Tours
 
  Cultural Tours Of Ireland     
 

Since 1994 Batt Burns and his wife Maura have been hosting unique tours of Ireland, which endeavour to help travellers feel and sense the “ Real” Ireland. As a former teacher, current performer and author, Burns is uniquely competent to lead tours which immerse participants in the music, song, dance, storytelling, literature and rich history of The Emerald Isle. Each group is personally escorted by Batt.
 
   
 
  Standard Tours    
 
 
 
Groups usually arrive at Shannon Airport and are transported to the scenic, beautiful, remote village of Sneem in the Kerry Hills. This village, which won the National Award for the best kept village in Ireland in 1987, is Batt’s home village and you will be accommodated in local guesthouses, all of which have en suite rooms and have been inspected by The Irish Tourist Board. Here you will become part of village life for a few days as you mix with locals in the pubs, learn Gaelic song and hear traditional music from Maura Burns, hear talks on history, folklore and storytelling from Batt Burns, watch a farmer cut peat in the traditional style, walk some exquisite mountain trails or take a boat trip in Kenmare Bay.
 
 
" On one of these nights you will join Maura and Batt Burns for an Irish " hooley" or old style party in a local pub."		  
 
 
  There will be side trips to the famous Staigue Fort, a pre-Christian stone fort where Batt will share some of the fairy lore of this area. You will also visit Derrynane House, once home to the famous Liberator, Daniel O'Connel.  
 






 
 


The Dingle Peninsula will be visited as well as The National Folk Theatre in Tralee where you will attend an exhilarating performance.Blarney Castle with its famous Blarney Stone is often included as is the famous Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland's most famous ancient site.

 
 




 
 
Two nights are usually spent in Ireland's capital city, and Trinity College
with its famous Book of Kells, St. Patric's Cathedral ( Jonathan Swift ),
Georgian Dublin and The National Museum are among the stops on the
itinerary. Batt will fill you in on the many literary associations and he will
also take you to a performance at the famous Abbey Theatre. Ample time
will be provided for shopping and exploring on your own.

 
 

Northern Ireland will also feature with visits to Belfast and Derry,
the wonderful Glens of Antrim and The Giants Causeway, one of
the geological wonders of the world. Yeats Country ( Sligo ) is always
included and Batt will recite poetry at the grave of W.B.Yeats at
Drumcliffe Churchyard.Time will be spent in Galway and Connemara
and The Burren area of County Clare together with the Cliffs of Moher
will also be visited.A medieval banquet in Bunratty castle will form an
enjoyable finale to a memorable trip.

 
  Custom-Built Trips

As well as the standard trip Batt also caters for varied and diverse groups. He has hosted The Green Bay Boys’ Choir, The Cherry Creek Meister Singers and The Madison Boy Choir. Golfing holidays combined with cultural activities are becoming popular in recent years, and in 2004 Batt will be hosting some hiking groups.
He has hosted a number of family reunion tours of Ireland where groups have been able to visit areas from which their ancestors emigrated.

In short, if you have an idea for a tour, or if you have a group with specific touring ideas, Batt will custom-build a tour for you.

Some Comments From Participants

"A big thank you for making our first trip to Ireland a true pleasure.
The combination of your wonderful storytelling, poetry and attention
to every detail of our accommodations and itinerary made for a
carefree and memorable vacation.
The time in Sneem was most definitely the highlight of the trip
....thanks for sharing your village with us. And a special thanks
for inviting us into your home.
We will savor our memories of Ireland forever and plan to return"
Gloria and Dick Duggan, Spokane, Washington








"What a wonderful gift you possess to be able to stir the poetic
embers of a soul. Thank you for a marvellous two weeks and what
will most assuredly be an everlasting Irish flame"
Jeanine Ray , Kent State University
  
 


Tour Schedule for 2008

June 5th - 15th

July 10th - 20th

September 20th - 30th