Saturday 17th August – Sunday 25th August 2024
Picturesque coastal towns and villages, green pastoral fields, soaring cliffs, wild barren landscapes, the crash of the ocean, the laugh of a local. Ireland is romantic, and authentic, a home away from home where both old and modern seem to cohabit seamlessly on a small island in the middle of the sea. Packed with history and tradition your days are spent exploring Ireland’s famous and off-the-beaten-track sites of natural, cultural, and ancient interest. A world-renowned food scene means your evenings are spent dining in style and with the promise of a pub just around the corner, music and laughter are never far away. Your trip to Ireland will surprise and delight you but the people of Ireland will stay with you, long after your journey has taken you home.
This morning you will arrive in Ireland’s capital, Dublin. A private transfer will pick you up at arrivals and take you to your boutique hotel in the city centre. Check-in is at 3 pm however feel free to leave your bags, freshen up, or have a bite to eat. Head out in the afternoon to enjoy a walking tour with a private guide through the rich musical heritage of Dublin. Led by a knowledgeable local, you’ll stroll through the streets of Dublin and discover the stories and songs of the city’s most impactful musicians. From traditional Irish music to the sounds of rock, pop, and beyond, Dublin has been a melting pot of musical creativity for centuries. Along the way, you’ll visit iconic landmarks and venues associated with legendary artists such as U2, Thin Lizzy, The Dubliners, and more, hearing tales of their rise to fame and the lasting impact of their music on the city. This evening, enjoy dinner at one of Dublin’s many award-winning restaurants before ending the night in a cosy pub.
Booking ref: 237360836
Overnight: Dublin | Brooks Hotel
Room Type: x 1 classic twin, x 1 deluxe king
Meals Included: None
Supplier: Dublin Chauffeurs
Pick Up Location: Dublin Airport | Pick Up Time: 08:50
Phone: +353 (0)87 233 8396
Justin or one of his drivers will meet you at arrivals. They will have a sign with your name on it. Please don’t be alarmed if you are delayed as they have your flight number.
We recommend Bambino or Nancy Hands.
Activity: Dublin Musical Walking Tour
Guide: Joseph
Start Location: Brooks Hotel - Lobby | Start Time: 15:00 | Approx Duration: 1.5 hrs
Phone: +353 83 177 1144
Your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel.
EPIC Museum You won’t find leprechauns or pots of gold here, but you will discover that what it means to be Irish expands far beyond the borders of Ireland through the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, poets, artists and even outlaws all over the world.
Kilmainham Gaol For over 100 years Kilmainham Gaol held thousands of men, women and children for crimes that ranged from minor offences to being involved in some of the most momentous events in Irish history.
Dublin Castle Constructed in the early thirteenth century on the site of a Viking settlement, Dublin Castle served for centuries as the headquarters of English, and later British, administration in Ireland.
Please check the opening hours for the dates you’ll be visiting.
We recommend BANG Restaurant & Wine Bar, One Pico or Etto.
This morning, explore some of Dublin’s most iconic sights, starting with a tour of Trinity College and the Book of Kells. Your guided Trinity tour will take you around the campus, discovering some of the secrets and famous pupils who graced its halls and quads before making your way to the Old Library for an audio tour of the Book of Kells with its new immersive digital experience. Take a walk through the famous Temple Bar, the live trad. music spills out from many of the pubs and cafes along the cobbled stoned streets. Stop for a beverage or two, checking out some musicians and buskers as you go, making your way to the iconic Guinness Storehouse for a late afternoon tour. From the moment you step inside this historic establishment, you’ll be immersed in the rich heritage of Guinness, tracing its roots back to its founding by Arthur Guinness in 1759.
Overnight: Dublin | Brooks Hotel
Room Type: x 1 classic twin, x 1 deluxe king
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activity: Trinity College / Book of Kells
Start Location: Trinity College | Start Time: 09:00 | Approx Duration: 1.5 hrs
Phone: +353 (0)1 896 1000 | Website: https://www.visittrinity.ie/book-now/
Brooks Hotel to Trinity College: Route
Your tickets are attached below.
We recommend Bunsen or The Lucky Tortoise.
Activity: Guinness Storehouse
Start Location: Guinness Storehouse | Start Time: 15:00 | Approx Duration: 1.5 hrs
Booking Reference: 902186809
Phone: +353 (0)1 408 4800 | Website: https://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/home
Your tickets are attached below.
National Gallery of Ireland At the corner of Merrion Square West and Clare Street, the recently renovated National Gallery is a treasure trove of permanent and temporary art exhibitions. Highlights include Ireland’s National Portrait Collection, the Yeats Archive and stained glass by Harry Clarke.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral As the largest cathedral and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s has been at the heart of Dublin and Ireland’s history and culture for over 800 years.
Dublinia See Dublin from a new perspective as you travel back to the heart of the old city at Christchurch. Walk where Vikings walked, find out about Dublin’s rich past and even climb an original Medieval tower.
The GPO The GPO Museum is an immersive, interactive, and engaging experience telling the story of the 1916 Easter Rising and Modern Irish History.
The Jeanie Johnston One million Irish people fled Ireland during the famine. 2,500 took a gruelling voyage on the Jeanie Johnston. Take a journey back in time, get an insight into life on board a Famine ship, and hear the stories of the people who made the arduous voyage.
Marsh’s Library Marsh’s Library is a beautifully preserved library of the early Enlightenment. It was built with money provided by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh, an academic and book lover with a strong belief in the public utility of education and learning.
Please check opening times for the dates you’ll be visiting.
We recommend Delahunt, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud or Matt The Threshers.
This morning you’ll meet your local hiking guide and together you’ll make your way to the suburb of Howth – with its picturesque harbour, pretty beaches and wildflower-covered sea cliffs, it feels like the kind of village you’d find on a far-flung stretch of the west coast rather than a 25-minute train ride from the city centre. From the moment you arrive and walk along the waterfront, spotting the resident seals poking their heads up between the docked boats, you’ll see why it’s the go-to spot for Dubliners looking for a weekend breath of fresh air. Enjoy a leisurely hike as you breathe in the crisp sea air. Returning to the city this evening, we’ll provide plenty of recommendations for local dinner spots.
Overnight: Dublin | Brooks Hotel
Room Type: x 1 classic twin, x 1 deluxe king
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Name:
Paul Quinn
Contact Number: +353 (0)87 259 2863
Meeting Place: Howth Train Station | Meeting Time: 09:00
Paul will meet you at Howth train station. If you are delayed please give him a call. Please wear appropriate hiking boots and waterproof clothing if necessary. We recommend taking the Dart from Dublin Connolly to Howth.
We recommend Hawksmoor, The Green Hen, or Hellfire.
Head West this morning to the capital of Ireland’s West Coast, Galway! Known as the ‘town of the tribes’ the small centre of cobblestone streets and colourful storefronts is vibrant, fun, and cosmopolitan. What better way to spend an afternoon here than a delectable food tour? Arrive by train and check in to your hotel before meeting your local guide for a delightful journey through Galway’s culinary scene. From artisanal cheeses, and craft beers, to handcrafted chocolate, this will be a true feast for the senses.
Booking ref: 348067443
Overnight: Galway | The House Hotel
Room Type: x1 deluxe double, x1 deluxe twin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel Date: August 20, 2024 | Rail Operator: Irish Rail
Departure Train Station: Dublin Heuston | Departure Time: 07:35
Arrival Train Station: Galway Ceannt Station
When you arrive at Dublin Heuston, go to the ticket machine and select “collect pre-booked tickets” Enter 305 68885089, and your tickets will print.
Activity: Galway Food Tours
Start Location: Outside McCambridges at 38 Shop St | Start Time: 15:30 | Approx Duration: 2 hrs
Phone: +353 (0)86 733 2885 | Website: https://galwayfoodtours.com/
Star Location: McCambridges
We recommend Ard Bia at Nimmos or Aniar.
This morning, get out of the city and into the wilds of Connemara on a thrilling electric bike ride with some of the most amazing scenery the west of Ireland has to offer. Your expert local guide will pick you up at your accommodation and together you will make your way into the spectacularly rugged landscape. Take to the open road and feel the wind on your face with the great sense of freedom that only cycling can bring. Surrounded by mountains, land, sea and plenty of history, Connemara is the perfect place for a day of adventure. This evening, you’ll be dropped back into Galway – why not catch a trad session in one of the pubs after dinner?
Overnight: Galway | The House Hotel
Room Type: x1 deluxe double, x1 deluxe twin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activity: Connemara E-Bike Tour
Start Location: The House Hotel | Start Time: 09:30 | Approx Duration: 7 hrs
Phone: +353 87 2259190 | Website: https://fatbikegalway.com/
A local guide from Fat Bike Galway will meet you at your hotel this morning.
We recommend Martines Restaurant and Wine Bar or Oscar’s Seafood Bistro.
It’s hard to resist the allure of one of the many islands that dot the Irish coastline and today you and a local guide will take to the water and ferry to The Aran Islands. The history of these islands goes back millennia and today Gaelic is still the daily spoken language of the inhabitants. Experience breathtaking scenery, mediaeval castles, cliffs, and prehistoric forts on Inis Mór, the largest of the three islands. Your walk today can be tailored to you and there is plenty of exploration to be done if that suits you better!
Overnight: Galway | The House Hotel
Room Type: x1 deluxe double, x1 deluxe twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Name:
Duncan Warner
Contact Number: +353 (0)87 191 4911
Meeting Place: Galway Docks | Meeting Time: 09:00
Please call your guide if you cannot locate them. Your ferry departs at 9.3oam, we recommend arriving at 9am.
We recommend Sangria, Ean, or John Keogh’s Gastropub.
Today, Galway is yours to explore, and we’ll provide plenty of recommendations! Start your day with a stroll through Eyre Square, the heart of the city, surrounded by shops, cafes, and historical monuments. From there, choose to visit the nearby Galway City Museum to delve into the local history and heritage. A short walk will take you to the Spanish Arch and the picturesque Claddagh area, where you can enjoy views of Galway Bay. Galway is home to lively streets like Quay Street and Shop Street, filled with charming pubs, restaurants, and boutiques. End your day at one of Galway’s famous pubs, like The Quays or Tigh Neachtain, to enjoy traditional Irish music and local cuisine.
Overnight: Galway | The House Hotel
Room Type: x1 deluxe double, x1 deluxe twin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Galway City Museum & The Spanish Arch Learn all about the history of Galway City through the archaeology, art, geology, natural history, and social, political, and industrial materials preserved here. Take a peek at the historical Spanish Arch, located where Galway’s River Corrib meets the sea. This is a tranquil spot that tourists and locals alike enjoy. Visit the remnants of a 16th-century bastion which was used to protect merchant ships from looting.
Eyre Square Eyre Square is the focal point of Galway and it was renamed Kennedy Memorial Park in 1965, after J.F.K himself had visited. Today Galway’s main square is a large, open plaza, home to mini festivals, local and international buskers, musicians and street performers.
Galway Cathedral One of the city’s biggest buildings, Galway Cathedral is home to a huge octagonal dome visible for miles. The building of the cathedral began in 1958 on the site of an old county jail. The modern cathedral houses some interesting statues, a rose window, and a huge crucifixion mosaic. It is built of Galway limestone and locally quarried Connemara marble.
Shop Street Packed with buskers, restaurants, pubs and people – Shop Street is the beating heart of the city. It’s worth a browse in the local shops and at the street art.
Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop A must-visit for book lovers! Explore their labyrinthine maze of over 100,000 books: new, second-hand, bargain, and antiquarian.
We recommend Alma Restaurant or The Quay Street Kitchen.
We recommend West, La Collina or The Seafood Bar @Kirwans Lane.
After enjoying a relaxing morning, it is time to leave the west coast and return to Dublin via train. You will need to take a taxi to your hotel as we have booked you a night beside the airport for convenience. If you would like to head back into the city this afternoon, we can book a tour for you at 14 Henrietta Street, a social history museum of Dublin life, connecting the history of urban life over 300 years to the stories of the people who called this place home.
Booking ref: 141636366, 141636401
Overnight: Dublin | Radisson Blu Dublin Airport
Room Type: x1 standard twin, x1 standard double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel Date: August 24, 2024 | Rail Operator: Irish Rail
Departure Train Station: Galway Ceannt Station | Departure Time: 09:30
Arrival Train Station: Dublin Heuston
This morning, make your way to Dublin airport for your flight home. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to our shores once again.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spanish Parade, Latin Quarter |
Galway |
Co. Galway |
H91 X309 |
Ireland
Phone: +353 091 538900
Web: thehousehotel.ie
Dublin Airport |
Dublin |
Dublin |
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)1 844 6000
Web: radissonblu.com/en
Saturday 17th August – Sunday 25th August 2024
