Ireland – Scotland

Jewish tours to Ireland and Scotland

Ireland – Scotland, lands of fascinating cultural heritage interweaves with soul-expanding scenery as you travel to our cousins on the other side of the Atlantic. First, Ireland – the “Emerald Isle” of folktales, legends, music, four-leafed-clovers – and the friendliest people in Europe. Enjoy the lush landscape of this magical land, source of some of the world’s best poets, writers, and whiskies! Then, on to Scotland, proud of its heritage and its independent approach to the common wealth of the British Ises. Aside from Glasgow and Edinburgh, travel among old mountains and narrow lakes in the Scottish Higland.

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Day 1 Monday Shannon – Limerick – Killarney

Welcome to Ireland – Scotland at Shannon Airport, where you will meet your charming Irish guide and board a luxury coach. Begin with a tour of Limerick, made famous by Frank McCourt’s memoir (and movie) ANGELA’S ASHES, as well as by the amusing rhymes we call “limericks.” Limerick is the site of King John’s Castle as well as a tiny Jewish cemetery, housing only six tombs. Next, enjoy a scenic drive to gorgeous, green County Kerry. This afternoon, enjoy a leisurely horse-and-carriage ride in Killarney. Welcome Dinner. Killarney Park Hotel. (D)

Day 2 Tuesday Killarney – Ring of Kerry – Killarney

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel along one of the world’s most exquisite coastal routes, the Ring of Kerry. Enjoy spectacular ocean scenery as you pass through picturesque Irish villages. You will also see why this nation is called “The Emerald Isle” – all that rain is good for the lush grasses. Continue on through rugged mountain passes into “Ladies View,” where you (whether Lady or Gent) will enjoy breathtaking vistas over the Lakes of Killarney. Killarney Park Hotel. (B)

Day 3 Wednesday Killarney – Cork – Kingscourt

Breakfast at the hotel. Next, drive to Cobh, where you will visit the Cobh Heritage Centre and learn about Irish culture, suffering, and diaspora. (As Jews, we can definitely relate to all of the above.) Next, travel to Cork to visit the local Jewish sites and enjoy Lunch. In the afternoon arrive at the Kingscourt Castle with time to enjoy the beautiful and stately grounds of the Castle and its surroundings. Dinner at the castle; this side of Ireland is the stuff of magic. Kingscourt Cabra Castle. (B/L/D)

Day 4 Thursday Kingscourt – Dublin

Breakfast at the Castle. This morning, travel to Belfast and meet with members of its Jewish community. In the afternoon, learn about the plight of Northern Ireland while conversing with former political prisoners as an Irish Republican guide will accompany you along the Falls Road, sharing his first-hand history of life during what were known as “the Troubles.” You will then enjoy hearing from a Loyalist guide, who will give his own version of “the Troubles.” You will need a brain like King Solomon to contemplate solving these issues (not only the Jews have “tzores”). Lunch is served during the tour. Then, travel to Dublin, vibrant capital of this nation. Radisson Hotel. (B/L)

Day 5 Friday Dublin

Breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, meet your local Jewish guide for a sightseeing tour of Dublin, including a look at the city’s rich Jewish history. Although we are small in number here (as is true around the world), Dublin boasts a great Jewish legacy. In fact, the formerly Jewish area of Portobello is now home to the Irish Jewish Museum. You will also see the site of the Walworth Road Synagogue, which once accommodated 150.  Due to migration to the suburbs and an overall decline in numbers, this shul fell into disuse in the 70’s and brought back to life with the establishment of the Jewish Museum Committee in 1984.  Enjoy a visit the Dublin Hebrew Congregation, the product of this revival. In the afternoon visit the famed Guinness Brewery, internationally recognized as the creator of dark beer. Tonight, Friday Night Dinner.  (Did you ever think you’d see a shul, a Jewish Museum, and a JCC, all in one Irish city?) Radisson Hotel. (B/D)

Day 6 Saturday Dublin

Breakfast at the hotel. This springtime Shabbat provides an occasion to rest and experience Dublin at your own pace. Or join a walking tour to the Trinity College home to the Book of the Kells. Tonight, can be an evening to remember celebrating a festive Dublin Dinner, complete with Irish entertainment. Ireland has a musical soul, along with a beguiling gift for lyrics (and blarney) that no one can resist.  No wonder James Joyce and William Butler Yeats were inspired to write about it. Radisson Hotel. (B/D)

Day 7 Sunday Dublin – Glasgow

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, continue the Ireland – Scotland journey as you transfer to the airport and fly to Glasgow. Scotland’s most vibrant city boasts a strong and loyal Jewish community, as evidenced by its synagogues and the availability of Jewish-inspired “nosh.” You will also be amazed by the Glaswegian accent: Can you understand what anyone is saying? Are they actually speaking English? Luckily, “Shalom” can be understood by Jews everywhere. Lunch is served during the tour. Continue touring Glasgow in the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel. Hilton Hotel. (B/L)

Day 8 Glasgow – Inverness

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning depart Glasgow for a two visit to the Scottish Highland. Today drive to the legendary Loch Lomond, where you will enjoy a cruise. Later continue to the Glencoe area. Here the word “spectacular” can be fully appreciated with the dramatic vistas over the bleak expanse of Rannoch Moor the awesome mountains of Buachaille Etive Mor and the Three Sisters loom on either side. The name Glencoe means ‘Valley of Weeping’, thanks to it being the site of the Massacre of Glencoe in the 17^th century. In the late afternoon, drive along the Loch Ness famed for the crypto-zoological Loch Ness Monster also known affectionately as “Nessie”. Arrive in Inverness and check-in at the hotel. Dinner server at the hotel. MacDonald Drumossie Hotel. (B/D)

Day 9 Inverness – Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart Inverness and head for the Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park in the UK. Here you will find Britain’s highest and most massive mountain range, its biggest native forests, spectacularly clean rivers and lochs, moorland and farmland and a stronghold for Britain’s wildlife. En route enjoy a sheepdog demonstration at the Leault Farm while admiring the amazing landscape. Continue to the Dalwhinnie area where you will visit the local distillery, today recognized as one of the finest producers of quality Scotch whiskey. See the distillers at work, harnessing the snow-fed waters of the Allt an t’Sluic, fresh from their journey through moorland heather, producing a wonderfully full-bodied, smooth and warming malt whisky. Dalwhinnie, in Gaelic ‘The meeting place’ was where, in the past, drovers from the North and West would meet before driving their cattle onwards to the markets in Crieff and Falkirk. Continue to Edinburgh after two special days in the remote area of Scotland. Principal George Street Hotel. (B)

Day 10 Wednesday Edinburgh

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, a local Scottish guide will take you on a walk through small but stately Edinburgh, including a visit to its Castle and Holyrood House.  This city spawned Harry Potter’s magic, as J.K. Rowling sat drinking cups of milky Scottish tea, with perhaps a scone as well. Did you know that “scone” is a Scottish word, pronounced “scuhn?” Speaking of accents, you’ll find that people in Edinburgh are a bit more comprehensible than their Glasgow rivals. The rest of the day is at leisure to stroll through this bonny town. Principal George Street Hotel. (B/D)

Day 11 Thursday Edinburgh – Home Flight

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA or continue on an extension, after this unique Ireland – Scotland journey (B)