Historical & Cultural Tours in Ireland

The Percy French Tour of Ireland

Born in Cloonyquinn, Co. Roscommon 1st, May 1854 Percy French went on to become one of the foremost entertainers of his day and his songs are as popular today as they were over 100 years ago. As well as Ireland he toured the United States, Canada, the West Indies and England, composing comic songs and accompaying himself on the Banjo.

His Irish songs evoke the scenery and everyday incidents he found all around him on his travels and we follow his footsteps through the places made famous by his songs and paintings. We are accompanied throughout the entire tour by Michael Lawlor, Irish Operatic Tenor, and Tim Cotter, National Tour Guide, aboard one of our luxury coaches in an all inclusive package featuring the songs of Percy French, their meanings and associations, their history and some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland.

ITINERARY:
Day 1
Arrive Dublin A.M. and meet Michael and Tim with your coach. 30 minute drive to Dublin City centre where our first stop will be The Oriel Gallery which has a permanent exhibition of Percy French's paintings. Our hosts, Maureen and Mark Nulty, will give us a talk on their history and newly discovered importance in the Art world.
Afterwards we stroll across to Trinity College where Mr. French spent many years "studying". After lunch we visit the French home in Mespil Street, the monument by the Canal, about which he wrote The Mary Ann McHugh, and the beauty of Dublin Bay. Then on to Dundalk for our first overnight.

Day 2
We begin today with a tour through the purple and grey granite peaks of The Mountains of Mourne made famous by the immigrant song of the same name. Early lunch at The Percy French Pub in Newcastle and then on to Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland since the Middle Ages, and longer associated with St. Patrick.
Cavan is our destination for the second overnight.

Day 3
This is a long day but has many interesting stops. First it's Ballyjamesduff and the burial place of Paddy Reilly. Then Cloonyquin, where the French family lived for many years, and its memorial to Mr. French. We travel on to historic Westport, through scenic and wild Connemara where much of his painting was done, and through to Galway City for a break. A good idea here would be an early dinner in one of the many pubs or restaurants for which the city is noted.
A one-hour drive takes us to Ennis for a two-night stay.

Days 4
After a late breakfast we head for the coast to the towns of Kilrush and Kilkee and the infamous West Clare Railway made immortal by the song "Are Ye Right There, Michael?". A ride on the old train will set the mood for our Michael.
Then on to the Burren, an area of limestone karst unique in this part of the world. The scenery here is breathtaking, especially The Cliffs of Moher and The Black Head. We will visit 5,000 year old Poulnabrone Dolmen, early Christian churches, Wedge Tombs and see some Celtic Crosses.

Day 5
Forty minute drive to Shannon Airport.

Included in tour:

• 4 nights hotel accommodation with full Irish Breakfast.
• 2 Dinners, first and last nights.
• All entrance fees to sites and monuments.
• Luxury Coach with driver/guide and Tenor Michael Lawlor.
• Evening entertainment with Michael.
• Complimentary CD of the songs and music of Percy French.

Other Tours in Ireland

Below is a sample ininerary for a historical and cultural tour in Ireland. Our tours can be fully customised to suit your needs, combining golf, sight seeing, etc. If you would like more details please den't hesitate to contact us.

DAY 1
Arrive Dublin Airport to be met by your driver / guide. Travel south to Dublin city for a two-night stay.

After checking into your accommodation we will proceed with tour of medieval, Georgian and modern Dublin, which is the capital of the Irish Republic - taking in such sites as Christchurch (1170 AD), St. Patrick's and Trinity College, founded in 1592 and home of the "Book of Kells", one of our earlier Christian Manuscripts.
Dublin was founded by the Vikings in 988 AD.


DAY 2
On day 2 we travel to the North Dublin Coastline via Portmarnock and Malahide with a visit to Malahide Castle and Gardens. Lunch perhaps in an Irish Pub.

Later return to Dublin City to complete the day with a visit to Dublin Castle and maybe tour the Guinness Brewery.


DAY 3
Leaving Dublin a.m., travel south to Co. Wicklow, known as the "Garden of Ireland", visiting Powerscourt Gardens and Glendalough Monastic Site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century.

Later travel over the Wicklow Mountains to arrive in Kilkenny approx 5.30 pm.
Overnight in the Kilkenny area.


DAY 4
Tour of Kilkenny City i.e. Castle, St. Canices Cathedral and Round Tower, Black Abbey, etc. Kilkenny has a wonderful mix of the Medieval and modern architecture.

Later on a visit Waterford with its famous Waterford Crystal Factory.

Overnight in Kilkenny area.


DAY 5
Travel via Rock of Cashel in Co. Tipperary which was both an inauguration site and seat of the High Kings of Munster - being the southern region of Ireland and also a very important ecclesiastical site.

Later travel via Cobh in Co. Cork to Kinsale. In Cobh a visit to the Heritage Centre to view the story of emigration and the port to which the Titanic made her last call.

Overnight in Kinsale, famous for the Spanish occupation and battle in 1601.


DAY 6
Travel to Cork City and Blarney, visiting Blarney Castle to "Kiss the famous stone of eloquence", which is said to give one the gift of "Fair words and free speech".

Overnight in Kinsale.


DAY 7
Today track west via beautiful mountainous areas to Kenmare and Killarney taking in "The Drombeg Stone Circle" (2,400 BC), Castlefreake, Coppingers Court and Bantry Bay.

Overnight in Killarney.


DAY 8
Tour the "Ring of Kerry" or the "Dingle Peninsula" - miles and miles of beautiful coastal and mountain terrain visiting Muckross House and Gardens founded in 1843.

Overnight in Killarney.


DAY 9
Today we travel north to Co. Clare to see the "Cliffs of Moher", 680 feet above sea level and then tour the Burren. A region of limestone karst similar to an area in Slovenia and home to many rare plants and wonderful views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.

Overnight in Bunratty area.


DAY 10
Transfer to Shannon Airport.