Marching through St Patrick’s Day

Our 24-hour Tour Director will meet us at the airport and remain with us until our final airport departure. We will have use of a private coach and driver, while touring for the next seven days.

Delve straight into Irish Culture as we visit Causey's Farm in Co. Meath. This real working farm welcomes visitors and has a motto of "Get stuck in!!" You'll have the opportunity to walk the farm, meet the staff, milk cows, learn some ceili dancing, witness sheepdogs in action, and even take part in a traditional Irish bódhran (drum) class.

This beautiful town resides in the heart of the Irish midlands. The River Shannon splits this former garrison town in two, with most businesses and services sitting on its eastern bank. In the shadow of Athlone Castle, the western bank is an enchanting jumble of twisting streets, colorfully painted houses, historic pubs, antique shops and more.

This evening we will enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Arrival day sightseeing subject to final air confirmation.

Today we will enjoy a day trip to Limerick & Bunratty.

This morning we will participate in the 51st Limerick International Band Championship. The streets of Limerick will be filled with lively musical tones and the spectacular sight of over 1,300 talented marching band musicians from across Ireland, Europe and America.

This formidable castle built in the 15th century and has been preserved just as it would have looked in the 1500s. A visit to the castle will include the Great Hall, Main Guard and South Solar.

This evening we will enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

This castle was first built to defend the crossing point on the River Shannon that evolved into a bold defensive structure over the centuries. Learn of settlement in this part of Ireland's Ancient East, from the Neolithic period through Viking, and Medieval ages to modern life in Athlone. Prepare to walk in the steps of monks, kings, soldiers and generals through a series of modern exhibitions, authentic museum artefacts, interactive games and an intense 360-degree cinematic experience of the Great Siege of Athlone.

This afternoon we will have the option to participate in an Irish Dancing Workshop or GAA Workshop (to be decided prior to arrival). Irish Dance: Your instructor will take the group through the basic steps of Irish dance and demonstrate this unique Irish art form. At the end of the session, the group will be invited to perform with the instructor and dancers in a final performance of the famous "Riverdance!!" GAA Workshop: The Gaelic Athletic Association is at the heart of every community in Ireland, with every small village, town, and parish having a significant GAA clubs and pitch at its centre. Today we'll have the opportunity to try Gaelic Football and our national sport, Hurling.

This evening we will March through Athlone. Across Ireland, St. Patrick's Festival kicks off early and tonight we'll have the opportunity to kick-start the festival here in the heart of Ireland. We'll parade through the winding colourful streets of Athlone followed by a short performance in the main square. Afterwards you'll have time at leisure in the town to explore its many sights, shops, and restaurants.

The meal will be by the group's own arrangement and cost.

We continue on our journey from Athlone to Dublin. For the next three evenings we will enjoy our Dublin area hotel, where daily breakfast will be included.

Dublin is a complex small city, whose 19th-century architecture conceals a modern place filled with trendy shops, pubs, restaurants and boutiques. Long perceived to be stuck in the past, Dublin has experienced a rebirth that has brought new life to the historic, modern, charming, and entertaining city. Spend time wandering the Victorian streets, visiting the incredible churches and museums, exploring the vibrancy of the Temple Bar area, and discovering why Dublin is one of the most popular destinations for Europeans and the world.

Dublin, Ireland's capital, is one of the friendliest cities in the world. Founded in the 9th century, the city is proud of its Viking past and its streets and buildings are a living museum of its history since then. With medieval castles and cathedrals on display alongside the architectural splendours of the 18th-century, Dublin was the most handsome Georgian city of the British Empire. On our tour today you will experience Dublin in its own unique way, from the famous highlights to its hidden gems.

This evening we'll have the opportunity to meet with one of the local marching bands who will also be participating in tomorrow's festivities. Here we'll have the opportunity to perform for each other as well as a joint rehearsal (subject to both directors' approval and final confirmation). Afterwards we'll take some time to get to know each other over some light snacks and refreshments.

The meal will be by the group's own arrangement and cost.

Today we will participate in the St. Patrick's Parade in Dublin. The 2021 Festival Parade will weave its way through the heart of the capital city in a flourish of colour and flair. Ireland's finest street-theatre companies will swirl by with fantastical pageantry and raucous performances. Bands from Ireland will be joined by music ensembles from around the world and deliver uplifting rhythms for the spectacular procession.

This afternoon we will also participate in the Celbridge St. Patrick's Day Parade. The community of Celbridge hosts an annual St. Patrick's Parade, which has is recent years become the envy of community parades around Ireland. With it's proximity to Dublin City, this town has become the second parade for many bands and artists to continue their celebrations after the Dublin City Parade has finished!

This evening we will enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Meet the oldest university in Ireland. Trinity was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. The beautiful campus features cobbled squares, gardens, a picturesque quadrangle and buildings that date from the 17th to 20th centuries. Trinity College is also home to the Book of Kells, an 8th-century version of the four Gospels decorated with elaborate scripting and illumination. We will view this famous treasure and other early Christian manuscripts in the Colonnades, an exhibition area on the ground floor of the Old Library.

Get to know the national cathedral of the Church of Ireland. It is said that St. Patrick baptized converts on this site. Consequently, a church has stood here since 450 AD, making it the oldest Christian site in Dublin. The cathedral’s design is primarily Early English in style, and features a 300-foot-long interior and a square medieval tower that houses the largest ringing peal bells of Ireland. St. Patrick's is closely associated with Jonathan Swift, who was dean from 1713 to 1745, and whose tomb lies in the south aisle.

Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Our rewarding and enjoyable tour comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day.

The sightseeing content may be amended or eliminated in order to facilitate the best possible concert arrangements for your group.