FROM JOANIE MADDEN - MUSICAL TOUR OF IRELAND

[ctladies]

Hello Dale and the whistlers of the world!

I just wanted to let you all know that myself and Mary Coogan from Cherish the Ladies are running our 4th annual spring fling to ireland from May 20-27th. Every year has sold out and this one is heading that way too... There are already a good few great musicians signed up to go including my father Joe Madden (a fantastic accordion player) and Mike Rafferty (master flute player) and a good few others. The bus is 3/4's sold already and I have a few whistlers joining us and wanted the rest of you to know about it.... Great sightseeing during the day and fantastic music every night with major guest stars joining us during the week....

You can email me at ctladies@aol.com if you're interested...

JOANIE MADDEN AND MARY COOGAN’S
4TH ANNUAL SPRING FLING
MAY 20TH– MAY 27TH


MAY 20TH – Make your way from your respective city departing the US on May 19th or earlier, to meet the group at Shannon Airport in County Clare at 10:00 AM. You’ll be heartily met by your hosts, Joanie Madden and Mary Coogan and our fantastic coach driver Paul. The luxury coach will depart for Kinsale in County Cork, a designated Irish Heritage Town famous for its majestic harbor location, gourmet restaurants, superb golf courses and historical attractions. Kinsale, located at the mouth of the River Bandon is the most picturesque town in the South West of Ireland with one of the only remaining 17th Century star shaped forts in Europe; the impressive Charles Fort which was a major military fortification for centuries. Today, the town is widely regarded as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland and for two nights we’ll make our home in Kinsale, staying at the 4 star Trident hotel located right on the Waterfront and a five minute walk from the centre of town. Feel free to have a walkabout or relax before our welcome drink and dinner and of course a musical evening to follow!

__________________________________________________________________________________


MAY 21st – We begin the day with a hearty breakfast and a guided tour of Kinsale by well known local tour guide Don Herlihy who will provide us with a fascinating tour which brings to life Kinsale’s place in history – and makes the stony sights more than just buildings. After the tour, we’ll depart Kinsale and travel west to the Cobh Heritage Center. Cobh’s dramatic maritime history is retold in the Queenstown Story, a dramatic exhibition that retraces the steps of the 2.5 million people who emigrated from Ireland to America with Cobh being the last port of call. Discover the special connection with the Titanic and the Lusitania and learn the story of Annie Moore, the first emigrant processed at Ellis Island. To round off our day, we’ll continue to Shanagarry, birthplace of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. We’ll see the remains of Penn Castle and within the grounds; we’ll visit the Stephen Pearse pottery center and enjoy a tour of his renowned Shanagarry range of earthenware. The striking and distinctive black and white design is recognized around the world and demand for it has increased consistently over the years since it was first produced. Back to the Trident for dinner and music!
__________________________________________________________________________________



MAY 22nd – We’ll depart Kinsale and following Cork’s outstanding western coastline we’ll travel through Clonakilty, birthplace of the great patriot Michael Collins and onto the infamous town of Skibbereen. We’ll continue west onto Ballydehob where the views of the sea vista are awesome. We end up our day in the town of Bantry, a breathtaking splendor of mountain scenery, hilly pastures, meandering streams, lakes and woods. We’ll visit the beautiful Bantry House and gardens built in 1690 where the views over Bantry Bay are stunning. We’ll check into the 4 star Maritime Hotel on the Quay in Bantry for two nights –have a walk around town or rest up before dinner and music.
__________________________________________________________________________________

MAY 23rd – We begin the day with a short tip to Glengariffe located in the sheltered harbor of Bantry Bay and board a 15 minute ferry ride to Garnish Island; otherwise known as Ilnacullin or the island of Holly. Ilnacullin is a 37 acre island, one of the country’s horticultural wonders, an island garden of rare beauty and an oasis of exotic plant life known to horticulturalists the world over. We’ll see all kinds of marine life including seals that make their home in the unusually warm waters here. We then board the coach to spend the rest of the day exploring the Beara Peninsula. Shared by County Kerry and County Cork, the Ring of Beara has a landscape that is beautiful, magical and full of rugged charm. It is the most westerly of Cork’s peninsulas, and arguably it’s most spectacular and presents an exhilarating drive of breathtaking scenery in the Ring of Beara. A route much less traveled than the Ring of Kerry, Beara’s secret is one that is still quite well kept. Back to the Maritime hotel for dinner and music!
__________________________________________________________________________________

MAY 24th – Our travels today carry us North through Counties Kerry, Limerick and onto the great traditional Irish musical county of Clare. Along the way, we’ll stop in the beautiful town of Kenmare, noted for its elegant central square, attractive buildings and flower lined streets. Our next leg of the journey takes us through Killarney’s National Park driving through the famous Moll’s Gap on the ring of Kerry and onto one of Ireland’s top tourism towns, Killarney. We’ll then stop at Irelands literary capitol, Listowel in County Kerry for a visit to the new Kerry Literary and Cultural Center where you can experience the Seanchie (or storyteller, pronounced “shan-a-kee”) and hear excerpts from some of the gifted writers from the area. Listowel, and indeed North Kerry have produced an abundance of world famous writers, giving it a uniqueness not to be found in any other part of Ireland. On to County Clare for 3 nights where we’ll check into the 4 star Ashford Court Boutique Hotel in the town center of Ennis where the the Fleadh Nua (pronounced “flah nua”) festival is in full flight with some of Ireland’s top musicians and ceili bands for music, dancing and festivities.
_______________________________________________________________________________

MAY 25th – The Mecca for traditional Irish music in the west is a place called Doolin and that is our first stop today. We’ll board the Doolin Ferry at 10:00 AM to one of the most compelling areas in Ireland known as the Aran Islands. We’ll visit the largest of the Irish speaking islands, Inishmore and take a step back in time exploring the beauties of the island. We’ll enjoy a 3 ½ hour guided tour the old fashioned way via pony and trap. Your tour guide will take you around the island to some of the finest archeological sites in Europe and we’ll visit Dun Aengus; a stone fort that dates back over 2000 years. A visit to cillmurvey local crafts will be a stop along the way where you can peruse authentic Aran sweaters, baskets and various local wares that are made right on Inishmore. The pony and trap will take you along the coast road back to the ferry where an abundance of wildlife can be seen. Our coach will be waiting in Doolin to whisk us back to the Ashford Court and the Ennis Fleadh Nua festival for another night of music and dancing!

__________________________________________________________________________________

MAY 26th – Today feel free to explore the great bustling shopping town of Ennis or take part in one of the many events taking place at the Fleadh Nua. Our coach will be making a spectacular drive through the rugged landscape of the Burren in County Clare. The Burren is a magical place where land and sea seem to merge into one vast exhilarating space and once you’ve experienced this unique region of the country, you’ll be blown away! Back to Ennis and the Ashford Court for Joanie’s big birthday dinner and our farewell evening celebration!
__________________________________________________________________________________

MAY 27TH- Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end!!!!! We’ll make our way to Shannon and everyone will head reluctantly home…..

TOTAL PRICE $2199
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

Deluxe Motor coach throughout your tour, including all transfers and sightseeing’s
Each or our 7 Nights accommodation is a 4 star luxury Hotel:
The Trident Hotel – Kinsale, County Cork (2 nights)
The Maritime Hotel – Bantry Bay, Cork (2 nights)
The Ashford Court Boutique Hotel – Ennis, County Clare (3 nights)
7 full Irish breakfasts
7 gourmet dinners
Entrance fees to all group activities ie. visitor centers, boat trips etc.
Portage of 1 suitcase
Nightly concerts/sessions each and every evening featuring world class entertainers.
Fully escorted sightseeing as per itinerary
All hotel tips and taxes for the tour (except tips to your personal driver/guide)
$400 Single Supplement (singles are limited).

[CranberryDog]

WOW!

[FJohnSharp]

Yeah.

[WyoBadger]

Holy smoke. That would be a musically life-changing experience. Who needs mortgage payments? I'm sure Mrs. Badger would understand...

Tom

[Duffy]

Can us poor flok on fixed income hope for some of the tour to be recorded and posted as in the past? The last time was a true joy to listen to. Wish I could tag along.

[anniemcu]

I will be there... two weeks before this one begins.

[Deathtrap]

WOW, I wish I had the money

[blackhawk]

Joannie, do this more than once a year!

[BrassBlower]

If time, money and health co-operate, I'd go in a heartbeat!

[pipersgrip]

I am definitely going.

[Deathtrap]

please, take lots of pics, and post , please ~

[boatgirl]

What an incredible trip. I wish I could go but as I cannot, I wish you all a wonderful time. Someone posted that recordings would be nice - I second that!