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TRAVEL INSURANCE

Tour Itinerary
Short Version
See itinerary at right  for details

IRELAND

A Country for Myth and Mystery

Departure: October 21 - 31, 2010

With Tour Host, Amantha Murphy

A journey that highlights some of the most sacred places in Europe.  Visit Grange Stone Circle, the largest stone circle in Ireland.  Tour the Hill of Tara, which is said to represent The Mother Womb of Ireland--the most sacred place of them all--where the Ancient Ones conducted rites and Irish monarchs were crowned. Tour the Dingle Peninsula, rich, with its many Standing Stones and Oratories. Enjoy the rare beauty of the famed Ring of Kerry.  Experience Crag Crystal Cave, a colorful wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites, a majestic and fairy world in the dark and silent depths.

Ancient, mystical Ireland awaits you!

Your Celtic & Shamanic Guide in Ireland

Your Celtic and Shamanic guide throughout is Amantha Murphy, who started her spiritual work 37 years ago as a clairvoyant and moved on to trance mediumship. “I grew up spending my summers in Kerry with my grandmother, a midwife and healer, who opened my awareness from an early age to the essence of the Mother, the Land and Her Nature. I work primarily with the presence of the Grandmothers and the Way of the Sidhe, our Shining Ones, the Tuatha De Danann."

TOUR ITINERARY
(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)

Day 1, Thursday, October 21: Depart home /To Ireland
Depart this evening for Shannon International Airport, Ireland. Please arrange your flights to arrive no later than 10:00 AM to meet with your airport transfer to Killarney. You should arrange you return flight to depart from Dublin International Airport.
Note: Body Mind Spirit Journeys will be happy to assist you with your flight plans.

Day 2, Friday, October 22: Arrival in Ireland / Tour Begins / Grange Stone Circle / Lough Gur / Welcome Dinner (L/D)
Morning arrival in Ireland where you meet your escort and guide, Amantha. You board your motor coach and depart the airport en route to Killarney. Your first stop is at the Grange Stone Circle, the largest stone circle in Ireland. A grange is the name given in Ireland to a ring-fort or stone circle. The word "grange" is an English rendering of the Irish word "Grian", which means "Sun". This relates to the theory that stone circles in Ireland were connected with sun worship. Continue to Lough Gur, a small horseshoe-shaped lake nestled among limestone hills in southeastern Limerick, with over 30 ancient sites and monuments around its shores that range from Neolithic to Medieval times. These include stone circles, dwelling places, field systems, standing stones, ring forts, crannógs, castles, and a megalithic tomb. This area was the first known place of habitation on the Emerald Isle, with its human-made crannóg, an artificial island or marsh dwelling of brushwood, clay, and timbers. Stop for a late lunch at a local B&B. Then continue to your charming Irish hotel in Killarney, home base for your time here in County Kerry, in southwestern Ireland. Rest and settle in before your Welcome Dinner at the hotel. Overnight Killarney.
 
Day 3, Saturday, October 23: Killarney / Macroom / Pre-Ice Age Forest / Ballyvourney (B)
You journey to Macroom, to one of the oldest forests in Ireland, the Ancient Sunken Forest of Gearagh, which is now a nature reserve. This area was, until the 1950’s a sizeable Alluvial Oak Forest. Well known in past and yet still recent times, to be one of the best areas for the making of the illegal “poitin”, or potato whiskey. The reserve is rich in wildlife, flora and fauna. Lunch on your own with the group at a local inn.  You move on to Ballyvourney to see one of the remaining Irish Sheela-na-Gigs, an ancient symbol of woman's freedom and creativity. They are sometimes associated with "hags" or crones and are often seen as the wild woman in Irish myth. The “Sheela” is situated above a window on the south wall of the church. Your last stop for the day is the local Sacred Well that has long been visited as a place of pilgrimage. Many of the sacred wells in Ireland were originally the sites of pagan shrines. The Celts believed the earth's waters were especially sacred and healing. The common people believed that the easiest way for them to gain access to the other world was through the divine springs and wells. Every well had its own guardian spirit or local goddess who presided over it. You return to your hotel late afternoon where you will have free time until dinner on your own at the hotel. Overnight Killarney.
 
Day 4, Sunday, October 24: Killarney / Ring of Kerry (B/L)
Your full day of exploration is around the world-famous Ring of Kerry. Some say it’s the best that Ireland has to offer…with its romantic glens, towering peaks and constantly changing color. As you visit the various places and interact with the landscape, this is an awesome opportunity to live the gamut of yourself today!  You begin at Aghodoe, where once there was a castle, rumored to have been owned by a wicked witch. You’re then on to ancient Cahergall Fort (Caher Gael) at Cahersiveen, built by the first Celts around 600 BC. You stop for your group lunch at the Smuggler's Inn outside of Waterville. (An CoireÁn - The Little Whirlpool), is the premier coastal tourist center on the Ring of Kerry. Continuing around the Ring at Ladies View, you are almost overwhelmed with panoramic views of the nearby three lakes and mountains. Can it get any better? Your last stop for the day is to visit a “fairy fort”. You return to the hotel late afternoon for a well-earned rest, leisure time and dinner on your own. Overnight Killarney.
 
Day 5, Monday, October 25: Killarney / Lower Lake of Killarney (B)
This morning you spend time in the most magical part of Ireland and where your senses will be indulged and fed by the beauty and energy of the area…in the magical area of the fairy folk! You also have the opportunity to go out in a boat on the Lower Lake of Killarney, Lough Leane, named after the great Silversmith of the Tuatha Da Danann, the mystical Gods and Goddesses of the Land and visit Innishfallen Island, where the first written writings of Ireland came from in the late 5th Century and where Brian Boru, the last High King of Ireland was educated.  You’ll have a chance too, to walk within the enchanted area of Killarney National Park with mature plants and trees all around you.  Lunch on your own.  Afternoon to relax by the Lake and have dinner on your own. Overnight Killarney.

Day 6, Tuesday, October 26:  Killarney / Dingle Peninsula (B/L/D)
Today you’ll visit the Dingle Peninsula, rich, with its many standing stones, oratories (beehive huts) and sacred mountains. There are very few places in Western Europe with a greater number of archaeological sites than the Dingle Peninsula. Footsteps of humankind can be traced here back to 5000 BC. There are also places and people that still hold the original Irish traditions and language.  You will stop awhile in picturesque Dingle town with its port and fungi, the Dingle dolphin mascot.  Lunch included and dinner at your hotel. Overnight Killarney.

Day 7, Wednesday, October 27: Killarney / Crystal Cave / Hill of Miracles / Seaweed Baths (B/L)

This morning you visit the Crag Crystal Cave, a colorful wonderland of stalagmites and stalactites, a majestic and fairy world in the dark and silent depths. Your guided tour takes you into the celestial caverns, where rivers once danced out their excitement, boldly standing guard over Crag’s heirless fortune. Majestic arcades run off into the deep, carrying their secret. Elevated vaults parade nature’s handiwork, where water and stone have molded their own story. We find the Goddess alive here, as one of the most famous stalagmites in the cave system is known to resemble the Madonna.  Time for a short stop at the renowned on-site gift shop, and then on to the Hill of Miracles in Ardfert, founded in the 6th century, as a monastic settlement, by St. Brendan. The area has been known for centuries by its name because of the numerous miracles said to have been performed there. Lunch will be in Ardfert. Then, on to Ballybunion in the afternoon for the Seaweed Baths, near the dramatic coastline of Ballybunion. Enjoy your pre-booked seaweed bath at a famous Bath House on The Ladies Strand.  The bath owners hand pick the seaweed daily from the local Blackrocks area, and the water provided for your bath is seawater, pumped straight from the Atlantic Ocean each day, heated and ready for you at the turn of a tap. Health benefits of bathing in the salt water are relief from general muscular stiffness, tension, arthritic and rheumatic pain. The hot water stimulates the release of concentrated iodine from the seaweed. This acts as a natural antiseptic, while its oils moisturize your skin, leaving a tingling freshness. You return to the hotel early evening for dinner on your own at the hotel. Overnight Killarney.

Day 8, Thursday, October 28:  In Killarney (B/D)
Today will be a day of R&R in and around Killarney. You will have the choice to explore more of Killarney National Park, with the native red deer, Muckross House traditional farm and grounds, and Ross Castle, as well as spending some time in Killarney town for retail therapy and/or body therapy.  Please Note: any bookings for massages or such will need to be booked in advance so please inquire.  Farewell dinner at your hotel with Amantha as she will be leaving you after Killarney. Overnight Killarney.

Day 9, Friday, October 29: Depart for Dublin / City Tour (B)
Transfer to the rail station where you board your train for the journey across Ireland to Dublin, the capital of and largest city in Ireland, located near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the center of the Dublin Region. A city with humble beginnings as a Viking trading port, Dublin evolved into a walled medieval city and then into an elegant Georgian metropolis with wide streets, gracious squares and great houses, neatly bordered by its two canals.  This part of your tour will be locally hosted. Check in at the hotel and then a tour of the city. Evening and dinner on your own.  Overnight Dublin.

Day 10, Saturday, October 30:  Dublin / Newgrange / Hill of Tara (B/D)

Today you’ll visit one of the world’s most famous archaeological valleys, the Boyne Valley, 30 miles from Dublin. Here the development of man can be traced back over 9,000 years to Neolithic times, with many well-preserved sites, buildings and monuments. The highlight of your visit is to one of Ireland’s most important sacred sites, the spectacular world-famous passage grave or passage Tomb of Newgrange with its kerbstones and megalithic art. Newgrange, with its sister sites Knowth and Dowth, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and feature some stunning examples of megalithic art, including the beautifully carved entrance stone. Continue as you visit another of Ireland’s most important sacred sites, The Hill of Tara, which is said to represent the mother womb of Ireland. The Hill of Tara was once the ancient seat of power in Ireland – 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. In ancient Irish religion and mythology it was the sacred place of dwelling for the gods, and was the entrance to the other world. Sitting on top of the King's Seat is the most famous of Tara's Monuments, Ireland's ancient coronation stone, known as the Lia Fáil or "Stone of Destiny", which was brought here, according to mythology, by Tuatha De Danann as one of their sacred objects. It was said to roar when touched by the rightful king of Tara. You have time to meditate in this powerful place to connect with the ancient and other-worldly energies. Later return to your hotel for your farewell dinner to Ireland.  Overnight Dublin.

Day 11, Sunday, October 31: Tour Ends / Depart Dublin (B)
Transfer to Dublin International Airport for your flight back home.

Please note: This itinerary is subject to change without notice due to circumstances beyond our control. Pre/post nights are available upon request. Travel insurance is highly recommended.  Some inclusions may not be available on indicated dates and dates may have to be adjusted.  Listed local Hosts and guides are subject to availability and will be hosting your itinerary wherever possible. However, due to scheduling, there may be some times when the local Host or guide is not available. If this occurs, BMSJ will provide a comparable and experienced substitute.

TOUR PRICES: 
** Bonus! SAVE! You will receive a 5% discount if ALL payments are made by check or money order. This discounted price is noted below in red.