Ker & Downey

Brooks - Ann & Candy - Ker & Downey

Ann & Candace

Sunday 12^th May – Saturday 18^th May 2024

Number of Travellers: 2

Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Overview

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, 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.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Sunday 12^th May | Welcome to Dublin | Overnight: Cork

Day 2 | Monday 13^th May | Waterford City | Overnight: Cork

Day 3 | Tuesday 14^th May | Blarney Castle | Overnight: Killarney

Day 4 | Wednesday 15^th May | Killarney National Park | Overnight: Killarney

Day 5 | Thursday 16^th May | Ashford Castle | Overnight: Cong

Day 6 | Friday 17^th May | Connemara Experience | Overnight: Cong

Day 7 | Saturday 18^th May | To Scotland

Day by Day

Day 1 - Sunday 12^th May - Welcome to Dublin

Arriving in Dublin Airport today you will be met by your guide and will drive south to Cork where you will stay for the next few nights. Along the way you will stop at the Rock of Cashel. This imposing cliff-top edifice charts millenia of Irish history from ancient times through to the 20th century. Checking in at your Cork City hotel you will have the chance to reset and recuperate after your flight or join your guide for a walk around Cork City.

Overnight: Cork | Hayfield Manor
Room Type: x1 superior twin
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 1 - Flight Details Read More +

Travel Date: May 11, 2024 | Airline: Delta Airlines | Flight Number: 154
Departure Airport: Boston | Departure Time: 08:25
Arrival Airport: Dublin | Arrival Time: 07:45

Day 1 - Guide Details - David Lawless Read More +

Name: David Lawless
Contact Number: +353 86 856 2537
Meeting Place: Arrivals Hall, Dublin Airport | Meeting Time: 07:45

David will meet you in the arrivals hall of Dublin airport. Your transfer to Cashel will take 1.5 hours.

Day 1 - Lunch Details Read More +

Restaurant: Mikey Ryans | Location: Cashel
Reservation Time: 12:15
Website: https://www.mikeyryans.ie/

Day 1 - Rock of Cashel Read More +

Activity: Rock of Cashel
| Approx Duration: 1.5 hrs

Following your tour of the Rock of Cashel, you will transfer to Hayfield Manor (1.5 hours). In Cork, choose to relax at your hotel or you can head out with your guide for a walk around the city.

Day 1 - Dinner Details Read More +

Restaurant: Perrott's Bistro | Location: Hayfield Manor
Reservation Time: 19:00 | Booking Reference: Ann Brooks & Candace Taylor
Website: https://www.hayfieldmanor.ie/dining/perrotts-cork-city-bistro

Day 2 - Monday 13^th May - Waterford City

You’ll travel north today and into Waterford, a city with a strong mediaeval heritage. You will join a local for a private walking tour of the city. As you stroll around the Viking Triangle you will step back in time and walk through a millennium of history. From ancient Ireland to the arrival of Regnall the Viking, the Norman invasion and the marriage of Strongbow and Aoife, and how it changed the course of history for the next 800 years. You will also visit the world famous Waterford Crystal factory where you’ll enjoy a private tour.

Overnight: Cork | Hayfield Manor
Room Type: x1 superior twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 2 - Walking Tour of Waterford Read More +

Activity: Walking Tour of Waterford
Guide: Deirdre
| Start Time: 10:30 | Approx Duration: 1.5 hrs

You will depart your accommodation at approx. 8.30am this morning. The drive to Waterford is 2hrs.

Day 2 - Lunch Details Read More +

Restaurant: Bishop's Palace Cafe | Location: Waterford
Reservation Time: 12:00
Website: https://www.waterfordtreasures.com/landing-bishops-palace-cafe/

Day 2 - Private Tour of Waterford Crystal Read More +

Activity: Private Tour of Waterford Crystal
| Start Time: 13:30 | Approx Duration: 1.5 hrs

Day 2 - Dinner Details Read More +

We recommend Elbow Lane or Isaac’s Restaurant. We are happy to make reservations for you in advance.

Day 3 - Tuesday 14^th May - Blarney Castle

Leaving Cork city today, the first port of call is Blarney where you will visit the castle and kiss the Blarney Stone. Further along the road to Kerry we will visit a local dairy farm. Here you’ll enjoy a behind the scenes tour, the opportunity to taste their incredible produce and spend some time with the farmers. Your hotel this evening is on the edge of Killarney National Park.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Room Type: x1 superior garden twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Blarney Castle & Gardens Read More +

Activity: Blarney Castle & Gardens
| Start Time: 09:30 | Approx Duration: 2 hrs

After your tour you will have a bite to eat / coffee onsite before heading to your next stop.

Day 3 - Buffalo Farm Tour & Tasting Read More +

Activity: Buffalo Farm Tour & Tasting
| Start Time: 14:00 | Approx Duration: 1 hrs

Transfer time to your hotel after your tour is approx 1 hr.

Day 3 - Dinner Details Read More +

You can choose to dine at your hotel tonight. Alternatively, we love Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder or Treyvauds.

Day 4 - Wednesday 15^th May - Killarney National Park

Your guide will lead you on an exploration of Killarney National Park today. The day will be customised to suit, but you will enjoy a boat trip of the Lakes of Killarney where you will soak up the views of some of Ireland’s highest mountain peaks. You will also visit Ross Castle before moving to Muckross House for a tour. This evening you will have the chance to explore the town before enjoying a traditional music session in a local pub.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Room Type: x1 superior garden twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Private Boat Tour Read More +

Activity: Private Boat Tour
Start Location: Killarney National Park | Start Time: 09:30 | Approx Duration: 2 hrs

Please wear suitable, waterproof clothing in the event that it is raining. Feel free to pack a spare pair of clothes in the van.

Day 4 - Guided Tour of Ross Castle Read More +

Activity: Guided Tour of Ross Castle
| Start Time: 12:00 | Approx Duration: 1 hrs

Day 4 - Lunch Details Read More +

You have a couple of options for lunch which your guide will discuss with you.

Day 4 - Dinner Details Read More +

We recommend Kitty O Se’s or Yew Tree Restaurant.

Day 5 - Thursday 16^th May - Ashford Castle

Travelling north today, you will have the opportunity to detour en route and check out the Cliffs of Moher, towering above the crashing Atlantic Ocean and one of Ireland’s most iconic sights. Standing at over 700ft high, these cliffs are home to a plethora of sea birds nesting from early spring onwards. Witness the awesome power of mother nature before you take a tour of the visitors centre and cliff exhibition nearby. Later this afternoon, check into Ashford Castle with time to enjoy some of the onsite facilities and explore. We are happy to make reservations for spa treatments or activities as required but we recommend taking the evening to make the most of the hotel and grounds.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: x1 corrib lake view
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Visit to the Cliffs of Moher Read More +

Activity: Visit to the Cliffs of Moher
| Start Time: 13:00 | Approx Duration: 1.5 hrs

You will depart your accommodation at approx. 9am. There will be stops along the way to break up the journey.

Day 5 - Ashford Castle Read More +

Activity: Ashford Castle

We are happy to book any spa treatments or activities in advance.

Day 5 - Dinner Details Read More +

Restaurant: Wilde's at the Lodge | Location: Ashford Castle
Reservation Time: 18:30 | Booking Reference: Ann Brooks
Website: https://thelodgeac.com/dining-and-drinks/wildes-at-the-lodge

Day 6 - Friday 17^th May - Connemara Experience

Spend the day in Connemara. This wild and mountainous region was described by Oscar Wilde as “a savage beauty” and it is easy to see why as you venture westwards. Your guide will lead you on a short hike, to a village abandoned during the famine of the 1840s, that clings to the shores of Killary Fjord. Meet a local shellfish farmer and sample fresh-from-the-sea mussels for lunch before visiting Kylemore Abbey on your way back to Ashford.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: x1 corrib lake view
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 5 km / 3 miles

Day 6 - Killary Fjord Hike Read More +

Activity: Killary Fjord Hike
| Start Time: 08:30 | Approx Duration: 2 hrs

Certainly one of Ireland’s most spectacular coastal hikes, this gentle walk along Killary Fjord takes you past rocky outcroppings of sheep-shorn grass with distant ocean views spreading before you.

Day 6 - Private Shellfish Farm Experience Read More +

Activity: Private Shellfish Farm Experience
| Start Time: 11:00 | Approx Duration: 2 hrs

Day 6 - Kylemore Abbey Read More +

Activity: Kylemore Abbey
| Start Time: 13:30 | Approx Duration: 1.5 hrs

Day 6 - Dinner Details Read More +

Restaurant: George V Dining | Location: Ashford Castle
Reservation Time: 19:00
Website: https://ashfordcastle.com/dining-and-drinks/george-v-dining-room

There is no dress code for women, but we do ask for appropriate evening attire to be worn. Denim and trainers are not appropriate dress for The George V Dining Room.

Day 7 - Saturday 18^th May - To Scotland

Your time in Ireland has come to an end – we hope it was memorable! Your private transfer will pick you up this afternoon and take you to the airport just in time for your flight to Scotland.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Hawk Walk (Falconry) Read More +

Activity: Hawk Walk (Falconry)
Start Location: The lobby of Ashford Castle | Start Time: 10:45 | Approx Duration: 1 hrs

The ground leading into the woods is uneven and stony in places so please wear appropriate footwear.

Day 7 - Transfer Details Read More +

Supplier: Leonard's Chauffeurs
Pick Up Location: The lobby of Ashford Castle | Pick Up Time: 12:45 | Approx Duration: 1 hrs
Phone: +353 (0)96 72676

Day 7 - Flight Details Read More +

Travel Date: May 18, 2024 | Airline: Ryanair | Flight Number: FR891
Departure Airport: Knock | Departure Time: 14:45
Arrival Airport: Edinburgh | Arrival Time: 15:55

Ker & Downey

Brooks - Ann & Candy - Ker & Downey

Ann & Candace

Overview

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Sunday 12th May | Welcome to Dublin | Overnight: Cork

Day 2 | Monday 13th May | Waterford City | Overnight: Cork

Day 3 | Tuesday 14th May | Blarney Castle | Overnight: Killarney

Day 4 | Wednesday 15th May | Killarney National Park | Overnight: Killarney

Day 5 | Thursday 16th May | Ashford Castle | Overnight: Cong

Day 6 | Friday 17th May | Connemara Experience | Overnight: Cong

Day 7 | Saturday 18th May | To Scotland

Highlights