Join us for a very special tour of Ireland, in celebration of Susquehanna Folk's 25th anniversary. Immerse yourself in the magic of the Emerald Isle: its history, its culture, and most especially its traditional music and dance.

Oxford Hall Celtic Shop, with CIE tours, is organizing this tour with Susquehanna Folk. Steve and Cindy Washburn of Oxford Hall have led many tour groups to Ireland, and their "insider experience" is sure to make this an unforgettable trip!

Highlights include...

• Two full days, unscheduled, to enjoy workshops, performances, dancing and jam sessions at the Traditional Music Festival in Strokestown.
• Authentic Irish music and dance at the Merry Ploughboy Pub near Dublin, a chance to visit Matt Molloy's Pub in Westport, plus guidance on where to find traditional sessions at the pubs near our hotels.
• Tours of the magnificent Strokestown Park and Kylemore Abbey, with their Victorian gardens and mansions, and the fascinating Irish Famine Museum at Strokestown.
• Awe-inspiring historical sites including the 6th-Century Glendalough and Clonmacnoise, and the ancient tombs at Newgrange.
• Unparalleled natural scenery including the hills of Connemara and a cruise on the lovely Lough Corrib.
• Tours of the Locke's Distillery Museum and the Guinness Storehouse.
• Plenty of free time to explore the local sights (and pubs, of course) with fellow travelers, and guides with intimate knowledge of the towns and cities we're visiting.

Full tour itinerary below »

** NEW! **   See below for two alternative side-trips just added to the itinerary.

For More Information:

• Full-color Brochure »

• Contact Oxford Hall Celtic Shop at 717-774-8789

  or OxfordHall (at) aol.com

• Passport Information

  at the U.S. State Department's website

Final payment due July 17, 2009

You can still register up until Friday, July 17 by paying the full amount of the trip. No payments will be accepted after that date.

All-inclusive pricing -- your $200 deposit (paid by April 30, 2009) guarantees your price and protects you from international currency fluctuations. Download reservation form (PDF) »

• $3095

  per person, double occupancy, includes round trip on Aer Lingus from New York JFK to Dublin, plus coach transportation between Harrisburg and JFK.

• $2275

  per person, double occupancy, for the tour without airfare.
• SFMS Members Save $100!   Members pay $2995 or $2175. Sounds like a great time to join, eh?

• For single room,

  please add $525

• Optional trip insurance,

  due with deposit, is $149

NOTE: If you need to apply for a passport, now's the time!

Price Includes...

• Travel by deluxe coach for 10 days
• 9 nights in first class hotels
• Full Irish breakfast every day
• 5 Dinners
• Admission for all activities listed in itinerary

Plus...hotel porterage, service charges, government taxes, and complimentary flight bag, baggage tags, strap and ticket wallet.

Most lunches and a few dinners will be on your own. Irish breakfasts are substantial repasts that will hold most people until the evening meal.

M A G I C    O F    I R E L A N D    T O U R    —    I T I N E R A R Y
October 6 - 16, 2009

Note: some details of this itinerary may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Expect delightful last-minute additions and serendipitous detours, with a dollop of Irish unpredictability.

Tue, Oct 6 UNITED STATES TO DUBLIN

Depart from Harrisburg by charter bus, en route to JFK airport in New York City. Take an overnight flight across the Atlantic, enjoying in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to start your vacation.

Wed, Oct 7 DUBLIN ARRIVAL & SIGHTSEEING

After landing at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities. Then your CIE Tours driver/guide will welcome you to Ireland and escort you and your luggage to the coach.

Set off with a local guide who will show you around the prominent historic buildings and monuments of Dublin. The city has been molded through the centuries with many architectural styles, reflecting the economic, political, and artistic influences. Stop to tour St. Patrick's Cathedral, almost as old as the city itself and famous for its connections with the brilliantly eccentric Dean Jonathan Swift.

Next visit the Guinness Storehouse to see exhibits on how this world famous stout was first created and why it is so popular today. Finish your visit in the roof-top bar, Gravity, overlooking the city center where you can sample a draft Guinness and enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

Then drive to your hotel and check in. We'll spend the first two nights of our tour in the O'Callaghan Mont Clare Hotel, a traditional Georgian hotel situated near Trinity College and the National Art Gallery in Centre City Dublin. After you settle into your room, you may like to rest or explore some of the city on your own.

In the evening join your fellow travelers for dinner in the hotel restaurant. If you have arranged your own travel to Dublin, you can meet the group there for dinner.

Thu, Oct 8 WICKLOW MOUNTAINS & GLENDALOUGH

Today travel south from Dublin to the Wicklow Mountains for a tour of this mountain range that runs north to south across County Wicklow. See the highest peak, Lugnaquilla, which stands at 926 metres or 3039 feet. In the midst, visit the monastic settlement of Glendalough, which was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century, and became one of the most important centers of learning in Europe. Today, the well-preserved round tower and church ruins are interesting to explore and the Visitor Center explains the history of the settlement.

Travel back to the Mont Clare in Dublin where the balance of the day and evening are at leisure for individual pursuits and dining.

** NEW! **   Alternative for Thu, Oct 8:

Our own Rodney Owens has arranged for a visit to The Irish Pipers Society (Na Píobairí Uilleann) in Dublin. This non-profit organization is dedicated to the promotion of the Irish Uilleann pipes and its music. Founded in 1968 and based in Dublin, NPU's headquarters was built on land formerly part of the old Cistercian Abbey of St. Mary, suppressed by Henry VIII in 1537. The building serves as a place for musical gatherings and classes, a communications center and a museum.

After the visit, join Rodney for a ramble round to some music shops in the Temple Bar area, Dublin's funky, cosmopolitan cultural quarter. These alternative activities for Thursday in Dublin are offered at no extra charge and all are within a short walk or city bus ride from the hotel.

Fri, Oct 9 HILL OF TARA, BOYNE VALLEY & NEWGRANGE

This morning enjoy some leisure time to relax in your hotel or do some independent sightseeing around the city of Dublin. Then board the coach and travel north into Ireland's ancient and mystical past. We will visit the Hill of Tara, seat of the High Kings of Ireland, which was at the height of its power in the early centuries after Christ. It is also the site of a passage-tomb dating from the late Stone Age. All that remains today are huge circles of earthworks which are impressive by their size and age.

Continue to Slane for a visit to the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre (Brú na Bóinne) where you can learn about the nearby underground burial sites through exhibits and audio-visual presentations. Walk through a full-size replica of the largest tumulus, Newgrange. Then visit the Megalithic Passage Tomb at Newgrange which was built about 3200 BC. The kidney-shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. It is estimated that the construction of the Passage Tomb at Newgrange would have taken a work force of 300 at least 20 years.

After your visit board the coach and travel across Ireland through the fertile midland region via Mullingar and Longford to Roscommon. Upon your late arrival at the hotel, check in and join your group for dinner in the restaurant.

Our overnight stay for the weekend is in the Abbeyfield Hotel, a 4-star hotel classically designed with modern elegance, and the newest hotel in all Roscommon. It is situated on the grounds where a Bishop's palace once stood, and a short distance away from Strokestown.

Sat, Oct 10 STROKESTOWN MUSIC FESTIVAL

Today board the coach and travel north to Strokestown where you are completely at leisure to enjoy the Traditional Music Festival. There will be performances, dancing, jam sessions, and workshops with master musicians. After the festival, return to Roscommon and the Abbeyfield Hotel for a free evening to dine on your own.

Sun, Oct 11 STROKESTOWN MUSIC FESTIVAL

After breakfast, return to Strokestown for another day at the Traditional Music Festival. After the festival, return to Roscommon for dinner in the Abbeyfield Hotel restaurant.

** NEW! **   Alternative for Oct 10 or 11:

On at least one day over the weekend, our coach and tour guide will be available for an alternative side trip to Carrick for more local sightseeing and shopping. Among many possibilities are the Leitrim Design House, one of the leading artisans' outlets in Ireland, and the beautifully scenic Lough Key Nature Center. There is no additional cost for this optional side trip.

Mon, Oct 12 STROKESTOWN HOUSE & WESTPORT

This morning motor north to visit Strokestown House and the fascinating Famine Museum. This 18th century mansion is unique in that it retains its original furnishings. The museum uses a combination of original documents and images to explain the circumstances of the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s. The 4-acre walled garden has been restored to look as it would have during the 18th century.

After your visit, continue west via Frenchpark and Castlebar to Westport, Co. Mayo. Westport is a picturesque planned estate town with broad streets. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax before dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

Our overnight stay is in the Wyatt Hotel, located in the heart of Westport. The hotel is named for the famous Georgian architect credited with the planning of this charming town, and it's the perfect base for exploring the area. Matt Molloy's Pub, (of the Chieftains) just down the road from the Wyatt, is a "must see" landmark, featuring authentic Irish music and dance.

Tue, Oct 13 KYLEMORE ABBEY & CONNEMARA

Travel through County Mayo passing the conical mountain of Croagh Patrick, a popular place of pilgrimage. Continue south to visit Kylemore Abbey, a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion overlooking Kylemore Lake. Originally a private residence, it is now a prestigious girls' school and the oldest Benedictine abbey in Ireland. Visit the chapel and the award-winning restored Victorian gardens.

Drive through the scenic hills of Connemara known for its constantly-changing skies and subtle colors. As you drive along you will see many sheep that graze freely (sometimes dawdling across the road) and also tracts of bogland where some people hand-cut peat for home heating. Return to Westport and enjoy some time to relax and freshen up before joining your group for dinner in the Wyatt Hotel's restaurant.

Wed, Oct 14 LOUGH CORRIB CRUISE & GALWAY

Depart Westport this morning and travel south to embark on a cruise on Lough Corrib, which is the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland. Measuring 68 square miles and with 365 islands, this lake is one of the cleanest, most un-sploit and most scenic in all of Europe. Lough Corrib contains many islands with historic ruins and a wealth of wildlife. The on-board commentary will point out the highlights and the scenery is delightful as you wend through part of the lake.

Then board the coach and continue your drive south into Galway city. Upon arrival, embark on a panoramic tour to see the principal sights of the city. A drive around will take you to the large modern cathedral set on an island on the River Corrib. See the Spanish Arch in the Claddagh area, formerly a fishing village; the City Museum; the National University; and the Cathedral of Our Lady, which is built on the site of the former county jail where Catholics were persecuted (and incorporates the jail's original doors).

Then check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. We will be staying in the Hotel Meyrick, a stunning 4-star Victorian hotel situated on Galway's fashionable Eyre Square, the hub of the city. Shops, restaurants, nightlife and theatres are only a short walk from the hotel. There are also many quaint pubs where Irish traditional music is played. In the evening you are free to choose from the many restaurants and pubs that Galway has to offer.

Thu, Oct 15 CLONMACNOISE & LOCKE'S DISTILLERY

Depart Galway and travel to the center of Ireland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is delightfully set on the banks of the River Shannon. Learn about the history of the site through an audiovisual presentation and take a walk around to see the ancient monuments and the entire area.

Then journey to outside of Kilbeggan for a tour of Locke's Distillery Museum. Established in 1757, the distillery is no longer used, but preserved to show visitors how whiskey was distilled here. At the end of the tour, you'll have the opportunity to sample some Irish whiskey.

Continue across the rolling pastures of Ireland's heartland to the town of Dunboyne. Upon arrival check into your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax before dinner. For our last evening in Ireland, we will drive to the town of Rathfarnham to The Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music.

Our overnight stay is in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel, providing elegance, opulence, and absolute relaxation in a magnificent 18th century mansion set among acres of idyllic gardens.

Fri, Oct 16 RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES

All too soon, your vacation in Ireland has come to the end. Depart Dunboyne and travel to Dublin Airport in plenty of time to check in for your flight, clear security and claim your VAT refund. You may do some last-minute shopping at the duty-free stores. Then clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft and fly west across the Atlantic Ocean back to the United States.

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