"Irish Sights and Celtic Nights IV"

Benedictine Center for Lifelong Learning

11 Day Escorted Coach Tour

October 25, 2007 - November 4, 2007

Your Tour Includes

• - Immersion into Irish history, culture, music and religion

• - Travel with Sharon Toogood Froehle, the College of St. Benedict representative
• - Nine nights in first-class hotels. Two nights each at the Brooks Hotel in Dublin, and the Hibernian Hotel in Kilkenny, three - nights at the Connemara Coast Hotel just five minutes from the CSB/SJU students in Spiddal, and one night each at the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon and the Bunratty Castle Hotel in Bunratty. Breakfast is included each morning.
• - 7 Dinners including 1 each at the Brooks, Abbey, Connemara Coast hotels. Two dinners at the Hibernian Hotel. One dinner with CSB/SJU students at the Park Lodge, and one dinner at the Bunratty Castle Feast.
• - Admission to Book of Kells, St. Brigid's Cathedral, Irish National Stud, Kilkenny Castle, Jerpoint Abbey, Tulamore Distillery, Clonmacnoise, Strokestown House and Famine Museum, Knock Shrine Museum, Cliffs of Moher, and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
• - Guided walking tours of Glasnevin Cemetery, Trinity College, Kilkenny, and Galway.
• - Porterage at hotels
• - Luxury Coach with Irish Driver for duration of trip
• - Free time to explore churches, shops, museums and pubs on your own

ITINERARY

Thursday October 25th
Your adventure begins as you fly across the sea to Dublin, Ireland. Your overnight flight across the Atlantic will include dinner and a continental breakfast.

Friday October 26th
Upon Arrival at Dublin airport, we will be met by an Irish myguide Ireland representative . We will then travel to our hotel in Dublin's City Centre. There, myguide Ireland will host a welcoming Tea & Coffee and discuss our upcoming travels. After checking into the hotel, our driver will take us on an afternoon coach tour of Dublin sites. Our evening dinner will be at the Brooks Hotel.

Saturday October 27th
We begin our day with a full Irish breakfast at our hotel. Then we depart on a morning tour of historic Glasnevin Cemetery. In the early afternoon we visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College , with the rest of the afternoon free. That evening, enjoy dinner on your own in Dublin City Centre. Overnight at the Brooks Hotel.

Sunday October 28th
Following breakfast and mass, we depart Dublin for Kilkenny. Along the way, we will stop at the recently restored St. Brigid's Cathedral in Kildare , visit the world famous Irish National Stud, and historic Jerpoint Abbey . In Kilkenny we will be staying at the Hibernian Hotel . That evening, our dinner will be at our hotel. Evening is free to relax.

Monday October 29th
Monday morning after breakfast, we will have a local guide lead us on a walking tour of the city, followed by a tour of Kilkenny Castle . In Kilkenny, you will be free to enjoy Medieval sites such as the Shee Alms House, haunted Kyteler's Inn, and St. Canices Round Tower, or enjoy the unique Kilkenny Design Centre. Dinner at Hibernian Hotel. Following dinner you may wish to enjoy traditional music in the local pubs.

Tuesday October 30st
After breakfast, we depart Kilkenny for the Midlands. Along the way we will stop and tour the Tullamore Distillery. Following this, we depart for the "Crossroads of Ireland" the famous Clonmacnoise medieval monastery where we will enjoy a guided tour. Our day ends at the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon. Dinner at our hotel with time after to seek out traditional music at the pubs. Overnight at the Abbey Hotel.

Wednesday October 31st
In the morning, following another full Irish breakfast we'll depart by coach for our tour of the Strokestown House and Famine Museum. Following lunch we depart for Spiddal . By late afternoon we will arrive at the Connemara Coast Hotel where we will stay for the next 3 nights. Upon our arrival we will have the opportunity to meet the CSB/SJU Galway students. Dinner at the Connemara Coast Hotel overlooking beautiful Galway Bay.

Thursday November 1st
Today affords many options. Some might enjoy a morning visit to the Standun Store in Spiddal. Others might prefer enjoying the day with their son or daughter. Our coach will then take anyone interested to Galway for a walking tour of the City Centre. Following the tour, you will be free to enjoy the day as you wish. You can enjoy dinner on your own at one of the city's many excellent restaurants and pubs. Then you are free to continue shopping or visiting until the coach takes us back to Spiddal about 9 PM. Overnight at Connemera Coast Hotel.

Friday November 2nd
Following breakfast we depart for fascinating Ballintubber Abbey. Following, we travel on to the Marian Shrine of Knock. Our return to Spiddal is through scenic Connemara. Our evening dinner will be at the Park Lodge Hotel that hosts the CSB & SJU students during their stay in Ireland. It provides us an opportunity to visit their cottages, enjoy an evening dinner with the students, and socialize afterwards in the hotel's pub. Our bus will then take us back to the Connemera Coast Hotel.

Saturday November 3rd
Our breakfast will be followed by farewells to the students studying in Spiddal. We then leave Spiddal for Limerick and our last evening in Ireland. Along the way, we will travel along Ireland's west coast and visit the eerie Burren and the impressive Cliffs of Moher . In Limerick we will stay at the Bunratty Castle Hotel and enjoy an evening of fun at the Bunratty Castle banquet.

Sunday November 4th
Breakfast is followed by a ride to the Shannon Airport and your return flight home.

Your Host and Tour Summary
You will enjoy seeing Ireland while travelling with Sharon Toogood Froehle, the CSB Representative. Our tour is truly unique; it covers many of the popular tourist areas. Additionally, we will visit non-traditional tourist sites that offer you a clear insight into Ireland's past and present. This trip balances history, geography, religion, culture, and music of the Irish people, while assuring good fun for travellers of all ages.

Your Tour Guides
Ed Hogan is Associate Vice President Emeritus for Academic Affairs and Professor Emeritus of Geography at South Dakota State University. Joan Hogan previously taught communication studies at SDSU. She is currently the producer and host of a medical radio program in South Dakota. Joan and Ed have enjoyed sharing their love of Ireland with travellers for the past ten years.

Tour Terms $2,595 (Land Only)
Full land only tour is $2,595 per person. Single room is an additional $545 per person. Initial deposit of $500 is due by May 25, 2007. Balance is due July 15, 2007.

General Conditions
All cancellations must be advised in writing (by mail, fax or e-mail) to myguide Ireland.com prior to tour departure during normal business hours (Mondays through Fridays). Cancellations are subject to penalties. Travel insurance is recommended.

Please complete the enquiry form on our website.