Ireland in Depth (2012)

My trip "Ireland in Dept" was my first trip with Grand Circle Travel. First, I would recommend to take the extension pre-trip of Northern Ireland. Seeing the green, green hills, hearing Irish music, hearing about the political, eco-climate, and history of the Irish people was most enjoyable. Walking the new Peace Bridge in the rain at Durry was unique.
The tour director, Sheila O'Connell was fabulous! She went the extra mile to make this trip one I shall never forget! With Sheila's outgoing personality, her wit, her knowledge, helpful tips won her over with all of my travel companions. Sheila gave us more than "1000 Welcomes" when she called prior our trip. I remember she mentioned to bring gear for those cold, windy and misty days. I went to target and got the gear(jacket with pants) at a reasonable price. It came in handy but I would forget the umbrella!
We had 3 motorcoach drivers, Patraig, Sambus, and John. They drove with expertise along the narrow country roads and had warm helpful personalities.
My travel companions were from 14 different states and all walks of life....We all bonded and had lots of laughter. We greeted each other every morning with a happy face!
On the trip, I was in awe of everything and took over 600 pictures! There were many surprises and I went on all the optional tours because I did not want to miss anything.. however, I still had plenty of free time for myself. Besides all the sites there were some beautiful sunrises and rainbows. One morning we stopped at a village and got fresh baked scones with cream and jam--what a delight! Going to a 300 years old pub and listening to Irish music while trying Guinness for the first time. Everyday was a learning and wonderful experience. You will not be disappointed for the trip was worth every penny I spend. I only had one dislike and it was a hotel that had a mattress that was not comfortable and the same hotel had lights that were too dim to read a book! All the other accommendations and food were great! I fell in love with the Irish brown bread and it was an added side to their delicious soups and fish chowder......
Seeing the native country of my grandmother was truely an experience and I came home with a full warm heart of my Irish heritage.

Traveler: Cindy Jagger from Suisun City, CA traveled on October 19, 2011

Besides enjoying our tour guide's (Sean) story of Johnny Cash writing the song " 40 Shades of Green" upon seeing the colours when flying into Ireland. we were blessed with wonderful weather during our pre-trip and scheduled trip. The pre-trip info provided by both GCT and by Sean was a wonderful plus to prepare us for our venture of the Isles. And the suggested readings were most helpful.

Additionally for us was the importance of learning the political history of the Emerald Isle presented by Sean. Sadly, here in the comfort of the Midwest melting pot of the many cultures of Europe that is our make-up, we've had to admit we were led to believe the conflicts of No. Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were the results of the clash between Catholics and Protestants.. Sean did a superb job of educating us the history of the last several hundred years.

Now our future dilemma's of travel choices with GCT will be choosing a new venue or returning to Ireland for another "go-around" of the Isle !!! What a wonderful problem and privilege.

Bob Gielow & Paula Sullivan, Lake City, Minnesota

Traveler: Carl Gielow from Lake City, MN traveled on October 28, 2011

Even with the rain, our trip was great. The guide must have a direct connection to the sky above because it seemed to stop raining when we were going to get off the bus to see something.

The Dingle pennisula was a well worth while extra. I would like to spend a week there. The Ring of Kerry was wasted time. I wish I had opted out and explored on my own that day.

Surprisingly, the food in Ireland was all better than good. Irish stew, salmon, and of course Irish coffee were all excellent. I can't say we ever had a bad meal, either those provided or the ones we found with the guide's recommendation.

The pace was very relaxed with time to get to know an area before it was time to move on. Hotels were all more than adequate.

Traveler: Toya Abbatiello from Landrum, SC traveled on October 26, 2011

My long-awaited visit to Ireland was a memorable one. Our group of 37 “strangers” pretty quickly became a group of 37 “friends”, which truly enhanced my enjoyment of this tour. The pacing of this tour was excellent – there were enough ‘free’ afternoons or evenings to do what I wanted to do, whether it was eat in the hotel and do laundry, do some shopping, walk around the town, or attend a play at the Abbey Theater in Dublin (tickets bought on-line 6 weeks prior and picked up at ‘Will Call’). GCT also left many dinners ‘on our own’, so my friend and I could eat where and when we wanted. Our Program Director, Sean, always had several choices for meals in each town we stayed, from ‘cheap and cheerful’ (usually pubs) to middle or high-end restaurants. I would often sit in a ‘locals’ pub for an hour or more, nursing a pint of Guinness or Murphy’s and listening to the Irish accents of the people around me (even if I couldn’t understand what they were saying if they were speaking in Irish). I would recommend every optional excursion offered; I thoroughly enjoyed each one and felt each added to my total Irish experience.

Speaking of Sean! Our Program Director Sean Curran demonstrated his love for Ireland, its history, its music, its folklore, and its people every day throughout the tour. I delighted in & appreciated his jokes, his ready smile, the music he played on the coach which was appropriate for the area we were traveling in, & his willingness to answer any & all questions. His personal perspective of growing up in N. Ireland during the ‘Troubles’ was very informative and gave an added dimension to our Northern Ireland extension. Amongst all the Program Directors I’ve had over the years, Sean Curran definitely stands out as A#1 – he is a valuable asset to both GCT and to Ireland.

As for myself, I fell in love with the town of Killarney and its surrounding landscape (which includes the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula). To me, this area represented everything ‘Irish’ that I had envisioned before my visit – the small green fields surrounded by dry-stone walls, the sheep and watchful sheep dogs, the thatch-roofed cottages, the smell of peat fires in the air, the misty atmosphere and the warm pubs helped meet my admittedly high expectations and exceeded them in good measure. The incredible natural beauty in County Kerry helped to fill a space in my soul which I wasn’t aware was empty – I do believe I have a ‘wee bit’ of Irish in my genetic memory somewhere!

HINTS:
1. If at all possible, DO participate in the Northern Ireland pre-trip extension. Visiting N. Ireland gave me a much better grasp of that sad time in Ireland’s history, and a more comprehensive knowledge and understanding about why the ‘island’ of Ireland has two separate countries on it, even though everyone admits to being Irish.
2. If you don’t want to climb the stairs to kiss the Blarney Stone, check out the “Poison Garden” next to the entrance of the stairs to the Stone. It has many plants which are poisonous in one way or another, with labels detailing each plant’s name and what part of the plant was poison. Very interesting!
3. Blow dryers available in every hotel – you don’t need to pack one.
4. Wash cloths NOT available in every hotel – do pack one for yourself if you need one.
5. Polyester polar-fleece top-jacket is very useful as a layer, since it doesn’t soak up dampness like wool or cotton.
6. Do bring a water-PROOF (not water-resistant) outer layer, preferably a longer raincoat below your knees, rather than a short jacket. Those with short rain jackets WILL end up with wet or damp pants from the knee down! Many days it would not be raining raindrops, but would be a heavy MIST which would eventually get you just as wet as a heavy rain. A hood on your raincoat is more useful than an umbrella (which you have to constantly hold, open and close as the weather changes during your walks). I bought a raincoat from LL Bean which was made of lightweight nylon, long, with hood, and water-proof. It could be folded into a very small bundle, so it was easy to pack and to pop into my purse or daypack or coat pocket for the day. I bought one size larger than my usual size, so I had enough room to wear even the heaviest, warmest layers when necessary.
7. Reading suggestion: IRELAND by Frank Delaney. An easy and entertaining way to learn quite a bit of Irish history via a traditional Irish ‘storyteller’. Almost every chapter finds him telling a ‘story’ about a piece of Irish history, from the earliest Celts up to the initial uprising in Dublin which eventually led to the Republic of Ireland’s independence from England. The book has been out awhile, so it’s available as a paperback, in many libraries, and even on my Kindle.
8. Fun and unique Irish souvenirs which are easy to pack and bring home (besides Aran wool sweaters or Waterford Crystal or Belleek Pottery):
= Ornaments made from pressed peat (turf) – shamrocks, the Claddagh symbol, etc.
= Ornaments, coasters, jewelry, etc. made from Connemara marble (Galway area)
= Neck scarfs, tablecloths, placemats, hats, etc. from the Avoca weaving mill
= Trinity College Gift Shop (at the exit from the Book of Kells museum in Dublin) – t-shirts, wall or pocket calendars, bookmarks, posters, books, coffee mugs, all about the Book of Kells, Trinity College and the ‘long room’ library, or other beautiful Irish images you’ve seen during your tour
= buy a CD of some traditional Irish music (try the ‘Celtic Note’ music store in Dublin, not far from Trinity College); check out the Irish group “Altan”

I prefer visiting a different country on each of my vacations, with 2 exceptions: Italy, and now Ireland. I WILL be returning to both of these countries in the future.

Traveler: Cheryl Hannah from Aspen, CO traveled on October 05, 2011

The trip was fantastic, even the weather cooperated more than usual, according to our guide. The pretrip in Northern Ireland is well worth it, and almost necessary to get the background on the country. Sean, our guide, was superb!

Two side trips to AVOID; they are NOT worth the cost: UAFP and the local dinner and ceili! We saw adds for bus rides to the UAFP costing MUCH less than GCT was offering. And the dinner and ceili were ok, but certainly not worth the same price as the dinner and National Folk Theater!

Traveler: James Woidtke from Polson, MT traveled on June 29, 2011

I rated this trip excellent overall for the quality of the hotels, included meals, itinerary, and the Program Director Amanda and Coach Driver Denis.

The highlights for me were the scenic drives including the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, and the day trip to Connemara. The beauty of the mountain ranges, lakes, villages among the patchwork of green fields, seaside harbor towns and expansive ocean views was soul-stiring.

My most memorable moments were the visits to Kylemore Abbey, Cahir Castle, the famine village "Stones of the Sea", the monastic site of Glendalough, and the Kilmalkator Burial Ground with its church ruins. For travelers with an interest in both Irish history and archaeology these trip features are inspiring and facinating.

For comfortable, attractive rooms, excellent included meals, and "walk to everything" locations, I was impressed and very satisfied with GCT's hotel choices in Killarney and Cork. I loved my Jaunting Car ride to Ross Castle and tour of the National Park in Killarney. For great picnic meal selections and a fun shopping experience, you can't beat the English Market in Cork.

The trip could be improved by adding another full day and night in Dublin so that folks would have more time to see and do the "musts" of Temple Bar, the art museum and the beautiful, facinating exhibits at the National Museum of Ireland (Bog Men, the Treasures exhibit of artifacts from Ireland's Viking, Celtic, Christian,etc.eras), Grafton Street, and an evening music or theater performance. Not everyone can afford the additional times and money to do the Dublin post-trip.

I strongly feel that the "optionals" which were day trips to specific regions should become part of the basic itinerary. We had plenty of free time to explore in Galway and places like Connemara should not be missed.

Another improvement would be to increase the amount of time at stops which combine lunch and sightseeing so one can relax over the meal and still have time to explore or shop.

My biggest disappointment was the amount of time alloted to the museum and town of Tralee. Maybe we were an unusual group but several of us would have enjoyed even an additional half-hour here.

As an Irish American seeing the country of my ancestors for the first time, I highly recommend this trip to anyone with a desire to experience the beauty of Ireland, and to discover its culture and history. Well done GCT and thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul.

Traveler: Caitlin Skye Walsh from Portland, ME traveled on October 19, 2011

When we planned our trip to Ireland, I thought that the scenery would be my favorite part. The grass is a beautiful bright green, even in the late fall. But I was most impressed with the spirit and energy of our tour guide, Sheila O'Connell. Her outgoing personality and wit captured the spirit of Ireland and the Irish people. She was always looking for ways to make us feel welcome and comfortable. No matter what she did, she
took pride in doing an excellent job. Thank you Sheila!

Traveler: Tonya Eubank from Osprey, FL traveled on October 24, 2011

Ireland In Depth
Extraordinary People And Unsurpassed Beauty
What a trip! I have been on many Grand Circle trips and they all have been truly outstanding. Many people ask “Which trip did you like the best?” That question is difficult to answer. There really is no best. Each destination stands on its own. Every area and country have their own particular characteristics, uniqueness and cultural experiences.
In spite of this, Ireland In Depth was truly unique. It might be because I am of Irish decent. Perhaps, but I don’t think so. It did make it very special for me, but everyone else felt the same way. Many of the other travelers said, “ this place, the culture, and the people are really special”.
Beginning in Galway and proceeding to Dublin, everything changed along the way. The people, the countryside and the culture base was different. Galway is a very vibrant city. There is plenty to see and a lot going on. We had plenty of time there and got to see first-hand how the Irish know how to have fun and enjoy life. They don’t seem to let the little things bother them. The people made the trip.
One of the highlights was the tour of Killarney and the peninsula. I have been many places and I have never seen anything like it. The scenery changes around every curve and the colors are remarkable. We also enjoyed an evening of Irish dancing and lots of Irish folk music. As usual, these events were selected very carefully and were memorable.
The cliffs of Moher and the Dingle Peninsula are etched in my brain. There is beauty everywhere, but not like this. We spent a good bit of time with a member of a sheep herding family. This is an exclusive experience for Grand Circle. These guys do this every day and learning about how it works and especially understanding the passion of the dogs, was very interesting. The dogs never noticed we were there. They just paid attention to their master and most importantly, the sheep.
All of the accommodations were excellent. We spent three days at the Ardilaun Hotel in Galway. It was an older hotel with beautiful gardens and a great deal of character.
A highlight for me was how much I learned about the Irish history and culture. We visited a village where many of the Irish lived prior to the famine in 1845. We actually saw the ruins of many of the abandoned homes. Evidence of those difficult times appears all along the trip. You see it and feel it as you see the famine walls built on the hills, to the port of Cobh which was the departing point for many of the immigrants. There is a monument in Dublin that consists of many bronze statues of the immigrants as they were making their escape. The expressions on their faces say it all.
Every program director I have had on my trips has been outstanding. Our director in Ireland, Denis Greene was a notch above all the others. He combined fun and humor with extraordinary knowledge. He provided extraordinary service in a very quiet, but sincere way.
I have been fortunate to have visited most parts of the world. For some reason, one of them was not Ireland. There is no doubt that I will return to Ireland. The places and people are very special and I want to learn and experience more.
If you are considering a Grand Circle trip, Consider Ireland. You will leave with a bunch of very special memories that you will not soon forget…even if you are not Irish.

Traveler: Brian Reilly from Scottsdale, AZ traveled on September 19, 2011

this trip is deep in depth, and allows the traveller to experience the history , recent events, natural beauty, and cultural heritage of 2 countries. It would be difficult to find fault with any day of the before and main weeks. I only wished for more time to spend at various places and Dublin, since I was unable to stay for the post trip. As a single, I was alone most nights, but I could swim, so it was ok. Our director was organizedand humorous, with a knowledge we all appreciated. I would highly and have reccomended this trip.

Traveler: Janet Stratton from Muncie, IN traveled on September 23, 2011

The description in the catalogue is most accurate. This trip was well organized and provided many opportunities for discovery and exploration. We had an outstanding program director who freely discussed Irish culture, economics and politics. He often went out of his way to help us absorb some of the history of the country. One afternoon, for example, we made an 'unscheduled' stop at the ruins of a little village outside Galway. As we walked down the local street, we saw and talked about the 'famine walls and remnants of many famine houses'. We also had a skilled bus driver who made us feel very comfortable on every road and in every situation.

The pace of this trip was more demanding than other GCT land tours, but it included plenty of free time for self exploration in many of the beautiful towns of Ireland. We chose to take all four of the optional trips. Each was different and definitely worth the additional cost. We feel this was a most enjoyable trip. We will remember it for a long time.

Tom and Sandra McCain
7 time GCT travelers

Traveler: Sandra Mccain from Hendersonville, NC traveled on September 19, 2011

My husband Robert and I so enjoyed our time in Ireland.
Above all: riding and experiencing its narrow country roads. Unlike trips we took in the past, we were only few hours on a highway. We truly saw forty-one shades of green, villages, ocean shores,and so much more of this pleasant country.
Dublin, its Trinity College, its National Library
were momentous.
Undoubtedly, Irish Pubs are happy places.
Just by passing the door, you made few friends and forgot your worries. And if musicians are present, it is as if a collective smile took over the party.

GCT provided comfort, safety, time to explore on our own and occasions to socialize.

Someone said: we can only one time, enter ... Venice... for the first time.
Having entered Ireland ... for the first time
I savor my memories.

Traveler: Suzanne Flemming from Youngstown, NY traveled on September 26, 2011

We decided to take Ireland in Depth before meeting my brother and his wife. We wanted to avoid driving so we could see the country but what we got was much better. Robert, our driver, did a fantastic job and the coach allowed us to completely enjoy the beautiful scenery. Our program director, Marie Lucey, like Robert, far exceeded our expectations. Marie was knowledgable, funny, and very responsive to all the travelers. Marie and Robert were wonderful examples of the warm, friendly people we found throuhout Ireland. Marie's knowledge enhanced the experience beyond measure. By taking Ireland in Depth, we got to SEE IRELAND and LEARN ABOUT IT at the same time. We rate this trip as good as any of the other 5 trips we have taken with GCOAT.

Traveler: Robert Parsons from Columbus, OH traveled on August 12, 2011

My wife and I THOROUGHLY enjoyed our Grand Circle trip to Ireland! It was extremely organized and allowed us to get and see the most of Ireland that we possibly could. Our guide was OUTSTANDING and there was a real comaraderie amongst the people on the tour! Simply stated...it was FANTASTIC!

Traveler: Douglas Regan from Buffalo, NY traveled on September 07, 2011

This was one of the most enjoyable trips I have taken, in large part due to the Program Director, Marie Lucey. Her historical perspective, extensive knowledge and caring spirit made the trip so enjoyable and a true learning experience. Northern Ireland was one of my favorites, learning the basis for the long dispute and the absurdity of the conflict. Cork and its harbor, Cobh, were also favorites. The natural harbor in Cobh is amazing and quite beautiful. Our home hosted lunch in Cobh was one of the best. Our hosts, the Donovans, were gracious and most informative. Tom Donovan is a painter, since retiring. He is so good that I bought one of his many paintings. I wish we had had one more day in Dublin, as there is so much to see and do. Grand Circle is to be commended for providing such a rewarding trip at reasonable cost.

Traveler: Arthur Brooke from Augusta, GA traveled on September 07, 2011

This trip deserves an A plus. This was our first trip to Ireland and it exceeded our expectations. Marie Lucey, our Program Director was an outstanding guide. In her words, we had massiff craic on this trip. That means it was great fun and it was. The hotels were excellent. The meals were great. John, our bus driver, was outstanding. We saw more of Ireland and learned more about the country and the culture than we expected. We flew direct from Boston and I would recommend a direct flight. All the excursions were great especially Kylemore Abbey Connemara and the Dingle Peninsula. Marie used her powers to arrange for me to meet my cousin in Ros Muc and see my grandfathers home in Lower Camus. Don't forget to kick the wall at Galway Bay and get your feet wet in the Atlantic. Beautiful scenery and rainbows too.
The sheep dog exhibition was great too.

Traveler: Patricia Petrous from Westwood, MA traveled on September 12, 2011

It was like being a student on a field trip, but better with better teachers.
History, Culture, Science, and Art to learn.
New food to experience.
New people to play with.
Enough range of activites to please everyone. Plenty of night life if you had
the energy and a long day of sight seeing.
I can't wait to go on another trip.

Traveler: Kathryn Hansen from Novato, CA traveled on September 07, 2011

This was our 8th trip with GCT. The Ireland experience was wonderful for various factors. The choice of hotels were comfortable, clean and their service was outstanding. The Ardelaun Hotel in Galway was charming. All included meals were delicious, especially the hotel in Killarney.

People in Ireland are extremely friendly and helpful. They would approach us on the street to talk about our country and point out good restaurants, etc.

Ireland is absolutely beautiful! The countryside is beyond lush, very green of course, due to the daily showers which were never a bother. All homes are very neat with lovely flowers, stone fences and unique thatch roofs in some cases.

We would suggest that you take all the optional tours. They are well worth the cost and they give you the opportunity to see the varied terrains of Irelalnd. We particulary enjoyed Dingle Peninsula, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland and the included tours of the Waterford Factory and the sheepdog demonstration.

We would be remiss if we did not mention our OUTSTANDING program director, Denis Greene. He made our trip extremely enjoyable with his knowledge and wit. All should have the opportunity to experience Denis as their director.

Traveler: Sue & Ken Kolling from Rolla, MO traveled on September 19, 2011

One has to see it to believe it--The Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle and the effort that is necessary to kiss the Blarney Stone, Coastline Vistas on The Ring of Kerry and The Dingle Peninsula, The Performance by the National Folk Theatre ( Even Better Than River Dance ), The Border Collies in action at the working Sheep farm, the Home Hosted Lunch in Cobh where our hostess after serving us cottage pie, gave us a lecture about her favorite sport (Hurling ) and St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. You can experience the Life in the Pubs, the various Brews and the excitement over football (soccer), Galic Foot ball and Rugby. A rainproof windbreaker is a must and the intermittent showers make you appreciate the sunshine more when you have it. Because of it's appearence Ireland should be renamed Greenland. Don't miss going there.

Traveler: Tommy Clark from Charlottesville, VA traveled on September 07, 2011

My husband and I traveled on the Ireland in Depth tour with GCT and it was indeed yet another wonderful trip! My grandparents immigrated to the USA from Ireland. So I felt a special closeness to my family heritage while being in this beautiful country. GCT always does such a PERFECT job of providing the very best and most scenic places to visit. The tour directors are fantastic with not only their knowledge and wit but also add such a personal touch in so many ways. We so enjoyed ourselves and made some new & wonderful friends that have the same love for traveling. It was an inspiring trip and we made memories that will last a lifetime.

Traveler: Patricia Snyder from Cumberland, MD traveled on March 30, 2011

This was a wonderful trip, as usual with GCT. I was so glad my friend & I decided to take the pre-trip to No Ireland. What a contrast between it & the Republic of Ireland-in so many ways. I think everyone should take the extension to No Ireland first. We covered so much territory & learned so much. Such varied & ancient history!! A lot of travel time, but it was the only way to seedo all we did. It was truly Ireland in depth. We basically circled the entire island. Lovely people, beautiful & varied scenery. Weather was perfect when we were there for 3 wks in Aug.

Traveler: Marjorie Howser from Cloverdale, CA traveled on August 12, 2011

We watched the sun go down on Galway Bay! It was so serene and beautiful.
The expected as well as the unexpected stops gave us a real feel for Ireland and its people. Our program director was super and so eager to show us the Ireland that she loved.
Though many, the most memorable event for us was walking along the sea shore in Cobh, where the Titanic left for its fatal voyage. It was a moving feeling of quiet awareness.
The scenery at Dingle Bay was breathtaking. And sharing a toast and singing Irish songs with our friendly travel group accompanying a local musician was a very fun experience.
You meet the nicest people on Grand Circle trips!

Traveler: Suzanne Carroll from Saint Charles, MO traveled on July 31, 2011

Two things made this a very nice trip to take...the beautiful and pristine setting that Ireland is known for and our charming, witty, and extremely capable guide, Amanda Walsh. After numerous trips to developing countries, it was good to take a hiatus to a place loaded with charm as well as culture before I set off for Patagonia.

Traveler: Fredricka Remza from Apalachin, NY traveled on September 05, 2011

This was our 13th trip with GCT. I prefer to read the reviews that people have submitted that have complaints or concerns about the trip so that I can prepare for them. Two items that I found that were not valid were that there were no free internet computers at any of the hotels. Not true. At the first hotel (Pillo Hotel) there were two computers that anyone could use and were free. There was also a free one at the hotel in Killarney. Second item, it was said that no hotels had air conditioning or it did not work. Not true. The first two hotels had air and worked quite well, you just had to know how to work the thermostat. All the hotels were great in our opinion.
Our tour guide, Denis Greene, was beyond perfect and so was our driver Morris. Denis is a guy I would like to have as a brother.We had rain on and off for the first two days but very good weather after that. I agree with one of the previous reviews that an extra day in Dublin would have made the trip better. All in all, a trip not to be missed.

Traveler: Albert Boyajian from Centralia, WA traveled on August 17, 2011

We recently took the Ireland in Depth trip and were pleasantly surpised at how clean, warm and welcoming it was . The scenery is fantastic, it is a green as advertised and the people are very friendly toward Americans.

The only change I would suggest is one additional night in Dublin. There are some museums there that would be worth seeing but time was a factor.

Other than that, a super trip and highly recommended.

Traveler: George Sedia from Huntington Beach, CA traveled on August 24, 2011

My trip to Ireand was terrific, enhanced by tour director Denis Greene. He was knowledgeable, charming, with a great sense of humor and always willing to go the extra mile. Driver Maurice was equally personable, helpful and very skilled at manuevering that huge bus on the narrow, windy roads.

I would encourage people to take the extension to Northern Ireland. It's a dip into history we haven't gotten from our news sources in the U.S. The conflict is still alive in many ways, sad though true.

This is not a challenging trip in terms of its physicality, nevertheless, people should be fit enough to get onoff the bus and navigate the terrain without impeding other travelers. I think GCT needs to do a better job of enforcing this to benefit all.

The real joy was the Irish people themselves. They are beyond delightful, charming and welcoming. Each seems to have that droll sense of humor which catches you by surprise. From stopping on the street for directions or chatting w people wherever, they were an enhancement to the overall trip.

Traveler: Marsha Glasgall from Encino, CA traveled on August 12, 2011

A very beautiful & courageous country.Sean was the best & he made that trip. The Irish people were very accomidation & fun to be with-a great sence of humor.All in all an outstanding trip.
RayJoAnn Brooks

Traveler: Raphael O. Brooks,Jr. from Towson, MD traveled on August 08, 2011

I returned last week from this trip, and I found it absolutely delightful. Our Program Director Denis Greene was both knowledgeable and entertaining. The driver Robert and his one-day substitute Michael were great, maneuvering that large bus on the very narrow, winding and two-way roads with seeming ease.
I highly recommend taking the Dublin extension. There's so much to see in that beautiful city.
One optional from Killarney was the Simsa Tire , the National Folk Theatre of Ireland. The performance we saw was the story of The Children of Lir. Very exciting! Don't miss it if it's offered.

Traveler: Pauline Leeds from Chestnut Hill, MA traveled on June 08, 2011

Have been on 2 previous GCT trips but never felt the urge to post our comments but this trip was different. We were very fortunate to get a great program director, Daren Blake. Our previous trips were enjoyable but we never felt the need to compliment our director. Daren was fantastic - very knowlegeable, caring and great personality. The first half of our trip was very wet (the reason Ireland is so green) but then the weather improved. Great group of people on our tour. All in all we can very highly recommend this trip.

Traveler: Eleanor Dykes from Manchester Center, VT traveled on May 20, 2011

Just returned from a great tour of Ireland and we must say that Denis Greene was the best tour director we have had.

He kept us laughing all the way and his attention to detail was outstanding. Just one example - no one has called our room before to see that all was OK right after check-in at the hotel.

Of course as the Irish people themselves are so friendly they also helped make it a memorable tour.

Thanks Denis

Les and Regina

Traveler: Leslie Sharpe from Beaumont, TX traveled on May 06, 2011

We had both wanted to travel to Ireland since we married in the late 60s, and our dreams finally were fulfilled in October and November of 2009. We deliberately chose to travel later in the year to avoid the crowds we had heard about during the peak of the travel season in late spring and summer. Despite the ever-present rain, temperatures were moderate for most of our trip and we were glad we had so much of this beautiful land to ourselves, particularly when sightseeing on the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula on our big bus on tiny little roads.

We began our trip in Galway, and from there took the optional expedition to Connemara. We almost skipped this trip as it was early in the itinerary and we were still suffering from jet lag. What a shame that would have been, as the trip was one of the highlights of our visit. We first visited Kylemore Abbey, which is a castle-like building in a beautiful, rugged setting on a lake. Then we boarded our bus to go farther north into the rugged, barren land that is Connemara. We passed starkly beautiful fields lined with small plots bordered by stone walls, many of them populated by lonely sheep. The remains of the "famine cottages" were visible everywhere; mute testament to the hardships endured by the people who tried to eke a living from this unforgiving land during the Potato Famine. We also boarded a small ship for a luncheon sail up Ireland's only fjord, again surrounded on all sides by the hauntingly beautiful landscape. The trip was one of our peak experiences and is not to be missed. While in Galway we went on the optional excursion to a caleigh, a supper followed by excellent live Irish music and dancing. The musicians were professional, warm, and quite good at their art. One of the lasting impressions was made by the fellow who played the flute and boudrain drum; he had grown up near Galway speaking only Gaelic (Irish), and had not heard English spoken until he was 10 years old!

Other highlights were the time we spent in Killarney, which was our base for trips to the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. Both excursions far surpassed any vision I had had of how beautiful Ireland is; we were surrounded by craggy mountains, expanses of silver-gray sea, and, everywhere, the stolid and placid sheep. Our stop to see a sheep herding demonstration by border collies was one of the most exciting moments for this animal lover; it was our turn to be seated in the front bus seat, and the shepherd stepped on the bus with a four-week-old border collie puppy in his pocket, which he promptly handed to me! We then got off the bus to watch the dogs do their work; their enthusiasm and expertise was amazing to watch.

Cork was a treat; Ireland's second largest city was lively and inviting. The side-trip to Cobh was thought-provoking; there were monuments there to both the Tiitanic, which sailed from Cobh as its last port, and to the Lusitania, which was sunk not far off shore. An especially haunting statue honoring the Irish people who took to the sea in all manner of craft to save the Lusitania'a survivors overlooks the harbor. Colorful houses line the shoreline of Cobh, and it is not just a somber city.

Our stay in Waterford was a bit of a letdown, as the crystal factory has closed and the town is suffering from the recession. We did have dinner at an excellent hotel there, right on the river, which brought to mind elegant Victorian hospitality and manners. The maitre'd was a charming fellow who conversed with us at length and related how he often came to Philadelphia to shop at our local shopping mall - the bargains there were much better than in Dublin!

A side note here: we were a bit taken aback by the friendliness of the Irish people, who were genuinely interested in us. We were stopped several times by older men who first inquired where we were from (we must have had "American" stamped across our foreheads) and then asked us questions about our country, related some thing about themselves, and generally provided interesting conversation. When this happened in St. Stephen's Square in Dublin, we were a little skittish - our jaded American minds wondered what this old fellow was after. It turned out he was coming from the National Library nearby, and he opened his briefcase to show us the books he had checked out, etc., then regaled us with tales of his travels on the Orient Express through Siberia. I know it sounds a little tedous, but he was delightful.

So, on to Dublin. It is a great city for walkers and even taxis are not terribly expensive, because everything is in a fairly compact area. Don't miss the Viking gold and bog mummines in the National Museum or the Book of Kells at Trinity College. Being book lovers, we enjoyed the tiny Marsh Library on the grounds of St. Patrick's Cathedral. It contains amazing 300- and 400-year-old books, and the architecture of the place alone is worth the visit. We were tipped off to the place by our wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide Mick, who knew everything about everything and was great at pointing out tiny, off-the-beaten-track treasures.

We did take the four-day extension in Dublin, and I think that is necessary to truly see the city. We found public transportation to be accessible and reasonable. There were several excellent restaurants there (don't miss the Queen of Tarts in Temple Bar), and the food on the whole trip was much better than we had expected - certainly up to Grand Circle standards on our previous trips, though they have all been river cruises.

We had been a little skittish about touring by bus after three river cruises, but the pace is just about right: you are in most cities either two or three nights and the day trips are broken up by stops for rest breaks, and, thankfully, tea and scones on several dreary mornings.

Grand Circle did a great job from start to finish; my only recommendation would be to make the Connemara and Dingle Peninsula trips part of the included excursions, as they are not to be missed. If you are even faintly considering this trip, I urge you to take the plunge: it can be done relatively inexpensively, and you get a great deal for your money. The only problem that may arise is that you will definitely want to go back...

Traveler: Cynthia from Chester Springs, PAl traveled on October 26, 2009

I really enjoyed Ireland with it's scenic beauty,stunning vistas,staggering cliffs and rocky hills not to mention the more than 6,000 years of archeological history. I loved listening to the legends which our program director meticulously told us. It was a fantastic trip that i would always remember.

Traveler: Nora from Northfield, NJ traveled on August 03, 2009

I choose "Ireland in Depth" as my 60th birthday present!!! I couldn't have chosen a better trip or place to visit! First off our guide, Sean, was the best we've ever had. He was so knowledgeable about past and present. My husband developed a dreaded tooth ache while on our trip. Sean sent him to an oral surgeon and gary had a root canal! All of this took place within hours! Everyone was very professional.
We would highly recommend doing the pre-trip to Northern Ireland. The history and beauty is well worth the extra cost. The beauty and charm of the Irish people and countryside is beyond compare. A highlight for me was kissing the Blarney Stone! I never thought I'd be able to make it up all those steps but it was easy! There are huge ropes on both sides of the stairway that are incredibly useful during the ascent! Thank you Grand Circle for making my 60th birthday FANTASTIC!!!

Traveler: Gary & Judith from Carmel, IN traveled on August 12, 2009

Positive, positive, positieve...... I went on this trip with few expectations and was more than plesanty surprised at how wonderful the experience was. Ireland was amazing! In trying to write specific details about all the experiences, I realized that there are just too many positives and don't know exactly where to start.. I loved the countryside vistas, history, pubs, music, staying for 2-3 days in a place ...... Our tour guide, Eileen, and driver, Dennis, knew so much about each area we went to and were always ready to answer questions. And our grpup was filled with like minded traverlers interested in learning and enjoying.

I'm sure that most viewers are interested in negatives, so....too many additional costs for tours and dinners adding to the total cost of the trip. On the positive side, however, I went on each extra trip and enjoyed them all. Well worth the cost. As a single traveler, however, dinner on my own was difficult at the start if the trip but easier as time and I made friends within the group which is why I think that "provided" meals would have been less stressful.

Over all, I had a wonderful time and hope that I will have the opportunity to travel with Grand Circle again.

Traveler: Shirley from Carlsbad, CA traveled on August 01, 2009

I really enjoyed Ireland, its freidnly people, and, of course its beautiful scenery. The shades of green where fascinating!

I wished we had more time to explore Dublin!

Traveler: Odete from Blackwood, NJ traveled on July 13, 2009

Céad míle fáilte romhat! A hundred thousand welcomes to you!
Irish (Gaeilge) language originated in Ireland and is now spoken by a relatively small group in Gaeltacht areas but enjoys a constitutional status as the national and first official language of the Republic of Ireland and is an official language of the European Union. The island of Ireland is about the size of the state of Indiana (U.S.) and now has less than 1% of the forestland that it once enjoyed. English shipbuilding took much of the forests. The Celts needed grazing land for cattle and then the English taste for beef forced the Irish to seek land that was less favorable land and grew potatoes. How about potatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
What a trip! Almost two weeks of delving into the past and present of a verdant mystical island leaves one full of questions and with a memory of mingling with of a warm and friendly people over a yummy pint of Guinness on tap with fish and chips. Slainte!
The four of us: Don, Brenda, Roy and I traveled with Grand Circle for a wonderful view of the southern region of Ireland from Galway to Dublin. My family of Dunns and Reagans from Ireland gave me extra reasons to explore the magical land of the Celts, Druids, Gaels, and Irish. I learned that all of them revered the land as their most important material possession as did my family in the states.
Galway began with a fort of castles in 1124, by the King of Connacht and has fought many battles along its way as a port city. Today the city reveals a castle adjoined by more recent commercial buildings but still retains the character of a small medieval village in the river district.
As we considered the conquering Celts of Gaul (8th and 1st C BC), the pagan Norwegian Vikings (8th and 9th C BC), the past English control and today’s Irish spirit of independence, we visited Kylemore Abbey of the 19th C and cruised the very clean waters of the Lough Corrib River lined with mussel hatcheries.
We continued for a sobering visit to Clough Na Nara, a now deserted village revealing the desolate fields reflecting the past potato famine and English usurpation that led to the death or flight of all inhabitants and changed the Irish society forever. All that remains are the shells of houses set amongst hundreds of miles of stone walls that separated one family from another.
The Burren, a karst limestone region, reminds one of a science fiction movie on a distant planet with nothing but rocks and a few wildflowers to support inhabitants. From this geological marvel we climbed the Cliffs of Moher, which rise 394 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and then to 702 ft at their peak.
As we gazed upon the Blasket Islands from the Dingle Peninsula, we thought of the movie Ryan’s Daughter. Ever present are the grazing fields of cattle and sheep producing meats and wools.
A highlight for all of us was to share a meal in a local home in County Cork – a tasty Shepherds Pie and an opportunity to visit with a local family. A visit onboard the Dubbrody Famine ship yielded a graphic lesson on the hardships endured by escaping Irish people. We wandered through one of the largest castles of Ireland, a well preserved Castle Cahir built in 1142 by Conor O’Brien.
A visit to the Irish National Heritage Park took us on a path with homesteads, places of ritual, burial modes and long forgotten remains spanning 9000 years of Irish history.
Waterford, founded in 914 AD by the Vikings, is the country’s oldest city. It is the former home of Waterford crystal.
Leaving the countryside where the scenery climbs and dips and changes constantly, we arrived in Dublin. Originally founded as a Viking settlement, it evolved into the Kingdom of Dublin and became the island’s primary city following the Norman invasion. Today it is the largest city and capital of Ireland and is ranked 10th in the Global Financial Centres Index. A highlight in this visit was The Book of Kells, a world-famous manuscript produced by Celtic Monks in A.D. 800 and an example of Insular Art, on display in the Trinity College Library. The book contains copy in Latin of the four gospels lavishly decorated with Celtic-inspired designs. The National Museum of Ireland revealed another fascinating and informative exhibition “Kingship and Sacrifice”, s collection of prehistoric goldwork, ranging in date between 2200 BC and 500 BC. This is one of the largest and most important exhibits in western Europe. This find is the result of the Bog Bodies Research Project established in 2003 following the discovery of two Iron Age bodies in bogs in Counties Offaly and Meath. The remains were dated to between 400 BC and 200 BC and they were in a remarkably good state of preservation.
Amazing what one can find just digging around in the dirt (and bog)!
We recommend this trip. Grand Circle did a great job from start to finish. Our guide Marie Lucey was superb! I felt that I was in very knowledgeable and caring hands.

Traveler: Ellen from Waleska, GA traveled on May 27, 2009

The trip was wonderful and our guide, Dee Dee, and driver, Denis, fantastic. We enjoyed both the scenic tours and cities. Dublin, Galway and Killarny were three of our favorites. Our Jaunty ride to Ross Castle in Galway was memorable as was the Boxty we ate in Killarny. We were fortunate in that we were able to take the post-trip and spend the extra time in Dublin which is full of wonderful things to do, see and eat. Dee Dee, our guide never failed to take us on full tours everywhere we went and was full of great places for us to go in our free time. The tour itself allowed us to enjoy lots of free time to interact with the Irish people we met. We loved the trip and are even enjoying it in retrospect.

Traveler: Norman from Fort Lee, NJ traveled on June 08, 2009

We did the pretrip, which was very helpful as we travelled throughout Ireland. The guide, Sean, was excellent. He loves his country and was ready to tell us about it and its history. He made the trip.
As the norm now, Grand Circle added too many "optional trips". This nickel and diming is very irritating! If the trip is worth going on it should be included and added to the price. The price quoted is misleading because of the add ons.
We were very fortunate in the weather - it was GREAT some of us even got a sunburn. The bus drives although long were informative and the stops frequent and entertaining enough so you did not mind the ride.

Traveler: Gerald from Littleton, CO traveled on June 10, 2009

My husband had been in Ireland several years ago (before the Peace process had taken place). At that time, we were ill at ease everywhere we went not knowing if we would be in the wrong place at the wrong time. This trip was wonderful! Not only did we not feel ill at ease, the frontier was gone and our guide helped us to understand "the troubles" with her insight into the minds and hearts of the Irish people. If you take this trip, be sure to take the pre-trip extension in Northern Ireland, it is well worth the time and money. Also, Sabina Murphey was so very knowledgeable about the history and economics of Ireland as well as anything we wanted to know. Thanks a million, Sabina!

Traveler: Eula from San Antonio, TX traveled on May 20, 2009

Ireland in Depth was our second trip with Grand Circle. There were so many things that set this trip apart from other tours we have taken. The slower pace was a real plus for us. We enjoyed two and three night stays in every city and took the liberty of having two free days for our own activities.
Our guide, DeeDee, was brought in at the last minute and did an absolutely fantastic job. It took her no time at all to get to know all of us and personalize the trip for each of us. She responded to every special request with grace and efficiency.
By mid-trip we had made several wonderful new friends from our group of travelers. Many of them were repeat GCT travelers and I think that is one reason the people were so friendly. We all felt so "at home" in our surroundings.
Thank you, Grand Circle, for a wonderful tour of Ireland!

Traveler: Graham and LaRue from San Antonio, TX traveled on May 18, 2009

I found the pre, the regular, and the post trip very very interesting, fun, an beautiful..
Our group defiently brought Ireland the sun shine in more then one way.. Our tour leader Sean has to be the best ever tour guide any company could ask for. Always on top of things, attentive to what his group wanted and needed.. Dressed very, very professional. I loved the beauty, the history,and the company of my fellow travelers... I only have one thing I was opposed to and that was that we had to many people on the tour. 43.. Way to many.. I think from now on I will only travel with OAT.. To long to get on and off the bus. The food was good. Entertainment was good. I loved the trip. carol isaak

Traveler: Carol from Newport, MN traveled on April 29, 2009

Our first time to Ireland but a second time GCT user. DeeDee and Denis certainly added to this tour - both very informative, very helpful and very professional. If answers were not readily available they always came back with an answer later. As Christopher also stated - the historian in Cobh was really very informative. The home hosted lunch lets you really communicate with regular people about current events and real life. We really enjoyed the tour and would recommend it highly to others. One extra that DeeDee provided that we did not get on our last GCT tour was actually taking us into the airport at 4:30AM to make sure we knew exactly where to go. Extra effort and above and beyond.

Traveler: Richard & Joyce from Chandler, AZ traveled on May 02, 2009

We'd been to Ireland on our own twice about 35 years ago. We loved the people and the scenery and decided to take this trip on tour with GCT. We have gone to China, Russia, Italy, The Christmas Markets river tour and to Sicily with them and enjoyed the comfort and fun of touring with a group. No way could we have learned so much from travel books as we did on this tour. Dee Dee and Denis our driver were just a wealth of information and fun. They really showed their love of country and we certainly found out that Irish Blarney is not overrated. There was not a question we asked that wasn't answered right then and there. We took off on our own a bit and got some good recommendations from them for meals and sights. By the end of the tour they felt like family. The tour we took in Cobh with a historian was so informative about the Lusitania and the Titanic. Plus knowing that my grandmother (a Collins) probably left from that same building was just awsome. We feel if anyone ever wants to visit Ireland, this is the way to go. You'll really get to know the locals as we did at the home hosted lunch which was a real joy. You'll learn that all the problems we have at home with the national financial woes is the same all over the world including Ireland. This was a great trip and we heartily recommend it.

Traveler: Christopher from Sneads Ferry, NC traveled on May 02, 2009

What a wonderful surprise this trip was for us. How can you explain the color "green", such beautiful shades of it.
Marie Lucey our director was a gem, and we mean an Emerald. So much knowlege of the Irish history that I wished we had had a tape recorder to capture it all. With her upbeat manner, she had us putting our bare feet in the Galway Bay (cold). The Ring of Kerry, The Connermara Region and the breathtaking Dingle area and our delf Coach driver John who drove those tiny Irish lanes will give us great memories to remember.

Traveler: Sterlyn & Anita from Marietta, GA traveled on April 22, 2009

What an awesome experience we had traveling through Ireland! Our guide, Sean Curran, was fantastic and he just made the history and beauty of this wonderful country come alive for us. He was so knowledgeable that we returned home feeling as if we had truly 'lived the part' of the Irish people.
We were well taken care of and would definately travel with your company again.

Traveler: Cary and Ann from Flower Mound, TX traveled on March 23, 2009