August Tour Information

Wow, it's only about 10 days until we arrive in Shannon and begin our journey together. I know many of you have been looking for the information that I'll be posting here. So, I'll get right to it!!

First of all, here is the pertinent contact information....

Our Irish Tour Guide
Tom Pigott
Founder & Tour Director
Enchanted Way Tours
Web: http://www.enchantedwaytours.ie
Phone: 087 660 3777 (IRE) / 741-350-3421 (US)
Facebook Group: http://short.ie/iec735

Our US Contact Number while in Ireland
218-789-5836
We'll be using a service called MagicJack through our Netbook. It is our understanding that wireless internet is very available. Voicemails taken through our number will also be emailed to us. You can give this number to relatives for this purpose. You will also be able to use our phone to call the states, no charge.

Lodging Info
For those arriving on the 9th, I don't have that hotel info yet, but will post it right here as soon as I get it (should be by morning)
Nights 1-3: West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen, Co. Cork. Phone number, 028 21277
Nights 4 -6: Ostan Ceann Sibeal, Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry. Phone Number 066 915 6433
Nights 7-9: Tir Gan Ean, Doolin, Co. Clare. Phone Number 065 707 5726

Suggested Packing List
We just got an email from a friend who was on the tour last week. She said "Pack LIGHT. Wash your stuff in the hotel room sink and wear the same clothes a lot, no one will care." But here is a checklist, anyway, of things you MUST and might bring:

1. Passport and ID
2. Comfortable Walking Shoes
3. A Warm Sweater or Light Jacket*
4. Camera/Batteries (Preferably rechargeable. The "Hybrid" batteries by Rayovac come fully charged and have the longest life in digital cameras. We've purchased them at Sears and Target. We will have a charger along that we can share.)
5. Digital Media
6. A Poncho or Rain Jacket*
7. An Ireland Power Adapter (This is a three prong adapter with large prongs for the three prong Irish outlets. Ours has a two-prong input for our devices, so we'd need a US 3-2 adapter, like you'd use in an older home, but we aren't bringing any three-prong devices. You might be).
8. Euros You can go to your branch bank and order them. They will be there the next day. Or, you may be able to go to a main office and get them directly. Current rate is about .77 Euro per US Dollar. You will find this the most economical way to spend money. There can be hefty Credit/Debit Card conversion fees.
   
9. Sunglasses & Sunblock* It can rain, and it can shine, all at the same time.
10. A Small Journal* I think you will want to write down your thoughts and memories.
11. Motion Sickness Medication? We will be riding on winding roads and taking a ferry to an island. This is up to you, if you have the need. However, we'll be bringing my famous crystallized ginger root, which is known to settle the stomach. I'll have some for everyone.
    

Items with a * should be easily purchased there.

For those on Delta 122
Most of the group is on Delta 122 from JFK. I'll be studying the airport when we arrive on Saturday the 7th to find a good meeting place. I'll announce it that evening here on the blog.

John Spillane (pronounced Spill-Ann', say it, you'll sound Irish) Concert
Finally (for now), I am so excited to confirm that our first night of the tour (Tuesday) will feature a private concert by one of my favorite songwriters in the world, Ireland's John Spillane. We had the pleasure of hosting John in our showcase room in Memphis along with Ronny Cox and Jack Williams at around 2am back in February. I was ASTOUNDED by his beautiful songs. I'll be definitely buying his CDs that night. Kate and I are also learning a couple of his songs. Just magnificent.

Volcano, Flights, Rooms, Etc

Hello, Everyone,
Here are some updates... I'll also send this info in an email in the next couple of days.

Volcano
According to the news, the volcanic eruptions in Iceland are "over" and there should be little, if any further interruptions (no pun intended) of air travel. Even if the volcano did continue, the tour company considers this an Act of God and would give full refunds.

Flights
The volcano did affect flight prices with a sudden jump due to their attempt to recover revenue, and a $160 per round trip surcharge for fuel. This should drop off soon. I am seeing RT flights from MSP for about $1275 right now with Delta to Shannon or Dublin, but down to $1050 from MSP to Dublin with Expedia (multiple airlines, including Air Lingus). The good news is that there continues to be a lot of open seats on Delta Flight 122 which is the one most will take if flying Delta from JFK to SNN. There are currently 90 open seats. I check this every day.
While I am trying to find the best fares, you are in no way obligated to wait for me. Several of you have already purchased your flights.

Arrival
When we arrive in Shannon or Limerick (in the case of those flying to Dublin and taking the train to Limerick) our tour company will retrieve us from the Airport or Train Station and deliver us to our lodging. We will need your arrival time sometime after you book your flights.
Rooms have been booked for all attendees for Monday night, August 9th in Shannon. If you do not need your room that night, please let me know. Payment for the rooms can be made at arrival, in cash, or travelers checks. Not with a Credit Card. I believe it's $45 per person, double occupancy. I'll get the single upcharge amount.

Departure
For those flying back from SNN on the 19th, you will be shuttled to the airport. For those taking a train back to Dublin, you will be shuttle to Limerick Station.
As you know, Kate and I will be taking the train to Dublin and then on to Belfast for regular concerts that weekend. You are welcome to join us. Just drop me an email and we'll help with arrangements.

Recommended Reading
Tom Pigott, our tour guide, recommended Frank Delaney's "Ireland" and I just finished it. It's a FABULOUS book. Written as a novel about the influence an itinerant nameless storyteller has on a nine year old boy as he matures, it weaves storytelling into the plot line so that you get a wonder picture of the history and struggles of this little island, 2/3rds the size of Iowa. I HIGHLY recommend you read this book before going on the trip. Kate's reading it now and I'm going to read it again when she's done.

Please feel free to write or call if you have ANY questions. bill@billandkateisles.com 218-340-4404
Bill

Flight & Hotel Info - Update

Hi, Everyone,
As I mentioned, I've been monitoring flight prices and open seats weekly and things are looking good. For example, the price of a RT flight from Chicago to Shannon has been hovering around $950 for the past month. There are still plenty of open seats, so I am advising that you wait a little longer to get the flights. I'll do an update next week.
Let me know what airport you want to fly from and I'll get specific information. Also, I am making the following assumptions...
1. That those who will be continuing on to Belfast with us will fly in and out of Dublin and will take the train to and from Limerick and Belfast.
2. Others will be flying in and out of Shannon, with the exception of a small group that is going to Dublin afterwards.
3. That all will be flying from the US on Sunday, August 8th, arriving in Ireland on the morning of August 9th.
4. That all will need hotels in Shannon for the evening of August 9th.

I think that's all for now!!
I can't believe we're in the home stretch, less than four months to go!
Bill

Bill and Kate Isles - 2010 Ireland Tour

Hi Folks,


Tom Pigott, your tour operator for your 2010 tour to Ireland with Kate and Bill Isles here.


Greetings from Galway, Ireland where I am touring with US labour singer Anne Feeney from Pittsburgh and 21 of her fans. The weather has not been great this week, due to us getting the tail end of Hurricane Bill. However we had a great day in Connemara today and we are going out to experience a big Irish music session in a local pub.


I know it is almost a year away, but please feel free to ask as many questions as you want. I will be finished with my year's touring on September 25, so I will be looking forward to hearing from you all over the Winter.


Regards...........................TOM

Tour Itinerary

We'll likely be flying from Minnesota on Sunday night, August 8th, 2010, arriving in Shannon on Monday morning, the 9th. The tour company will arrange lodging for us in a Bed and Breakfast for the night of the 9th (at our cost). This way, we will be all rested up by the time the bus picks us up on Tuesday morning, August 10th. It is possible to fly in Tuesday morning, but you will be very tired during our full day of activities. We'll also arrange a night-before get-together social time so everyone can be introduced.

Here is the link to our itinerary starting Tuesday August 10th, 2010 (Day 1)
Cork/Kerry/Clare Itinerary

Travel Insurance

Our tour company (EWT) recommends insuring your tour with www.travelguard.com. I priced out the cost of coverage and it is $102 with a $38 surcharge for a "Cancel for any reason" 50% policy, (which would have to be purchased within 15 days of your initial deposit).
You may also find that AAA's rates are competitive.

Welcome to our 2010 Ireland Tour Blog

This is where we will discuss various aspects of our tour to Ireland in 2010. There is no limit on the subject matter and there are no such things as "dumb questions". However, I reserve the right to give "dumb answers"!!
We're so excited to be presenting this tour and hope it will be the first of an annual tradition.
When you want to comment on a subject, open that post and comment. If you want to start a new post, click the "new post" link in the upper-right hand corner.
Bill