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View The Images: Click Here Storytelling and Cultural Tour of Ireland County Cork and Cape Clear Island August 27 - September 5, 2017 If you've be
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 Dromberg Stone Circle, County Cork |
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Storytelling and Cultural Tour of Ireland
County Cork and Cape Clear Island
August 27 - September 5, 2017 |
If you've been wanting experience the magic, mystery, and stories of Ireland, here's your chance. Our trips to Ireland in 2015 and 2016 were such a success we are going again in 2017.
This year we are going south to Counties Clare, Limerick, and Cork.
Delight your senses, enliven your imagination, and expand your horizons at the world renowned Cape Clear Island Storytelling Festival. Hear extraordinary tales told by famous storytellers from around the world. Meet fascinating story lovers from far and wide that converge on Cape Clear for this event each year.
Steep yourself in the beauty and enchantment of Ireland. Hear the charming brogue, the delightful turn of phrase. Meet new people and see spectacular sights. Walk the Neolithic pathways, swap tales and poetry with your fellow travelers, and discover inspiring new vistas, both in nature and within yourself.
Do Celtic customs, mythology, culture, history, or art interest you?
Do you enjoy sweeping views of breathtaking scenery?
How about Irish music, dancing, singing, stories, and poetry?
Like to connect, laugh, explore, and learn?
Then please join us for this memorable adventure... |
 The River Shannon, West of Ireland |
Travel Itinerary
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Fly to Shannon, Ireland. |
 Southwest Ireland Map |
August 28 - 30, 2017
We will traveling south from Shannon to Cork exploring the countryside and history along the way, Cork City, shopping, museums, historic sites, stone circles, prehistoric ring forts, holy wells, natural history, castles, monasteries, walled medieval cities, pastoral landscapes, sweeping vistas, and free time to explore and follow your own interests.
The Southwest of Ireland is famous for its beautiful land and seascapes, neighborhood pubs with live traditional Irish music, outdoor markets, handmade woolens and crafts, and friendly Irish locals. |
 Playing Traditional Irish Music |
Hear the sounds of traditional Irish music — pipes, fiddles, flutes, and bodhrán (Irish frame drum,) as you walk down the sidewalks of Cork. "Good craic," they say, pronounced "crack" and meaning fun, having a laugh, having a good time.
Hear locals speaking their unique and charming Cork accent. See quaint shops featuring the work of local artisans. Stroll along scenic River Lee, Fitzgerald Park, Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, visit the pubs, tea rooms, and historic sites, hear local storytellers and musicians.
Lodging 3-star rating or higher hotel or B&B |
 Ferry to Cape Clear Island |
August 31
Travel to Baltimore in the far southwest of Ireland and catch the ferry to Cape Clear Island, home of a world famous Storytelling Festival. Lindagail will lead a group gathering this evening with stories and orientation to the festival. |
 Cape Clear Hostel |
August 31 - September 4
Cape Clear Hostel
This historic house by the sea is reserved for our group. Since lodging on this picturesque little island is extremely limited (mostly local’s homes and B&Bs), rooms are usually booked a year in advance. The island is inundated with Storytellers from around the world for this event. An estimated 450+ were in attendance last year.
The Hostel has a large open kitchen, living area with fireplace, and large dining / meeting room, and laundry facilities. We have full use of the house during our stay. Our hostess is the charming innkeeper, Anne O'Reagan, from a local island family, who keeps the place sparkling clean with warm bedding and fresh towels. The kitchen is stocked with tea and delicious homemade Irish Soda Bread. Our group stayed with Anne the past 2 years and loved the hospitality, ambiance, fresh air, waves lapping at the shore just outside our windows, community living, proximity to events, and being immersed in nature on this magical little island.
The rooms are very basic with bunk beds, 2 - 4 per room. We will use the lower bunks. If the Hostel is full or you prefer another option, Anne will do her best to arrange one for you with a neighbor's B&B nearby. |
 Heather, Limestone, and the Atlantic Ocean from above the bay on Cape Clear Island |
There is kayaking in the bay just outside the door. We even saw hardy souls swimming across the bay! The water was warmer than might be expected at that latitude because of the Atlantic Gulf Stream sweeping up from the Caribbean along the eastern edge of the island.
The peace, quiet, connections, and community at the Hostel and on the island makes this one of the highlights of our trip. |
 Storytelling Performance, Cape Clear Island |
September 1 - 3rd
At the Festival, a 3-day internationally known extravaganza, you will experience world class storytelling performances, daily story swaps, classes, cultural events, music concerts, historical walks, and talks.
Interested in history and nature? Join the heritage walk with Diarmuid O'Drisceoill. Want to improve your storytelling performance skills? Take part in one of the workshops. Like to tell stories? Stand up and share a tale at one at the afternoon Story Swaps. Friday and Saturday night revel in stories told by some of the finest storytellers from around the world.
This event is an international favorite among storytellers world wide and has been taking place on Cape Clear Island for the past 24 years since 1992.
Click here to learn more: Cape Clear Storytelling Festival
MAP of Cape Clear Island
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Monday, September 4th
Depart Cape Clear aboard the ferry back to Baltimore Landing and have lunch at the Pub at the pier. We'll continue to Shannon for dinner. Overnight in Shannon, 3+ star hotel or B&B.
Tuesday, September 5
Return flight from Shannon Airport |
 Walking Road Showing The Hostel on Cape Clear Island |
Walking:
The main mode of transport on Cape Clear Island is by foot and an occasional taxi that can be arranged in advance or flagged down on the road. There are very few cars on the narrow little paved roads with picturesque stone fences where one can sit, admire the scenery, rest, and chat. There will be Storytellers walking up and down the roads, in the pubs, all over the place! Enjoy easy and interesting conversations with tellers from around the world. You will need to be able to walk about a mile or so at your own pace in order to get around on the island, to the Village and the various classes and performances. |
 Members of our 2015 Ireland Storytelling Tour |
It takes about 15 minutes to walk up and down over the hill and the heather from the Hostel along the water into the village to the festival, the one village shop, the harbor, restaurant, and 2 pubs. It's about 30 - 60 minutes to walk to the evening performance venue, about 3/4 of it uphill on the way. |
Cost:
$3,995 Including round trip airfare from the USA
or
$2,795 EXcluding Airfare (Use Frequent Flyer Miles or Buy Your Own Airline Ticket)
Both rates include 8 nights lodging, all ground transportation, ferry tickets, and admission to the 3 day festival.
August 27 - September 5, 2017
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All payments are nonrefundable, so please get travel insurance to protect your investment if something unforeseen arises and you are unable to travel. Be sure to read your policy so you know what situations are covered. |
 Included in This Trip |
Included at $3,995:
▪ Round-trip coach airfare from the USA to Shannon, Ireland on August 27, 2017, returning September 5, 2017, with one 50 lb max. suitcase checked free
▪ Airport transfers to and from Shannon Airport
▪ Eight nights lodging as listed on itinerary above, August 28 - September 4, based on double occupancy, 2 twin beds, 5 nights in 3-Star Hotels or B&Bs on the Mainland, 4 nights on Cape Clear Island at the Hostel with lower bunk beds, shared rooms with separate men's and women's baths down the hall
▪ NOTE: Single room supplement for 4 nights on the mainland is $600 provided space is available. Shared rooms only for 4 nights on Cape Clear Hostel
▪ Lindagail will personally meet you at Shannon airport on August 28, 2017 and accompany you throughout this trip, to County Cork, Cape Clear Island, the festival, and back to Shannon airport
▪ Lindagail telling Irish Myths, Legends and poetry along the way
▪ Transportation on the mainland by bus, taxi, and train, between Shannon and Cork and back to Shannon
▪ Free time to shop, hike, relax, take in the scenery, visit the pubs, enjoy the music, talk with the locals, and explore
▪ Round trip on the ferry to Cape Clear
▪ Entrance fee to 3-day Cape Clear
▪ Storytelling Festival
▪ Pre-Storytelling Festival Evening Group Gathering and Storytelling on August 31
▪ Post-Storytelling Festival Evening Group Gathering, Wrap-Up, Debrief, and Stories on Sept 3
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 Excluded, Traveler Pays |
Excluded:
Travelers are responsible for:
▪ Excess baggage fees: $100 for 2nd suitcase
▪ Your Meals
▪ Personal expenses
▪ Transportation, sightseeing and admissions other than specified above
▪ Travel insurance, optional and highly recommended.
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Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance typically pays the amount of your trip if you are unable to make the trip due to illness, for lost luggage, lodging in case the trip is delayed, illness (yours, or a family member's making you unable to travel) plus dental and medical. Please check each policy for the specifics of the coverage.
Policies usually cost usually between $100 - $250 depending upon the amount you insure, the policy you select, and your age. I recommend the deluxe policies at these 2 companies:
Allianz Global Assistance or
Travel Guard
Purchase these policies online (click the links above) or from a travel agent.
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Travel Options
Want To Fly Business or First Class? You can upgrade your ticket and pay the difference.
Use Your Frequent Flyer Miles? Use miles to book your ticket or arrange your own travel and meet us at Shannon Airport at 7:00 am August 27, 2017 to join the group for the land portion of this trip, deduct $1,200 from $3,995 = $2,795 total.
For booking with frequent flyer miles, please book your airline ticket right away because seats are very limited during the busy summer months.
Extra Luggage: Your first suitcase is free, 50 lbs. max. 2nd suitcase charge is $100.
Extend Your Trip? If you'd like to create a longer trip or include other destinations you can buy your own ticket and meet us at the Shannon airport at 7:30 am on Sunday, August 28, when the group arrives. Deduct $1,200 airfare from $3,995 cost of the trip, and purchase your own air ticket. $2,795 total for the land portion of Ireland trip.
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 Tellers and Listeners Gathering Before A Performance on Cape Clear |
Maximum 12 People. |
Passport:
Please check your passport's expiration date. It is required to be valid through March 8, 2018, or beyond, six months past the conclusion of our trip. Please renew you passport now if necessary.
If you need a passport, contact the nearest passport office right away to make an appointment to apply in person.
No visas are required to enter Ireland from the U.S.A. |
Refund Policy:
There are no refunds. Please purchase travel insurance to protect you from unforeseen circumstances. |
 An Impromptu Storytelling Gathering Near the Ferry Landing on Cape Clear Island, Ireland |
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Secure Your Place Now:
Space for 12.
Option #1:
Payment in full INcluding your airfare from anywhere in the USA
Click here $3,995
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Option #2:
Payment in full EXcluding airfare
Click here $2,795
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Option #3:
4 Payment Plan INcluding airfare
$998.75 per month
INcluding airfare: payable by VISA, Discover, or Mastercard Card, due the first of each month by automatic draft with credit card on
Payment #1: Now, to hold your place
Payment #2: May 1, 2017
Payment #3: June 1, 2017 and
Payment #4: August 1, 2017
total $3,995.
Your First Payment of $998.75 INcluding airfare will secure your place on this trip including round trip airfare from anywhere in the USA to Shannon, Ireland and return.
Click here to make your first payment of $998.75
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Option #4:
4 Payment Plan EXcluding airfare
$698.75 per month for 4 months Excluding airfare, by VISA, Discover, or Mastercard Card, due the first of each month by automatic draft with credit card, on
Payment #1: Now, to hold your place
Payment #2: May 1, 2017
Payment #3: June 1, 2017 and
Payment #4: August 1, 2017
total $2,795.
Arrange and pay for your own airfare.
Your first payment of $698.75 Excluding airfare will secure your place on this trip.
Click here to make your first payment of $698.75
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Space is reserved on a first come, first served basis. |
I have heard from many of you have set your sights on the Ireland Storytelling Tour for this year. I hope you will join us.
Please let me know what questions you may have about this exciting trip.
Sláinte! (SLAHN-chə) Irish toast meaning "Good Health." |
"May you always have these blessings...
A soft breeze when the summer comes,
A warm fireside in winter,
And always the warm, soft, smile of a friend."
~ Traditional Irish Blessing
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
~ Saint Augustine, 354–430 C.E.
"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware."
~ Martin Buber, Philosopher |
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