COSTA MESA, CA — Brendan Vacations is introducing a new Flexible Independent Travel (FIT) FAM to Ireland, giving Canadian and U.S. travel advisors the opportunity to experience three distinct travel styles in a single immersive trip.
Taking place Oct. 17-22, 2026, the new program marks the Celtic travel specialist’s first FIT-focused FAM and is designed to help advisors gain firsthand experience selling personalized travel throughout Ireland.
“The best way to match a client with their perfect Celtic experience is to have lived it yourself, and Brendan Vacations’ new FIT FAM is built to help advisors do exactly that,” said Whitney Ramirez, SVP Sales, Brendan Vacations North America. “Advisors will master the craft of selling Ireland through expert-led training, build relationships with fellow advisors and the Brendan Vacations team on-trip, and return equipped with firsthand knowledge of each of Brendan’s personalized FIT travel styles.”
The FAM features three simultaneous itineraries, each highlighting a different Brendan Vacations travel style: Seamless Rail, Luxurious Private Driver and Intimate Small Group touring.
Each itinerary focuses on a different region and style of travel throughout Ireland. All itineraries begin in Dublin before concluding with a shared finale at Ashford Castle, where all participating advisors will reunite for a series of hosted experiences at one of Ireland’s best-known luxury properties.
The trip will be hosted by Brendan Vacations Director of Sales Katie Jessup alongside Sales Managers Donna Looby and Kevin Loftus.
Itineraries include the following:
- The Kilkenny & Ashford Castle itinerary includes a guided exploration of Kilkenny featuring local storytelling experiences, visits to Kilkenny Castle, Rothe House and St. Canice’s Cathedral, along with a culinary walking tour.
- The Westport & Ashford Castle itinerary highlights Ireland’s food scene and natural landscapes, including visits to Achill Island, the Great Western Greenway and Kylemore Abbey.
- The Killarney & Ashford Castle itinerary explores Ireland’s scenic south through experiences such as a jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park and a Ring of Kerry excursion that includes a Deluxe Seaweed Experience, part of Brendan Vacations’ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER program.
Once at Ashford Castle, advisors will participate in a falconry experience at Ireland’s oldest falconry school and enjoy a fine dining dinner at the George V Restaurant.
“Travel advisors are at the core of everything we do, and this FAM is our commitment to that partnership in action,” said Catherine Reilly, Managing Director of Brendan Vacations. “Ireland is in our DNA and we want every advisor who sells it to feel as passionate about it as we do. We are thrilled to be introducing this new opportunity for advisors to experience multiple Brendan travel styles in one journey, and look forward to making it an annual tradition.”
The FAM is open to travel advisors from Canada and the United States at a rate of US$1,099 per person based on twin-share accommodation.
Advisors can apply by selecting an itinerary, submit an application and securing their space with a deposit once confirmed.
Applications are now open and accepted on a rolling basis, with the first round of confirmations scheduled for June 15, 2026.
To apply, click here.
Lead image caption: Ashford Castle, Ireland — Credit The Travel Corporation
