By Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director
July is a particularly special time along the coast, where we have not one but four incredible firework displays, and equally as many parades and festivals happening all over the county. From Wiener Dog races to the Dory Days Celebration, there is almost always something fun going on.
July is also the perfect month to register for our Ireland trip in April of 2018. If you sign up before the end of July, you can take advantage of our July promotion and receive $100 off your registration costs. We already have 22 people registered and spots are filling up quickly. So if you’ve been on the fence about whether or not you want to come with us, don’t hesitate much longer. My advice would be to find someone who attended our recent China trip and talk to them about their experience. Or just come in and talk to Sierra and myself, because we could go on for hours about what a beneficial trip it was – both as a Chamber fundraiser, but more importantly as a community- and friendship-building excursion. It turns out when you take 65 people from Tillamook to a foreign country, great things can happen. We anticipate our Ireland trip will be no different in terms of the number of people, but what is different is the amount of flexibility built into the trip. You can add additional stops or tours, and even use your frequent flier miles to get there. Or, stay a couple of extra days after the official tour wraps up. It’s an opportunity to travel as a group and still individualize the trip to fit your personal preferences. You will have the option to customize your trip for additional costs, and may decide to visit a traditional Irish music and dance show while we’re in County Kerry, or attend a banquet dinner in a 17th-century castle overlooking Galway Bay. Â
Our 11-day tour of Ireland will explore the island’s rich culture by visiting several of its cities and exploring the beautiful landscape.  The tour includes nine nights in handpicked hotels, breakfast served daily, a private deluxe motor coach and guided sightseeing. Travelers will be treated to 40 shades of green in Ireland, local pubs and fresh pints, friendly locals, and historical sites. Â
We will begin in historic Dublin, that includes the opportunity to step inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral and view the remains of a 6th century church.Then, the tour group will spend two nights in County Cork. We will see a world-class racehorse farm, and tour the iconic Rock of Cashel that dates back to the 12th century. On the second day, the group will visit the town of Cobh and experience the Cobh Heritage Centre. Then, we’ll make a stop at Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. And while kissing the stone isn’t a requirement, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you can bet a bunch of us will be puckering up.
From there the group will spend two nights in County Kerry, stopping along the way to tour a Victorian mansion. On day seven, we will make our way around the Ring of Kerry, a 112-mile coastal route that covers Ireland’s most spectacular scenery. Next comes a two-night stay in Galway, with more chances to visit historic castles, and a walk along the coastline of the Cliffs of Moher. Here we also get a full free day to explore on our own and soak in the Irish culture.
And finally, the trip concludes in Dublin, stopping at the historic Kilbeggan Distillery for an Irish whisky tasting – because no trip to Ireland is complete without a bit of whiskey.
For more information about Ireland and how to take advantage of our special July promotion, contact Sierra Lauder at sierra@tillamookchamber.org, or call our office at 503-842-7525.