Depart Belfast for the west of Ireland, stopping at the Ulster American Folkpark, Omagh, County Tyrone. Here you can walk into actual buildings from the nineteenth century Ireland your ancestors left. They have been moved from their original sites to this open air museum where you can also see a working blacksmith, a functioning printing press, spinning and weaving and examples of pre-Famine agricultural methods. After lunch we visit W.B. Yeats grave at Drumcliff, under brave Ben Bulben before heading to Sligo.

Heading south from Sligo around Ballyasdare Bay the bird-watchers may catch a glimpse of some of the local visitors feeding in the estuary. After passing through Ballina, County Mayo we stop at Foxford Woollen Mills where skilled craftspeople have produced world famous rugs, blankets and tweeds since the 1890s. Our route takes us through Castlebar and Westport to the foot of Croak Patrick, Ireland’s holy mountain. We continue across the turf bogs of Connemara, to Maam Cross where there is a replica of the cottage used in the 1950s John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara film, "The Quiet Man." In the early evening our ferry departs for the Aran Islands where we will spend two nights in peace and tranquillity.

Today we discover the ancient sites on Inishmore, the largest Aran island. The local guides who still speak the language of your ancestors will give you a glimpse of the spirit of Gaelic Ireland as we examine this timeless land captured in the sea. Visit its weathered monuments on awesome cliffs and walk over the great labyrinths of limestone, meandering walls, patchwork fields and quiet beaches welcomed by the island people. This is a chance to capture a time past while still enjoying modern facilities.

This morning we leave Aran and return to the mainland. We have a few hours in Galway City to shop and have lunch before crossing the magical Burren for Kinvarra and Ballyvaghan. We learn about this stony and scenic part of western Ireland which was severely affected by the Famine. We visit the beautiful and rugged Cliffs of Moher, are introduced to the power of holy wells and stay in a former Manor House in Ennis.

We Cross the mouth of the mightly Shannon River and visit the Tarbet Bridewell on the Kerry shores. This small courthouse and gaol clearly shows the workings of the nineteenth century justice system at a local level. Those of you who are interested will have an opportunity to visit the Local History Collection at the Library while we are in Tralee.

Today one of Kerry’s best known local historians will be our guide around the Dingle Peninsular which is the most northerly of the mountainous headlands of this county. His vast knowledge of County Kerry will give you insights into the land your ancestors left to travel to America, Australia or other emigrant destinations. We see the Blennerville windmill, Mount Brandon, one of Ireland’s highest peaks and visit Dingle, one of Ireland’s most picturesque villages. Around Slea Head the 9th century Gallarus Oratory, one of the best conserved remains of early Irish Christianity and the 6th Century beehive huts which have withstood the wild Atlantic blasts. In the distance we glimpse the Blasket Islands.

Today we visit the Emigration Centre at Cobh, formerly Queenstown or the Cove of Cork, which was the port for most convict and emigrant ships in the nineteenth century. This was also the last port of call for the Titanic before her ill-fated voyage. Our journey takes us to Waterford City.

A much quieter day today after our long journey yesterday. We visit the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship at New Ross and travel on to Enniscorthy where we find out all about the 1798 Rebellion. Our journey is via Arklow, the Vale of Avoca and a stop at Ballykisangel before finding the peace of the Monastic Settlement at Glendalough