DEPART THE UNITED STATES

Depart Ames and take an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Should you need any assistance with flights, just ask us. We know the best routes and fares.

DUBLIN ARRIVAL, WEXFORD & VIP CONCERT

Upon arrival at Dublin Airport, complete customs, meet your driver, have breakfast as we head south to The Ferrycarrig Hotel in Michael’s home town. Michael himself will welcome you at the hotel.. Enjoy free time, settle in then gather for a private concert hosted by Michael at the hotel with his favorite local traditional musicians. Learn about Irish instruments, songs and local musical culture.

OVERNIGHT: FERRYCARRIG HOTEL

This morning, join a local guide Paul Walsh for a gentle walking tour of Wexford to see the winding, narrow streets and the town walls. View famous bull ring, the quayside and Selskar Abbey. We will visit Ireland’s National Opera House for lunch. We rehearse and perform tonight. Details to follow.

OVERNIGHT: FERRYCARRIG HOTEL

Today, travel to visit the Hook Lighthouse, one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world. Then, continue on to visit Johnstown Castle & Gardens with over two hundred different kinds of trees and shrubs. The ornamental grounds are set aside the exquisite 19th century Johnstown Castle. A Magical place. Return to your hotel in Wexford for a free evening.

OVERNIGHT: FERRYCARRIG HOTEL, WEXFORD

Leaving Wexford, travel into Kilkenny and stop to sample some local whiskey.. Have a wander about this medieval city. Next, journey on to Galway and join the legend that is Brian Nolan for a gentle walking tour of the city. See the medieval city walls, Lynch’s Castle and the funnest pubs in Ireland. Transfer to your nearby hotel, check in and settle into your room. This evening, meet your fellow travelers in the hotel restaurant for a delicious meal and you’ve the evening free to journey into town to further explore those pubs.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: SALTHILL HOTEL, GALWAY

After breakfast, drive through the Connemara Region to admire the sweeping views of boglands and misty mountains. As you travel along you will see many sheep that graze freely and tracts where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Stop to visit Kylemore Abbey for a tour of the elegant mansion and church, set beside a tranquil lake. Learn of the tales of tragedy, romance and royal visits. Also, walk through the magical Victorian walled garden. Return to your hotel in Galway and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to sightsee, shop and dine on your own.

After an independent dinner, head out for a night of Irish entertainment next door from your hotel at the Trad on the Prom Show, which features the best of Irish music, song and dance hosted by great pals of Michael from his Riverdance days.

OVERNIGHT: SALTHILL HOTEL, GALWAY

LOUGH CORRIB CRUISE

Departing Galway, embark on a cruise along Lough Corrib, which is the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland. Measuring 68 square miles and with 365 islands, this lake is one of the cleanest and most scenic in all of Europe. While on-board, enjoy a cup of Irish coffee with your group. After, journey into Westport to visit Westport House, an 18th century mansion with magnificent views of Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. See stunning rooms with priceless furnishings, paintings, books, and silver. Transfer to your nearby hotel, check in and enjoy some free time before dining in the hotel restaurant with your group. The pubs, by the way, in this town are truly incredible with fantastic live music, nightly.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: WESTPORT PLAZA HOTEL, WESTPORT

ACHILL ISLAND TOUR

This morning, set off around Clew Bay, through Newport and along Curraun Peninsula to reach Achill Island, joined to the mainland by a bridge. It truly is Michael’s favorite scenic spot in Ireland. Head back to your hotel in Westport for an evening at leisure. (again, the pubs!)

OVERNIGHT: WESTPORT PLAZA HOTEL, WESTPORT

STROKESTOWN HOUSE

Today, travel to visit the Strokestown Park House, which dates from the 17th century.

This fine mansion shows the lifestyle of the affluent owners and the conditions of the poor who lived around the great house, during the Famine era of the 1840s. Continue your journey into Dublin and embark on an orientation drive around the city center. See the main thoroughfares of O’Connell Street, Nassau Street and some lovely Georgian houses surrounding public parks as you pass by many historical sites. Motor a short distance to your hotel, check in and spend some time at leisure before this evening’s farewell festivities.

Tonight, enjoy a dinner of Irish specialties followed by a lively show of traditional Irish music, songs and displays of step-dancing.

OVERNIGHT: DAVENPORT HOTEL, DUBLIN

All too soon, it is time to return to Ames to share your stories with friends and to bring home memories of a lifetime. Transfer to the airport or stay on in Dublin for few more days to enjoy some time on your own. (you know you’ll want to!)