Mysterious Ireland

2014 Programme

Dates

11 Days

Duration

7 July – 17 July 2014

Mythology and Sacred Places across the Emerald Isle.

Hill of Tara, New Grange, Inishmore, Ring of Beara, Glendalough and many more.

More detailed tour information is given in the Itinerary Section.

PROGRAMME DATE

7 July – 17 July 2014

BOOKING

Closed

TRAVEL / FLIGHTS

Meeting point at Dublin Airport

INCLUDED

11 – day cultural tour and excursions by private bus and by boat from and to Dublin,

Guided tours and entrance fees as per itinerary

10 nights in a twin room in nice middle class hotels or B + B’s including full Irish breakfast

5 dinners, guided and supported by an experienced Ireland specialist and a
professional expert.

NOT INCLUDED

5 dinners

Lunch/Picnic, drinks and tipps

Insurance

Participants are responsible to include the necessary insurances

ACCOMMODATION

10 nights in a twin room in nice middle class hotels or B + B’s

COST

CHF 2490 convert to other currencies depending on exchange rate

SUPPLEMENTS

Single rooms CHF 350

CANCELLATION

Closed

Unique culture and study tour to Irelands archaeological and mythological sites with the well known Swiss ethnologist Dr. Kurt Derungs and the Ireland specialist Elizabeth Zollinger At various places we meet local people who will talk to us about their region and accompany us to hidden treasures. This personal contact enriches our unique cultural journey. (basic translation available)

Guides: Kurt Derungs: Swiss ethnologist, founder of the idea of landscape mythology and Head of the Academy of Landscape. For more then 15 years he has been leading study tours in Switzerland and abroad and he is the author of numerous books on the subject of mythological landscapes and ancient knowledge. (www.derungs.org)

Elizabeth Zollinger, an artist from Switzerland, has lived on the Island part time for over 30 years. She has developed an intimate relationship with the island, its people and its culture. This intimacy and excellent relationship with the local islanders inspired her to develop the Celtic Spirit Project in 1996, which aims to preserve and retain the true culture and heritage of Inishmore while developing and promoting a sustainable tourism for the Island. (www.irish-culture.ch)

Additional information

Location	Ireland
Destination	Dublin, Kerry, Meath, Wicklow

Mon 7 July:

13.00 meeting point at Dublin Airport. Excursion to the holy Hill of Tara, introduction and explanations about the Stone of Destiny. Overnight: Castle Hotel in Dublin.

Tues 8 July:

Bus Dublin – New Grange. Visit to the informative museum and the unique cult sites of New Grange, Knowth and Dowth. Evening program with a storyteller. Overnight: Castle Hotel.

Wed 9 July:

Bus Dublin – Galway. En route we visit the shrine in Loughcrew and Uisneach, the navel stone of the Emerald Isle. Boat to the island of Inis Mór (Aran Islands). Overnight: Pier House on Inis Mór.

Thurs 10 July:

Tour and hike (about 2 hours) to hidden, mythical places: holy well, 5000 year old dolmen and the monumental ring fort Dun Aonghasa at the edge of the high cliffs where we we hear old Gaelic songs with the singer Treasa Ní Mhiolláin. Overnight: Pier House

Fr 11 July:

Ferry ride to Rossaveal, with private bus to Ennis. Along the way we discover an enchanted Holy well and other hidden places with the Burren specialist Tony Kirby, and the famous Poulnabrone Dolmen. (Walk1 1/2 hrs.) Overnight.

Sat 12 July:

Bus Ennis – Kenmare.. On the way we visit the famous archaeological site of Lough Gur with its lakes, hills and the huge stone circle and in the southwest we see the sacred hill of the divine ancestress Anu and hear about her mythology. Accommodation: Park Hotel Kenmare in Kenmare

Sun 13 July:

Free day in Kenmare by the sea. (individual hike, visit the town of Kenmare, use the hotel spa, etc.) Overnight: Kenmare Bay Hotel.

Mon 14 July:

Trip by bus to the Bheara Peninsula, short hikes. We are discovering the place of worship “Hag of Bheara” and a magical stone circle with their menhirs. Overnight: Kenmare Bay Hotel.

Tues 15 July:

bus Kenmare – Glendalough. En route we stop at Jerpoint Abbey, where we can see the image of a strange trinity and visit the mysterious stone circle in Athgreany. Overnight: Glendalough Hotel

Wed 16 July:

Guided tour of the famous monastery of St. Cieran of Glendalough in an enchanted valley. Afternoon: walk to the cult place “Paddock Hill”, where we say farewell to the mythic landscape of Ireland. Overnight: Glendalough Hotel