Wednesday, March 21, 2012

2012 TOUR OF IRELAND


ERIN HART'S IRELAND: ON HAUNTED GROUND
September 12-22, 2012

I know everyone’s been waiting for the news, and it’s now official! New Departures is taking reservations for a third Irish tour, this time called, “Erin Hart’s Ireland: ON HAUNTED GROUND.” The dates are September 12-22, 2012, and a full itinerary is now up at the New Departures website.

I’ll once again be leading an intrepid band of travelers to some of the mysterious and beautiful places that have inspired locations in my novels: The National Museum of Ireland, archaeological sites and castles, the bogs and lakes of the midlands, ruined medieval monasteries and haunted tower houses. And of course we’ll take in some traditional music sessions, too, along with a trip to the Guinness brewery and a whiskey distillery! (No such thing as too much research, I always say…)

We’re calling this trip after my first novel, ‘Erin Hart's Ireland: ON HAUNTED GROUND.’ The title of HAUNTED GROUND was actually inspired by a line from Byron: 'Where e'er we tread, 'tis haunted, holy ground.' I’ve always thought that line really captured the spirit of Ireland, a place where so many undiscovered layers of history remain perpetually underfoot. 

My good friend Kathy Sidla from New Departures has organized this tour down to the last detail, from lovely hotels and companionable dinners, to bogwalks and visits to ancient tombs and fairy forts where the little people dwell.

If you’ve always wanted to visit Ireland, but wanted something a little more off-the-beaten track, this is just the ticket. 

We'll have a little history, a little science, a little folklore, a little music and a bit of pub crawling—of course! If you're inspired to join us, please give Kathy a call at New Departures:  1-612-305-0025 or 1-800-853-1880.

ERIN HART'S IRELAND: ON HAUNTED GROUND
September 12-22, 2012

A Brief Itinerary:

September 12:  Depart US for Dublin.

September 13-15: Dublin, Book of Kells, National Museum ('Kingship and Sacrifice' exhibit, ancient Irish gold, and the Faddan More Psalter), Guinness Brewery, Georgian House Museum, National Museum Collins Barracks,  An Góilín Singers' session, traditional Irish music session at Hughes's Pub, Chancery Street, overnight in Dublin.

September 16: Newgrange, Tullynally Castle and Gardens, Slane Castle, Corlea Trackaway Centre, overnight at Kilronan Castle, Ballyfarnon, Co Roscommon.

September 17-18:  Ceide Fields, Museum of Country Life, Westport, walking tour of Galway City, Ballynahinch Castle, coral beach at Carraroe, traditional music session at the Crane Bar, overnight in Galway.

September 19-20:  Portumna Castle, Clonony Castle Tower House, Leap Castle (most haunted place in Ireland), Kilbeggan Whiskey distillery, Clara Bog Visitor Centre, St. Manchan's shrine, Celtic Roots Studio (bog wood sculptures) at Ballinahown craft village, overnight in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

September 21:  Dysart O'Dea medieval monastery and Clare Archaeology Centre, Poulnabrone Dolmen, Corkscrew Hill, the Burren, fairy fort, Kilfenora, overnight in Ennis.

September 22:  Back home again!

No comments:

Post a Comment