Grey & Co - Batty Family - Ireland West Coast Multi Gen

Day 1 - Wednesday 19^th March - Welcome to Dublin

Arriving in Ireland today, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you into the city to your 5 star hotel in the city centre. Check-in is at 3pm 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 local private guide through this vibrant capital city, with its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the mediaeval to Georgian to modern. See the Georgian style Merrion Square, lush St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square, as well as O’Connell Street, the site of the ‘1916 Uprising’ that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922. Your guide is also a historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by.

We have some amazing restaurants to recommend to you in Dublin for your first meal this evening.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion Hotel
Room Type: Garden Wing & Superior Twin, plus Deluxe

Day 2 - Thursday 20^th March - Dublin to Clare- Cliffs of Moher

This morning your private guide/ driver will meet you at your hotel and together you will journey along west, to The Wild Atlantic Way and to Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher.

Connecting the lively villages of Liscannor and Doolin, the full walk at the cliffs is 20km long and can take up to 4.5 hours however, you will enjoy a section of it this afternoon cumulating at the cliffs with tea and cake in the visitors centre.

This evening join your guide for a bespoke whiskey tasting experience in a local traditional pub followed by dinner in a fantastic local restaurant where you will toast your week ahead together.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: Superior
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 6 km / 4 miles

Day 3 - Friday 21^st March - The Aran Islands

It’s hard to resist the allure of one of the many islands that dot the Irish coastline and today you and your 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. The Aran islands seem to defy their size by all they have to offer: breathtaking scenery, mediaeval castles, cliffs and prehistoric forts are all to be found on this little group of islands.

Inis Mór, the largest of the three islands, is your destination today. The first port of call is a goat farm, here Gabriel, fisherman-come-goat farmer and island native will introduce you to his flock of extraordinarily cute goats. You’ll taste his award-winning cheese, but more importantly, you will leave with his wealth of knowledge on the island’s history, language and culture. We will make sure you don’t miss the incredible prehistoric cliff top fortress at Dun Aenghus as well as some hidden spots along the island’s shore.

There are options to explore the island by bike or off road in a 4×4.

Overnight: Clare | Gregans Castle Hotel
Room Type: Superior
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Saturday 22^nd March - Irish Music in Galway

Spiddal (An Spidéal), County Galway, is a picturesque seaside village on the shores of Galway Bay, and part of An Gaeltacht, an Irish speaking area. At one of the finest recording studios in Europe you will be joined by some Irish Dancers and treated to an afternoon of music and dancing with views of the bay beyond. Enjoy a local beer and food tasting and tap your feet in time to the boudrán and fiddle as the gigs and reels play.

This evening, check into Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, once owned by an Indian Raj, this traditional hunting lodge has seen presidents and dignitaries grace its halls and rooms for generations. Today, surrounded by thousands of acres of estate land and forests, Ballynahinch boasts fine dining, a traditional pub, on site fly fishing and an remote escape in the wilds of Connemara.

We recommending dining on site at Ballynahinch Castle this evening.

Overnight: Galway | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: 3 x Luxury Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Sunday 23^rd March - The Wilds of Connemara

Together with your tour hosts you will delve into the heart of Connemara. Described by Oscar Wilde as a “savage beauty” as you travel, the landscape opens up to wild mountainscapes and heather clad valleys. On the shores of Killary Fjord we will join a local for a zodiac tour of these pristine waters. Watching shellfish farmers at work, we will head back to the shore where we will enjoy a unique mussel boil on the beach with a fresh shellfish lunch and the opportunity to gain some insight into life on Ireland’s west coast .

Later you have the choice of activity, enjoy a short hike along the shore to the remains of an abandoned famine-era village, visit a local sheep farm where you can enjoy a demonstration of the magnificent intelligent collies at work or return to Ballynahinch for some afternoon Fly Fishing.

This evening, a local storyteller will join you at the hotel with stories, folklore, mythology and tales of Irelands past.

Overnight: Galway | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: 3 x Luxury Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Monday 24^th March - Bread baking and falconry at Ashford Castle

What better way to get to know Ireland than through its people and its food! Meet Carmel and enjoy an authentic, fun experience making, baking (and eating!) traditional Irish soda bread and scones. Get an insight into Irish food culture and way of life, past and present.
Check into Ashford Castle where 800 years of history await. Once owned by the Guinness family, Ashford has a history dating back to the 12th century and has earned its place in Ireland’s history books. Today, Ashford is one of Ireland’s premier hotels offering an unforgettable experience.

This afternoon we meet some feathered friends at the oldest falconry school in Ireland, onsite at Ashford Castle where you will be joining the expert onsite falconer and for a private hawk walk experience. Fly your own Harris hawks under the guidance of your instructor through the magnificent woodlands that surround the castle and meet some of the magnificent birds of prey that call Ashford home.

Dine this evening in one of Ashford’s onsite restaurants such at Cullen’s.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: 2 x Junior Stateroom Interconnecting with twin,
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Tuesday 25^th March - Onsite at Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle boasts many outdoor activity pursuits for those wishing to try their hand at being the gentry. There is estate horse riding, woodland walks, lake boat rides and bicycles, afternoon tea, the library or simply relaxation in the glorious 800 year old castle.

This evening, we recommend you dine in style in the George V dining room for your final celebration dinner in Ireland.

*Please let us know if you would like us to prebook any additional onsite activities or spa reservations for you. 

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: 2 xJunior Stateroom Interconnecting with twin,
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Wednesday 26^th March - Depart

Leaving the serenity of of the west coast, your guide will take you back to Dublin or Shannon Airport is needed.

We hope that your time with us in Ireland has been memorable and we have the opportunity to welcome you to our shores once again.

Meals Included: Breakfast