The Celtic's Traveler's

IRELAND

Accompanied Travel & Learning Adventures in the Irish Gaeltacht

From the time you top the pass on the old country road and see the village of Dun Chaoin and the ocean and the Blasket Islands spread out before you, ir will be obvious that this is a special place and that your time here will be special, too.

Irish castle

Your experience will start with the casual atmosphere of Shannon airport, and your arrival in the misty dawn followed by the drive south and west to Tralee, the gateway to the Dingle Penisula. The farther you get from Shannon and Limerick, the more sparse and rural the country becomes. The gently rolling hills slowly evolve into mountains, and the towns you pass through begin to take on the distinctive eccentricity of western Ireland.

West of Tralee the landscape begins to change more dramatically. As you move out onto the rocky finger of Ireland’s westernmost landmass, the hills become fogwreathed mountains, and Tralee Bay on your right reaches west to the great rolling Atlantic. In a few minutes, weather permitting, between a fold of grey rock and green field on your left, you will catch your first glimpse of Dingle Bay.

In about three hours after leaving Shannon you will arrive in Dingle. If you walk around the little town perched on the hill over its busy harbor, you will begin to absorb the flavor of the place, and you will begin to feel that you are much farther from the world than a mere six hours of flying and three hours of driving would indicate. In the next ten miles, as you resume the journey out to Dun Chaoin at the extreme western tip of the Peninsula, you will move even further back into a way of life whose warmth, pace, and tone are likely to stay a part of you for the rest of your life.

A couple of miles west of Ventry, turn right at Paidi O Se’s pub and pale-green grocery store and take the narrow old road, the Mam Clasach, over the gentle Mount Eagle to the village of Dun Chaoin. (Watch for Sammy, the grey-and-black sheepdog who directs traffic at this crossroads.) Stop for a moment at the top of the pass and look down over the panorama of village, ocean, islands, and sky. This is your welcome to Dun Chaoin, and the warm and vital heart of Ireland.

THE CELTIC TRAVELER INFORMATION

Q:Do we spent the whole time in the same place?

A:Yes. Once you settle into your accomadations there will be no need to pack and unpack every as you trundle from place to place. But it would be a mistake to think that the trip will therefore be a confined experience. Far from it. This relatively small area (a rectangle approximately 10 by 30 miles in size) is so full of spectacular scenery, interesting people, and compelling historical sites that it would be impossible to see and experience everything in ayear, much less two weeks.

Q:How strenuous is the walking involved in the trip?

A:As strenuous-or leisurely-as you choose to make it. We will be exploring ruined castles, abandoned villages, ancient bee-hive huts, mountain lakes and waterfalls, pre-Christian stone forts, medieval cemetaries, old churches, harbors, and beaches, druiodic sites, 6th century monastic settlements, and other spots. Of course not all our activities involve hiking-among our more sedentary pursuits are pub music evenings, storytelling sessions, and leisurely evening meals with local residents.

SCHEDULES, FEES, AND ARRANGEMENTS

Reservations are now being accepted for the following 1997 Celtic Traveler Trips...

15-29 May 10-18 July 11-25 September

15-23 May 11-19 September

Gaelic Workshop: 1-9 July

RESERVATIONS AND DEPOSITS

Because Celtic Traveler is so small, early reservation is advised. A $300 deposit will hold your place on any trip. This deposit includes a non-refundable $100 registration fee. The remainder of the fee will be due 60 days before departure. In the unlikely event of the cancellation of atrip by Celtic Traveler, all monies will be refunded immediately.

THE ONE WEEK OPTION

The one week option has been added for those travelers whose schedules will not permit them to enjoy the full Celtic Traveler experience.

Reservations and/or Further Information
The Celtic Traveler
P. O. Box 7006
York, PA 17404
Phone: (717)764-6667
Email: ireland@blazenet.net

21st Century Adventures' Front Cover