IRELAND
Known for it’s green countryside and interesting cities, Ireland has a great deal of culture .
Ireland of the Postcard
Don’t think the Ireland of postcards is just a two-dimensional fiction: it very much exists. You’ll find it along the peninsulas of the southwest, in the brooding loneliness of Connemara and the dramatic wildness of County Donegal. It can be uncovered in the lakelands of Counties Leitrim and Roscommon and the undulating hills of the sunny southeast (‘sunny’ of course being a relative term). Ireland has modernised dramatically, but some things endure. Brave the raging Atlantic on a crossing to Skellig Michael or spend a summer’s evening in the yard of a thatched-cottage pub and you’ll experience an Ireland that has changed little in generations.
Tá Fáilte Romhat
On the plane and along your travels you might hear it said: tá Fáilte romhat (taw fall-cha row-at) – ‘You’re very welcome’. Or, more famously, céad míle fáilte – a hundred thousand welcomes. Irish friendliness is a tired cliché, an over-simplification of a character that is infinitely complex, but the Irish are nonetheless warm and welcoming. Wherever you meet them there’s a good chance a conversation will begin, pleasantries will be exchanged and, should you be a stranger in town, the offer of a helping hand extended. But, lest you think this is merely an act of unfettered altruism, rest assured that the comfort they seek is actually their own, for the Irish cannot be at ease in the company of those who aren’t. A hundred thousand welcomes. It seems excessive, but in Ireland, excess is encouraged, so long as it’s practised in moderation.
GET INSPIRED
It is all about the scenery
White sheep grazing on green grass, cliffs plunging into the ocean, brightly painted pubs, medieval castles, pastures delineated by dry-stone walls, wildflower fields, and authentic farms.
Stay in a castle
Enjoy a range of activities: horseback riding, golfing, fishing or falconry or archery or simply enjoy the beautiful grounds.
Go to Pubs
While enjoying traditional music, eat delicious fish and chips, brown bread and smoked salmon with a pint of local beer.
Read your classic again
Shaw, Yeats, Wilde, Joyce, Beckett…see the birthplaces and haunts of some of Ireland’s most famous writers from Dublin to County Sligo.
Have a taste of authenticity
Visit working fishing villages or woolen mills or cheese makers.
RECOMMENDED HOTELS
Hotel Ashford Castle
Overlooking Lough Corrib lake, on 350 acres of parkland, this luxe hotel occupies a 13th-century castle, 15 km from Headford town centre and 42 km from central Galway.
Opulent, old-world rooms come with antique rosewood furniture. All have free Wi-Fi, minibars and cable TV. Suites add separate dining rooms.
There’s a palatial restaurant serving upmarket Irish cuisine, as well as a bistro and a medieval-style pub. Afternoon tea is served in a Victorian-era drawing room. There’s also an oak-panelled bar. In addition to an indoor pool, amenities include a full-service spa, a cinema and 9-hole golf course, plus a falconry school.

Dromoland Castle
Set in a grand storied castle surrounded by countryside, this stately hotel is 14 km from Shannon Airport and 53 km from the Cliffs of Moher.
Refined rooms with classic furnishings are individually decorated and feature free Wi-Fi, smart TVs and minibars. Suites add sitting areas, and some also have 4-poster beds. Room service is available.
Full Irish breakfast and parking are complimentary. There’s an elegant restaurant and a bar, plus a formal lounge that offers afternoon tea. A posh spa features an indoor pool, a sauna, a steam room and a hot tub. Other amenities include a golf course and 2 tennis courts, plus fishing and clay shooting.

Hotel Brooks
This sophisticated hotel is 2 minutes’ walk from the shops along Grafton Street and 9 minutes on foot from Dublin Castle.
Plush rooms come with free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, as well as designer toiletries, minifridges, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Suites add sitting areas and balconies, and upgraded suites have separate living rooms. Room service is available 24/7.
There’s a modern restaurant, a cafe and a lounge bar. There’s also a private cinema and a gym.

Gregans Castle
Set in an 18th-century manor house on landscaped gardens, this elegant hotel is 5.3 km from Ballyvaughan, and 5.6 km from Aillwee Cave.
Country-chic, TV-free rooms are furnished with original artwork, antiques and armchairs. All have garden, bay or mountain views, along with free Wi-Fi. Some have 4-poster beds, sofas and private courtyards. Suites add private sitting rooms, sound systems and stone fireplaces. Tea and coffeemaking amenities are available on request. Room service is offered.
Amenities include a stylish restaurant serving gourmet meals, and a traditional fireside pub with a lunch menu.

CONTACT
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL AGENT FOR A QUOTE
Operations & Reservations
3477 Rushbrooke street, Suite 302
Verdun, QC, H4G IS8 CANADA
Corporate Headquarters
107-27 71st Avenue, Suite 403
Forest Hill, NY 11375
Phone: 1-514-285-8758
Toll free: 1-866-285-8758
Fax: 1-514-285-9128
Email: info@eetvl.com