Fitzgerald Clan Gathering in Ireland

Dublin, Kildare, Cork, & Adare

Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, airline taxes and fees, hotels, transfers, many meals, touring & more. *

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance
Day	Destination
1	Depart USA
2	Dublin
3	Dublin & Maynooth
4	Dublin, Kildare & Cork
5	Kinsale & Cobh & Cork
6	Cork & Adare (Limerick)
7	Bunratty, Lough Gur & Adare
8	Foynes, Glin & Adare
9	Shannon/USA

Departs	Los Angeles (LAX), New York Kennedy (JFK), Washington Dulles (IAD), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Logan (BOS); other gateways on request
Highlights	Dublin Castle, Maynooth Castle, Kildare, Rock of Cashel, Cobh Heritage Center, Lough Gur
Included Features	Round trip flights from New York or Boston via scheduled carriers, including fuel surcharges, taxes and fees with other gateways available on request All ground transportation and transfers Accommodations in First Class Hotels 15 Meals: Irish breakfast daily, plus 1 lunch, 5 hotel dinners & 2 special dinners Irish House Party with dinner and entertainment in Kildare Medieval Banquet in Adare Afternoon Tea at Castlemartyr Castle 3 Genealogy Workshops Fitzgerald History & Venue info pack Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees Professional English-speaking driver/guide
Travel Style	This moderately-paced, escorted tour includes a reasonable amount of walking or hiking and requires an average level of physical fitness.

Calling the Fitzgerald Clan! Join us on a 9-day once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for personal discovery, tracing your family roots and heritage of the Fitzgerald Clan, one of the oldest & most powerful families in Irish history, since arriving on Irish shores in 1170. The Clan has scattered across the world, and will re-unite in Ireland for The Gathering on this special itinerary.

Throughout 2013, Ireland will open its arms to friends and family from all over the world, inviting them to join in locally organized gatherings and festivals in villages, towns and cities. This year-long homecoming celebration, named "The Gathering", is expected to draw a great many people of Irish descent from throughout the world, making this a wonderful year to visit Ireland.

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Dates, Prices & Options

All prices, fees and deposits are per person, subject to change at any time, and not guaranteed until we receive your final payment.

Want to stay longer? We may be able to arrange for you to extend your stay later than the scheduled dates, subject to availability. Contact us about dates, prices and restrictions.

Coming from somewhere else? Before you book, ask us about availability and prices for flights from other cities. Additional charges for flights from other cities are due within 24 hours of your booking.

To make a reservation, we only require a per-person deposit payment, which you can pay with your credit card. This non-refundable deposit will be applied towards the cost of your package. You can pay the balance due later by credit card, check or money order. Your final payment is due 75 days prior to departure, or within 72 hours of booking, whichever is later.

Ticketing: Airline tickets for this tour are usually issued within 24 hours of your booking, and once issued, cannot be changed, refunded or transferred. To issue tickets, we must receive photocopies of the signature and picture pages of your passport(s) within 24 hours of your booking, or your reservation may be subject to a higher airfare or cancellation.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting trip to Ireland begins today as you depart for Dublin.

Day 2: Dublin. Failte go hEireann! Upon arrival in Dublin, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Later, depart for a panoramic tour of Dublin’s Fair City. The North Side of the city offers striking monuments such as the GP on O’Connell Street and Phoenix Park, while the South Side is home to Trinity College and Dublin Castle. Visit Leinster House, home to the Oireachtas, the national parliament of Ireland. Also, pass by Kildare House, built by the Earl of Kildare in 1745. Return to your hotel for dinner, followed by the first of your Genealogy Workshops with Heritage Profile Ireland. Accommodations: Buswells Hotel Dublin or similar. Dinner provided.

Day 3: Dublin & Maynooth. This morning, trace your family roots at the National Library of Ireland. Continue to a former Fitzgerald stronghold, Dublin Castle, for a photo opportunity. The Castle first came into the ownership of the Fitzgerald family shortly after Maurice Fitzgerald played an active role in the capture of Dublin by the Normans in 1170. Visit Maynooth Castle and University, built in the 13th century by the Fitzgerald family who also provided the land on which Maynooth College was founded in 1795. Return to your hotel and enjoy dinner and entertainment tonight at the Irish House Party. Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 4: Dublin, Kildare & Cork. Depart Dublin for Kildare, and visit the Fitzgerald Castle built in the 12th century. The Fitzgeralds took advantage of Kildare's location as a frontier town between the English Pale and the Gaelic Irish Territory to increase their power and influence. Next, visit the Rock of Cashel, which was the seat of the High Kings of Munster, though little structural evidence of their time remains. Later, the Rock was inhabited by the Butler Family, grave enemies of the Fitzgerald Clan. Continue to Cork and check in at your hotel. Enjoy the second of your Genealogy Workshops with Heritage Profile Ireland. Accommodations: Fitzgerald Vienna Woods Hotel. Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 5: Kinsale & Cobh & Cork. This morning, travel to the picturesque small town of Kinsale, considered the gourmet capital of Ireland. Visit Adare Castle, also known as Desmond Castle, built by the Earl of Desmond in the 16th century. Its Tower House reflects the widespread influence of the Fitzgerald family during this period. Enjoy afternoon tea at Castlemartyr Castle. Later, visit the Cobh Heritage Center. A unique Irish port town, Cobh is situated on the southern shore of the Great Island in one of the world’s finest natural harbors. Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 6: Cork & Adare (Limerick). This morning, travel to the scenic town of Kenmare, nestled between the high mountains and the sea. The Irish name of Neidin means ‘little nest’. Visit Molly Gallivan’s Cottage & Traditional Farm, and experience traditional farming skills including turf-cutting, butter making, poitin (whiskey) making and more. Later, visit the Kerry Writer’s Museum in Listowel. Seanchai presents the works of Country Kerry’s five most esteemed writers including George Fitzmaurice, John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, Brendan Kennelly and Maurice Walsh. Continue to your hotel for check-in. Accommodations: Fitzgerald Woodlands Hotel Limerick. Breakfast, lunch, & dinner provided.

Day 7: Bunratty, Lough Gur & Adare. This morning, visit Bunratty Castle, one of the most complete and authentic medieval castles in Ireland, as well as Folk Park. Continue to Lough Gur, a beautiful lake area filled with diverse flora and fauna, combined with a rich heritage of fact, myth and legend. Enjoy the last of your Genealogy workshops with Heritage Profile Ireland. Later, continue to the Honey Fitz Theatre in Lough Gur to enjoy a performance by local entertainers. The theatre is named for John Francis Fitzgerald, mayor of Boston and grandfather to President John F. Kennedy, who was nicknamed ‘Honey Fitz’ because of his beautiful singing voice. Return to Adare for overnight. Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 8: Foynes, Glin & Adare. Today, visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. Foynes was the center of the aviation world for air traffic between the United States and Europe from 1939 to 1945. Then, continue to Glin and enjoy a visit to Glin Castle, which was home to the Knights of Glin for over 800 years, and is still inhabited by the original family. Return to Adare, and take part in tonight’s Medieval Banquet. Breakfast & dinner provided.

Day 9: Shannon/USA. Bid Slan Abhaile (farewell) to Ireland as your journey comes to an end. Transfer to the Shannon airport for your return flight. You will arrive in the USA later today. Breakfast provided.

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