Hello, welcome to the website of Ireland Lucky Girls, where a group of ladies (anywhere from 6-8 in a group) is guided by Maureen McFillin, who spent her summers as a child on a farm in County Galway. Maureen, a Navy wife and mother of 7 knows Ireland. She rents Irish cottages/ B&B's, and tours the Republic of Ireland, by visiting the cities, the townlands, the castles, the churches, the shrines, the woolen factories, and the pubs. 

Her ladies have a great time! Seven nights in Ireland for less than $1000. That includes the cost of the air fare, the cottages or B&B's, the van and driver, and the guided tour. They normally travel the west of Ireland through the counties of Clare, Galway, Mayo, Kerry and Limerick, although there have been special castle tours to Monaghan, Dublin, Kilkenny, and Waterford.

Here's a typical tour from the cottages in Corofin!

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 Day 1  We drive from Shannon Airport to the cottages in Corofin, County Clare.  It’s approximately forty minutes from the airport.  If you look at a map, look for Ennis and then Corofin, it’s a little northwest.  You will have time to put away your one suitcase plus one carry-on and have a quick cup of tea.  We head west to the Burren and Galway Bay.  The Burren is an area near the coast that was completely covered by glaciers during the ice age.  It is now almost completely covered with rocks.  We have lunch in Ballyvaughn on Galway Bay.  After lunch we drive along Galway Bay through Doolin and Ennistymon to the Cliffs of Moher, the highest cliffs in Europe.  You will have plenty of time to walk and take photos.   We head back to the cottages for an early pub dinner and relaxation.  A dinner without alcohol costs about $8.00. 

 Day 2    If you are a shopper, today will probably be a good day for you.  We leave the cottage around 8:30 and head west towards Limerick and onto Blarney, County Cork. Here we take a tour of the Blarney Castle and gardens, and have lots of time to shop at the Blarney Woolen Mills where they have EVERYTHING  you could possibly want to buy.  In the early evening we eat at a very charming B&B called  Woodview House. It is about ten minutes from Blarney and the chef prepares wonderful meals.  

 Day 3    We get an early start on our trip to Kilkenny town.  This is a long day with lots to see and do.  We head towards Limerick and then east to Cashel.  We will take the tour of the place where St Patrick baptized the first high king of Ireland and then drive northwest(1 hour)to Kilkenny town.  We will have lunch in Kilkenny, tour the 1380 restored castle and then you will have time on your own to see the Design Center and the town of Kilkenny.  On the drive home we will stop at the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary.             

Day 4    Today we pack a small overnight bag and head to the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry.  One of the most picturesque parts of the island, Dingle is about a four-hour drive.  On the way we drop off our bags at a B&B in Adare, County Limerick.  After a full day of touring the peninsula we head back to Adare for the night. The B&B is just lovely.  Two people share a room and each room has a bath with electric shower.  For many of the ladies this is their favorite stop.  The cost of the B&B is approximately 26 Euros (that is not included in my fee). 

Day 5    The morning is spent walking around the town of Adare.  There are three churches dating back to 1103, Adare Manor, a visitor’s center and many shops to visit.  We leave Adare around noon and head back to Corofin.  On the way we will visit Bunratty Castle and folk park.   

Day 6    Today we will be traveling north to Foxford, County Mayo and the woolen mills located there.  On the way south you will have about four hours in Galway City the capital of County Galway.  Galway is the largest city we will be visiting.  It is a college town and also a center of business, history and shopping.   If you decide you would like to spend the entire day in Galway, that is an option. 

Day 7    Today will be spent in the hills and lakes of Connemara, County Galway.  We will see historic and beautiful Kylemore Abbey. On the way home we will visit the Galway Crystal factory. 

Day 8    This is the final day of your trip.  We will have plenty of time to pack and drive back to the airport from Corofin.  The duty free shopping at Shannon is excellent and you will have at least an hour to shop before your flight departs for the states. 

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 Just a little more information:  The cottages are located on top of a hill about two miles from the village of Corofin.  There are three bedrooms and one bath. The kitchen has a microwave, coffee maker, stove, and refrigerator--everything you need to make a full meal.  We eat breakfast in the cottages, but usually have lunch and dinner on the tour .