Arrive Shannon Airport and on to Cork City Kinsale, Cobh & Midleton Kenmare, Killarney & Dingle Dingle Peninsula Dingle Town Dingle to Bunratty The Wonders of County Clare Shannon Airport & Home
... a fantastic trip! ...especially want to thank Allen and Liam for their camaraderie, guidance, knowledge, and good humor throughout. - Gene & Kathy Schneider, Austin, TX
The idea behind this tour itinerary is simple – if you had just one week to spend in Ireland, where should you go, what should you do? The result is the Heart of Ireland Guided tour. The very best of Ireland with our very best guide.
It gives us great pleasure to invite you to join Allen “Paddy” Tatman on a journey of discovery through Munster, exploring the history and culture of the southwestern province of Ireland. As you travel through Ireland's most scenic countryside, and visit a multitude of attractions, Allen will entertain you with songs, stories, and lively discussion about the country he loves so well. The Heart of Ireland Tour is strictly limited to 30 passengers on a luxuriously appointed coach - far fewer passengers than our regular Guided Bus Tours in an extremely plush vehicle. The intimate and exclusive nature of this tour means that places are filling fast.
Please note there is currently only one date available for this tour: June 9 to 16, 2010.
The Heart of Ireland Tour includes:
An extremely knowledgeable, friendly and passionate guide in the form of Allen 'Paddy' Tatman.
7 nights accommodation at the most authentic and welcoming locations available on your itinerary.
7 full days of chauffeured and guided touring
A sumptuous touring vehicle, complete with leather Captain's seats and tables, a PA, CD & DVD system, drinks cooler and much, much more. The bus also offers Wi-Fi connectivity (subject to regional availability)
You will be met at Shannon Airport by Allen, and transferred back to Shannon for departure
An expert driver - Liam Bourke, a very friendly, knowledgeable and flexible man from Limerick!
Full Irish Breakfast each morning
Traditional Irish Night at the Corn Barn of Bunratty Castle
Each day will include day trips and tours of Ireland's top sites and attractions.
Heritage Island Guides - offers discounted admission to the each attraction.
Night time will afford the opportunity to explore local pubs and nightlife. On some evenings you will be treated to special traditional Irish music sessions arranged specifically for the tour group
Expert tips and advice from Allen, as well as answers to any questions you may have prior to arriving in Ireland
Online access to all your vacation particulars via our unique customer system – detailed accommodation and regional information, as well as the ability to make secure online tour payments.
About Your Nightly Accommodations
The Heart of Ireland Tour includes overnight stays at truly wonderful and welcoming accommodations. From an historic 4 star city center hotel (the oldest hotel in Cork City) to spectacular 4 star guesthouses with waterfront locations and stunning views, the Heart of Ireland tour offers true variety, exceptional comfort, and genuine Irish hospitality in abundance. You can view further information and photos of the tour accommodations via the links below. The listing of two 4 star Dingle guesthouses is not a typo - to avail of the spectacular views and intimate ambience, the group will be split between these two wonderful adjacent properties.
June 9th Arrive Shannon Airport and on to Cork City
You will be met at Shannon airport by Allen and your driver, Limerick native, Liam Bourke, who will take you south to Cork City in County Cork. Your first stop will be at the legendary Blarney Castle, ancestral home of the McCarthy clan and famous Blarney Stone. After an afternoon of exploring the castle and grounds, as well as Blarney Village, we will head just a few miles south to the Imperial Hotel in the heart of Cork City. After you have settled into your room and you have had a meal at one of the many dining establishments in Cork, there will be a group mixer at South’s Bar in the Imperial Hotel.
June 10th Kinsale, Cobh & Midleton
Your second day in Ireland offers you two options. You may choose to join Allen for a day touring the highlights of County Cork including Cobh (last stop of the Titanic), the Jameson Whiskey Heritage Centre at the Old Midleton Distillery, and the wonderful harbour town of Kinsale. Alternately, you may choose to spend your day exploring Cork City on your own, with its many shops, churches, museums, and parks. That evening you can join Allen for a Traditional Music session with the members of West Cork’s own Fuchsia Band!
June 11th Kenmare, Killarney & Dingle
Today the tour takes a scenic turn west over the Derrynasaggart Mountains and into County Kerry. Your first stop will be the charming and picturesque town of Kenmare. From there the tour heads north along a section of the famed Ring of Kerry Road to Killarney Town. The group will spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful Killarney National Park, Muckross House, Gardens and Traditional Farm, Torc Waterfall, and Ross Castle. From Killarney the tour continues to Kerry’s spectacular Dingle Peninsula, and checks into Heaton’s/Castlewood Guesthouse for the next 3 nights in Dingle Town.
June 12th Dingle Peninsula
After a hearty breakfast the group will take a tour of the Dingle Peninsula’s spectacular Slea Head Drive, which includes some of the most beautiful seascapes in Ireland (finer by far than the better-known Ring of Kerry’s views, in the opinion of your guide). Your day will be filled with sights and stories of Ireland’s (and Europe’s) westernmost landfall. There will be a host of interesting stops along the way - the Dingle Crystal Workshop, Dunbeg Stone Fort, 1st century BC beehive huts, and the Gallarus Oratory, to name but a few.
June 13th Dingle Town
Spend your day exploring vibrant and magical Dingle Town! There's so much to do in what appears to be a small town - every group that visits Dingle always wish they had more time there, and you’ll discover why. A sample of Dingle's many diversions include seeing Fungie the Dolphin - Dingle’s most famous 'citizen' since the early 1980s, a visit to Dingle Oceanword Aquarium, snorkeling, horseback riding, and of course shopping in Dingle's wonderful selection of craft and jewelry stores.
June 14th Dingle to Bunratty
This morning the group departs Dingle and heads over the Slieve Mish Mountains, through Tralee town to County Limerick and the picture postcard town of Adare. Adare is home to scores of Medieval buildings and ruins, including the 13th Century Adare Castle, the 14th Century Augustinian Friary, and the 15th Century Franciscan Friary, not to mention the thatched roof houses which line the streets of this pleasant little village. From Adare we will take a driving tour through Limerick city, including a visit to the neighborhood where author Frank McCourt grew up and based his award winning memoir, Angela’s Ashes. Crossing the River Shannon into County Clare, we will spend the afternoon at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. After checking into the Bunratty Manor Hotel, the group will return to the Folk Park, where we will have dinner and be entertained with a Traditional Irish Evening in the Corn Barn behind Bunratty Castle.
June 15th The Wonders of County Clare
Your last full day on the tour will be one of spectacular sites, as the group heads for the Cliffs of Moher and the very unique Burren Region. The breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, rising more than 700 feet above the Atlantic, will be our first stop. After lunch at Gus O’Connor’s Pub in Doolin, the tour will travel around Black Head Drive for spectacular views of the Burren as it touches the Atlantic Ocean. The Burren region covers about a quarter of northwestern County Clare, and is a rocky and windswept limestone uplift. The magic of the Burren is distilled into the town of Ballyvaughan, where we will stop before heading up and over the Burren to the 5000 year old Poulnabrone Dolmen, a Neolithic portal tomb.
June 16th Shannon Airport & Home
This morning the group returns to Shannon airport for the flight home. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, but the memories and experiences that you will take with you certainly will not.
About Allen 'Paddy' Tatman-Malone
Join Irish-American historian, writer, and proprietor of Paddy Malone’s Irish Pub, Allen“Paddy” Tatman-Malone, for a fascinating journey through Munster, exploring the history and culture of one of the most beautiful regions of Ireland. As you travel through the scenic countryside and visit the attractions, Allen will entertain you with songs, stories, and extensive discussions about the country that he loves so well.
Allen Tatman-Malone (Ailín Pádraig ÓThaighmahon Maoileóin) is a third generation Irish American, with great-grandparents from Donegal and Kildare, and with additional family lineage going back to Counties Clare, Galway, Derry, Antrim and Dublin. In 2000 Allen took over a 137 year old tavern in where he, along with his uncle, established Paddy Malone's Irish Pub. Allen currently runs Paddy Malone’s with his wife Máire Lí, and they live on the third floor above the pub. Both Allen and Máire Lí have travelled extensively throughout Ireland and have established countless friendships and connections across the Emerald Isle.
A veteran guide of Ireland, Allen has a very simple philosophy; don’t try to do too much, but what you do, do it well:
'It is impossible to see all of Ireland in ten to fourteen days, let alone a week, so I don’t even try,” Allen says. “What I will do is show you one of the best areas of Ireland, where you can take your time and soak it in, all the while giving you a thorough background and history on the places that we visit. My hope is that each and every one of my guests on the tour comes away from Ireland having a rich and fulfilling experience, and not feel as if they were rushed from point to point, without a chance to enjoy their holiday.'
Your Driver - Liam Bourke:
Your driver on the Heart of Ireland tour is Liam Bourke. A native Limerickman, Liam has many, many years of experience touring the roads of Ireland. Liam has previously worked as a driver/guide for official Rick Steves tours, and learned much in the process. No one knows the back roads of Ireland better than Liam - from secret, off-the-beaten-path spots to distinctive local crafts and individuals - in Liam's capable hands you will meet people and experience Ireland in a truly unique way. Allen & Liam have travelled Ireland together on many previous tours, and the excellent rapport and camaraderie they share, greatly adds to the superb atmosphere on board the Heart of Ireland tour bus!
What previous customers had to say about touring with Allen & Liam:
'A fantastic trip! ...especially want to thank Allen and Liam for their camaraderie, guidance, knowledge, and good humor throughout.' Gene & Kathy Schneider, Austin TX
'From the things everyone wants to see in Ireland, to the those only the locals know about, Allen gets you there. He has a deep knowledge of Irish history, an engaging personality, velvet baritone voice and passion for the Emerald Isle.' Dave Dillon, Jefferson City, MO
'Allen's knowledge of the history of Ireland and its people adds a whole new dimension to your trip. It allows you to not only visit all of the beautiful places in Ireland but to experience a bit of its culture.' Andy Fechtel, Providence, RI
'As an American couple, abroad for the first time, Allen's enthusiasm and advice made all the difference between feeling like 'tourists' and being 'welcomed home.' We returned the next year with Allen and had the added local color of Liam as our driver. He was a jewel!.' Michael & Kathleen Gallagher, Chamois, MO
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between this tour and regular guided bus tours?:
*You know in advance who your guide and driver are going to be (and they will be 2 separate people – not one driver/guide!) Not only that, but you will be able to contact your guide and become acquainted/ ask questions – etc. in advance of the tour. This is a completely unique feature of any guided tour of Ireland – you have the dual support of your agent here at Authentic Ireland, as well as your tour guide. *Unlike regular guided bus tours, your guide does not finish each evening at 5pm. On many evenings, Allen will accompany the group to various pubs/ traditional Irish music sessions/ nightlife venues. *The Heart of Ireland tour offers much more flexibility than run of the mill bus tours. The group is not herded from one location to the next for fear of not being back at the hotel in time for a set (and boring) 3 course hotel meal.
Why is the tour limited to 30 passengers?:
*The group size is limited to 30, to allow for a far more intimate and special experience than regular guided bus tours with 40+ passengers. *Because of the smaller group size, it’s possible to accommodate everyone in smaller, more personal accommodations, where the emphasis is on customer service and the genuine Irish welcome and hospitality for which we’re famous. Although other bus tours use good hotels, generally speaking they are much larger and therefore quite impersonal. *Fewer passengers on-board allows us to provide a spacious and luxurious touring vehicle – leather captain’s seats, tables. Normal tour coaches are stock 53 seaters.
Why are evening meals not included?:
*Evening meals are not pre-booked and not included in the price. Although this may initially be seen as a drawback, in our experience the reality is quite the opposite. People have wildly varying tastes and appetites. While some will want a 3+ course dinner every evening, others will be more than happy with soup and a salad. We save you money by not including the hefty cost of a 3 course meal in the tour price, because we realise that that is not to everyone’s taste. Instead of meal reservations at your nightly accommodations, Allen will offer a choice of good establishments in the area, so that everyone is catered for and can choose for themselves. This also gives individuals and couples within the group the opportunity to go and do their own thing for their evening meal. We have found that group members very much appreciate the chance to take a break from the larger group if they so wish.
Dates & Prices
The price listed below is per person and based on two sharing a double room. A US$500.00 per person deposit secures your place on the tour. The exclusive Heart of Ireland tour begins in Shannon on June 9, 2010. Spaces are limited!
A US$500.00 per person deposit is required to secure your place on the exclusive Heart of Ireland Tour.
To make a booking over the phone, please call us on the relevant number listed below. Alternately, please complete the inquiry form below and we will send you all tour details via email. Once you have received the email you will have the option of booking the tour directly online, via our secure payment portal.
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