V.3 Trufflepig - Platz- September

Day 1 - Wednesday 11^th 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 will be available straight away allowing you to rest, refresh, grab a bite to eat and start exploring.

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 Westbury Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Westbury King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Thursday 12^th September - 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 Westbury Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Westbury King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Friday 13^th September - 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  Narnia inspired sculptures before retiring to your hotel for your first evening in Belfast.

This evening we recommend checking out one of Belfasts’s top restaurants.

Overnight: Belfast | The Merchant Hotel
Room Type: 1 x Victorian Suite & 1 x Deluxe Victorian
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Saturday 14^th September - 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: 1 x Victorian Suite & 1 x Deluxe Victorian
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Sunday 15^th September - Causeway Coast & Derry

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.
Lunch is Derry is followed by a bespoke insiders tour with a local expert. Derry City is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. Built in the 17th century, the walls, approximately 1.5km in circumference, form a walkway around the inner city and provide a unique promenade with which to view the layout of the original town. Your private expert guide today will incorporate a t0ur of the walls with the tragic events of Jan 30th 1972 when a peaceful protest turned violent leading to the killing of 14 unarmed men and boys along with the injury of many other in an event knows as Bloody Sunday into your guided experience.

For dinner this evening we recommend a cocktail in The Cellar bar at Lough Eske followed by in house dining.

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

Day 6 - Monday 16^th September - 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 Superior Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Tuesday 17^th September - 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: 1 X Luxury King & 1 x Classic Riverside
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Wednesday 18^th September - 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.

We suggest a local dinner in Clifden followed by some live local music as a great way to round off the day.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: 1 X Luxury King & 1 x Classic Riverside
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Thursday 19^th September - 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.
Your guide will say their goodbyes to you at Ashford and leave you in the capable hands of the team there.

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: 1 x Suite & 1 x Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Friday 20^th September - 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.

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 Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Saturday 21^st September - Depart

Departing Ashford, a private transfer will take you to Shannon Airport for your departing flights home.

Meals Included: Breakfast