Thursday, September 20, 2012

Your Gathering Idea

There are so many ways you can showcase your community, business, club or association. No idea is too big, too small or too quirky. Decide early on what exactly you want your event to achieve. Maybe you want to showcase a particular tradition associated with your community or celebrate a unique impact it has made on the world. Your gathering could have a community development theme so that visitors can make a positive contribution to their place of origin. Or maybe 2013 could simply be the perfect opportunity for a family reunion. If you’re not sure what direction you want to take, you can find inspiration on www.thegatheringireland.com.

Remember that your event doesn’t have to be an entirely new one. You can also add to an existing local event. Organisations such as the Irish Farmers’ Association, the GAA, Scouting Ireland, The Irish Countrywomen’s Association and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are mobilising members all over Ireland. Find out what’s planned in your area and consider ways to work together.

Whether you’re planning a school or family reunion, genealogy event or business gathering, remember the overall objective: encouraging visitors to spend time in Ireland in 2013.

Let Celtic Tours World Vacations help plan your Gathering in Ireland, 2013.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

7 Tips to Plan a Successful Gathering


The Gathering in Ireland is a year-long celebration of all that is unique and great about Ireland: our vibrant, living culture, heritage and people. Plan your 2013 Gathering in Ireland! Here are 7 tips to plan a successful Gathering:

1. Work with Celtic Tours World Vacations!
With over 40 years in the business of planning quality and affordable vacations to Ireland, we know Ireland! Let us help you plan your group trip to Ireland for the Gathering, 2013

2. Decide who you want to invite
The Gathering, Ireland is about getting back to your roots, learning your history and having a lot of fun in the process! To plan the best Gathering possible, you first have to decide who you want to invite. Seek out your connections around the US such as friends, family, school and work colleagues and start communicating with them now. Get them involved in the planning and excited about visiting Ireland in 2013!

3. Schedule your Gathering around existing events
Don't do it alone! Throughout Ireland there will be events from sports to concerts and festivals. Join in the crowd and rub elbows with distant relatives.

4. Actively involve your group
Get your group involved in the planning of your group trip to Ireland. Think of ways for them to participate that will help them reconnect with their ancestral community. For example, being part of a community development project in Ireland could be a meaningful experience for the visitor to Ireland and let them leave a lasting legacy to be proud of.

5. Keep the local press informed
Stay in touch with the local press such as radio and tv stations, newspapers, local journalists and editors. Send good quality press releases - this is a great way to reach a lot of people for FREE!

6. Utilize your resources
When you book your group trip to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations, you get free color flyers and co-op advertising. There are also a lot of valuable resources for your Gathering available at www.thegatheringireland.com including posters, invites and How to guides.

7. Share your experiences
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and tell us about it - we love to hear about your travels to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Excited to visit Ireland with your group? Give Celtic Tours World Vacations a call to start planning today! 1-800-833-4373

Celtic Tours Offers Group Packages for The Gathering, Ireland



Celtic Tours World Vacations is pleased to offer group packages for the Gathering in Ireland, 2013. The Gathering, Ireland is a year-long celebration of being Irish. Whether you are Irish-born or Irish in spirit, Ireland is calling you to Ireland to celebrate with her and Celtic Tours World Vacations has group packages for you. Celtic Tours is pleased to offer group space in regularly scheduled departures of our escorted tours, or design your own gathering with the group department at Celtic Tours World Vacations. Gather your friends and family and jump into Ireland for the Gathering, 2013.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Neolithic Sites of Ireland




Ireland is thought to have been inhabited from around 6000BC by people of a mid-Stone Age culture. And about 4,000 years later, tribes from Southern Europe arrived and established a high Neolithic culture. The best-known Neolithic sites in Ireland are the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth in County  Meath. Both were built around 3200BC, making them older than Stonehenge in England, and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Explore the ancient history of Ireland at Neolithic sites. Here are just a few:

The Loughcrew Cairns
The Loughcrew Cairns, also known as the Hills of the Witch, are a group of Neolithic passage tombs dating to 3000 BC. The tombs are located on three different hills and Cairn T, one of the largest tombs in the complex, is situated on Cairnbane East. Inside this tomb lies a cruciform chamber, a corbelled roof and some of the most beautiful examples of Neolithic art in Ireland. During the Vernal and Autumn Equinox people gather at dawn in Cairn T to watch sunlight enter the chamber and illuminate the inside of the tomb.




Newgrange
Newgrange was constructed over 5,000 years ago (about 3,200 B.C.), making it older than Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Newgrange was built during the Neolithic or New Stone Age by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. Knowth and Dowth are similar mounds that together with Newgrange have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.




Ceide Fields
Beneath the wild boglands of North Mayo lies the Céide Fields, the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world, consisting of field systems, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs. The stone walled fields, extending over thousands of acres are almost 6,000 years old, the oldest known in the world. They are covered by a natural blanket bog with it's own unique vegetation and wildlife. The Visitor Centre has won several awards, including the Gold Medal for architecture. It is located beside some of the most spectacular cliffs and rock formations in Ireland and a viewing platform is positioned on the edge of the 110m high cliff.




Dun Aonghasa
Perched spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic ocean, this is the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands. It is enclosed by three massive dry-stone walls and a "chevaux-de-frise" consisting of  tall blocks of limestone set vertically into the ground to deter attackers.






Rathcroghan
Hidden within the tranquil scenery of North Co. Roscommon is the Ancient Royal Site of Cruachan (Rathcroghan), a four square mile archaeological complex dating back over 5000 years. The literary home of Queen Meave, the Warrior Queen mentioned in the Ulster Cycle and the main protagonist in the story of the Táin Bó Cuailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley), Rathcroghan is one of 5 ancient Provincial Royal sites dating back to the Iron Age and played a central part in the ancient history of Ireland.




Drombeg
This lovely recumbent stone circle is locally known as the Druid's Altar, and is located on the edge of a rocky terrace with fine views to the sea about a mile away. The word Drombeg means 'the small ridge'.



Kenmare
This circle lies in the town of Kenmare itself, not far from the Cromwell Bridge. Unlike any other ring in Muster, this one is egg-shaped, measuring 17.4 x 15.8m (56 x 49ft). Such shapes are unusual; their design could be a late geometrical development.




Dolmen of the Four Moals

Ballina is a lovely little town on the estuary of the Moy River. on a small hill near the railway station, lies the dolmen of the Four Maols. It is immediately beside the road and is signposted as a National Monument.




Kilcooney
On the east of the lane behind the Kilclooney church lies this magnificent site, composed by two dolmens within the remains of a 25m (82ft) long cairn.

Visit these Neolithic Sites in Ireland and more on your next self-drive tour of Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Sunset Kayak Trip - Lakes of Killarney

Watch The Sun Set In The West Over Killarney National Park & Dingle On This Magical Kayak Trip

Kayak silently past rustling islands and sleepy swans. Land at the mystical 6th century abbey ruins on Innisfallen Island and hopefully glimpse some of Ireland's last native red deer. Return by kayak to Ross Castle in twilight, and possibly moonlight, as nightfall creeps over the oak and yew woods.

No Previous Kayaking Experience Is Needed.

Experience this magical adventure on Celtic Tours World Vacations Choose Your Own Adventure self-drive vacation to Ireland.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Choose Your Own Irish Adventure



Choose your own Irish Adventure: Whatever your idea of adventure, Celtic Tours World Vacations has the perfect trip to Ireland for you! This exciting new self-drive vacation pairs 6 nights accommodations & a car rental with your choice of sightseeing package, with 4 options to choose from. Travelers to Ireland can choose from the following 4 options: Northern Ireland Adventure, Iconic Adventure, Medieval Adventure and the Ultimate Adventure. Each sightseeing package is jam packed with exciting opportunities for a true Irish adventure.

Northern Ireland Adventure
Experience the majestic beauty of the North of Ireland. This package is perfect for the photog – visiting ancient Neolithic sites, the intriguing natural wonder of the Giants Causeway and more!
Iconic Adventure This package brings you the best of Ireland – kiss the blarney stone, ride in a jaunting car and take a musical pub tour of Dublin.

Medieval Adventure
Step into Ireland’s lively and colorful Medieval past with a medieval themed vacation filled with castle banquet feasts, traditional music and art, spectacular cathedrals, medieval ruins, fully-restored 12th century houses and old world villages – you can even learn about the ancient art of falconry and fly a hawk on a Hawk Walk.

The Ultimate Adventure
Take a walk on the wild side of Ireland on this once in a lifetime adventure. Fly a hawk on a private Hawk Walk, eat with your hands at a traditional banquet feast, kayak the lakes of Killarney at sunset, take a jaunting car ride, have a pint at Guinness Storehouse and join in on a musical pub tour in Dublin - the Ultimate Irish Adventure!

Whatever your idea of adventure, Celtic Tours’ new self-drive package “Choose Your Own Irish Adventure” is the perfect vacation for you.

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