Magic Moments in Ireland
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Day-by-day itineraries can give you a general idea of what you'll get for your money, but they can't prepare you for the unexpected ways that the land and people of Ireland can work their way into your heart...and perform a little magic. Here are a few "wow" moments from our Ireland tour alums...
"In Dingle, at the Small Bridge, we got to hear Eoin play his whistles and pipes. It was a magical evening, with more musicians joining in as the evening progressed. It started out with just the piper and a guitarist. Then came Rosie Shipley and her brother Trevor (fiddle and whistle). A soloist performed a ballad, then another guitarist appeared. It was amazing to see how each new musician just came in and joined along seamlessly. They just looked at each other and joined in, amazing to someone who has little musical talent. The entire pub was packed to the gills, with people just standing and keeping time to the music, no talking at all!"
— Julie in Arvada, CO
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"The entire trip was magic!!! The scenery was more beautiful than I had anticipated, the ancient sites, the picnic under the 400 year old Yew trees, the Hurling match, the concert at the church, the city tours, the surprise visit to New Grange, the music, the pubs, and — oh yes — the cider, were all "wow" moments! The people of Ireland accepted me as part of their family. I was never made to feel like a tourist nor an outsider. I am amazed that during the short time of only 2 weeks, I formed some very strong friendships with the other people on the tour, and am really missing all my new friends!!! The entire two weeks were filled with fun, delights, amazement, and memorable moments. The problem with picking a favorite moment would mean having to decide which ones I liked less, and that is not possible! Thank you for the most memorable time of my life!!!"
— Triana in Northglenn, CO
"The Dingle Peninsula, The Cliffs of Moher, The Giant's Causeway, the prehistoric sites, the Rock of Cashel...there were just so many "wow!" moments. Ireland is as overwhelmingly beautiful as I would have imagined! If the weather isn't always perfect the people make up for it with their warmth, sincerity and wonderful sense of humor. Never have I met a nicer people. Even though I consider myself to be quite shy, the Irish made me feel right at home and accepted as though I were one of their own. I would also say from my experience traveling through Ireland that the "singing" would seem to be the language of Ireland. And wow can they sing well there. Everywhere I went there was music to be heard (a group in a pub, a concert, a live rock band). Friendly, inclusive people celebrating life in song, conversation and laughter."
— Amy in Santa Cruz, CA
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"Did you ever travel across the ocean to learn a game of hurling? We did and boy was it fun! I'm not sure who had more fun, those of us playing or those Irish eyes watching us think that we knew how to play. Learning the sport of the country was a very real way of experiencing the culture we came to visit. Another highlight was going to the pub for a dance lesson. We were all breathless but enjoying every minute of it. Sometimes it was hard to stay on our feet we were laughing so much."
— Julia in Miami, FL
"Oh, there were so many special moments...But the time we spend on the Dingle Peninsula was magical. On our free day there, Pat and I hiked to Connor's Pass and reveled in the squally weather as we bent our bodies into the wind and rain, our jackets ballooning and flapping behind us. There, in the distance were a maze of gray stonewalls, a mosaic of pastures in multiple shades of green, the distant town of Dingle with its colorful buildings. As the gray storm clouds scudded across the sky and shafts of lights illuminated the heath-covered hills, everything I saw, smelled, heard, and felt coalesced into the quintessential Irish moment...a memory of being one with the landscape, never to be forgotten."
— Marilyn in Conifer, CO
- Read more comments from past tour members.