IRELAND TOUR

JUNE 14-23, 2014

Counties Mayo, Galway, and Clare

The Cliffs of Moher

"The memories from our trip we will cherish forever. I didn't know what to expect and was leery because I have never felt good about group tours. I could not possibly have been more wrong. The sights, the sounds, the music, the laughter, the singing, the pubs, the Guinness, the Murphys, the Redbreast! And that doesn't even count the company of these two very special people, Sparky and Rhonda."

"The problem with last summer's trip to Ireland is that every time I think about it I remember yet one more part of it that I liked "best." Sparky and Rhonda always knew the right song for each situation or made it all up as we went along, but gracefully and beautifully. We sang not only in pubs but in very old churches and, of course, on the bus. I am sure that because it was Sparky and Rhonda we went with, only interesting people signed up. By the end I felt these were 20 of my dearest friends, even though I may never see them again."

Then come on a 10-day trip to Ireland with Sparky and Rhonda “O’Rucker” !

This is the chance of a lifetime to enjoy a special holiday exploring the wonders of Ireland. We will be hosting this tour along with Inishfree Irish Music Tours.

The group is limited to 22 guests (on a first come, first served basis).  
Email us at info@sparkyandrhonda.com if you are interested.

We will explore ancient stone circles, museums, historic castles, fishing villages, interpretive centers, beaches, bogs, or even an island. We’ll be traveling in a 28-seat luxury bus and at night we’ll rest in lovely hotels. In the evening, we’ll have dinner and hear some great Irish music. There will also be opportunities for you to present a song or story if you want. Or you can just relax and enjoy the fun, as you lift a pint to toast the evening.

The cost for the tour is $2250 per person based on double occupancy. We will do our best to match up roommates if preferred. Single rooms are an additional $350 total per person for all 9 nights. The fee also includes all ground transportation, all lodging, including full breakfast each morning. We also provide 3 evening group meals, and the cost for our featured Irish musicians, poets, writers, etc. Guests pay for their own flights to and from Shannon International Airport SNN, all lunches, 6 dinners on your own, free day activities, drinks, tips, etc.

A $500 deposit is required to hold slots after confirmation.  The balance is split between two payments, which are required 6 months and 3 months before the tour start date.

Refund policy is that all money is refunded up to 4 months before. Less than 4 months out, 100% is refunded only if a replacement traveler can be found. If the slot can’t be filled, 50% of all money is refunded up to 3 months out. No refunds are given less than 3 months out. Trip insurance is recommended.

We highly recommend that you arrive a day early, if possible, to avoid any stress caused by a cancelled flight, bags not showing up, etc.  If you can afford the time and an extra night lodging at a local B & B, you won't regret it. 

Keep in mind that all flights from the USA are overnight flights, arriving in the morning, which means that in order to arrive on June 13th (a day early), you would actually be departing North America on the 12th. All return flights leave Ireland in the morning and arrive in North America on the same day.   If this is something you’d like to do, our liaison person can help find you accommodations. Your return flight should be booked for June 23rd. Before booking flights, you'll need to confirm with our liaison person.

Ireland requires a passport, and it can take up to 10 weeks for your passport to arrive, although typically it takes less time.

Note that nothing is written in stone, as in Ireland the weather can sometimes interfere with outdoor plans!

We'll be staying 3 days in Westport (County Mayo), 3 days in Clifden (County Galway), and 3 days in Doolin (County Clare), the Mecca of Irish traditional music. Possible activities include a walking tour of colorful “Shop Street” in Galway and see the beautiful Connemara area. We might take a boat ride to Inishbofin Island where time has stood still. There is gorgeous walk along one-lane roads around the island.

We will visit the world famous Cliffs of Moher and also see the wonderful St. Bridgets Well.  If we’re lucky, we’ll get to go to McDermott's famous pub and hear Blackie O'Connell on the Irish Uilleann (elbow) Pipes. We might also get to take a ferry to one of the Aran Islands and return with a cruise UNDER the Cliffs of Moher. This is a sight not to be missed! We will also visit the Burren, which is a 250 square mile Limestone region, and meet with our friend P J Curtis. He is Ireland's best musicologist – a writer and historian. Our last night, we’ll spend a couple of hours together discussing our trip and saying our goodbyes before retiring to a pub for a last night of music.

We hope you will join us in Ireland and acquire memories that will last forever!

Photo taken by Rhonda Rucker on 2012 Ireland Tour

FOR BOOKINGS, CONTACT SPARKY AND RHONDA RUCKER