Heartbeats of History in Ireland with Courtney McInvale

Heartbeats of History in Ireland with Courtney McInvale is a 9-day / 8-night small-group tour running August 10–18, 2027, led by licensed tour guide, published author, and haunted history expert Courtney McInvale — founder of Seaside Shadows in Mystic, Connecticut. Designed for history enthusiasts and paranormal seekers alike, the tour travels from North to South and East to West across Ireland, weaving together battlefields, rebellions, ancient myths, and ghostly legends with breathtaking scenery including the famous Ring of Kerry. Courtney brings her unique blend of historical expertise, investigative instincts, and sensitivity to the supernatural to every stop, making this tour as factually rich as it is spine-tingling. The group is capped at 25 participants and stays in mostly 3 and 4-star hotels throughout, with the penultimate night spent at Fitzpatrick's Castle in Killiney, South Dublin.

The itinerary is one of the most historically layered of any Secret Ireland Tours offering, covering the Battle of the Boyne, the 1916 Easter Rising, the 1798 Rebellion sites at Vinegar Hill and Carrigbyrne Hill, the ambush site where Michael Collins died at Béal na Bláth, the Cobh Titanic Museum, Waterford Crystal, Midleton Distillery, Bunratty Castle, the Hill of Uisneach, and Strokestown House's Famine Museum. Paranormal highlights include an evening investigation of Wicklow Jail, visits to Christ Church Cathedral's ancient crypt, and Kilmainham Jail. A welcome lunch and a farewell dinner at Fitzpatrick's Castle are both included.

Included in the price are airport transfers, 11 full Irish breakfasts, a welcome lunch, a farewell dinner at Fitzpatrick's Castle, all venue entry fees, a comfortable motor coach with expert driver, a Secret Ireland Tours guide and local venue guides, Courtney McInvale for the full duration, snacks and drinks on the bus, and all accommodation and transport taxes. Lunches and most evening meals are not covered, nor are international flights, travel insurance, laundry, or tips. Full balance is due 30 days before departure, and interest-free installment plans are available on request.

Location: Ireland, covering County Meath (Battle of the Boyne), Dublin (Christ Church Cathedral, 1916 Easter Rising Walking Tour, Kilmainham Jail, Temple Bar), County Wicklow (Glendalough, Wicklow Jail), County Wexford (Vinegar Hill, Carrigbyrne Hill), County Waterford (Waterford Crystal), County Cork (Midleton Distillery, Cobh Titanic Museum, Charles Fort Kinsale, Béal na Bláth, Collins Center Clonakilty), County Kerry (Ring of Kerry, Killarney), County Clare/Limerick (Bunratty Castle and Folk Park), County Galway (Galway City), County Westmeath (Athlone Heritage), County Westmeath/Roscommon border (Hill of Uisneach), County Roscommon (Strokestown House), and South Dublin (Fitzpatrick's Castle, Killiney).

Duration: 9 days / 8 nights, August 10–18, 2027. Note: the source lists 11 days of itinerary content but the booking header states August 10–18 (9 days). The itinerary appears to include a departure day as Day 11, suggesting the actual touring runs across 9 nights. Clarification from the operator is recommended before publishing.

Activity Type: This is a history, paranormal, and sightseeing tour with activity levels ranging from easy to moderate/hard depending on the day. Most days involve walking through historic sites, jails, castle grounds, and town centers on varied terrain. Days 4 and 9 are rated moderate to hard, involving outdoor battlefield and hillside sites. The Ring of Kerry day is predominantly scenic and easy-paced. Wicklow Jail includes an evening paranormal investigation. Waterproof walking shoes and windproof outerwear are strongly recommended. Snacks and drinks are provided on the coach for longer travel days.

Accommodation: Guests stay in 3 and 4-star en-suite hotels throughout the tour. The penultimate night is at Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel, Killiney, South Dublin — a 4-star property with pool, spa, gym, two restaurants, and two bars. The final breakfast before departure is noted in the source as being at Clontarf Castle. Specific hotel names for other nights are not listed in the source material.

• Twin Occupancy (two people sharing, two beds) — $2,850 per person | Deposit: $300 | Deadline: January 13, 2028
• Double Room (couple sharing, one double bed) — $2,850 per person | Deposit: $300 | Deadline: January 13, 2028 | 6 spots remaining
• Twin Room (two people sharing, two beds — separate listing) — $2,795 per person | Deposit: $300 | Deadline: January 13, 2028 | 4 spots remaining
• Single Occupancy (private room, en-suite) — $3,395 per person | Deposit: $300 | Deadline: January 13, 2028 | 5 spots remaining

A $300 deposit is required to secure a spot. Full balance is due 30 days before departure. Interest-free installment plans are available on request.

Day 1 — Battle of the Boyne & Christ Church Cathedral

Guests are collected from Dublin Airport and head first to the Battle of the Boyne site in County Meath — where King William III defeated King James II in 1690, leaving thousands dead and a landscape locals say has never fully healed. The group then visits Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, exploring its vast medieval crypt, ancient artifacts, and centuries of layered history before settling into the hotel.

Day 2 — Easter Rising Walking Tour, Kilmainham Jail & Temple Bar

An immersive walking tour of Dublin traces the footsteps of the 1916 Easter Rising, visiting the General Post Office, Moore Street, O'Connell Street, and other key rebellion sites. The group then tours Kilmainham Jail — where many of the Rising's leaders were imprisoned and executed — before an evening of free exploration in the lively cobblestone streets of Temple Bar.

Day 3 — Glendalough & Wicklow Jail Investigation

The group travels to Glendalough in County Wicklow, the hauntingly beautiful 6th-century monastic site founded by St. Kevin in a glacial valley. The evening brings a paranormal investigation of Wicklow Jail, a historic prison notorious for brutal conditions and the imprisonment of 1798 rebels — some of whose spirits are said to have never left.

Day 4 — Vinegar Hill, Carrigbyrne Hill & Waterford

Two of the 1798 Rebellion's most significant sites take center stage today. Vinegar Hill in County Wexford was the scene of a devastating four-hour battle that left 1,500 dead. Carrigbyrne Hill served as a rebel camp before the bloody Battle of New Ross. The group arrives in Waterford with the afternoon and evening free to explore.

Day 5 — Waterford Crystal, Midleton Distillery & Cobh Titanic Museum

A lighter day of Irish craft and maritime history begins at the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre, where master craftsmen demonstrate the ancient art of hand-cut crystal. The group then visits Midleton Distillery in County Cork — home of Jameson Irish Whiskey, with roots going back to 1825 — before a moving visit to the Cobh Titanic Museum, marking the last port of call for the 123 passengers who boarded there in April 1912.

Day 6 — Charles Fort, Béal na Bláth & Collins Center

The tour visits Charles Fort in Kinsale, a 17th-century star-shaped fortification on Cork Harbour. The group then travels to Béal na Bláth — the quiet country road where Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins was ambushed and killed on August 22, 1922 — before visiting the Collins Center museum in Clonakilty, dedicated to his life and legacy.

Day 7 — Ring of Kerry

A full scenic day on the famous Ring of Kerry, taking in the Bog Village, the coastal town of Waterville (a favorite holiday destination of Charlie Chaplin), Moll's Gap, Torc Waterfall, ancient stone forts, and possibly Ross Castle. The group overnights in lively Killarney, with the evening free to enjoy the town's pubs and restaurants.

Day 8 — Bunratty Castle, Folk Park & Galway City

The group visits the iconic 15th-century Bunratty Castle in County Clare — the most complete and authentic castle in Ireland — and wanders the adjoining Folk Park before a visit to the adjacent Durty Nelly's pub. The tour then continues to vibrant Galway City, with time to explore its colorful streets, live music, seafood restaurants, and unique local character.

Day 9 — Athlone Heritage & Hill of Uisneach

The group visits the Athlone Visitor Center on the River Shannon, exploring the layered history of this central Irish town, before heading to the Hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath — the ancient mythological and political heart of Ireland, connected to every significant event in the country's history from Neolithic times through the modern era.

Day 10 — Strokestown House & Fitzpatrick's Castle

A visit to Strokestown House's Famine Museum in County Roscommon brings to life the human cost of the Great Irish Famine through original documents, everyday objects, and powerful storytelling. The group then travels to Fitzpatrick's Castle in Killiney for the final night, with a farewell group dinner in the castle restaurant.

Day 11 — Departure from Dublin Airport

After a final breakfast, guests are transferred to Dublin Airport in time for return flights home.

• Transfers

We pick you up at Dublin airport on or before 9am the first day of the tour and leave you back to the airport at 9.30am the last day.

• Meals

11 Full Irish breakfasts

• Accommodation

We stay in 3/4 star hotels around the country, and your last nights stay is in a 17th century Castle.

• Venue's

Fee's into all venues on Itinerary

• Guides

Secret Ireland Tours tour guide and local guides associated with different venues

• Courtney McInvale

Courtney's insight and knowledge will be on full display while in Ireland

• Snacks

Snacks and Drinks on bus while traveling on bus.

• Taxes

All Taxes and charges

• Coach

Comfortable Motor coach

• Driver

Expert Driver who know the roads like the back of his hand

• Ambassador

Courtney McInvale will be with us for the duration of the tour and will share her knowledge and gifts.

• Meals

We treat you to a welcome Lunch and an evening meal at Fitzpatrick's Castle the night before you leave Ireland.

• Flights

We do not cover flights

• Travel Insurance

Travel insurance links are on our website: www.SecretIrelandToursLLC.com if you wish to use them.

• Tips

It is totally up to you if you want to tip the driver and guide. We appreciate it.

• Meals

Lunch or evening meal

• Laundry

We do our best to arrange laundry services but the price is not included in the cost of the tour.