Trufflepig - Platz- September

Day 1 - 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.

Today is yours to relax and rest or explore as you wish. Dublin is a compact city with a lot of the museums and sights within easy walking distance of your central hotel.Grab a take away coffee and go for a stroll in the nearby Merrion Park, check out the National Gallery of Ireland around the corner from your hotel, visit The EPIC Experience or The Little Museum of Dublin for an insight into Ireland’s history or check out the Guinness Storehouse, for that iconic Dublin Tour. We have plenty of recommendations for you to choose from.

This evening, we recommend a local restaurant and pub where you will find a live Trad. Session to enjoy. The perfect welcome to Ireland.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Superior King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Morning Walking Tour Dublin - Free Afternoon

Meet a local walking guide this morning to enjoy a walking tour 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 excellent recommendations for lunch spots before your free afternoon exploring Dublin and a local dinner this evening with restaurants offering fine dining or casual menus a plenty.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Dublin to Belfast

This morning your private guide/ driver will greet you at your hotel and after some short introductions, its time to hit the road and head north, to Belfast City. On route your dive into Ireland’s history deepens as you stop at one of our most important megalithic sites, Brú na Boinne. The three main sites at Brú na Boinne, Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth hold the largest concentration of prehistoric megalithic art to be found anywhere in Europe. Take a guided tour here where access to the chamber at Newgrange is also included.

Back on the road, the total drive time Dublin to Belfast is roughly 2 hours which means you will be getting into the city late afternoon with plenty of time to see some sights before checking in. Clive Staples Lewis was born in Belfast in 1898 and grew up in family homes on Dundela Avenue and Circular Road in the east of the city. Visit some of the important sites connected with C.S and his childhood in Belfast including C.S. Lewis Square, containing 7 Narnia inspired sculptures before retiring to your hotel for your first evening in Belfast.

This evening your guide will join you for dinner in one of Belfast’s best restaurants.

Overnight: Belfast | The Merchant Hotel
Room Type: Art Deco or Victorian Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Titanic and Troubles

Built in Belfast’s Harland and Wolff shipyards, the ill fated Titanic and Belfasts history are linked forever. This morning before it gets busy, visit Belfast’s Titanic Quarter to enjoy some time in the self guided interactive experience. The Titanic Experience walks you through 10 galleries taking your though the story of the ship from conception and building right through to her final hours. You also have the option to also step onto the decks of the last remaining White Star Line vessel – SS Nomadic and view the two giant cranes used to build the ship, Samson and Goliath.

Following a local lunch, we join a local guide and explore Belfast from the comfort of a traditional black cab. Unpack the complicated history of The Troubles. See the city’s murals and peace walls, hear stories of life in Belfast at the height of the troubles, check out historical photographs and enjoy narration from your local guide many of whom played active parts during the Troubles.

We have some fantastic dinner options to recommend this evening for you as well a an iconic 1820’s Liquor Saloon.

Overnight: Belfast | The Merchant Hotel
Room Type: Art Deco or Victorian Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Sheep Farm & Causeway Coast

Northern Ireland is often known best for its coastlines, but the vast green expanse of the country’s interior is an underrated gem. There’s no better way to encapsulate the region’s combination of natural and cultural significance than by meeting a local guide for a walk along a trail taken by emigrants escaping the famine, set in the beautiful Sperrins an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Your guide will share history and stories of those who walked the trail, and we recommend finishing up at her local pub for a hearty lunch before finishing your drive to the northern coastline.
As you journey along the Causeway Coastal Route, you are treated to stunning views of rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, and charming villages. You make several stops along the way, including the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, a geological wonder of hexagonal basalt columns that attracts visitors from around the world. There are plenty of opportunities to spot filming locations from Game of Thrones as you travel before check in this evening where we recommend dining on site followed by a cocktail in The Cellar.

Overnight: Donegal | Lough Eske Castle
Room Type: 2 x Deluxe King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Explore South Donegal

Spend some time today exploring south Donegal with your guide. A morning visit at the highest sea cliffs in Europe, three time higher than the Cliffs of Moher, is the perfect way to work up an appetite for some traditional fish and chips, al fresco, straight off the boat in a little harbour town. Avail of the shuttle to take you to the viewing point at the cliffs for that perfect picture of the majestic cliffs.

Later, meet a local weaver who learned his craft at the age of 16 and who’s traditional hand loom methods date back centuries.You have time this afternoon for some browsing in Donegal town and we recommend a visit to the Magee’s of Donegal in the Diamond.

A local off the beaten spot, known to locals is recommend for dinner this evening before returning to Lough Eske for a nightcap.

Overnight: Donegal | Lough Eske Castle
Room Type: 2 x Deluxe King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Foraging the Northwest Shores of Sligo

From Donegal, we head south into Sligo, last resting place of W.B Yeats. Sligo is blessed with some stunning coastline and this morning you will explore Streedagh, with it’s miles long sandy beaches on the north Sligo coast. At low tide it’s the perfect opportunity to explore the rock pools and coves that flank the beach and you will be joined by local foraging expert and author Prannie Rhatigan who knows these shores inside and out. Prannie is a world renowned expert on seaweed and her insight into the natural heritage of the Irish coast is unparalleled.  Keep an eye out from sand-feeding seabirds that flock along this stretch of coastline.

From Sligo we continue south into Galway and to the wild region of Connemara. Surrounded by the Twelve Bens Mountain range, miles of pristine coastline, Connemara is where time has stood still. With a long day and many miles to cover we recommend you enjoy dinner at the hotel’s fine-dining Owenmore restaurant, overlooking the salmon river.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: 2 X Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Connemara National Park

This morning visit one of Trufflepig’s favourite friends,  a working sheep farm where you will witness a live sheep dog demo. Experience these remarkable and intelligent collies who follow their owners commands using nothing but a whistle and hand signals, rounding the flock and transferring them from field to pen. An experience not to be missed.

With your driver-guide visit Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery and iconic visitor attraction set in 1,000 acres of mountainside with a beautiful walled garden.
Afterwards, explore charming villages like Clifden or Roundstone, where traditional pubs and artisan shops beckon with their authentic charm. A local dinner in Clifden followed by some live local music is a great way to round off the day.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9 - Ashford Castle

This morning with your driver-guide we’ll head to the pretty little village of Cong to follow in the footsteps of John Wayne in the iconic “Quiet Man”.  After a great pub lunch, in the actual pub used in the film, you can head over to your nearby home for the next couple of nights – the 800 year old Ashford Castle.

In the afternoon (weather permitting) head out for a boat cruise on lovely Lough Corrib, perhaps with a tour of the St. Patrick’s 5th century monastic site and the Church of The Saints, built by the Augustinian Monks of Cong.

We recommend Cullen’s at The Cottage this evening for casual dining at Ashford.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: 2 x Deluxe Lake
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - On site at Ashford Castle

Ashford is timeless, with origins dating back to the 13th century, magnificent Ashford Castle has witnessed a rich and storied history, evolving from a medieval fortress to a grand retreat. Ashford is so beautiful you may never want to leave.
Make the most of your day at Ashford today exploring and enjoying some of the fantastic activities available onsite.
You can have the morning at leisure to enjoy the property and all its wonders. Depending on your interests, try your hand at falconry, take a guided walk around the lovely grounds and there’s even a 9-hole golf course where Roger can play a round. If you’d like to go further afield, the city of Galway and all its delights is just 50 minutes away – ready for you to explore with your driver-guide.

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

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: 2 X Deluxe Lake
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Depart

Departing Ashford, your guide will take you to Shannon Airport for your departing flights home.

Meals Included: Breakfast