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Ireland 2023
Ireland Trip March/April 2023
Hello to all our prospective travelers and those already confirmed. Below you will find a detailed description of our Ireland trip set for late March 2023. Here you will find our travel agents description of the tour (Hammond Tours) and some notes from Keith and the boys. This tour is almost sold out so make sure to contact HAMMOND TOURS with all your questions and to save your spot asap.
Saturday, March 25th Leave the US for Ireland
Sunday, March 26th. Kilkenny
Hammond Tours say…March 26th Dublin Airport- Kilkenny- Morning arrival at Dublin Airport where once clearing customs and collecting our luggage, we meet our driver guides & Tour escort in the arrival’s hall of Dublin Airport. For Land Only passengers, you will be advised of time to meet the group at Dublin Airport. Depending on timing of the group arrival, the group will either make its way to breakfast (Not included) or travel south to Kilkenny and check into our first hotel, the Kilkenny River Court. Dinner & Overnight Kilkenny River Court.
Keith’s note. This is the big “Meet and Greet” night where everyone gets to see who’s on the trip (including the band) and start to build memories that will last a lifetime. We all have dinner together and most likely a few pints afterwards. No gig on this day.
Monday, March 276h. Kilkenny
Hammond Tours say… Today, after a leisurely breakfast, we will make our way to visit Kilkenny Castle. Few buildings in Ireland can boast a longer history of continuous occupation then Kilkenny Castle. Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit the changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years. Enjoy this grand country house and walk through its fifty acres of rolling parkland with mature trees and an abundance of wildlife. Free afternoon in Kilkenny. Overnight Kilkenny River Court.
Keith’s Note. This will be the first show. You will all have your “Passes” which get you free admission into the concert. If the venue is more than walking distance from the hotel, the busses will drop you there and pick you up after the gig. We will need everyone in full voice as we rock Kilkenny to the core.
Tuesday, March 28th. Kilkenny- Killarney.
Hammond Tours says. After breakfast we depart Kilkenny and travel to the Rock of Cashel where we enjoy a visit. Originally the seat of the kings of Munster, according to legend, St Patrick himself came here to convert King Aenghus to Christianity. Brian Boru was crowned High King at Cashel in 978 and made it his capital. After our visit, we continue southwest to our destination, Killarney. Dinner and Overnight Killarney Towers Hotel
Keith’s note. This is another chance for us all to have dinner together again. By now you are in the full swing of things. We will be playing a show in Killarney but haven’t confirmed which day just yet. We will know soon. Most likely it will be the following day so this will be a night to find cool local bars and maybe catch some traditional Irish music. Either way you will be hanging out with the band and enjoying this magical town.
Wednesday, March 29th. Killarney.
Hammond Tours say. Today we enjoy Killarney and its surrounding beauty. We will stagger the coaches so everyone can enjoy a horse and carriage ride. Explore the beauty of the Lake of Killarney and the Killarney National Park. The Park is one of the gems of the town, set against the backdrop of the three lakes of Killarney. You take in the beauty it offers firsthand, and maybe even come face to face with some of the local wildlife, including the red deer. Overnight Killarney Towers Hotel
Keith’s note. No guarantees on seeing a red deer but you will see a few sweaty faced Dubs as we will most likely take to the stage for our second concert of the trip. This is always a highlight of the tour as there are many tourists and locals about. However, only you guys have free passes!!!
Thursday, March 30th. Killarney- Cork.
Hammond Tours say. Enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast this morning. Our next stop, Blarney Castle, (admission to the castle is not included) is home to the Blarney Stone. Here you can plant your lips on the Blarney Stone, which supposedly gives one the gift of gab. The Blarney Stone is perched at the top of a steep climb up a spiral staircase. On the battlements, you bend backwards over a long, long drop (with safety grill and attendant to prevent tragedy) to kiss the stone;Time to visit and shop the famous woolen mills. We continue to Cork. Overnight River Lee Hotel Cork.
Keith’s note. Nowadays the thought of putting your lips on a stone that has been kissed by millions might seem a bit dodgy, but rest assured, all precautions have been taken to make sure you only leave with the “gift of the gab” and not some strange dose. Tonight, will be our third show of the tour. Cork is an amazing city, vibrant and rocking. This show will be one of the best. Hopefully you haven’t lost your passes (just kidding, we can replace them for a pint) The photo above is from 2018, the last time we played Cork
Friday, March 31st. Cork.
Hammond Tours say. This day is being planned by the band. It will involve the Clonakilty Whiskey Distillery. See below. Overnight River Lee Cork
Keith’s note. We have something VERY special planned for you on this day. It turns out I have a distant relative who makes whiskey. Can you believe the luck? On this day we all visit the distillery for a tour and tasting. The whole band will be along for the trip, and we will spend the evening in a local pub in this beautiful coastal town. There might even be a private show!
We will be back at the hotel in Cork around 8pm, plenty of time to keep the party going. This will be a day you will not soon forget.
Saturday, April 1st. Dublin
Hammond Tours say. Cork- Dublin. Today we depart Cork and make our way northeast to Dublin. Today is our longest journey with sightseeing along the way but also doing our best to get you to Dublin as quickly as possible. On arrival, you may choose to visit Guinness Storehouse for a peek at the makings of this world-famous brew. Make sure to visit Dublin’s oldest Pub this afternoon, The Brazen Head, or the Temple Bar, or O’Donoghue’s in Dublin’s fair city. Overnight Camden Court Hotel.
Keith’s notes. My hometown. What can I say? I’m obviously bias but you will love this metropolitan city. It has grown so much since I moved to the US but remains a unique experience. There is nowhere else like it.
This will be our last show of the tour and quite possibly the best. Year after year the shows get better and better. As usual you will have your “Get in Free” passes so don’t worry about it selling out. You are our guests of honor, and we are delighted to have you at the final show.
Sunday, April 2nd. Dublin
Hammond Tours says. Dublin. Today is a free day in Dublin. We suggest a Hop On/Hop Off Dublin Bus Pass. You’ll be sure to see St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Jonathan Swift gave his sermons; or the G.P.O. on O’Connell Street, the scene of the 1916 Easter Uprising where bullet-holes remain to this day. Visit the famous Phoenix Park where Pope John Paul II said Mass in 1979 to over a million people; and finally, Trinity College to view the 8th century manuscripts, the Book of Kells, still preserved as they were when the monks produced them all those centuries ago. You may also like to take a visit to Dublin’s newest museum, a high-tech, interactive exploration of emigration and its effect on Ireland and the 70 million or so people spread throughout the world that claim Irish ancestry. Overnight Camden Court Dublin.
Keith’s notes. A bittersweet night as we share one last drink and get in all the last-minute pictures, hugs and pints. We usually end up in “The Bleedin Horse pub” which is attached to the hotel and a national treasure.
Monday, April 3rd. Home
Hammond Tours says. Dublin-USA. After breakfast we are transferred to nearby Dublin Airport. In the off chance that you missed shopping opportunities; Dublin has a large Duty-Free Shop that you can visit once you are checked in for your flight. In the traditional Irish way, we wish you “Safe Home”.
Keith’s note. We say goodbye to our friends, old and new. We’ll see you all back Stateside when we come and play a town near you.