Reminder

If you have not yet booked your rooms at Dromoland Castle, there is still time

to get in on the reduced rates for our group.

Telephone Number: +353 61 368144    from the U.S. toll free: 1 800 346 7007

Mention our contact person, Gillian Lee and let the hotel know that you are included in the

Sullivan party, September 14th -16th, 2012.

If you are attending, but will be staying elsewhere, just let us know

so that we may release the hold on the rooms. Thank you!



Ireland’s Wild, Wild West



The Cliffs of Moher stretch for miles along the West Coast

The rugged Atlantic coast of Ireland is an area of stunning beauty.  It was along this coast that Pirate queen Grace O’Malley patrolled the waters in the 16th century for over 50 years.

You can imagine her ship today as you look out across the sea off the coast of County Kerry.

This is a ‘Gaeltacht’ (or Irish speaking) area known as much for its music, art and textiles as its scenery.

Car rental is relatively inexpensive in Ireland. Consider it in the west in particular where trains are sparse and busses unreliable. This will also give you access to the ‘off the beaten track’ towns. Know that in the Republic of Ireland driving is on the left side of the road.



Galway



Draw a line straight from Dublin to the west coast of Ireland and you will find Galway. Known as ‘Ireland's Cultural Heart’, it is renowned for its many festivals and is a major center for Traditional Irish Music. Although its population is only about 70,000 it is the fastest growing city in Europe.

Galway is a bustling town with fantastic nightlife. It's charming streets and numerous pubs, cafes and shops will keep you happily occupied as the town is short on common tourist attractions, making it a place to play vs. ‘tour’.

If you drive from Ballyvaughan, on the southern shores of Galway Bay to Carraigaholt, at the mouth of the Shannon River, you will encounter one of the most scenic routes in all of Ireland.



Pub Music



Be sure to stop in Doolin, a noted center for traditional Irish music and here you can also find a ferry to the Aran Islands, site of some of the oldest archaeological remains in Ireland.

The Cliffs of Moher can be seen along a 5 mile stretch of the Atlantic coast of Ireland. On the short list of the “New 7 Wonders of the World” it is awe inspiring and should not be missed.



Poulnabrone Dolmen



If it is The Ancients of Ireland you seek, The Burren is a beautiful barren lunar-like limestone landscape featuring many manmade stone formations such as Poulnabrone Dolmen, an ancient portal tomb that predates both the Pyramids and Stonehenge.

In the Southwest, the Ring of Kerry drive provides spectacular scenery, dramatic coastline, colorful towns and villages and ancient archaeological treasures. Beginning and ending in Killarney (drive it counter-clockwise for the best views), the Ring of Kerry provides insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland through castles, old monasteries, and charming towns.



At Skellig Michael



An hour boat ride off the west coast brings you to Skellig Michael, a remote 1000 year old monastery, which can be seen from several vantage points along the Ring of Kerry. Skellig Michael is the site of a well preserved monastic outpost of the Early Christian period and is now designated as a World Heritage Site. It is limited to 300 visitors per day even in high season.

Further south, whale watching excursions can be made from Skibbereen in West Cork. The Irish government declared Ireland a whale and dolphin sanctuary in 1991 and the best spotting areas are along the west coast.

Have fun planning your trip! Watch for more updates on Ireland including more details on our upcoming weekend at Dromoland Castle.