our literary theme. This evening we'll enjoy a fantastic literary pub crawl in Dublin!
Accommodation: Dublin
Day Eight
Dublin Writers Day, with the festival events of 'Bloomsday' as the highlight. Our time in Dublin will include Irish Writer’s Museum, Joyce's Martello Tower and tour of Irish Writer’s homes. We'll 'go with the flow,' following in Blooms footsteps and seeing where the day takes us.... dinner is not included for flexibility’s sake.
Accommodation: Dublin
Extend your Tour Option:
The exciting Bloomsday Festival events take place in Dublin from 16 June – 19 June so guests are welcomed to extend your stay as you wish. We can assist with post-tour arrangements, optional tours, tickets to the Abbey Theatre and/or special festival events, accommodation and airport transfers (all subject to availability.)
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