IRELAND SEPTEMBER 2010

It is hard to believe that it has now been over 3 months since I got back from a fabulous trip to Ireland. I had the great privilege of being one of 12 travel consultants from across Canada to participate in a familiarization trip to Ireland hosted by Tourism Ireland with our Toronto representative Helen Cole and Failte Ireland. After an overnight flight from Toronto we arrived in Dublin on Sunday morning September 12, 2011 and were greeted by Ellen Redmond from Failte Ireland, Will Collins our Tour Director for the week and Steve our bus driver. We boarded our 29 seat bus which with only 15 of us made it very comfortable as everyone could stretch out. After a quick drive through Dublin passing Temple Bar, Guinness Breweries, O’Connell St. we were on the highway going west towards Galway.



Clonmacnoise 6th century



Our first stop that morning was Clonmacnoise, Shannonbridge,

Athlone, Co Offaly a 6th century monastic site, with three high

crosses, and the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches and two
round towers. The site was right on the Shannon river and it had

stunning views.



Whispering Arch

 One of the attractions there is the
whispering arch in the cathedral shown in picture on the left. If a person whispered quietly on one side of the arch another person on the other side could hear it clearly. It was tried by some of our group and it actually worked. They say that was how lovers whispered secrets to each other without any one
hearing them.

Paddy Burkes Pub

By lunchtime we had arrived in the village of Clarenbridge just south of Galway where they were celebrating the last day of their annual Oyster Festival. While getting my fill of oysters at Paddy Burkes Pub established in 1850 I had my first of many Guinness on this trip. My body was telling me it is still only 7:00 a.m. and this is breakfast……can’t be an Irish breakfast…..oysters & Guinness. Or can it?

Old Galway

After lunch it was off to Galway to check into our first hotel in Ireland the G Hotel http://www.theghotel.ie/  This is a 5 star luxury hotel with very modern designs with great views out to the Atlantic. And the rooms and hotel were indeed luxurious. While not located in Galway it is within walking distance to the historical center of Galway. Shortly after check in you had just enough time to wash your face and brush your teeth before we embarked on a walking tour of old Galway center. We started at Eyre Square with the flags of the 14 tribes that originally controlled the Galway area. The square is at the edge of the pedestrian old city that is has many shops and pubs and in the early evening was full of shoppers and tourists. The walk took us through the old city past the 14th century St. Nicholas Church where legend has it Christopher Columbus prayed there in 1477 and  viewed the maps drawn by St. Brendan before he embarked on his journey to the New World. We passed by Lynch’s Castle which is now a Bank of Ireland branch, listened to the music coming from the numerous pubs along the way and came to the banks of River Carrib where a plaque had been erected to commemorate Christopher Columbus visit to Galway. It was a nice leisurely walk along the pathways of the river up to the Cathedral and then through the back streets to the main square. What is a visit to the old city if you don’t also enjoy a pint of cold Guinness in a pub by the square where we met some of the colorful locals. We then headed back to the hotel where we enjoyed a wonderful full course supper. After a nightcap of Guinness, it was off to bed as we were getting up early to continue our journey.

Day 2 started with a hearty Irish Breakfast of eggs, toast, white and black blood pudding and bacon with a strong cup of coffee. By 9 a.m. we were on the bus and on our way to Rathbaun Farm, Ardrahan,m Co Galway a picturesque working farm with thatched roof buildings were we were given a demonstration of Irish farming practices with sheep herding and fleecing. We were then treated to a mid morning tea with scones.

Gregans Castle

Back on the bus we were off to do a site inspection of Gregans Castle Hotel, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare www.gregans.ie/. A luxurious
verdant amid the rugged unspoilt beauty of The Burren.


The Burren

 The Burren. Where there are no trees to hang a man. Where there is not enough water to drown him. And if you finally succeeded in killing him, it's too rocky to bury him. The landscape of the Burren is special. The limestone is split and weathered. Everywhere are traces of Megalithic Tombs, ringforts, souterrains, cairns, holy wells and stonerows. The landscape in some ways reminded me of the areas around Sudbury Ontario.

Cliffs of Moher

Our next stop was at the Aillwee Caves and Cheese maker and Falconry in Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare - Ireland's premier show cave.  The cave has more that 3500 fee of passages.  After lunch we visited the Cheese factory and Falconry exhibition.  Back on the bus it was off to visit the Cliffs of Moher.  The cliffs are 214 metres high at their highest point.  When we arrived at the Cliffs the wind had picked up dramatically and it was raining however that did not dampen our spirits and off we went climbing to the edge of the cliffs.  We then checked into our hotel Vaughans Lodge, Lahinch Co Clare http://www.vaughanlodge.ie/ .  We had just enough time to drop our luggage in our rooms and it was off to Cullinans Restaurant & Guesthouse, Doolin, Co. Clare for supper.  After a great supper we walked over to Gus O'Connors Pub http://www.gusoconnorsdoolin.com/ for a few pints of Guiness and listen to the local entertainers singing and playing traditional Irish music. 



Doonbeg Golf Club

 Day 3 again started with a Traditional Irish Breakfast and we were off to a site inspection at Doonbeg Golf Club, Doonbeg, Co. Clare http://www.doonbeggolfclub.com/ one of the best golf courses in Ireland.  Although new it still had the buildings had the old manor feel to them.  The course was designed by Greg Norman and a wing of 1 and 2 bedroom suites is named after him.  For the serious golfer this is a must stop. 




King Johns Castle

 
 

Bunratty Castle

Back on the bus we were off to the City of Limerick to visit King Johns Castle situated in the heart of Medieval Limerick on the River Shannon.  After experiencing eight hundred years of history in Limerick City we departed  for Bunratty to have lunch at Durty Nelly's Pub located right next to the 15th century Bunratty Castle.  After lunch we visited the Bunratty Fok Park which is a recreated village with school, thatched roof houses and shops. 



Our next stop was the Burren Perfumery where the plants from the Burren are use to produce a high quality range of natural aromatherpay products and fragrances.  The flower & herb gardens were wonderful to walk through.   It was back to our hotel for supper a few pints of Guiness in the hotel pub and overnight stay.

Dromoland Castle

Day 4 again you guessed.....started with a hearty Irish Breakfast.  It was off to Dromoland Castle http://www.dromoland.ie/ Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare.  The entire day was spent meeting with Irish trade suppliers in a setup I would liken to speed dating.  There were 70 travel agents from the U.S. and Canada at the travel expo, with each one of us having our own small table.  Each supplier had 5 minutes to pitch their product to us and then had to move on to the next travel agent.  I met with 65 suppliers during the course of the day with only a short lunch break.  That evening there was a gala supper in the main banquet hall and great Irish entertainment and of course the customary pints of Guiness.  Overnight at the Dromoland castle in a luxury suite that not only had huge beds but also a living area with full couch and chairs. 

Kenmare

Golf foursome

Day 4.......you know the routine.......Irish Breakfast and we were off to a site visit of the 5 star luxurious Europe Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry www.theeurope.com/ .  This is one of the largest spa hotels in Ireland.  The hotel is located right on the water and we had lunch there in the dining room enjoying the stunning views.  After lunch we were off to do some afternoon activities...... Some chose to shop in Kenmare while others went horseback riding or ATV riding through the countryside.  I chose to try my hand at golfing and it was off to the Ring of Kerry Golf and Country Club, Templenoe, Killarney www.ringofkerrygolf.com/ .  It had been over 20 years since I last golfed but I am proud to say I only lost 2 balls.  The vistas on the golf course were just outstanding overlooking the water. 



With the golf  completed we checked in to the 5 star Sheen Falls Lodge, Kenmare Co Kerry.  This hotel is on 300 acres of magical woodlands and cascading waterfalls on the edge of Kenmare Bay.  http://www.sheenfallslodge.ie/



Sheen Falls view from room



Packies Restaurant

After our check in the hotel hosted pre drinks and canapes for our group and we were off to Packies Restaurant in downtonwn Kenmare for dinner .  This is a nice family run little restaurant that is a favourite for returning visitors.  The food was excellent.  After dinner we crossed the road to the Atlantic Bar for some pints of Guiness and listened to Irish music performed by local entertainers. 

Italian Garden







Bantry House



Day 5 checked out of the Sheen Falls Lodge and headed for Glengariff Pier, Co Cork for Garnish Island.  We boarded a small boat and on the crossing to Garnish Island viewed the numerous seals on the rocks.  The entire island is a collection of plants gathered from around the world and set in beautiful gardens the most renowed on being the Italian garden.  It is an easy and very enjoyable walk through all the different gardens on the island.  It was now time to go to our next stop Bantry House, Bantry, Co Cork.  This is a stately home owned and still lived in by Egerton Shelswell-White and their family, 9th generation descendants of the Earls of Bantry.  The House and the gardens  are breathtaking. It was interesting that after the descendant of the Earl gave us a brief history of the house he jumped on a riding lawnmower and started cutting the lawns surrounding the estate.  The estate now also has bed and breakfast rooms for rent in part of the house.  After lunch at the Bantry House we drove to the City of Cork and checked into the Maryborough Hotel and Spa http://www.maryborough.com/ .  That evening the hotel hosted a Murder Mystery dinner for our group which was just hilarious.  

Blarney Castle

Day 6 - after breakfast (Irish?)...... we headed to Blarney Castle.  There is far more to this site than just the Castle as it has it's own little village, the Blarney Mills, hotel and shopping concourse, beautiful gardens with displays from ancient times like Witches stone, staircase & kitchen,  Dolmen megalithic tombs and Druid stones.  Of course the Castle is the main draw where many visitors kiss the Blarney Stone. I opted to pass on this tradition as I was not about to lay on my back and arch backwards holding metal bars and look down from the top of the Castle walls down to the ground while an Irishman held me by the hips so that I don't crash to the ground.  Some in our group did kiss the Blarney Stone.  I did do some shopping at the Blarney Woollens and purchased some excellent Irish Wool sweaters for the grandchildren and a woollen shawl for my wife.  

Lunch at English Market Cork

It was back to the City of Cork were we did a brief bus tour of the City and had lunch at the Farmgate English Market in the centre of the city.  We had some free time to walk around old section of Cork and it was off to our last stop in Ireland the town of Cashel.    



Cashel Palace Hotel








Cecked into the Cashel Palace Hotel, Cashel, Co Tipperary.  http://www.cashel-palace.ie/  This is an exquisite Queen Anne style house, built in 1730.  It was also once the home of the Guiness family and it is said that the hops used in the brew of Guiness were actually originally grown in the gardens at the back of the property.  Just behind the hotel is the Rock of Cashel a spectacular group of medieval buildings set on a outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century cast and the restored Hall of the Vicars.  After we had settled in at the hotel we took a leisurely walk through the gardens in the back of the hotel up the the Rock of Cashel.  The historical site is amazing.  After touring the site we walked back down into the town of Cashel and visited an old Pub for some much needed Guiness.  We had dinner that night in town and walked back to the hotel where we again stopped in at the hotel Pub for some Guiness.  The bartender had been at this hote for 40 years and had a story to tell about the famous people that have stayed there. On the wall in the Pub was a sign with the names of all the famous people that have stayed at the hotel such as President Ford, Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy, Omar Sharif along with many famous actors and actresses, bishops and Presidents. Overnight at the Cashel Palace in my room with a beautiful fireplace and the windows facing the Rock of Cashel.

Day 7 - Yes you guessed it a hearty traditional Irish Breakfast.  It was off to the airport in Dublin to board our flights back to Canada.  Of course we had our group picture take at the Cashel Palace Hotel as we were ready to board our bus. The week went by very quickly and we certainly experienced a lot.  Ireland is a great destination that I certainly will go back to.  One of the things I did learn is that the incidence of celiac disease is high in Ireland and the majority of restaurants are set up to deal with gluten free meals. The trip back to Canada was good other than the multitude of security checks we had to go through at Heathrow.

3 final pictures to finish my blog............our bus, pub in cashel and the last one is self evident.........

If you want to learn more about Ireland or need assistance in putting an itinerary together for you give me a call or email me. 

    



















Cruise Line Travel Insurance Can Leave You Stranded. Buy The Right Thing

By Milan Korcok, Editor TravelinsuranceFile

Planning a cruise out of Florida, Texas or California this coming winter? Sounds good. But before you sign on, make sure you have appropriate travel insurance in place, and don’t count on the insurance sold by cruise lines to give you the coverage you need. It’s not good enough. Read on.

Unlike the multi-million dollar single-trip or annual multi-trip coverage sold to most Canadian snowbirds, the travel insurance policies sold by cruise lines are paltry, full of exclusions and might just leave you stranded on some small Caribbean island to find you own way home—at your own expense, if you have a sudden medical emergency. Read them carefully before you even consider them.

Many policies sold by the major lines like Carnival, Cunard, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, and a dozen others, will limit coverage for medical emergencies to $25,000 or less (not nearly enough), will only cover you until they can drop you at the nearest available port hospital—wherever that may be, will not pay for air repatriation to your home, and will not pay hospitals or doctors in these ports of call directly. By contrast, the standard out-of-country travel insurance policies available to Canadians will provide the same coverage to cruisers as they do to landside travellers– between $1 and $5 million for medical emergencies, air repatriation to a hospital at home, direct payments to hospitals and doctors, and day-by-day or hour-by-hour case management of your medical emergency. Also, your benefits will be directly integrated with your government health insurance plan—something foreign insurers are not set up to do.

Cruise lines are in the business of creating “dream vacations” at the lowest possible cost. It’s a highly competitive business and cruise companies will shave off any dollar they can to make their package price look better than their competitor’s. Selling you good travel insurance that only increases your out- of-pocket cost doesn’t fit that profile. Some cruise lines or agents will offer travel insurance products independently of their cruise package and this provides better coverage. But Canadians need to have travel insurance that is coordinated with their provincial health plans, and plans offered by U.S. companies working with American travel agents, or by cruise lines selling in-house products, won’t do that.

I know of several cases where cruise passengers with medical emergencies were offloaded at ports in the Caribbean and were then left to deal with local hospitals demanding payment, and with arranging either commercial flights or air ambulances to get to home after their emergencies were treated—all at their own expense and with precious little help from the cruise line. This is no job for amateurs.

Fortunately, if you’re already in the U.S. on your winter vacation, and considering a cruise-break, the snowbird insurance you already have, will do the job for you, at no additional cost.

Reprinted with the permission of
Milan Korcok

Editor & Publisher
http://www.travelinsurancefile.com/

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR CANADIAN PASSPORTS COMING

Passport Canada is implementing changes to its birth certificate requirements for general passport applications. As of Feb. 1, 2011 for Canadians born in Canada, Passport Canada will only accept birth certificates issued by a provincial or territorial vital statistics agency to support a general or a child’s passport application, entitled “Birth certificate,” “Certificate of birth” or “Certificat de naissance” or a “Certificate of citizenship” issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Some exceptions apply for certain provinces and territories.

More information is available online at:

http://www.passportcanada.gc.ca/