US Veteran Tours: Itinerary
The 'Passing Through' 82nd Airborne Division In Ireland Tour
DAY 1: GOING TO IRELAND
Begin your voyage to Ireland.
DAY 2: DUBLIN
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Three Star Ashling Hotel, Dublin
Arrive Dublin Airport where our Tour Manager will be waiting to greet you and to escort you onto our luxury coach which is yours for the entire duration of the trip. Take a half day city tour of Dublin, with its mixture of history and industry. Afternoon check-in at our three star hotel beside Phoenix Park, home to both the US Ambassador and the President of Ireland.
DAY 3: DUBLIN
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner at Burlington Irish Cabaret
Accommodation: Three Star Ashling Hotel, Dublin
Day at leisure in Dublin. From the tram stop at the front door of your hotel, a 10 minute ride will take you into the city centre, with the historic GPO (scene of the 1916 Rising) and the shopping heart of Dublin in Grafton Street on the south side of the river. Near your hotel are the Collins barracks, which house a fascinating collection of Irish dress throughout the centuries. Evening transfer to dinner and comedy at the Burlington Irish cabaret, an excellent night out.
DAY 4: BELFAST
Meals: Breakfast at Hotel, Lunch at Crown Bar, Dinner in Portrush
Accommodation: Three Star Cromore Halt Guest House or Similar
Morning departure for the 100-mile journey from one capital to another: Dublin to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Lunch at the historic Crown Bar (circa.1880), Belfast's most famous pub— so highly revered that it is now owned by the National Trust. Here we shall be joined by John McCann, military historian and author, who will personally sign your complimentary copy of his book Passing Through: The 82nd Airborne Division in Northern Ireland 1943-44. After lunch we begin our drive up the County Antrim coast, stopping off first at Carrickfergus Castle, the 12th century, early medieval, Anglo-Norman stronghold. Close by, we visit the Andrew Jackson Centre, parental home of the 7th President of the United States of America. Also on the grounds, you will explore the US Rangers' Museum. This small exhibition is dedicated to the men of the 1st Battalion who organised and trained there in 1942. Finally, we continue through the spectacular scenery of the Glens of Antrim until we reach the seaside resort of Portrush, once home to units of the US 34th Infantry Division, 1st Armoured Division and the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Like so many GIs before you, this will be your billet for the next four nights.
DAY 5: PORTRUSH
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Three Star Cromore Halt Guest House or Similar
We visit Cromore Estate— better known to the troopers of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment as Camp Cromore. Here, Portrush Royal British Legion will participate in a small dedication ceremony at the monument erected to commemorate the Red Devil's three-month stay near the small seaside resort of Portstewart.
Throughout the day, John McCann will read excerpts from his book in which veterans convey their experiences at each place we visit. On the way, you will gaze at many of the scenes he describes in counties' Antrim and Londonderry. A short journey along the coast brings you to our next stop, the ruins of the 16th century McDonnell castle, Dunluce, perched on its rocky crag with sensational views across to Donegal and the Hebrides. This is followed by a tour and lunch at the Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed whisky distillery in the world.
The afternoon brings you to Ireland's top tourist attraction, the Giant's Causeway, with its tales of fighting giants and its 37,000 stone columns— like an army of marching men frozen in time. Your final stop of the day is at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Here, adjacent to the putting green, stands our second monument, dedicated to the men of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Rated in the world's top 50 golf courses, Royal Portrush has played host on several occasions to the British Senior Open Golf Championship.
After dinner, you will have the option of joining John McCann on a walking tour of Portrush. This will include a possible stop at the Harbour Bar, once frequented by many young 507PIR troopers 'on pass' and seeking liquid refreshment.
DAY 6: ANTRIM, DERRY, AND TYRONE
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Three Star Cromore Halt Guest House or Similar
An hour's drive along the border of counties' Antrim and Londonderry brings us to Portglenone Forest Park, once home to the 1st Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Here stands our third monument, dedicated to the men of the famous 'Glider Rider' regiment. Whilst enjoying a short walk along the camp's old concrete paths, take the opportunity to discover the many remaining rectangular Nissen hut bases where the troops once resided. Also present will be re-enactors from the Wartime Living History Association with their collection of WWII American military vehicles.
A short drive through the rolling fields of South Derry allows us to follow in the footsteps of the 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion and visit Bellaghy, birthplace of Poet Laureate and Nobel Prize winner, Seamus Heaney. Following an exhibition of his work at Bellaghy Bawn, it's on to Castledawson where the 82nd Airborne Division set up its Headquarters from 9th Dec '43 - 13th Feb '44. Just outside town, we stop for lunch at Moyola Park Golf Club and view its 'Command Post' memorial.
Afternoon brings us to Springhill House, a beautiful 17th century 'Plantation' house near Moneymore, with its living history tours and celebrated collection of costumes from the 18th and early 20th centuries.
Next, a short tour of Killymoon Castle near Cookstown, County Tyrone. This was the 'Oasis between Battlefields' where officers and men of the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment stayed during their time in Ulster. Finally, before returning to Portrush, we journey past the 2nd Battalion, 505 PIR's old camp entrance at Desertcreat Farm and stop off at the Halfway Bar, Tullyhogue, where famous troopers such as John M. Steele and Laddie Talpa signed their names to an autograph album, now available for your perusal.
DAY 7: DERRY
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Three Star Cromore Halt Guest House or Similar
Full day excursion from Portrush as we head westwards to the historic city of Derry with its 17th century walls and troubled past - now thankfully gone. Onward to the award-winning Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh. Here, living history exhibitions and Old and New World buildings show us how so many Irishmen and women emigrated for a new life in America during the Famine. We also explore Northern Ireland's many American Civil War links. On our return to Portrush we pass the President Ulysses S. Grant homestead near Dungannon and traverse the beautiful Gortin Glen, Barnes Gap and Sperrin Mountain range.
DAY 8: ENNISKILLEN, BELLEEK
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Carlton Hotel
Leave Portrush for the last time and head south towards Enniskillen, the county town of Fermanagh at the junction of Lough Erne. Visit the castle with the regimental history of the Inniskilling Fusiliers and then a short drive to the border village of Belleek for a tour of its famous pottery. Overnight across the street at the family-run Carlton Hotel.
DAY 9: ROSCOMMON AND GALWAY
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Four Star Eyre Square Hotel in Galway City Centre
Cross the border and head south to one of Ireland's least-known attractions— Strokestown House in county Roscommon. A restored eighteenth century mansion, Strokestown has a fabulous garden and famine museum and is well worth a two hour stop for lunch and tour. The afternoon brings us to the city of Galway— The City of the Tribes— and the four star Eyre Square hotel in the city centre.
DAY 10: GALWAY AND ARAN ISLANDS
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Four Star Eyre Square Hotel in Galway City Centre
Free day in Galway for shopping, exploring or a day trip to the Aran Islands.
DAY 11: THE BURREN, CLIFFS OF MOHER, AND ADARE
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner at Five Star Adare Manor
Accommodation: Five Star Adare Manor Hotel in Limerick
Our last full day offers a tour through the mysterious limestone pavement that is the Burren, followed by the Cliffs of Moher and the spectacular scenery of county Clare. Cross the mighty river Shannon and head up to the fabulous Adare Manor Hotel near Limerick, now owned by Vietnam vet Tom Kane. This is one of Ireland's best five star hotels and a fitting place to spend your last night in Ireland.
DAY 12: DEPARTURE
Morning transfer from Adare to Shannon Airport for your flight home.
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