ST PATRICK'S DAY in IRELAND!~
9days / 8 nights of Music + Sightseeing in Ireland
with SOUTHERN LEGACY
Small Group Tour - limited numbers!
MARCH 12 - 20, 2026
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
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Private motorcoach with professional driver
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Dedicated local historian / tour guide
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8 nights accommodation in castles / manors / boutique hotels
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14 meals - 8 full Irish breakfasts plus 6 group dinners
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Entrance fees into historic sites
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Entrance fees into scheduled music events
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Traditional Irish Sessions
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Southern Legacy performances and bluegrass jams with guest musicians
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ADDITIONAL NIGHTS FOR BEFORE OR AFTER THE TOUR CAN BE ARRANGED - ask us about special deals!
Southern Legacy:Mike Anglin, Ron Block, Don Rigsby, Steve Thomas & Josh Williams
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Visit the beautiful, historic sites of Ireland!
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Enjoy Irish music and experience traditional Irish sessions in quaint Irish listening venues!
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Spend close-up time with bluegrass favourites Southern Legacy, along with special guests, in a most unique setting, in one of the most beautiful and friendly countries in the world!
MEET - Joe McCooey -
Our Historical Advisor + Guide
Joe is highly regarded as one of Ireland's foremost archeologists. Archaeology has always been his passion, along with his huge interest in local history. He has extensive knowledge of areas not on standard tourism routes, which are hidden gems and reflective of true Irish life over the centuries.
Joe is interested and passionate about the need to preserve monuments for future generations and to regenerate community interest in and support for monuments and buildings of archaeological and historical importance.
He has undertaken the major long-term project of restoring the ruin of the medieval Killilagh Church in the Doolin area, to restore and to stop further deterioration in the condition of the fabric of the building, on a phased basis. He is also working on a graveyard survey at Killilagh and aims to link Doolin with the Irish diaspora in the USA
FAQs:
DO I HAVE TO BE A BLUEGRASS FAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS TOUR?
Absolutely not! All are welcome - spouses, partners, friends, travel enthusiasts etc! This is an enjoyable tour of Ireland, visiting many historical sites, and experiencing the most celebrated Irish holiday across the world in a most authentic way. The tour will encompass sightseeing, shopping, attending Irish music events and many other activities!
WILL THERE BE IRISH MUSIC JAMS/SESSIONS?
Yes, absolutely!
There will be ample opportunities to attend Irish traditional music sessions, hosted by local Irish traditional musicians along the way.
WHAT IF I WANT TO EXTEND MY TRIP IN IRELAND?
We are happy to arrange additional nights in Dublin (or elsewhere in the country) for you, for before or after the tour! Just ask us for further details.We have some great recommendations!
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No. This is a land-only package. Passengers may select their chosen airline / flight routing / travel dates (and many choose to add extra days in Ireland before or after the tour). We're happy to refer you to an American based agency who can assist you with the flights if you require.
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
(subject to change)
Depart from your chosen location, for your overnight flight to Ireland
DAY1 (Thur 12Mar)-arrive in Ireland
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Arrive in Dublin Airport – Meet and greet the tour guide and board our coach to travel into the Boyne Valley, where we will visit Trim Castle - the largest and best preserved Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Few places in Ireland contain more medieval buildings than this heritage town. Trim gets its name from the Irish, ‘Baile Atha Troim’, which means ‘Town of the Ford of the Elder Trees’, indicating that this was an important fording point on the River Boyne.
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Before re-boarding the bus, there’s time to shop at Trim’s local craft shop.
DAY2 (Fri 13Mar)
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After breakfast (and subject to scheduling + availability), we will visit Newgrange - a prehistoric monument located on a rise overlooking the River Boyne, It is an exceptionally grand passage tomb built during the Neolithic Period, around 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids! Afterward, we return to our hotel for dinner and our final evening excursion up to Cookstown, County Tyrone, for a special concert with Southern Legacy in the well loved venue, Red Room.
DAY3 (Sat 14Mar)
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This morning, we travel west through the beautiful county of Leitrim. We'll check into Lough Rynn Castle, where we'll stay for 2 nights.
DAY4 (Sun 15Mar)
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Today we'll visit the family run Lough Ree Distillery for an educational tour and whiskey tasting experience. Tonight we'll have a music performance by Southern Legacy (further details TBC)
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DAY5 (Mon 16Mar)
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After breakfast, we check out of Lough Rynn Castlle, and head west to County Mayo, arriving in the lovely seaside heritage town of Westport. Tonight we will stay in the beautiful Knockranny House Hotel - Just a short walk from the town centre, and set in secluded grounds on a hillside, this luxury hotel stands proudly overlooking the picturesque town of Westport and enjoys breathtaking views of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay’s islands to the west and the Nephin Mountains to the north.
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Tonight, after dinner, we go to the famous Matt Molloy's (of the world famous Irish band The Chieftains) pub for a traditional Irish session. One never knows who will turn up. Matt Molloy
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himself is often on site and joins in the nightly session!
DAY6 (Tue 17Mar)
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We will enjoy St Patrick's Day the traditional way - with Irish food, Irish music (multiple pubs in the town to choose from) and participation in the town parade! For those who are interested, you may attend a special St Patrick's church service.
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And for the more adventurous, consider climbing Croagh Patrick, a holy mountain in County Mayo (very close to Westport) where St. Patrick is said to have fasted.
DAY7 (Wed 18Mar)
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After a well-prepared breakfast, we check out of our hotel and head south through the historic region of Connemara, taking in the west coast of counties Galway and Clare.
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Tonight we'll stay in the music town of Ennis and will enjoy one of the many traditional Irish sessions which take place in the local pubs.
DAY 8 (Thur 19Mar)
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Today we will explore the incredible historic Burren - a unique landscape characterized by vast limestone pavements, deep fissures, and underground caves. The area, also known as "Boireann" (meaning "great rock"), encompasses over 200 squre miles and is one of Ireland's great archaeological sites. The Burren is full of ancient ruins, diverse flora, unique geological formations, stone forts, tombs, and cooking sites, dating back thousands of years to the Stone Age and Bronze Age.
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DAY9 (Fri 20Mar)
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Final morning to start the day with a full Irish breakfast , then check out of the hotel and we say goodbye until next time….! Coach will provide transport to Shannon Airport. For other destinations, we will be happy to assist.
CUSTOMARY GRATUITIES FOR TOUR GUIDE AND DRIVER NOT INCLUDED.
FURTHER DETAILS TO FOLLOW!
THIS IS A LAND PACKAGE ONLY.
FLIGHTS/ AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED.
TOUR BEGINS IN DUBLIN AND ENDS IN SHANNON <coach picks up on first morning of tour at arrivals hall in Dublin Airport and finishes up in SHANNON at end of tour>
Secure your spot now with a small deposit!
€350 dep for a single room, €500 dep for a double/twin room
TOTAL TOUR PRICE €3695 p/p/s, based on double or twin occupancy
Price quoted in Euros. Due to currency fluctuation, the dollar amount is not guaranteed and is subject to change until time of final payment.
Deposits are non-refundable. Final payments will be non-refundable within 120 days of start of programme..
It is advisable for participants to secure their own travel/health insurance in the event of illness or cancellation.
IATW reserves the right to alter or change any and all details of this trip as necessary. /
Further information at
IrelandAlongTheWay@gmail.com PH: 615-955-4575
