V.2 Wendy Perrin- Doug and Glynnis Stern

Day 1 - Friday 24^th May - Welcome to Dublin

Arriving in Ireland today, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you to your boutique hotel in the city centre. Your room is held for you so check in is available on arrival.

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.

Overnight: Dublin | The Mont Hotel
Room Type: Roomy King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Saturday 25^th May - Walking Tour & Theatre

Start your day today with a walking tour accompanied by 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.

This evening, enjoy an early dinner in a local restaurant before heading to The Gate Theatre for a preview showing of Annie Baker’s ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’.

Overnight: Dublin | The Mont Hotel
Room Type: Roomy King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Sunday 26^th May - Dublin's Fair City

A free day today to enjoy Dublin, with so many options and choices on your door step and a wealth of knowledge to enjoy.
You may already have ideas and plans for your time today however, if you are open to a suggestion, my own personal favourite experience and tour is a short taxi ride away, Kilmainham Gaol. Opening in 1796 the history and legacy of the gaol are intrinsically linked to that of Ireland’s with names like Henry Joy McCracken, Robert Emmet, Anne Devlin and Charles Stewart Parnell forever linked with the building.

For something a little more quirky and fun, the National Leprechaun Museum is a world filled with Irish myths, folklore and legends. Not a children’s experience at all, in fact not suitable little ones at all, the museum offer an adult only night time experience with twisted tales through Ireland’s dark land of kings and faeries.

Overnight: Dublin | The Mont Hotel
Room Type: Roomy King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Monday 27^th May - Dublin to Cork

Pick up your rental this morning from a city centre branch before heading out of the city to the southern coast of Ireland and your next few days in Cork.
On route, we suggest a stop in Kilkenny where the the 13th century defensive castle right in the heart of the town offers the perfect pit stop. Tour the castle and grounds before grabbing a stop of lunch in the medieval town centre and continuing on your way to Kinsale, the picturesque harbour village with stunning views over the Atlantic and beyond.
Your hotel for the next two nights sits right on the harbour edge in the heart of Kinsale surrounded by shops and restaurants.

Overnight: Kinsale | Perryville House
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Tuesday 28^th May - Cork Family Connections

Today is ear marked for exploring and visiting some towns and villages from your family history and heritage.
If you have some time and would like some suggestions, I can recommend the impressive star shaped Charles Fort, an easy 5km walk from your hotel, The Jameson Distillery in Midletown and historic Cobh with its colourful houses perched high on a hill overlooking the harbour.

Overnight: Kinsale | Perryville House
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Wednesday 29^th May - Cork to Dingle

Leaving the County of Cork today, take your time traversing to the west coast taking the scenic coastal route or the more direct motorway.
If you are after some suggestions on places to stop, Cork City, Bunratty Castle, Killarney National Park and Kenmare are all options for further exploration.
Spend some time this afternoon with a coffee or a drink at the harbour in Dingle watching the comings and goings or hop on a boat for a sea safari in the mouth of the bay.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Room Type: Terrace Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Thursday 30^th May - Hike the Dingle Peninsula

There are many walking and hiking options available to help you explore Dingle from a day’s hiking along The Dingle Way to a visit to The Blasket Islands. Meeting a local guide this morning we recommend a few hours walk, ending in the tiny village of Annascaul. Its most famous habitant was an adventurer too – Tom Crean was an Antarctic explorer who went to the South Pole with both Scott and Amundsen. Upon returning to Ireland, he decided to open a pub and live out his days in relative quiet.
Spend the day with your guide and visit the Beehive Huts, related to those found on the Skellig Islands and featured in the Star Wars film, The Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian dry stone ‘church’ and if time allows, The Louis Mulcahy Pottery Studio before returning to Dingle town for a delicious locally sourced dinner.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Room Type: Terrace room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Friday 31^st May - The Burren

The Burren’s rocky alien landscape is said to be the inspiration for Middle Earth in JRR Tolkien’s world-famous Lord of the Rings trilogy – and today as you explore this other-worldly region, it’s easy to see why! You will visit a farm where you’ll enjoy the opportunity to walk through this unique landscape, This tour will also include a walk to a prehistoric stone fort, with a worldly history which will be brought to life by the farm’s local guide and multi-sensory presentations. Excavations from the site, ranging from Venetian glass and Baltic amber, serve to juxtapose the ancient settlement against its contemporary trading inhabitants.

Check into the family run Gregans Castle Hotel in the heart of The Burren this evening and experience rural life, away from all the hustle and bustle.

Overnight: Clare | Gregans Castle hotel
Room Type: Superior
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Saturday 1^st June - 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 where you will meet a local guid, fisherman-come-goat farmer and island native who 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. Gabriel 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.

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

Day 10 - Sunday 2^nd June - Galway City

Galway is the capital of Ireland’s west. Known as the ‘town of the tribes’ the small centre of cobblestone streets and colourful store fronts is vibrant, fun and cosmopolitan. A local military historian will meet you at the city’s main square to guide you through the bustling alleys sharing Galway City’s important roles in the clash of the French, Spanish, Russian and British Empires from 1700 to 1922, including in Ireland’s revolution for independence.

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

Day 11 - Monday 3^rd June - Depart Shannon Airport

Heading to Shannon Airport today, drop off your rental and it’s time to say goodbye or Sláinte. We do hope your time on the Emerald Isle has been memorable and we have the opportunity to welcome you back to our shores once more.

Meals Included: Breakfast