Today we depart on our lacrosse adventure to Ireland. The next 7 days will offer an amazing opportunity to travel the world, compete internationally in lacrosse, and learn about Ireland Lacrosse. Sit back, get some rest and enjoy the in-flight service. Tomorrow we arrive in Dublin, Ireland!
Upon our arrival we are welcomed by our Irish tour guide and transferred to a practice field where we can work out the stiffness from our flight. Next we travel to our Dublin hotel for check-in. This evening we enjoy dinner and a concert at The Merry Ploughboy Pub. This live concert is widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin, and a must see for visitors. The show is a highly entertaining performance of traditional Irish music and dancing, with amazing interaction between the performers and audience.
This morning we depart Dublin for Killarney by Blarney. In Blarney we visit the world renowned Blarney Castle, located 8 km from Cork City. Built in 1446, the Blarney Castle is known for the famous Blarney stone, The Stone of Eloquence. The stone is believed to bestow eloquence on those who kiss it. Next we enjoy time at the Blarney Woollen Mills, a former mill and now the largest quality craft shop in Ireland. From here we travel to Kilarney and check into our hotel for a pre-game meal and time to rest before heading out to our scheduled friendly lacrosse match. After our match we will have a post match party with time to interact and become better friends with the team we just played.
Following breakfast we tour the Ring of Kerry, the most famous panoramic route in Ireland. On this route we view the diverse scenery of Iveragh, a large Irish peninsula. As we travel around the Ring, we take in the amazing sites of mountains, peat bogs, lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean. During our trip, we visit the Muckross House, a large, 19th century, stately home. From this house we view Muckross Lake and Killarney National Park. After our tour we return to our hotel for a pre-game meal and time to rest before heading out to our scheduled friendly lacrosse match. After our match we will have a party with time to interact and become better friends with the team we just played.
Today we depart Killarney for Limerick through the Cliffs of Moher. We begin our day traveling from Tarbert to Killimer on the Shannon car ferry with amazing views of the surrounding landscape. Located along the Atlantic Ocean and the Burren Region, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most spectacular sites at 230 meters tall and 8 km long. On a clear day, we can view the Aran Islands and hills of Connemara from Galway Bay. Next we visit the Atlantic Edge, a new interpretive center built into the natural landscape at the Cliffs of Moher. After this visit, we continue to Limerick via the Burren Region, a region filled with limestone, megalithic toms and Celtic crosses. The Burren Regions is truly an exceptional part of Ireland. Upon are arrival to Limerick, we check into our hotel and prepare for a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle. Standing on the banks of the Rathy River, the Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century by Earl of Thomond . For over 40 years, ladies of the castle welcomed guests from all over the world to the Earl’s Banquet. Our evening begins with a mead reception in the Great Hall of the castle. Next we continue downstairs to enjoy a four course meal and entertainment by the world renowned, Bunratty Castle Entertainers.
After breakfast we depart Limerick and return to Dublin for a panoramic city tour. During our tour we visit the north side of the River Liffey and view O’Connell Street, the Custom House along the quays, and Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. On the southern side of the River Liffey we visit Merrion Square to view Oscar Wilde’s home and visit local shops. On Kildare Street we view the home of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. Next we visit Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College, the site of Thomas Burgh’s Old Library building. Today, the library houses one of Ireland’s most illustrious books, the 9th century “Book of Kells.” Following our touring we check in to our hotel and prepare for our final lacrosse match. After the game we enjoy a meal with the opposing team where we can learn more about the culture and traditions of this magnificent country.
We say good bye to Ireland and transfer to the Dublin airport to begin our journey home.