SAMPLE - Cultural Ireland Adventure

2 Adults

Spring 2024

Number of Travellers: 2
Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights

Overview

On a carefully crafted trip, enjoy exploring the beautiful landscapes and rich culture of Ireland. Discover Dublin – the country’s bright and lively capital, before heading into the wilder, green countryside. Accompanied by an expert guide, enjoy a scenic boat trip in the stunning Killarney National Park, meet a local forager and storyteller to gather seaweed on the wind-swept Iveragh Peninsula, and bake tradtional Irish soda bread in the warmth of a farmhouse kitchen. Where every detail of your advneture has been meticulously taken care of, discover the rich cultural tapestry that wild, romamtic beauty that Ireland is renowned for. After exciting, perfectly paced days, relax in exquisite accommodation, all chosen for their lovely location, delicious food and warm hospitality.

 

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Arrive in Dublin | Overnight: Dublin

Day 2 | Rock of Cashel & Blarney Castle | Overnight: Kenmare

Day 3 | Seaweed Foraging & Baking Bread | Overnight: Killarney

Day 4 | Killarney National Park | Overnight: Killarney

Day 5 | Sheep Dog Experience and Burren Perfumery | Overnight: Connemara

Day 6 | Exploring Connemara National Park | Overnight: Connemara

Day 7 | Cheese Farm Tour and Afternoon Falconry | Overnight: Ballyfin

Day 8 | Relax at the Ballyfin Demesne | Overnight: Ballyfin

Day 9 | Depart Home

Highlights

  • Visit some of Ireland's most evocative and fascinating historical sites.
  • Meet a local farmer and watch a brilliant sheep dog demonstration.
  • Enjoy a tour and a tasting at a family-run cheese farm in Galway.
  • Stay in hand-picked, luxurious accommodation, all chosen for their delicious food and unique charm.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Arrive in Dublin

Landing in Dublin Airport today, meet your private driver and make the short journey to your city centre hotel. Your room is held for you, so check-in is available on arrival. Take some to relax and enjoy some lunch, before meeting a local guide for a fantastic and engaging walking tour of the city. Discover the story behind the Book of Kells – the most famous medieval illuminated manuscript in the world, and enjoy exploring St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Temple Bar and Stephen’s Green. This evening, enjoy a delicious dinner and toast to your first night on the Emerald Isle.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion Hotel
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Rock of Cashel & Blarney Castle

After breakfast, depart Dublin and ribbon your way into the countryside. Stop to visit the impressive Rock of Cashel, where a local archaeologist will reveal the stories surrounding one of the country’s most iconic collections of medieval buildings. The surviving ruins here are remarkable – Cormac’s Chapel, for example, contains the only surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland. After exploring, continue into County Cork and stop by the country’s most famous castle, Blarney. Climb the tower and kiss the stone for the gift of the gab. Arrive in the picturesque town of Kenmare this evening, enjoying a delicious dinner in town before spending the night in a romantic, traditionally thatched cottage.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Seaweed Foraging & Baking Bread

On the southern shores of the Iveragh Peninsula, meet John, a local foraging expert and storyteller who will take you on a wander along the shoreline. Enjoy some seaweed nibbles, including the flavoursome duilleasc and nori, and hear about a life spent on the wild west coast. After a lovely, interesting morning spent with John, visit Molly’s Cottage to bake a traditional Irish soda bread. As the smell of freshly baked bread wafts through the cosy kitchen, enjoy a mug of tea and a thick slice spread with real Kerry butter fresh from the churn. This evening, settle into your welcoming hotel, beautifully situated on a private estate on the edge of Killarney National Park.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Killarney National Park

Accompanied by your guide, spend the day exploring the enchanting scenery of Killarney National Park. Ireland’s oldest park, Killarney stretches across 10,000 hectares and encompasses a stunning combination of mountains, lakes, woodlands and waterfalls. Enjoy a tour of the famed Killarney Lakes with Dux, your Kerryman skipper, who has been sailing these lakes since he was a child. Explore Muckross Abbey, with its ancient and mystical yew tree growing in its centre and visit the Muckross Estate, home of lords, ladies and gentlemen. If you would prefer a more active afternoon, we can easily arrange a bike ride, horse riding or an afternoon hike with your guide. Enjoy dinner in the lively Killarney this evening, perhaps heading to a pub to enjoy some live Irish music.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5 - Sheep Dog Experience and Burren Perfumery

After a leisurely breakfast, head out to a working sheep farm. Meet a lovely local farmer and enjoy watching his brilliant sheepdogs work the flock. Chat about this traditional way of life, learning about the time, training and knowledge that goes into producing a happy, working dog. Afterwards, visit the Burren Perfumery for a delicious lunch and behind the scenes tour. Taking its inspiration from Ireland’s wild landscapes, the perfumery produces a wonderful array of perfumes, soaps and creams. Later this afternoon, ribbon your way into the wild, barren beauty of Connemara and settle into your excellent hotel.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6 - Exploring Connemara National Park

Dominated by two mountain ranges, Connemara is exceptionally beautiful. To the southwest, the land breaks up into a myriad of tiny islands, large sandy beaches are washed by clear blue water, and the coastline is impressively rugged. Further inland, heather-cloaked hills beckon to be explored. Join your guide to hike to Diamond Hill’s glittering quartzite summit and soak in the views. After a well-deserved lunch, enjoy a tour of Kylemore Abbey and the Victorian Walled Gardens. After dinner this evening, enjoy listening to some lively traditional music in the Fisherman’s Pub in Ballynahinch Castle.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7 - Cheese Farm Tour and Afternoon Falconry

This morning, visit a family farm in Galway to meet Tessa, who – after many years of working abroad as a flying doctor – returned to put her energy into empowering women in Ireland’s farming industry and producing delicious hard cheese inspired by the Swiss Alps. Enjoy a tour of the farm and a unique tasting experience (a word to the wise – don’t eat too much breakfast as you’ll need some room!). This afternoon, arrive at your stunning country house hotel and enjoy a private falconry display in the peaceful grounds. Get up close to these magnificent birds and appreciate the opportunity to fly them yourself.

Overnight: Ballyfin | Ballyfin Demesne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 - Relax at the Ballyfin Demesne

This morning, head to Ballyfin Demesne – an exclusive hotel at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, where stone walls enclose 614 acres of beautiful ground. You’re encouraged to relax and enjoy all this place has to offer today, with your guide on hand should you require anything further afield. Explore the eighty-foot library, soak up the grandeur of the saloon, or sink into the informality of the sun-filled conservatory (reached through a secret door hidden in a bookshelf). Unwind in the pool, relax with a massage or enjoy the rejuvenating qualities of a cold plunge and a hot sauna. Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea this afternoon, or head out onto the lawns for an alfresco picnic basket. This evening, a celebratory meal by candlelight will bring your Irish adventure to its perfect close.

Overnight: Ballyfin | Ballyfin Demesne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9 - Depart Home

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the airport, where your trip will conclude. Arriving with plenty of time to nip through security and find your gate, begin your journey home feeling refreshed and relaxed after a thoroughly enjoyable adventure exploring Ireland.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to day 9
  • All meals included in the itinerary, breakfast daily, lunch and dinner while guided. Cheese and Picnic Experiences
  • Services of an experienced guide from Day 2 to 9
  • Ground transportation from Day 2 to 9
  • All guided hikes, entrance fees and activities, specifically:
    • Private Dublin Walking Tour
    • Tour of Rock of Cashel
    • Entry Blarney Castle
    • Private Unique Foraging Experience
    • Private Bread Baking Experience
    • Private boat and jarvey Experience Killarney National Park
    • Private Sheep Dog Demo
    • Private Perfumery tour and experience
    • Connemara Hike
    • Tour Kylemore Abbey
    • Music at Ballynahinch
    • Private Cheese Farm Tour
    • Private Falconry at Ballyfin
    • Picnic House/ Afternoon tea experience
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for the main driver guide
Pricing Read More

Please contact Wilderness Group for updated pricing on this sample proposal.

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Afternoon Tea

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Virtuoso

SAMPLE – Cultural Ireland Adventure

Spring 2024