Boston Crusaders - Alumni Ireland Tour 2023

Day 1 - Friday, March 10

 Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Ireland. 

Day 2 - Saturday, March 11

Arrive at Dublin International Airport

Your tour director / guide will meet your group on arrival and will stay with you for the entire tour.

Panoramic Bus Tour of Dublin City, Irelands Capital

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 it’s 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 when 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 it’s hidden gems.

Suggested accommodation – Ashling Hotel x 7 nights

Located in Dublin’s City Centre, just 15 minutes from St. Stephen’s Green, Overlooking the River Liffey, The Ashling Hotel is beside Heuston Station in Dublin. This 4-star hotel has beautifully decorated interiors, spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi, and a stylish bar.  The Ashling is located just a 5-minute walk from Dublin Zoo and the Guinness Storehouse. A 5-minute journey on the LUAS tram brings you to the lively Temple Bar area. Decorated in warm tones, rooms have comfortable beds with crisp white duvets. Rooms include flat-screen TVs and in-room safes.

Welcome dinner in your hotel tonight

Day 3 - Sunday, March 12

This morning visit the EPIC Museum
You won’t find leprechauns or pots of gold here, but you’ll discover that what it means to be Irish expands far beyond the borders of Ireland through the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, poets, artists and even outlaws all over the world. Discover Ireland from the outside in and find out why saying “I’m Irish” is one of the biggest conversation starters, no matter where you are.

Following EPIC we head out to Gormanstown for the open rehearsals. 

After the rehearsal we return to Dublin.

Dinner is at your own arrangement this evening.

Day 4 - Monday, March 13

Attend Open Rehearsals this morning.

Visit the Guinness Storehouse
Join us at the Guinness Storehouse to experience the history, heart, and soul of Ireland’s most iconic beer. Explore the story of Guinness before taking in the views of Dublin from the Gravity Bar while enjoying the perfectly poured, perfectly chilled pint of Guinness included in your ticket. Visit our restaurant to try Guinness-inspired food pairings made with fresh, local ingredients all while taking in the city’s best views. A great shout for all those long-overdue catch-ups you’ve been planning with pals. 

Dinner will be in a local restaurant tonight in the general Temple Bar area 

Day 5 - Tuesday, March 14

After an early morning breakfast we head North.

Visit Titanic Centre, Belfast
Titanic Belfast is a visitor attraction and a monument to Belfast’s maritime heritage on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in the city’s Titanic Quarter where the RMS Titanic was built.

Panoramic City Tour of Belfast with a Walk-on Guide
Belfast is Northern Ireland’s capital. It was the birthplace of the RMS Titanic, which famously struck an iceberg and sunk in 1912. This legacy is recalled in the renovated dockyards’ Titanic Quarter, which includes the Titanic Belfast, an aluminium-clad museum reminiscent of a ship’s hull, as well as shipbuilder Harland & Wolff’s Drawing Offices and the Titanic Slipways, which now host open-air concerts.

The Corp has a Static performance at Belfast City Hall
In 1888 Queen Victoria granted Belfast the status of the city and it was agreed that a grand and magnificent building was required to reflect this new status. City Hall opened its doors on the first of August 1906, at a time of unprecedented prosperity and industrial might for the city. The new City Hall was designed by Alfred Brumwell Thomas in the Baroque Revival style and constructed in Portland stone. The incredible building cost £369,000 to complete, the equivalent around 128 million pounds today but remains an extraordinary beacon of success and civic pride for Belfast. City Hall has many connections with the famous ocean liner Titanic. Viscount William Pirrie who was Lord Mayor in 1896-1897 just before City Hall’s construction, was also managing director of Harland & Wolff Shipyard. He is the man credited as having the idea for both ambitious builds. He used many of his skilled workmen in the fit-out of City Hall which is why the interiors today are considered an incredible insight into the finish of Titanic’s lounges and suites, the ship’s carving panelling being very similar.

Following the performance, the group will have time to visit the hall and have time at leisure in the City.

As this is a long day and dinner will be in your hotel this evening.

Day 6 - Wednesday, March 15

Morning at leisure in Dublin

Visit Glendalough
In a stunning glaciated valley in County Wicklow, in the sixth century, one of Ireland’s most revered saints founded a monastery. The foundation of St Kevin at Glendalough became one of the most famous religious centres in Europe. The remains of this ‘Monastic City’, which are dotted across the glen, include a superb round tower, numerous medieval stone churches and some decorated crosses. Of particular note is St Kevin’s Bed, a small man-made cave in the cliff face above the Upper Lake. It is said that St Kevin lived and prayed there, but it may actually be a prehistoric burial place that far predates him. Learn all about this hallowed place in the fine interpretive centre before exploring the site for yourself. If you do, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the two lakes and a uniquely spiritual atmosphere.

From Glendalough we travel directly to join with the Corps for an evening of Irish Music and song at Taylors Three Rock

Dinner at Taylors Three Rock
Ireland’s most loved pub and entertainment venue Taylors Three Rock involves a rip roaring evening of traditional Irish song and dance accompanied by a great selection of quality Irish food to delight your palate.

Day 7 - Thursday, March 16

After a final morning at leisure in Dublin we visit Teelings Distillery in the afternoon

The Teeling Whiskey Distillery is perfectly located to visit while enjoying a staycation in Dublin, or a day out exploring with friends and family.

From Dublin we travel to Howth and the Abbey Tavern for dinner and entertainment

With its original stone walls, flagged floors, blazing turf fires and friendly staff, a truly warm welcome awaits you in one of Dublin’s best and most iconic venues.

Day 8- Friday, March 17th- St. Patricks' Day

Noon: St. Patrick’s Parade Begins
The 2023 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.

Late Afternoon: Maynooth Parade Begins
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!

Dinner will be in a local restaurant this evening.

Day 9 - Saturday, March 18

Your tour concludes with a transfer to Dublin Airport.

Slán Abhaile! (Safe Home!)