First Presbyterian Church Greenville: An Ireland Extension to the Scotland trip — May 28, 2009

© Linda Young

As you all are preparing for a wonderful trip to Scotland in 2009 with Rev. Gibbons, several of you have called about spending a few days in Ireland. With the tremendous cost of airfare, why not see the beautiful country of Ireland while you are so near? And the two countries are quite different from each other! From Celtic ruins to the Book of Kells and music that goes on and on, you have to experience it for yourself.

I have arranged a six day, five night exciting tour escorted by a professional Irish tour company. If FPC has at least 35 people, you will have your own group. If not, you will be joined by others, thus allowing you to share the expenses without increasing your cost per person.

Your Scotland tour with Rev. Gibbons will end on May 28, 2009. For those that would like to continue from Scotland to Ireland, your itinerary includes the flight, accommodations, transfers, some meals, private luxury motorcoach, sightseeing program in southern Ireland, and special inside visits to selected treasures. And if you really want to go home with a fantastic memory, you can add one or more nights at Dromoland Castle at the end of the trip. Although this is an expensive place to stay, it is one of my favorites — not only in Ireland, but anywhere — and is certainly the most wonderful castle I have ever stayed in!

For those who would like to add Ireland to the trip, I will help coordinate the booking of these flights with Lindsay Graham and the airlines. It looks as if you will be able to get Delta flights, either from GSP or from ATL, and then fly home from Dublin or Shannon, Ireland. There will also be a flight from Edinburgh to Dublin on a British or Irish carrier.

We are all familiar with the volatile travel costs so, of course, all prices are subject to some change. This trip is being planned much earlier than the tour companies or the airlines are able to guarantee their rates for the next year, which is normally done in the fall. But we do have an estimate from both, taking into account what they expect the prices to be.

So, come join your friends on what looks to be an extraordinary journey and the chance of a lifetime to see two exciting countries in 2009!!

For more information, call Young Travel & Cruises at 232-8880 or contact us online about Ireland.