proposed 2014 IABS Tour Itinerary
Wednesday, October 1 - USA TO SHANNON
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Thursday, October 2 - CLIFFS OF MOHER
After customs and immigration formalities at Shannon Airport, your driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to your waiting motorcoach. Enjoy breakfast upon arrival at the Dark Horse Pub, and then drive to the coast of Clare to view the mgihty Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises to almost 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic breakers. After your visit, motor a short distance east to Ennis and check into your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon for sightseeing, shopping, or relaxing. Tonight we join our fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel. AUBURN LODGE HOTEL, ENNIS
Friday, October 3 - IABS CONVENTION
Today, after breakfast at your hotel, join your group for the IABS Convention. Today, it’s the National Men’s Quartets and the National Ladies Quartets competing for the National Championship of Ireland. This evening, aftyer dinner, is the “entertainment” competition (open to all quartets and choruses) which is adjudicated by a celebrity panel. An Afterglow will follow the show.
AUBURN LODGE HOTEL, ENNIS
Saturday, October 4 - IABS CONVENTION
Today, after breakfast at your hotel, rejoin the IABS Convention. Today, we will have National and International Chorus competition as well as International Male and Females Quartets. After dinner will be a Gala Winner’s Show followed by a late night Afterglow.
AUBURN LODGE HOTEL, ENNIS
Sunday, October 5 - LISTOWEL CULTURAL CENTRE
This morning after breakfast, we will attend a singing Mass at a local cathedral. Then we depart Ennis and take a 20-minute ferry ride across the River Shannon estuary. We continue on to the village of Listowel and visit the Listowel Cultural Centre. Learn about five of County Kerry’s most highly regarded writers - John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, Maurice Walsh, George Fitzmaurice, and Brendan Kennelly. Then we drive south to Killarney, check into our hotel, and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Franciscan Friary with superb stained glass windows or the Transport Museum containing a fine collection of vintage cars. You may like to take a walk to Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane or take a jaunting car ride to Muckross House. Tonight join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Tonight we are free to pub crawl!
INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Monday, October 6 - RING OF KERRY
Today, after breakfast, explore the Ring of Kerry - 100 miles of marvelous scenery consisting of the highest peaks in Ireland on one side and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. You will enjoy plenty of stops to admire the incredible views. But first, we will visit St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral with its soaring spire; where we will have permission to sing and experience the fantastic acoustics. Next, we travel through Caherdaniel and Waterville at the western end of the peninsula and enjoy the bracing Atlantic breezes. Continue your drive through the colorful village of Sneem and onto Kenmare for a visit to the Kissane Sheep Farm, a traditional working sheep farm run by John and Anne Kissane. Learn about sheep farming practices and see how the farmer herds his flocks. Return to Killarney in time to freshen up before dinner with your group.
INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Tuesday, October 7 - BLARNEY CASTLE & COBH
Depart Killarney this morning, after breakfast at your hotel, and travel east to Blarney. Climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Then drive a short distance to the east of Cork to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which depicts the varied history of emigration from Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the past 150 years. Cobh was the last port of call for the “Titanic” and many liners that carried emigrants to the New World. This informative display is housed in the rail station through which all of the Irish emigrants had to pass. After your visit, drive a short distance to Cork and check into your hotel. Join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant tonight. IMPERIAL HOTEL, CORK
Wednesday, October 8 - ROCK OF CASHEL
Depart Cork and drive north towards Dublin, today. Travel through the rich dairy country of Cork and Tipperary, past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains and stop at the Rock of Cashel for a guided tour of these majestic church ruins which are clustered high on a limestone outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside. Of particular note are the highly decorated Cormac’s Chapel which was built during the 12th century, the large cruciform cathedral from the 13th century and a round tower. Before leaving Cashel, stop at a local farmhouse to sample freshly-baked scones with tea. Continue your journey though the midland region where you will see many farms and marketing towns. Your route will take you past the towns of Portlaoise and Kildare and into the metropolitan area of Dublin. Upon arrival check into your hotel and freshen up before joining your group for dinner. This evening, drive to the town of Rathfarnham to Taylors Three Rock for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music.
CAMDEN COURT HOTEL, DUBLIN
Thursday, October 9 - DUBLIN
Set off with a local guide who will show you around the prominent historic buildings and monuments of Dublin. Dublin is an ancient settlement, founded by the Vikings in the 9th century. The city has been molded through the centuries with many architectural styles, reflecting the economic, political and artistic influences. Stop to tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift. Next, visit the Old Jameson Distillery where you can learn about distillation processes for this “water of life”. Displays explain how barley and water are combined, distilled, aged and bottled. At the end of the tour enjoy a sample of the famous drink. After your visit return to your hotel, where the afternoon is free for sightseeing, and shopping,. Tonight, after dinner on our own, we hope host a sing-song with our IABS friends from Dublin.
CAMDEN COURT HOTEL, DUBLIN
Friday, October 10 - MEDIEVAL BANQUET
This morning, after breakfast at your hotel, depart Dublin and motor through the fertile midland region, which has many farms and marketing towns. All along the way you can see how Irish people make a living from agriculture, one of the most important sources of revenue for Ireland. Drive through the city of Limerick, strategically situated on the River Shannon and on to the village of Bunratty. Visit the Bunratty Folk Park, which comprises a collection of farmhouses from different regions of Ireland and a 19th century village street with a pub, school, general store and many other buildings where traditional lifestyles and crafts are demonstrated. Then check into your hotel where you will have some free time in the afternoon. You may choose to relax or explore some of the other attractions near your hotel. This evening, join in the fun and feasting at and Irish Castle. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories.
OLD GROUND HOTEL, ENNIS
Saturday, October 11 - RETURN TO THE USA
Sadly, today your Irish vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Shannon Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
Depart your hometown and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.
Thursday, October 2 - CLIFFS OF MOHER
After customs and immigration formalities at Shannon Airport, your driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you to your waiting motorcoach. Enjoy breakfast upon arrival at the Dark Horse Pub, and then drive to the coast of Clare to view the mgihty Cliffs of Moher. This impressive wall of rock rises to almost 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic breakers. After your visit, motor a short distance east to Ennis and check into your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the afternoon for sightseeing, shopping, or relaxing. Tonight we join our fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel. AUBURN LODGE HOTEL, ENNIS
Friday, October 3 - IABS CONVENTION
Today, after breakfast at your hotel, join your group for the IABS Convention. Today, it’s the National Men’s Quartets and the National Ladies Quartets competing for the National Championship of Ireland. This evening, aftyer dinner, is the “entertainment” competition (open to all quartets and choruses) which is adjudicated by a celebrity panel. An Afterglow will follow the show.
AUBURN LODGE HOTEL, ENNIS
Saturday, October 4 - IABS CONVENTION
Today, after breakfast at your hotel, rejoin the IABS Convention. Today, we will have National and International Chorus competition as well as International Male and Females Quartets. After dinner will be a Gala Winner’s Show followed by a late night Afterglow.
AUBURN LODGE HOTEL, ENNIS
Sunday, October 5 - LISTOWEL CULTURAL CENTRE
This morning after breakfast, we will attend a singing Mass at a local cathedral. Then we depart Ennis and take a 20-minute ferry ride across the River Shannon estuary. We continue on to the village of Listowel and visit the Listowel Cultural Centre. Learn about five of County Kerry’s most highly regarded writers - John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, Maurice Walsh, George Fitzmaurice, and Brendan Kennelly. Then we drive south to Killarney, check into our hotel, and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Franciscan Friary with superb stained glass windows or the Transport Museum containing a fine collection of vintage cars. You may like to take a walk to Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane or take a jaunting car ride to Muckross House. Tonight join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Tonight we are free to pub crawl!
INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Monday, October 6 - RING OF KERRY
Today, after breakfast, explore the Ring of Kerry - 100 miles of marvelous scenery consisting of the highest peaks in Ireland on one side and a coastline scattered with golden beaches and rocky headlands on the other. You will enjoy plenty of stops to admire the incredible views. But first, we will visit St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral with its soaring spire; where we will have permission to sing and experience the fantastic acoustics. Next, we travel through Caherdaniel and Waterville at the western end of the peninsula and enjoy the bracing Atlantic breezes. Continue your drive through the colorful village of Sneem and onto Kenmare for a visit to the Kissane Sheep Farm, a traditional working sheep farm run by John and Anne Kissane. Learn about sheep farming practices and see how the farmer herds his flocks. Return to Killarney in time to freshen up before dinner with your group.
INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, KILLARNEY
Tuesday, October 7 - BLARNEY CASTLE & COBH
Depart Killarney this morning, after breakfast at your hotel, and travel east to Blarney. Climb to the battlements of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, which has an excellent range of Irish products of all types. You will also have time to browse around the village, charmingly set around a large village green. Then drive a short distance to the east of Cork to Cobh, the harbor town for large ships. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which depicts the varied history of emigration from Ireland and many European countries to the United States over the past 150 years. Cobh was the last port of call for the “Titanic” and many liners that carried emigrants to the New World. This informative display is housed in the rail station through which all of the Irish emigrants had to pass. After your visit, drive a short distance to Cork and check into your hotel. Join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant tonight. IMPERIAL HOTEL, CORK
Wednesday, October 8 - ROCK OF CASHEL
Depart Cork and drive north towards Dublin, today. Travel through the rich dairy country of Cork and Tipperary, past the gentle slopes of the Galtee Mountains and stop at the Rock of Cashel for a guided tour of these majestic church ruins which are clustered high on a limestone outcrop overlooking the surrounding countryside. Of particular note are the highly decorated Cormac’s Chapel which was built during the 12th century, the large cruciform cathedral from the 13th century and a round tower. Before leaving Cashel, stop at a local farmhouse to sample freshly-baked scones with tea. Continue your journey though the midland region where you will see many farms and marketing towns. Your route will take you past the towns of Portlaoise and Kildare and into the metropolitan area of Dublin. Upon arrival check into your hotel and freshen up before joining your group for dinner. This evening, drive to the town of Rathfarnham to Taylors Three Rock for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music.
CAMDEN COURT HOTEL, DUBLIN
Thursday, October 9 - DUBLIN
Set off with a local guide who will show you around the prominent historic buildings and monuments of Dublin. Dublin is an ancient settlement, founded by the Vikings in the 9th century. The city has been molded through the centuries with many architectural styles, reflecting the economic, political and artistic influences. Stop to tour St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift. Next, visit the Old Jameson Distillery where you can learn about distillation processes for this “water of life”. Displays explain how barley and water are combined, distilled, aged and bottled. At the end of the tour enjoy a sample of the famous drink. After your visit return to your hotel, where the afternoon is free for sightseeing, and shopping,. Tonight, after dinner on our own, we hope host a sing-song with our IABS friends from Dublin.
CAMDEN COURT HOTEL, DUBLIN
Friday, October 10 - MEDIEVAL BANQUET
This morning, after breakfast at your hotel, depart Dublin and motor through the fertile midland region, which has many farms and marketing towns. All along the way you can see how Irish people make a living from agriculture, one of the most important sources of revenue for Ireland. Drive through the city of Limerick, strategically situated on the River Shannon and on to the village of Bunratty. Visit the Bunratty Folk Park, which comprises a collection of farmhouses from different regions of Ireland and a 19th century village street with a pub, school, general store and many other buildings where traditional lifestyles and crafts are demonstrated. Then check into your hotel where you will have some free time in the afternoon. You may choose to relax or explore some of the other attractions near your hotel. This evening, join in the fun and feasting at and Irish Castle. Your medieval-style banquet is served in the Great Hall of the 15th century castle during which the lords and ladies of the castle transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages with their songs and stories.
OLD GROUND HOTEL, ENNIS
Saturday, October 11 - RETURN TO THE USA
Sadly, today your Irish vacation has come to its final day. Transfer to Shannon Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.
What's Included?
Visits and Admission Fees to:
Confirmed Hotels
Tour Cost
Estimated Land Portion: $1,899.00
Per person based on double occupancy
with a minimum of 40-paying passengers
Estimated Group Air & Tax
Aer Lingus non-stop flights
Group Air: $875.00
Departure Tax: $125.00
Depart Boston: 1 Oct. 2014 AI #137 (7:30 PM.)
Arrive Shannon: 2 Oct. 2014 (6:15 AM)
Depart Shannon: 11 Oct. 2014 AI #134 (11:40 AM)
Arrive Boston 11 Oct. 2014 (1:25 PM)
Travel Protection Plan:
$189.00
Plan can only be purchased at the time of deposit.
Single Room Supplement
$525.00
NOTE:
All Events Registration NOT included.
Electronic Registration Form
- Exclusive transport by luxury motor coach with driver/guide
- Meet and greet service with one group transfer “upon arrival and departure at the airport”
- Hotel accommodation based on twin bedded rooms with private bath as listed opposite for (9) nights
- Full breakfasts (10) including breakfast upon arrival at Dark Horse Pub
- Dinners (8):
- Table d’hôte dinners (6)
- Taylor’s Three Rock traditional Irish show
- Medieval Banquet at Knappogue Castle
- Passage on the Tarbert Ferry
- Panoramic Tour of Dublin
- Tea & scones in Cashel
Visits and Admission Fees to:
- Cliffs of Moher
- Listowel Cultural Centre
- Kissane Sheep Farm
- Blarney Castle & Woollen Mills
- Cobh Heritage Centre
- Rock of Cashel
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Old Jameson Distillery
- Bunratty Folk Park
- Hotel porterage, service charges, and government taxes
- Flight bags, ticket wallets, baggage tags and identifying strap
Confirmed Hotels
- Auburn Lodge Hotel, Ennis 3 nights
- International Hotel, Killarney 2 nights
- Imperial Hotel, Cork 1 night
- Camden Court Hotel, Dublin 2 nights
- Old Ground Hotel, Ennis 1 night
Tour Cost
Estimated Land Portion: $1,899.00
Per person based on double occupancy
with a minimum of 40-paying passengers
Estimated Group Air & Tax
Aer Lingus non-stop flights
Group Air: $875.00
Departure Tax: $125.00
Depart Boston: 1 Oct. 2014 AI #137 (7:30 PM.)
Arrive Shannon: 2 Oct. 2014 (6:15 AM)
Depart Shannon: 11 Oct. 2014 AI #134 (11:40 AM)
Arrive Boston 11 Oct. 2014 (1:25 PM)
Travel Protection Plan:
$189.00
Plan can only be purchased at the time of deposit.
Single Room Supplement
$525.00
NOTE:
All Events Registration NOT included.
Electronic Registration Form
| iabs_2014_registration-cc_auth_form.pdf |