Budden Family Irish Adventure V2

Claire Budden & Family

Saturday 7th September – Monday 16th September 2024

Number of Travellers:  4
Duration: 10 Days / 9 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 | Saturday 7th September | Welcome to Dublin | Overnight: Dublin

Day 2 | Sunday 8th September | Travelling West to Connemara | Overnight: Connemara

Day 3 | Monday 9th September | Inishbofin Island | Overnight: Connemara

Day 4 | Tuesday 10th September | Killary Fjord | Overnight: Connemara

Day 5 | Wednesday 11th September | Galway City Food Tour | Overnight: The Burren

Day 6 | Thursday 12th September | The Cliffs of Moher | Overnight: The Burren

Day 7 | Friday 13th September | Drive to the Kingdom of Kerry | Overnight: Kenmare

Day 8 | Saturday 14th September | Vintage Buick Tour & Time at Sheen Falls | Overnight: Kenmare

Day 9 | Sunday 15th September | Unique Seaweed Foraging Experience | Overnight: Kenmare

Day 10 | Monday 16th September | Depart

Day by Day

Day 1 - Saturday 7th September - 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.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion
Room Type: Superior King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Sunday 8th September - Travelling West to Connemara

After a leisurely breakfast, meet your guide and begin your journey west. Take the time to stop in Co. Longford en route. Mornin Tower House was a stronghold of the O’Farrell clan, who were the lords of Annaly (as Co. Longford was previously known). The branch of the O’Farrells that owned Mornin retained its lands through the turmoil of the 17th century during which many Irish families lost their lands.  Continue your journey into Connemara, a Gaeltacht (Gaelic-speaking region) known for its windswept landscapes of mountains, beach and bog. Your home for the next three nights is Delphi Lodge, built in the 1830s and tonight your guide will join you for dinner onsite.

Overnight: Connemara | Delphi Lodge
Room Type: x3 classic doubles
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Monday 9th September - Inishbofin Island

After a hearty breakfast you will transfer 30 minutes to the village of Cleggan to catch your ferry to Inishbofin. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and seals along the way! Today you will be joined by a local archaeologist and true Irish gentleman Michael for a walk around this fascinating island. Highlights include rugged cliffs, blowholes, Bronze and Iron Age ruins and the crumbling Cromwellian fort where ‘Don Bosco’, the infamous Spanish pirate was stationed in the 16th century. You’ll have a picnic lunch before heading back to Delphi Lodge for some down time. This evening you’ll head into the town of Clifden for dinner and traditional Irish music.

Overnight: Connemara | Delphi Lodge
Room Type: x3 classic rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Tuesday 10th September - Killary Fjord

This morning it’s a 45-minute drive through the windswept Twelve Bens Mountain Range to Killary, Ireland’s only fjord. You will start the day with a sheepherding demonstration at a local farm, and you’ll have the opportunity to cut peat from the bogs – a method that’s been used to harvest fuel in these parts for eons. From there, you’ll walk an abandoned famine route along the southern shoreline of the fjord. After a pit stop at a local café for lunch, you will transfer back to Delphi Lodge. You will have some free time to enjoy the grounds around your accommodation this evening.

Overnight: Connemara | Delphi Lodge
Room Type: x3 classic rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Wednesday 11th September - Galway City Food Tour

Making your way further south this morning, you will stop off in what is known as the capital of Ireland’s west, Galway! Known as the ‘town of the tribes’ the small centre of cobblestone streets and colourful store fronts is vibrant, fun and cosmopolitan. What better way to spend an afternoon here than a delectable food tour? Stop off in the city and tantalise your taste buds with a delightful journey through Galway’s culinary scene. From artisanal cheeses, craft beers, to handcrafted chocolate, this will be a true feast for the senses. Afterwards, you’ll make your way to County Clare and boutique accommodation, located in the heart of small fishing village Ballyvaughan. There’s a great little restaurant nearby that we’d suggest for dinner.

Overnight: The Burren | Monks
Room Type: x1 luxury seaview, x1 seaview, x1 courtyard room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Thursday 12th September - The Cliffs of Moher

This morning you will transfer 30 minutes to the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most impressive natural sites. Today’s walk follows a coastal route along the cliffs, passing through dramatic hinterland with inspiring views offshore to the Aran Islands. The area is teeming with wildlife and 20 different species of birds, including puffins, make this area their home. You’ll finish in the village of Doolin, famous for its traditional music scene. You will stop for a fish n’ chips lunch in a historic stone cottage before returning to Monks  via Black Head, a mesmerizing stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos en route. Later you will enjoy a private Irish whiskey tasting in a little pub nearby.

Overnight: The Burren | Monks
Room Type: x1 luxury seaview, x1 seaview, x1 courtyard room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Friday 13th September - Drive to the Kingdom of Kerry

You have a 3.5 hour scenic drive ahead of you this morning as you make your way through southern Ireland. Departing from Gregans Castle, the journey unfolds with winding roads bordered by ancient stone walls and rolling green hills. You’ll stop in Adare for lunch, often referred to as Ireland’s prettiest village. Here, thatched cottages and historic landmarks line the charming streets, offering a glimpse into Ireland’s past. Arriving at Sheen Falls, situated amidst the majestic landscapes of the Ring of Kerry, you’ll be greeted by cascading waterfalls, lush forests, and panoramic views of Kenmare Bay, culminating in a journey of unparalleled beauty and tranquility.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x3 suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Saturday 14th September - Vintage Buick Tour & Time at Sheen Falls

Step back in time and experience the enchanting beauty of Kenmare in style with a tour aboard a meticulously restored 1936 vintage Buick. As you glide through the streets of this picturesque town, you’ll feel as though you’ve entered a bygone era. Your knowledgeable guide will regale you with tales of Kenmare’s rich history, pointing out hidden gems and local treasures along the way. With the wind in your hair and the purr of the Buick’s engine as your soundtrack, you’ll savour every moment of this nostalgic journey through one of Ireland’s most charming destinations. This afternoon you are free to spend time onsite and partake in the many activities Sheen Falls has to offer. Relax at the spa, enjoy some clay pigeon shooting or falconry, book a tee time or try your hand at fishing. We are happy to make reservations for you in advance.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls
Room Type: x3 suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Sunday 15th September - Unique Seaweed Foraging Experience

As you make your way into the southern part of the Ring of Kerry, the landscape becomes wilder and more rugged. At a secluded bay, meet a local foraging expert and storyteller who will take you on a wander along the shoreline learning about life on Ireland’s West Coast. Have a toast and enjoy some seaweed nibbles including the flavoursome Duilleasc and Nori, the famous sushi roll wrapping. Afterwards, visit the home of one of Ireland’s most famous revolutionary political figures. This evening your guide will join you for a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls
Room Type: x3 suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10 - Monday 16th September - Depart

This morning, it’s time to 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

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 10
  • Most meals as indicated above: breakfast and lunch each day, 2 dinners
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 2 to Day 10
  • Ground transportation from Day 2 to Day 10
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically;
  • Private airport transfer to hotel on Day 1
  • Historical walking tour of Dublin city
  • Ferry Tickets
  • Private Tour with Archaeologist on Inishbofin Island
  • Private Sheepdog Demonstration and Tour
  • Private Galway City Food Tour
  • Private Whiskey Tasting Experience
  • Vintage Buick Tour of Kenmare
  • Private Seaweed Foraging Experience
  • Entry to Derrynane House
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
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
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking
  • A 20% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision
Pricing Read More

Based on 5 people, the price is €8706 per person

View More

View More

View More

View More

View More

View More

Virtuoso

Budden Family Irish Adventure V2

Saturday 7th September – Monday 16th September 2024