JGT “Bucket List” Special
Do it before you kick it! Limited places

“The Irish in New Orleans”
With Prof. Laura Kelley

A tour to explore the strong links between the Irish and New Orleans. St Patrick’s Parade.
The Plantations. The Swamps. The Jazz and the Blues. Soak it up and have a party too.

Intimate Group departs 10th March 2016. 5 Days
Fully escorted in New Orleans by Prof Laura Kelley
(see below for more on Prof Kelley)

St. Patrick’s Day in New Orleans

New Orleans’ history is rich with Irish influence and ancestry. So when this traditional day of Irish celebration rolls around, many places in the city celebrate it in full force. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on the Saturday before St Patrick’s Day. It rolls down the lower section of Magazine Street and St. Charles Avenue. Marchers and riders in the parade will have plenty of green beads and doubloons and, if you are really lucky, you might catch a coveted potato or head of cabbage. The tuxedo-clad marchers also hand out paper flowers in exchange for a kiss on the hand or cheek.

Itinerary

Thursday 10 March: Dublin to New Orleans
Fly from Dublin on United Airlines via Washington. Arrive New Orleans in the evening and transfer to your hotel in the French Quarter. You are free this evening to check out a jazz club or two.

Friday 11 March: Morning Tour of New Orleans
“The Irish in New Orleans”. A tour of New Orleans, exploring the strong Irish connections, with Prof. Laura Kelley. Back to the hotel at about lunch time and you will be free to wander for the rest of the day.

Saturday 12 March: St Patrick’s Parade
This morning the group will travel by streetcar to a St Patrick’s Parade Party in a private house on St Charles Avenue. This is right on the parade route and you will have a bird’s eye view of the New Orleans version of the St Patrick’s Parade. Lunch (bacon & cabbage among a selection of other dishes) is included, as well as wine and beer to keep the party moving. There will be seating outside on the parade route as well as in the courtyard of the house to watch, rest and congregate during the parade. As this is a private party, you will have the chance to meet and chat with local New Orleanians. The parade lasts from 1200 to 1600 and reaches the house at about 1300. Once the parade has ended and the party fades, you can return to your hotel by streetcar for another scenic ride. This evening you are free to join in the “Green” celebrations.

Sunday 13 March: Full Day Plantation & Swamp Tour.
Depart your hotel at 0800 and visit Laura Plantation and Oak Alley Plantation. Two very different plantations near each other.

Laura Plantation, a Creole Plantation, has a rich and unique history, from the home itself to the stories of the four women that ran it, one of which it was named for. Tour this 200+ year old sugarcane plantation. The tour includes a walk through of the “Big House” as well as slave quarters. Much of the plantation was destroyed in 2003, but has since been rebuilt and restored to it’s original glory.

Oak Alley Plantation gets its name from the spectacular quarter mile tunnel of 28 oak trees that frame the plantation as you approach. Built in 1839 and facing the Mississippi River, Oak Alley’s magnificent appearance makes it a “must see” destination on everyone’s list of historic Louisiana sites.

Enjoy a sumptuous lunch, after which you will be treated to a 90 minute swamp tour.

Honey Island Swamp, located in the eastern portion of St. Tammany parish in Louisiana, is considered to be the most pristine swampland remaining in the United States. It is a government protected wildlife area, with wildlife that includes alligators, bald eagles, raccoon, owls, wild boars, nutria, snakes, turtles, and black bears. Even though the swamp is full of wildlife, it takes a trained eye to actually spot most of it. The guides are trained to do just that.

Mysteries and legends have enshrouded this swampland for centuries. Since the terrain can be difficult to navigate, it has been a hideout for many who were on the run from law enforcement. Pirates, robbers, murderers, moonshiners, and other unsavory characters have taken refuge in this swampland.

Return to your hotel early evening, in time to make a night of it.

Monday 14 March: Free Day & Evening Reception
You have the entire day at your disposal to soak up the southern hospitality. This evening, meet in the hotel lobby and transfer to a private home for a reception with the local Irish-American politicians and business leaders. Enjoy a glass of wine, some beer and hors d’oeuvres from 1730 – 1900. Afterwards, you will have a chance to hit the jazz clubs for one last time.

Tuesday 15 March: New Orleans to Dublin
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer by coach to New Orleans Airport. Depart New Orleans at 1235 and fly home via Toronto with Air Canada.

Wednesday 16 March: Arrive Dublin
Arrive home to Dublin at 0725.

END

To book this hotel call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie

“The Irish in New Orleans”

By Professor Laura Kelly

Laura D. Kelley, is an immigrant and ethnic historian at Tulane University and the Academic Director of Tulane’s Summer in Dublin Program. Her popular courses on Louisiana culture and history as well as Irish New Orleans are offered regularly and take students out of the classroom to explore these dimensions of New Orleans’ cuisine, pubs, music and architecture. She is also the section editor for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities KNOWLA Project and has published articles on Louisiana History, as well as online collections. Her book, “The Irish in New Orleans”, was released in October 2014 and is the winner of the bronze medal in the Regional Non-Fiction category of the Independent Publisher Awards- IPPY- and a finalist for the INDIEFAB award. She is currently completing her second manuscript, The Greening of New Orleans. http://www.lauradkelley.com/

To book this hotel call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie

Since 1886, Hotel Monteleone has proudly stood as one of the first New Orleans landmarks. This world-famous French Quarter hotel is within walking distance of the most famous attractions and restaurants in New Orleans.

Featuring 570 luxurious Guest Rooms, including 55 Luxury Suites and Literary Author Suites, Hotel Monteleone provides everything you need for your trip to New Orleans. Whether you’re on vacation or visiting a convention in New Orleans, Hotel Monteleone has the perfect French Quarter hotel rooms for your stay.

This historic New Orleans landmark is a member of Historic Hotels of America, Preferred Hotel Group, and Associated Luxury Hotels International. Hotel Monteleone provides the best luxury hotel amenities, including a heated rooftop pool, 24/7 fitness center, and valet parking. Hotel Monteleone also offers 24/7 In-Room Dining.

 

 Tour Price

Sharing – € 2,199 pp inc.

Single Supplement €700

Our Quote Includes:-

International flights from Dublin to New Orleans on United Airlines via Washington in economy class
International flights from New Orleans to Dublin on Air Canada via Toronto, in economy class
All Airline & Airport taxes
Coach transfers between airport and hotel on arrival and departure
5 Nights accommodation in twin sharing at Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter
Breakfast each day
Tour of “Irish New Orleans”
St Patricks’s Reception, Parade viewing & Private Party, including lunch
Full day tour of plantations & swamps, including lunch
Private Party with local dignitaries including transfers
Guidance and knowledge of Prof Laura Kelley of Tulane University

Our Quote Excludes:-
Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera / video camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure taxes, etc.
Meals other than those specified above
Any insurance
Any ESTA/visa fees
Any other services not mentioned in the inclusion

N.B. This tour incorporates a lot of travelling by air. It is designed as a short intensive introduction to the Irish connection with New Orleans. You will have plenty of free time to experience the unique atmosphere of downtown New Orleans, with all it’s myriad of Jazz Clubs, Pubs and various other cultural experiences. You should have reasonably good mobility and a reasonable state of health. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory.

Special Notes:
Irish citizens require a valid ESTA to visit America. You are responsible for obtaining this yourself.
In case of any currency fluctuations or amendments to local Government taxes, or any fuel price rises, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly
For Flight bookings, we will require names including full first names, date of birth, passport number & expiry date. This information will be provided to the airlines and will be passed by them to the US Department of Homeland Security.

To book this tour call John Galligan Travel on (01) 207 6555 or e-mail leisure@jgt.ie