1. Taking a trip to Ireland
By: Kelly Stafford, Chris Green, Carissa Larr, Ian Lashley, Justin Moorerd, and Heather Denune
February 9th, 2014

2. What will the economy be like?
Transportation: Transport to Ireland, in and around Ireland by air, train, automobile, bus & ferry, including ferries within Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Sports
In Ireland hockey, rowing, cricket, rugby union, are organized in an all-island basis, with a single team representing the whole of Ireland in international competitions. Other sports, such as soccer and netball are also popular.
The many sports played and followed in Ireland also include horse racing, show jumping, greyhound racing, basketball, fishing, handball, motor sport, target shooting and tennis.

3. What will the economy be like?
Communication: Irish is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish. Irish is now spoken natively by a small minority of the Irish population. Also plays an important symbolic role in the life of the Irish state.
Resources: The primary natural resources of Ireland include natural gas, petroleum, peat, copper, lead, blueberries, dolomite, barite, limestone, gypsum, silver and some zinc. Key industries based on these and other natural resources include fishing, foresting, mining, livestock, and other forms of agriculture and fish farming.

4. Landmarks St. Patrick’s Cathedral located in Dublin.
Many visitors to Ireland make sure they kiss the Blarney Stone, which is located at Blarney Castle near Cork.
Cliffs of Moher, The cliffs are located in County Clare.
Four Courts located in Dublin
Oscar Wilde Statue located in Merrion Square in Dublin
Belfast Castle. This castle sits more than 400 feet above sea level on Cave Hill
Grafton Street, This unique destination is located in Dublin.

5. What kind of government do they have?
Ireland is a republic and has a parliamentary system of government. The current Head of State/President is Michael D. Higgins. Higgins took office on November 11, 2011.
Ireland also has a prime minister (called the Taoiseach) who is nominated by the House of Representatives (called the Dáil Éireann) and then appointed by the president.
Currently, Enda Kenny fills the seat of Prime Minister. Kenny was appointed on March 9, 2011.
In a parliamentary government, the other offices that make up the government are: the Lower House, the House of Representatives, the Upper House, and the Senate (or Seanad Éireann).

6. How Many people live in ireland?
The Irish population are known for being sociable and friendly and quite laid-back. Ireland is filled with a young population, with 40% of the population under the age of 25. Most of the young population reside in the cities. Today, only 10 percent of the population is non-Irish. The largest number of people of Irish descent live in the United States— about ten times more than in Ireland itself.
In 2001, the estimated population of Ireland reached 4,722,028. Studies show that Ireland’s population will grow at a rate of 1.12% with a life expectancy of years old.

7. What kind of food will be there?
Although potatoes have come to be a bit of an Irish stereotype, they are usually joined by several other foods.
Some of the most common dishes include
boxty (potato pancakes)
Irish soda bread,
shepherd’s pie
cabbage
Another example is the famous Irish coffee. Although most restaurants serve it with a dollop of whipped cream on top, the original version simply had liquid cream poured into the drink.

8. What are the customs and values?
Celebrating Culture and heritage is big in Ireland.
Several types of dances, including set dancing, ceili, and step dancing.
Irish Song and dance is well known for a award winning show – Riverdance
Meeting Etiquette:
The basic greeting is a handshake and a hello or salutation appropriate for the time of day.
Eye Contact Denotes trust and is maintained during greeting
Customary to shake hands with older children
Greeting tend to be warm and friendly

9. What are there customs and values?
Gift Giving Etiquette
Irish Exchange gifts on Birthdays and Christmas
Gift is not expensive but something personal
When giving flowers don’t give lilies there used for religious festival and do not give white flowers there for funerals
Visiting a Home:
Be on time
Bring box of chocolates or wine for host
Offer to clean dishes
Business Etiquette
Irish businesspeople are generally less formal
Shake hands with everyone at the meeting
Handshakes are firm and confident
Irish move to first names quickly

10. Ireland’s flag

11. So what is our schedule??

12. Day 1 We will spend all of day one on our flight to Ireland
We got roundtrip tickets to Dublin for $518 a person from
We then will arrive at our hotel
Résidence mmv Les Demeures Du Ventoux has rooms for $553 in Dublin Ireland for seven nights  
We will only spend our first two nights here

13. Day 2
Dublin City
(Morning): Dublin Bus Hop on Hop Off tours: The perfect way to make sure to fit in as much of this bustling city as possible. During this tour bus we will be able to see major attractions such as The Dublin Castle, and The Irish Museum of Modern Art.
(Afternoon): Vicking Splash Tour: is a twist on your run of the mill expedition. On land and in water we will see the highlights of Georgian Dublin, Christ church and St. Patrick’s Cathedral and we will even wade by the recording studio where groups like U2 have recorded tracks.

14. Day 2 (continued)
(Evening): As the day draws on, we found ourselves hankering for that pint of Guinness; therefore we emerged into the Guinness Storehouse. During this tour we discover the history behind this famous brand and get an insight into the magic behind the ‘black stuff’.
Further out of the city, on the north side of Dublin, we visit the Butlers Chocolate Experience. It is the ultimate chocolate discovery tour where we can see the Butlers factory in operation. Home of Irelands favorite chocolatier.
This day has ensured a day packed full of fond memories, unforgettable sights and sounds, but still have the treat of a full Irish breakfast the next morning while we pack in for the night at Applecroft House Hotel.

15. Day 3 The Connemara Region
(Morning): Now that we are up and have officially seen Dublin, we are off for one of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery, the Connemara region. We have opted to take the Sky Road as we cruise towards Kylemore Abbey and here is where we witness breath taking views of the islands Inishturk and Turbot along the coastline. The moss covered walls of the Old D’Arcy Castle and the towering twelve Bens Jutting into the Skyline behind the city of Clifden.

16. Day 3 (continued)
(Afternoon): In the Connemara region we also find the Connemara National Park. Here we find mountains, woodlands in this scenic domain, alongside megalithic court tombs, a 19th century graveyard and Tobar Mweelin- a well which was Kylemore Castles main source of water in the 1800’s.
(Evening): We find ourselves in Galway for the night. This is where we enjoyed the traditional Irish music, and enjoy seafood. Galway hosts an Annual Oyster Festival, so not stopping to try the seafood was out of the question. As the sun quickly sets on our second day in Ireland, we rest up for our adventures tomorrow as we stay at Lough Inagh Lodge.

17. Day 4 Galway Via Clonmacnoise:
(Morning): We decide to hit the road and have a choice of different routes to take this morning…All leading to Galway. Heading to Galway directly may only take a couple hours, but traveling a more scenic route there are many other attractions like the luscious landscapes, vast rolling pastures and warm country villages along the route. Naturally we choose to take the longer route to take in the full aspect of our tour.
Our first stop this morning was Clonmacnoise located in county Offaly is an early Christian site which was founded by St. Ciaran in the mid-6th century. Here is where we spent our morning walking through the ruins of a cathedral and seven churches, gaze up at two imposing round towers, and admire the intricate stone sculptures that are high crosses.

18. Day 4 (continued)
(Afternoon): Finally we arrive at Galway City the heart of Ireland. This charming city is brimming with heritage. Culture, and folklore. As we make our way through the side streets browsing the hand crafted offerings, we were in awe of the rich architecture and medieval nuances. The claddagh ring is rooted in this very region. From where the iconic symbol of two hands clutching a crowned heart originated people can only speculate, but the traditions remains true. Just make sure you show your true feelings in the way you were your very own ring. Within this city we check out the Galway city museum, which contains two major exhibitions. One explores the rich heritage of Galway and the other displays work of art from prominent Irish artists from the second half of the 20th century.
(Evening): We of course enjoyed some evening entertainment, with Galway’s strong ties with traditional Irish Music. The Tig Colli pub in Galway city is where we chose to spend our evening. As we finish our evening we choose a resting point for another night at Lough Inagh Lodge in Galway.

19. Day 5 The Burren and the Cliffs of Moher:
(Morning): Rejuvenated and ready head out, it’s time to bid to the “City of Tribes.” So after our hearty Irish breakfast, we pack up the car and get back on the road, to explore the Clare and the Burren region. This is truly unique area of limestone rock covers mountains, valleys and streams, each as awe-inspiring as the last few days of sightseeing. Before we even begin our journey, we visit the Burren Visitors Centre in nearby Kilfenora, where we will get an introduction to the many secrets of the Burren.
(Afternoon): For our lunch we stop at the famous Burren smokehouse just ten miutes down the road from Kilfenora. This smokehouse offers many delicacies from the Clare region. From the Burren to the Cliffs of Moher, our trip today is packed full of scenic eye-candy. Atop the cliff, the panoranmic views of the Aran Islands, The Twelve Pins, The Maum Turk Mountains and Loop Head will totally take our breathes away. We stop at the visitors centre, which has been aptly named Atlantic Edge, can be found close to the cliffs within an underground building. We also made time to visit Doolin Cave. Less than ten minutes from the cliffs of Moher, we find this fascinating cave, which is home to the longest stalactite in the northern hemisphere, measuring 6.5m (20ft).

20. Day 5 (continued)
(Evening): From an exhausting day of travels we decide to end the evening at Durty Nelly’s (Just beside the cave) for a pick me up. The history and heritage surrounding Durty Nelly and her public house date back to 1620 and include: a toll bridge, an Irish wolfhound and a miracle cure. For years, travelors have enjoyed the warmth of this one of a kind pub and now with live Irish music seven days a week, we couldn’t help but to be lured into Nelly’s cosy welcome! For the our final resting point The Ring of Kerry with all its secrets and beauty await us, for yet another night of sleep in the fresh country air of Killarney.

21. Day 6
The Ring of Kerry:
(Morning): After another morning of a full Irish breakfast, the wonderful town of Killarney awaits us. This picturesque town surrounded by greenery and buzzing with cheerful locals is the perfect place to take a stroll and explore all that killarney has to offer. The Ring of Kerry is an attraction that really one that must be seen to be believed. We have dedicated this entire day to exploring the Ring of Kerry (or the Iveragh Peninsula) and all it has to offer because there is just so much to do and see. This beautifully natural and somewhat magical area of Ireland features expansive beaches, sites dating back to ancient Ireland, and some truly moving landscapes.

22. Day 6 (continued)
(Afternoon): For our exploration we decide to rent bikes so we can whish around the parks from one lush setting to the next. We veered slightly off the Ring of Kerry route to find the heritage town of Kenmare. Bright shop fronts line the streets and a variety of restaurants offering gourmet foods will get our lunch taste buds rolling. Here we found Tom Crean’s Fish and Wine restaurant. This lovely spot offers up a sumptuous (but reasonable) meal.
(Evening): After a long evening of sightseeing, we head back to our accommodation in Killarney for the night. We do enjoy a meal at Kate Kearney’s Irish Night Pub. Tomorrow we head to back to Dublin for our flight home.

23. Day 7
The final day will be spent heading back Home

24. Works cited
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