14 slo ireland itinerary - San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau

PLEASE JOIN
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY FARM BUREAU
on a 14-Day Study Tour, August 2-16, 2014, featuring
E V E R YT H I N G I R E LAN D
• Northern Ireland
• Republic of Ireland
• Big cities
• Small towns
• Tiny hamlets
• Lots of farms, both traditional
and unique
And, if we’re lucky, we may meet a
friendlyLeprechaun along the way!
“Faith and begorrah!”
Produced by Harvest Travel International
Oakland, California
Producers of Farmer to FarmerⓇ Tours
OUR EXCITING DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY
N O R T H E R N I R E LA N D
Sat. Aug. 2: Assemble at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for our non-stop
overnight Air Lingus flight to Ireland. Meals and beverage service in-flight.
Sun. Aug. 3: Dublin - Belfast (D)
Early morning arrival at Dublin Airport. After clearing customs and immigration we meet our
driver-guide and drive north, crossing the border into Northern Ireland and arrive in the city of
Belfast, for a 3-night stay.
This afternoon a local guide takes us on a tour of Belfast. We learn some of the recent history of
this city. You will visit The Loyalist Shankhill Road and Republican Falls Road.
Visit Titanic Centre. 2012 is the 100-year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Through
the magic of technology we experience this horrific drama played out on the high seas.
Later you pass Stormont, the Northern Ireland Assembly
House. Dinner and overnight at the Europa Hotel in central
Belfast.
Parliament House
Mon. Aug. 4: Belfast. (B/D)
This morning we tour the north Antrim Coast to visit the Giants Causeway, a World Heritage
Site. This is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, which are the result of an ancient
volcanic eruption; later we stop at Bushmills Distillery for a tour and tasting. This working
distillery is one of the oldest in the world, making Irish Whiskey the same way today as they did
400 years ago.
This afternoon we visit a beef farm where the Morrison family runs a pedigree Belgian Blue herd
and a pedigree Hereford herd. On the way back to Belfast we stop at McHugh’s farm to see
their 200 ewe commercial sheep herd and 40 commercial suckler cows. Dinner and O/N in
Belfast.
Tue. Aug. 5: Belfast. (B/D)
After breakfast we travel to Londonderry – or Derry, as it’s known
by the locals depending on their politics – where we join our local
guide for a walking tour of Derry and its famous walls and history.
Later today we visit the McCracken dairy farm before returning to
Belfast.
R E P U B L I C O F I R E LA N D
Wed. Aug. 6: Belfast – Kilkenny. (B/D)
After breakfast we drive into County Armagh to visit
Dermot Morgan’s Brambley Apple Orchard.
Greta Powers Farmhouse
Our afternoon drive south takes us back into the Republic
of Ireland. We bypass Dublin and continue to County
Kilkenny, where we are hosted in farmhouses and country
houses in Freshford, near Kilkenny. Dinner and
overnight.
Thu. Aug. 7: Kilkenny – Cork. (B/D)
After breakfast we depart for Cork, visiting Kilkenny Castle and Larry O’ Reilly’s 2500h arable
farm. Larry grows wheat and barley on mostly rented land.
This afternoon we tour Seamus Holland’s farm to see his herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus.
Dinner and overnight at the Imperial Hotel, South Mall, Cork.
Fri. Aug. 8: Cork. (B/D)
Today we tour Blarney Castle, built by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy,
nearly six hundred years ago. Here is one of the great
historical sites of Ireland and a site that attracts tourists
from around the world. As millions of people have
done before us, we climb up to the ramparts to kiss the
Blarney Stone, thereby obtaining the legendary gift of
eloquence (gab).
Later in the day we pay a visit to Tim O’Leary, who runs a commercial dairy farm near Blarney.
Tim is very active in farm politics and he’s a great
communicator. You can be assured that Tim has kissed the
Blarney Stone many times.
Taste some “Irish” after our tour of the Old Jameson
Distillery, established in 1780 by John Jameson, a Scotsman,
in Middleton.
Dairy Farm
Dinner and overnight at the Imperial Hotel. This evening we have the pleasure of meeting a
representative of the Irish Farmers Association for a presentation. The IFA represents the
interests of all Irish farmers. Established in 1955, its initial purpose was to lead Irish farmers out
of the early depression and deprivation, which had dominated rural Ireland for decades. A
question and answer session follows the presentation.
Sat. Aug. 9: Cork – Killarney. (B/D)
Free time this morning to do as Queen Elizabeth did when she came
to Cork in May 2011: stroll around the Old English Market. Later
this morning we stop by Billy Nicholson’s commercial cow farm.
Billy is the leader of a local beef producer group.
This afternoon we drive on through Macroom, Ballyvourney, and
over the Cork and Kerry Mountains to Killarney for a 2-night stay.
Dinner and overnight in the KillarneyTowers Hotel.
Sun. Aug. 10: Killarney. (B/D)
Today we drive along the Ring of Kerry, a 179 km circular
road that takes in major attractions in County Kerry. In
addition to spectacular scenery and opportunities for
outdoor sports enthusiasts, the Ring of Kerry provides a
look into the ancient heritage of Ireland – Iron Age forts
and Ogham stones, old monasteries and landscape that
Ring of Kerry
was shaped by the last Ice Age more than 10,000 years ago. Along the way we may meet a
shepherd and see his sheep dog herding the flock. Later today we visit a farm that is typical to
the west coast with its very low input system and mountain and rock land grazing. Dinner and
overnight in Killarney.
Mon. Aug. 11: Killarney – Galway. (B/D)
After an early breakfast we depart for Galway, via Tralee and Listowel.
We cross the mouth of Shannon by car ferry and continue our drive up the west coast of Ireland
to the Cliffs of Moher. Located on the western seaboard of County Clare, the cliffs are 214 m
high and 8 km long. The cliffs, a UNESSCO Geo
Park, are home to one of the major colonies of cliff
nesting seabirds in Ireland. The cliffs are one of
Ireland’s top tourist destinations.
Cliffs of Moher
Later we come to the Burren, with its lunar landscape of fertile rock. One of Oliver Cromwell’s
generals wrote, “it is a country where there is not water enough to drown a man, wood enough to
hang one, or earth enough to bury him.” Travel along the southern shore of Galway Bay, past
Dunguire Castle.
Dunguaire Castle. A 16th century tower house and one of the
most photographed castles in Ireland
In the late afternoon we arrive in Galway, known as the city of the tribes because of the 14
Norman merchant families (tribes) that ruled the city from the late 12th century , and their
influence is still felt today. After dinner we can enjoy a stroll down Shop Street, past Lynch’s
castle, once belonging to James Lynch, the Warden of Galway. In 1493, when he could not find
a hangman to hang his son for murder, James hanged his son himself. Today the building serves
as a bank. Dinner and overnight in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway.
Tue. Aug. 12: Galway. (B/D)
Today our tour takes us west to the Connemara countryside – with its lakes, mountains and
mountain sheep farms, it is regarded by many as the real emerald of Ireland and one of its last
unspoiled areas.
In Moyculen, near Lough Corrib, with it’s 365 islands, we stop to meet Jim Canavan at his
Fernville Connemara Pony Stud Farm. Fernville specializes in the Connemara Pony breed
because of its versatility and gentle disposition. Products of their original environment, the
Connemaras are sure-footed, hardy and agile; and they possess great stamina, staying power, and
adaptability.
Typical stone house
Later, near Clifden, we tour the beautiful Kylemore Abbey and Gardens.
The castle with abbey, originally built in 1867 by Mitchell & Margaret Henry, is regarded as one
of Ireland’s most romantic buildings.
We return to Galway, but not before visiting Cong, the
location where John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara
filmed “Quiet Man,” a 1952 romantic comedy-drama
directed by John Ford. Dinner and overnight in
Galway.
Kylemore Abbey and Gardens
Wed. Aug. 13: Galway – Dublin. (B)
Breakfast then depart for Dublin. On the way we stop to visit John Fahy, to see his stonewall
fenced farm, his pedigree Limousine herd and his pedigree Suffolk sheep herd.
Leaving John Fahy, we visit with Tom Burke, who will explain peat and bog land and how peat
is harvested and dried to use as fuel in the open fires of the west of Ireland.
Harvested and packaged peat for fuel
In Athlone, we visit Clonmacnoise, the Monastic Centre founded by St. Ciaran in the 6th
. century.
It’s been a place of Christian pilgrimage for more than 800 years. Dinner and overnight in St.
Stephan’s Green Hotel, Dublin.
Thu. Aug. 14: Dublin. (B/D)
Morning tour of the city of Dublin, including the Georgian Squares, Trinity College and the
Book of Kells – an illuminated manuscript containing the four Gospels of the New Testament and
widely regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure and a masterwork of Western calligraphy
created by Celtic monks ca 800. Also on the tour are St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Kilmainham Jail,
one of the largest unoccupied gaols (jails) in Europe. The tour covers some of the most heroic and
tragic events in Ireland’s emergence as a modern nation from the 1780s to the 1920s.
This afternoon is free to enjoy Dublin on our own. Dinner in the Brazen Head Pub, one of the
oldest pubs in Ireland.
Fri. Aug. 15: Dublin. (B/D)
We have the whole day free to explore Dublin. Our hotel is centrally located for shopping. Hop
On/Hop Off passes are provided for additional sightseeing.
Farewell dinner and Irish Cabaret at Merry Ploughboys Traditional Irish Night.
Sat. Aug. 16: Dublin – Depart for home. (B)
After breakfast we transfer to the Dublin Airport and say a fond goodbye to the Emerald Isle.
******
ALL ABOUT COSTS
If the group totals between 15-19 passengers,
each person pays:
If the group totals between 20-24passengers,
each person pays:
If the group totals between 25-29 or
more passengers, each person pays:
$4950.00
$4660.00
$4475.00
The roundtrip airfare between San Francisco and Dublin
is based on group economy class and has
a value of US$1471.97, including current taxes and
fuel surcharges. Please note: taxes and surcharges are subject to change until tickets are
issued.
Package price includes:
* Aer Lingus round trip group airfare (requires a minimum of 10 passengers traveling together
round trip
*13 nights in 3-4+ star hotels listed or similar
*baggage services for one large suitcase per person, max. 62” overall
*ground transportation with driver/guide for 14 days
*farm and technical visits as described in the itinerary
*city sightseeing with step on guides as described in the itinerary
*meals including daily breakfasts and daily dinners
*tips to guides and waiters for included meals where customary
*entrance fees where necessary
*Hop-on, Hop-off passes in Dublin
Package price does not include:
*any items that are not stated as included
*fluctuation in exchange rate (Euro vs. USD) at time of payment
*prices based on the euro/dollar exchange rate of 1.3902 as of 12/6/13
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS
REGISTRATION AND PAYMENTS: To enroll, complete the reservation form and submit it to
Harvest Travel International along with your deposit of $300 per person. Space is limited and
available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note: final payment for the air ticket is
required by Aer Lingus on or before April 30, 2014. Final payment for the land arrangements is
due on or before June 15, 2014.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS: For all cancellations received by Harvest Travel
International, from 120 days and up to 60 days of departure, a fee of $200 will be charged.
Cancellations received within 59-30 days of departure will incur a fee of $300.00. Cancellations
received from 29-0 days of departure, the total tour price is non-refundable.
DOCUMENTATION: Each traveller MUST carry a valid US passport with at least six
months’ validity remaining after your return to the United States. If you are not a US citizen, be
sure to notify us on the reservation form so you may be properly advised regarding entry
formalities for Ireland.
LUGGAGE: Participants are limited to one suitcase per person, which will be handled by the
airlines. Information regarding the TSA and United/Continental carry-on policies will be advised
closer to departure in order to give you the most up-to-date information.
OTHER INFORMATION: Further information on weather, clothing and packing, cameras,
money exchange, shopping, etc., will be sent to participants after enrollment.
Publication date: December 6, 2013
Contact:
Carol S. Bauer, President
Harvest Travel International
5020 Pierpoint Ave., Oakland, CA 94602
Ph: 1-800-227-0464 • Fx: 1-510-482-4172 • Email: harvestt@sbcglobal.net