Serving Veterans, Educators, Historians and their families for over 20 years!!!

Price: $2,345 (based on double occupancy)
Tour Director: Bill McCulloch
Tour Host: Darby Kelly

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1, April 3 Departure
This evening, we depart JFK International Airport in New York via Aer Lingus Airlines for our overnight flight to Dublin.

Day 2, April 4 Dublin
Upon arrival, we transfer to our motorcoach and proceed to Northern Ireland's major city, Belfast. Upon arrival in Belfast, we will take a tour of the city before checking in at the stately Europa Hotel that will be our base for the next two nights. Meals: B/-/-

Day 3, April 5 Mountains of Mourne and Somme Heritage Center
Today we will enjoy fabulous scenery while touring the coast and mountain roads of the Mourne Mountains. Returning to Belfast via Bangor, we will pay a visit to the Somme Heritage Center, an excellent museum that memorializes the terrible 1916 Battle of the Somme in France and the sacrifice of Irishmen during the First World War. The evening is at leisure to sample the many fine restaurants and pubs in the vicinity. Meals: B/-/-

Day 4, April 6 The Antrim Coast, Giant's Causeway, Bushmills, Derry
We leave Belfast and proceed to Carrickfergus to visit the Andrew Jackson family homestead, which is also the site of a museum commemorating the formation of Darby's Rangers at nearby Camp Sunnylands. Travel along the breathtaking Antrim Coast where we will view mysterious Rathlin Island, the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and the Giant's Causeway, called the Eighth Wonder of the World. After examining this amazing formation, you decide if it is a natural phenomenon or as local lore has it, was created by the giant, Finn McCool. A tour of Bushmill's Distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in the world will be followed by lunch at the charming Bushmills Inn. We continue on to Derry and check in to our hotel the Beech Hill Country House. This lovely setting will be our home for the next three nights. This evening, we will enjoy a welcome dinner to Beech Hill and a presentation by Richard Doherty, an expert on the Military History of Derry to include the famous 1689 siege. Meals: B/L/D

Day 5, April 7 Derry
Today will be spent touring the walled city of Londonderry (or Derry) and the surrounding area. During World War II, the city and Lough Foyle were the sites of the first American Naval Base in Europe and the home of the "Londonderry Marines". Our hotel at Beech Hill was a Navy and Marine Corps Headquarters and billeting area. Tonight, we will have a gala dinner attended by local dignitaries. Meals: B/-/D

Day 6, April 8 Donegal, Belleek, Enniskillen, Omagh, Derry
We begin the day traveling to Donegal to view the picturesque O'Donnell's (Donegal) Castle. We continue south stopping along the way at Belleek Pottery, internationally renowned for its beautifully decorated Parian ware since 1857. We continue on to Enniskillen, located on an island between Lower and Upper Lough Erne. There we will visit Enniskillen Castle that houses the Regimental Museum of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, a very famous Irish regiment formed in the late 1600's. Next we will motor through Omagh to the Ulster-American Folk Park centered around the cottage from which Thomas Mellon immigrated to America at age 5 in 1818. The Mellon family assisted in building this exhibition detailing the Ulster connection to America through her immigrants. Returning to Derry, we will have our final dinner at Beech Hill. Meals: B/-/D

Day 7, April 9 Dublin via Armagh and Drogheda
This morning we head south to Dublin, traveling to Armagh where the American 2nd Infantry Division trained during World War II in preparation for the Normandy landings. We will view both the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals of St. Patrick before visiting the battlefield of the Yellow Ford, just north of Armagh. This battle, from Tyrone's Rebellion in 1598, was the worst defeat suffered by the English Army in Ireland. En route to Dublin we will also stop at Drogheda, founded in 911 by the Norse, and best known for Cromwell's massacre of some 2000 Royalists, who were put to the sword in 1649 during the Confederate Rebellion. We also pass through the Boyne Valley to discuss the battles fought in that region over the centuries. Upon arrival in Dublin, we check into our hotel, the Grafton Capital Hotel just a short walk from St. Stephens Green and Grafton Street, with evening at leisure to relax and enjoy this lively city at night. Meals: B/-/-

Day 8, April 10 Dublin
This morning, we depart on a half-day tour of Dublin City. Included will be a visit to Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the Ha'penny Bridge as well as St. Patrick's Cathedral and many more sites. This afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own or perhaps to shop for excellent Irish woolen goods or other quality products on Grafton Street just a short walk from our hotel. Meals: B/-/-

Day 9, April 11 Dublin
Today we will venture out of Dublin to the Hill of Tara, seat of the High Kings of Ireland and prominent in Irish legends. It is Ireland's most sacred stretch of earth and one of the most important ancient landscapes in Europe. The Hill of Tara, with its passage tomb, earthworks and prehistorical burial mounds, is the mythical and ceremonial capital of Ireland, dating back 4,000 years. For those who desire, today could also be a day at leisure in Dublin to sample the lunchtime ambience at any of the numerous local pubs. This evening we will have our farewell dinner as we prepare to say goodbye to the 'Emerald Isle.' Meals: B/-/D

Day 10, April 12 Return to the U.S.
We depart this morning for Dublin Airport for our flight home. We will allow time before the flight for shopping in the duty-free shops with JFK arrival at 1300 (1:00 PM). For those remaining in Ireland the post-tour commences. Meals: B/L(in flight)

Approximate Tour Price $ 2,345 (Based on double occupancy.)

Single Supplement $ 350 (Limited number of rooms available.)

Ground Only Price $ 1,995 (You make all arrangements for roundtrip flight to Ireland, for those using Frequent Flier miles, etc.)

Tour Price Includes:

* Round Trip air between U.S. and Ireland
* Fully escorted by experienced Military Historical Tours tour director
* Fully escorted sightseeing program by Irish professional driver / tour guide sLuxury motorcoach throughout tour
* First class hotel accommodations
* Meals as indicated on itinerary
* Porterage of one suitcase per person (coach luggage limitations restrict baggage to one large and one carry-on bag per person
* Entrance fees to all places of interest listed in itinerary