Secret Ireland Tours are delighted to have the pleasure of Courtney McInvale as our Ambassador on this very special and exclusive tour. If you are a history buff or into the paranormal then Courtney and Ireland is just right for you. 

You will spend 9 days in Ireland going from North to South, East to West discovering its history, myths, folklore, battles, rebellions and its hauntings. 

While we are in Ireland you will also experience some breath-taking scenery too, like the famous Ring of Kerry.

You will learn the customs and traditions of the Irish people and we hope that you will make many friends while roaming on this ancient land. 

Courtney McInvale

Courtney McInvale is the founder of Seaside Shadows based out of Mystic, Connecticut and offering walking tours and boat tours throughout the southern New England region. She is a licensed tour guide, published author and actual descendant of accused witches. Courtney is a Connecticut native and spent 5 years in DC after completing her studies at Catholic University of America and the University College Dublin where she studied abroad, majoring in International Relations.   After earning her degree, she worked for the FBI as an analyst -- having been influenced by her time interning at NCIS for the Cold Case Homicide Unit. Following her internship Courtney spent 2 years in Vermont working for Dept of Homeland Security and honing her investigative skills. 

Courtney also spent many months in Ireland in study and visiting, a place rich with histories and hauntings alike! She avidly studies histories of  early American in wartime -- specially the American Civil War and American Revolution as well, Celtic cultures in Ireland and Scotland, specializing in rebellions. She also has a special interest in Celtic cultures during times of rebellion.

Courtney has frequently had fascination with the unexplained and supernatural legends. In Courtney's childhood home in central Connecticut, in a town called East Hampton numerous paranormal occurrences happened. The events were so notable that the Warren family came to investigate the house during her teenage years there. Intrigued by her childhood home and raised by a teacher and a history major, she has always taken an interest in the unknown and has now put her sensitivities, investigative skills, love of history, and writing aspirations to work.

Courtney is also a realist amongst all things. That means you will get an excited, thought-provoking and spooky tour while at the same time being inundated with historical facts to corroborate all the haunting occurrences surrounding all tour regions and within all books  

Courtney has written two books for Arcadia Publishing and the History Press including Haunted Mystic (2014) and Revolutionary War Ghosts of Connecticut (2016) and three books for Haunted Road Media including Civil War Ghosts of Connecticut (2021). Civil War Ghosts of Georgia Volume 1 (2023) and Civil War Ghosts of Georgia Volume 2 (Jan 2024) in the Bury my Bones series. 

Courtney has been featured as a historian on Travel Channel’s Portals to Hell and on Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures. She hosts paranormal investigations and historical site fundraisers annually.  

In her free time Courtney  loves spending time with her husband, Marty, her loving pets, her sisters and wee niece & nephews. She is a sucker for a good period drama or true crime documentary and in free time can be found attending Whiskey Myers and other concerts or nerding out over Outlander and Vikings.

Seaside Shadows is an award-winning tour company originating in Mystic, CT and spreading throughout New England as it comes up across the USA. Their unique brand of haunted history blends legends and folklore in a mix best described as history and mystery giving guests an entertaining and educational experience they wont soon forget. By using master storytelling, Seaside Shadows’ founder Courtney McInvale and her team of guides bring guests on thrilling adventures weaving true stories of dark history, the legends that have come to be and the tales of paranormal that remain today.

We were so excited to launch our Ireland tour, we put it in the spring before we realized ….you’ll want your spooktacular experience as the air gets a chill and the veil between the living and the dead increases. So join us in September 2025 for Courtney and Seaside Shadows Spiritual  Tour – Rebels of Ireland. We can’t wait to spook you soon

This tour is based on 25 people taking part.

We have done our very best to give you a tour that you can afford. We stay in mostly 4 star hotels around the country and your last night in Ireland you stay in a Castle. Below you will see what you costs cover and do not cover.

We have interest free installment plans for you to consider. We can design any length installment plan you wish. 

1  The company requires non-refundable deposits to be paid as per tour in a timely manner. By paying a deposit you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Company.

2  Our tours are all based on double occupancy. There will be an additional supplement for single travelers which will depend on tour taken. 

3  Payment for deposit will hold your place, final balance  payment will be 30 days before the start of your choice of  tour. If you are paying by credit card you will have bank charges.

4  Installment plans are available for anyone who would like to avail of them.

5  Travel insurance is something that the company strongly suggests all clients purchase to protect their travel investment.

6  Due to limited capacity on coaches, there is a limit of one suitcase per passenger. 

7  Participants are responsible for all their property, luggage, backpacks, phone's, laptops etc. 

8  The company tour guide will give all participants phone no's of tour guides and driver at the start of the trip or in an email before the start of the trip, it is vital that you keep these in a safe place.

9  At the start of each day your tour guide will tell you what time you should be ready, or to be on the bus for the next day's journey, it is up to you to contact your guide if you missed announcements on times. 

10 There is a cancellation fee for participants who cancel within 90 days of the start of trip. Please see contract.

11  Some of our trips require walking over stony roads and pathways, it is advised to always bring strong waterproof walking shoes, and waterproof/windproof outer coats/jackets also.

12 We also advise all participants to let us know of food allergies they have.

13 Each participant is responsible for their baggage being brought from the Coach to their accommodation except in the case where the company have booked porterage. The group will be advised where porterage will take place.

14 Conditions, availability, or contractual obligations may warrant for dates, venues, lodging, talent/celebrity headliners/hosts/guests. Ambassadors, tour guides or transportation modes to be changed or cancelled. It is our intent and obligation, within the best of our ability, to substitute and /or accommodate equal or enhanced alternatives. We will not refund any deposits or payments towards the tour due to these conditions.

15. Conditions, availability, or contractual obligations may warrant for dates, venues, lodging,  talent/celebrity headliners/hosts/guests. Ambassadors, tour guides or transportation modes to be changed or cancelled. It is our intent, within the best of our ability, to substitute and /or accommodate equal or enhanced alternatives. We will not refund any deposits or payments towards the tour due to these conditions.

16 Secret Ireland Tours operates on an 8 to 9 hour day policy. When we depart early, usually around 9 AM, we generally return to our accommodations between 6 PM and 7 PM. If we have evening excursions, we leave later in the day to comply with legal driving time regulations for our driver.

17 We do not hire additional drivers to extend the length of our tours. While some people may prefer tours lasting 10 to 12 hours, the majority do not.

18 We reserve the right to refuse service.

Battle of the Boyne.

On July 1, 1690, the River Boyne ran dark with blood, and the land itself was scarred by fear, desperation, and death. As King William III clashed with the exiled King James II, thousands of men fell screaming into the water, many never to be recovered. James fled the battlefield, leaving behind soldiers who died believing they had been abandoned—not just by their king, but by God. Locals say the ground along the Boyne never truly healed. On mist-heavy mornings, shadowy figures are reported moving along the riverbanks, spectral soldiers forever marching toward a battle that never ends. Visitors speak of sudden chills, whispered voices, and the overwhelming sensation of being watched. Some believe the souls of the fallen remain trapped between worlds, bound to the river by betrayal and unfinished duty—making the Boyne not just a historic battlefield, but one of Ireland’s most quietly haunted landscapes.

Christchurch Cathedral:

Rising above the heart of medieval Dublin, Christ Church Cathedral is one of the city’s most atmospheric and historic landmarks. Beneath the cathedral lies one of the largest medieval crypts in Ireland and Britain, a vast, candle-lit space where centuries seem to linger in the shadows. The crypt houses ancient artifacts, mummified remains, and echoes of Dublin’s past that many visitors describe as deeply unsettling yet fascinating. Above, the Bell Tower has called the faithful to prayer for over a thousand years, its bells once used to warn of invasion, fire, and unrest. Today, their deep tolling still resonates through the city, and some say through time itself. With its soaring stonework, hidden passageways, and heavy sense of history, Christ Church Cathedral is a place where the sacred and the mysterious exist side by side.

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Itinerary in subject to slight change depending on weather and conditions out of our control.

Activity level: Moderate

Walking tour Dublin:

Step back into one of the most defining moments in Irish history on a walking tour of Dublin that traces the footsteps of the 1916 Easter Rising. As you move through the city streets, you’ll visit iconic locations such as the General Post Office, the heart of the rebellion, along with Moore Street, O’Connell Street, and other key sites where volunteers fought, planned, and ultimately surrendered. Along the way, powerful stories of bravery, sacrifice, and loss bring the events of that fateful week to life, revealing how ordinary streets became battlegrounds and how the Rising forever changed Ireland’s path to independence. This immersive walk through history offers a moving and unforgettable way to experience Dublin, where echoes of revolution still seem to linger in the air.

Kilmainham Jail:

Rising above the heart of medieval Dublin, Christ Church Cathedral is one of the city’s most atmospheric and historic landmarks. Beneath the cathedral lies one of the largest medieval crypts in Ireland and Britain, a vast, candle-lit space where centuries seem to linger in the shadows. The crypt houses ancient artifacts, mummified remains, and echoes of Dublin’s past that many visitors describe as deeply unsettling yet fascinating. Above, the Bell Tower has called the faithful to prayer for over a thousand years, its bells once used to warn of invasion, fire, and unrest. Today, their deep tolling still resonates through the city, and some say through time itself. With its soaring stonework, hidden passageways, and heavy sense of history, Christ Church Cathedral is a place where the sacred and the mysterious exist side by side.

Temple Bar:

Bursting with energy and character, Temple Bar is the beating heart of Dublin’s cultural and social life. As you wander its cobbled streets, you’ll be surrounded by colorful pubs, lively music spilling from doorways, and a vibrant mix of street performers, artists, and storytellers. By day, Temple Bar reveals its creative side with galleries, bookshops, and historic corners tucked between the bustle; by night, it transforms into a whirlwind of laughter, live traditional music, and unforgettable craic. Steeped in history yet pulsing with modern life, exploring Temple Bar offers an exhilarating taste of Dublin’s spirit—where every corner hums with energy and every visit feels like a celebration.

Itinerary is subject to slight change depending on weather and other conditions out of our control.

Activity Level: Moderate

Glendalough 

Glendalough has been a place of pilgrimage since the 6th century when St. Kevin lived there as a hermit and ascetic, attracting followers and establishing a monastery there.  Little is known for certain about Kevin, since the many stories we have were first written centuries after his passing. These stories and myths continue to fascinate and offer inspiration today.

St. Laurence O’Toole was abbot in the Glendalough monastery and initiated reform before being appointed Archbishop of Dublin in 1162. It is believed that he remained a monk at heart and returned to Glendalough on retreat frequently.

Wicklow Jail:

Wicklow Gaol is a historic prison located in the town of Wicklow in Ireland, which gained notoriety for the brutality of the prison wardens, and the harsh treatment suffered by its inmates, many of them who were imprisoned for crimes as petty as stealing a potato. The prison was closed down in the 20th century, however there are tales that some of the spectral inmates never left.

In 1798, almost a century after Wicklow Gaol first opened, the Irish Rebellion of 1798, known also as the Rising, broke out. This was a local uprising against British rule in Ireland, which ended in defeat for the rebels. County Wicklow was a major area of conflict, and its gaol was used to imprison rebels who were captured. Many of them were executed and their corpses disposed of by throwing them into waters offshore from fishing boats. Several prominent rebels were also imprisoned in Wicklow Gaol. Two of the most famous inmates of Wicklow Gaol during this time were William “Billy” Byrne, and James ‘Napper’ Tandy.     

You will do an investigation this evening of the Jail.

Itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and other conditions beyond our control.

Activity level. Moderate

Vinegar Hill

The most famous site of the 1798 Rebellion, its current peace, serenity and spectacular views belies its background as one of the bloodiest battlefields in Irish history.  20,000 men, women and children faced 10,000 members of the Crown forces in a battle that lasted only four hours, but left 1,500 dead in a county distraught.

Carrigbyrne Hill:

During the 1798 Rebellion, the area around Carrigbyrne Hill was used as a camp by the United Irishmen, who were in the process of marching on New Ross. The insurgents, who had recently captured the town of Wexford, stopped and camped at an area called “Camp Field”, a day before the Battle of New Ross took place. The next day, in New Ross, over 2,000 Irish rebels were killed as the town’s garrison held out long enough for British reinforcements to arrive.

Waterford

Staying in Waterford tonight, we get there early enough to have the afternoon and evening off.

Itinerary subject to slight change depending on weather and other conditions beyond our control.

Activity level: Moderate/hard

Waterford Crystal:

A visit to the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre offers a fascinating glimpse into one of Ireland’s most celebrated crafts. Here, centuries of tradition come to life as master craftsmen demonstrate the skill, precision, and artistry behind each dazzling piece of crystal. As you move through the factory floors, you’ll witness molten crystal being shaped, cut, and polished by hand, transforming raw material into works of breathtaking beauty. The experience ends in the stunning retail galleries, where light dances through intricate designs that have made Waterford Crystal famous around the world—an unforgettable blend of heritage, craftsmanship, and Irish pride.

Midlton Distillery

With a distilling history dating back to the 19th century, Midleton’s renowned bounty has been said to have drawn whiskey into being.

From its beginnings on the banks of the crystalline Dungourney River, Midleton Distillery’s links with the land run deep and long.

Of course whiskey is also the lifeblood of a people and their aspirations. And this town has always been a pioneering community, from the moment the Murphy family started to distil here in 1825.

Cobh Titanic Museum

On April 11th 1912, 123 passengers came to the busy harbour town of Queenstown (now known as Cobh), to board Titanic bound for New York.
Four days later they would find themselves fighting for their lives in one of the worlds most tragic maritime disasters.
With knowledgeable guides and immersive audio visual displays, we will take you on a unique and emotive journey back in time.

Itinerary is subject to slight change depending on weather and other conditions out of our control.

Activity Level: Easy

Charles Fort

Charles Fort is a trace italienne fortification, a bastion fort with one section of the outer wall built in star fashion. It is located at the southern end of the village of Summer Cove, on Kinsale harbour, County Cork,. First completed in 1682, Charles Fort was sometimes historically referred to as the "new fort" - to contrast with James' Fort which had been built on the other side of Kinsale harbour before 1607.

Béal Na Bláth

Head west from the service station  in the small village and through sweeping bends of rough-surfaced country roads, and you come upon a shallow ditch, arguably one of Ireland’s most pivotal historic sites. 

On the left-hand side of the road, looking west, stands a Celtic cross and close by is a short white concrete pillar with a black cross engraved. 

This is the site of the ambush where Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins died and where the Civil War reached a critical moment on August 22, 1922. 

Collins Center

Michael Collins House, Clonakilty is now a museum dedicated to Irish patriot and revolutionary hero, Michael Collins. We learn about the “Big Fella” himself, his life story entwined with the history of the fight for Irish independence. The museum is presented in an accessible manner through guided tours, interactive displays, audio visuals, artefacts and more, bringing the history to life. For those looking to delve into the history further information boards, history talks and the highly qualified tour guides will more than happily engage in debate and answer any questions you may have.

Itinerary subject to change due to weather or other conditions out of our control.

Activity Level: Easy

Ring of Kerry

What can we say about the Ring of Kerry that has not already been said. We will start by visiting the famous Bog Village and from there we will visit Waterville where the one and only Charlie Chaplin came on vacation. We will visit forts and sites of ancient interest but we will also see Molls Gap and Torc waterfall, we might even get to visit Ross Castle too. But you will stay in lively Killarney, so you can enjoy the night life there.

Itinerary subject to slight change depending on weather and other conditions beyond out control.

Activity Level: Easy

 Bunratty Castle and Folk Park

You get to visit the acclaimed 15th iconic Bunratty Castle  - the most complete and authentic castle in Ireland.
The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking trading camp in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on the site. Take a tour of this iconic fortress; hear and see how the lords and ladies of this castle lived; hear stories of battles and bravery and enjoy stunning views across the idyllic Clare countryside. They roam around the folk park and learn how everyday people lived in times gone by. 

We will pop down to Durty Nelly's pub for a drink before we leave for Galway.

Galway City:

Lively, colorful, and full of soul, Galway City is a place where music, food, and culture spill joyfully onto the streets. As you stroll through its winding lanes, you’ll be greeted by the sounds of bustling street musicians, from traditional Irish tunes to modern melodies that create an ever-changing soundtrack. The city is renowned for its outstanding restaurants, offering everything from fresh Atlantic seafood to cozy pubs and award-winning dining, alongside a wonderful mix of unique shops, artisan boutiques, and local crafts. With its warm atmosphere and creative spirit, Galway captures the heart of everyone who visits and invites you to linger, explore, and soak up the famous Galway charm.

Itinerary subject to slight change depending on weather and other conditions beyond our control.
Activity Level: Moderate

Athlone Visitors Center

Trace the footprints of the generations who shaped this place. From early settlements and warring chieftains to foreign invaders and local heroes. This site on the River Shannon is the centre of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.

Hill of Uisneach

The Hill of Uisneach has featured in nearly every significant Irish Event - be it political, cultural, or religious. The story of Uisneach is the story of Ireland. From our earliest ancestors to the medieval high kings; from the saints and scholars of early Christianity to the freedom fighters and political leaders of the modern era: All have left their mark on the Hill of Uisneach.

Itinerary subject to slight change depending on weather and other conditions beyond our control.

Activity Level: Moderate to hard

Strokestown House

Encounter the voices of the famine through original documents produced by people whose lives were tied to the Strokestown Park Estate.

Discover what simple everyday objects, from farming tools to worn-out shoes, can tell us about the lived experience of famine at different levels of Irish society.

Learn about the political, social, economic, and environmental factors that played a part in the Great Irish Famine and contributed to its devastating human cost.

Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel:

Perched high above Dublin Bay in the elegant coastal village of Killiney, Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern luxury. This beautifully restored castle-style hotel features an inviting indoor swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, and a relaxing spa, ideal for unwinding after a day of exploration. Guests can enjoy exceptional dining across two restaurants, offering everything from refined cuisine to relaxed, casual fare, as well as two stylish bars where you can savor a drink while taking in the welcoming atmosphere. With its stunning views, warm hospitality, and excellent amenities, Fitzpatrick’s Castle Hotel provides a truly memorable and indulgent Irish stay.

Itinerary subject to slight change depending on weather and other conditions beyond our control.

Activity Level: Easy

After a hearty breakfast in Clontarf Castle we will transport you back to Dublin airoport.  We will wish you a safe flight home and hope to see you again soon!