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Experience Ireland - Sample Itinerary
Friday 20th September – Friday 27th September 2024
Friday 20th September – Friday 27th September 2024
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, and 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.
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. 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 2 | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Classic Twins
Meals Included: None
Leaving Dublin we make our way west to the Wild Atlantic Way and to Co Clare. We stop on route to start our historical and cultural exploration of Ireland with a visit to the ancient monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise. St Ciarán founded his monastery on the banks of the River Shannon in the 6th Century. The monastery flourished and became a great seat of learning, a University of its time with students from all over Europe. Today the ruins include a Cathedral, two round towers, three high crosses, nine Churches and over 700 Early Christian grave-slabs. Later this afternoon, we make our way to the coast, to Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher, which fall some 700 feet to the crashing Atlantic Ocean below. A small boutique 4-star manor house awaits you this evening, Gregans Castle Hotel is nestled in the heart of the Burren region offering fine dining, sumptuous comfort and two resident donkeys just waiting to meet you.
Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: 2 x Superior Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Ferrying out to The Aran Islands, a group of three distinctive, wild and remote isles that once held a position of great trading power in ancient Ireland. Now a bastion of traditional language, culture and music, they are as interesting as they are beautiful.
Inis Mór (the largest of the three) is home to a prehistoric semi-circular stone fort and is best explored by bicycle. Once on the island you and your guide will rent local E-bikes for a day of exploration, your guide will introduce you to the most popular sights as well as the off-the-beaten path hidden gems!
Sailing back to the mainland, stay onboard for an extended sail under the Cliffs of Moher for a view most never get to witness.
Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: 2 x Superior Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Today we make our way north and explore Galway’s bohemian charms with a foodies walking tour. Galway’s streets are full of street performers, buskers, live theatres and those who love to immerse themselves in the arts and culture scene. Along with the arts, Galway has a firm hold on its place on the Irish Foodie scene with fresh produce in abundance. Sample sweet and savoury treats as you walk the bustling streets learning as you go.
* History, music, cycling or other tours are also available in Galway
Back in Ballyvaughan this evening, visit a local pub where the landlady will take you through the history of Irish Whiskey with a bespoke whiskey tasting experience.
Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: 2 x Superior Twins
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
The Burren National Park was designated a UNESCO site due to its unique other-worldly limestone landscape containing a fascinating mix of unusual flora, fauna, geology and ancient archeology alongside the thriving farming communities. Our first stop today is a visit to see some captivating collies at work demonstrating their herding skills against the backdrop of a 1,000 year old fort on a traditional working farm
Later we cross the River Shannon and enter Co Kerry, where we spend the next few days exploring.
Your hotel and your base is the 5 star Sheen Falls Hotel, overlooking the River Sheen with tranquil gardens, lake views and some fantastic onsite activities.
Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: 2 x Classic Twins
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
On the southern shores of the Iveragh peninsula you will meet one of our favourite characters. A fisherman, foraging expert, storyteller and a true Irish gent, John will take you on a wander along the shoreline learning about life on Ireland’s west coast all the while regaling you with tales of characters from the region, from lonely monks to 18th century civil rights activists to mythical heroes.
Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: 2 x Classic Twins
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Killarney National Park is the jewel in Kerry’s crown and right on your doorstep, ready for a full day exploring today. Board a boat with Dux and his canine friend and cruise the tranquil lakes of Killarney with one of the most spectacular backdrops imaginable as you are overlooked by Ireland’s highest mountain peaks.
There are so may experiences on offer including a hike to Torc Waterfall, tour of historical Muckross House and Gardens, time spent browsing the local craft shops in lively Killarney town, people watch with coffee and cake a more challenging afternoon hike with your guide.
Your guide will ensure you get the best out of your day in Killarney.
Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: 2 x Classic Twins
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Leaving Connemara and Galway behind, we return to Dublin or Shannon for your flights home.
We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to our green shores once again.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The price of this trip is €11,845 per person sharing one twin room and is based on availability at the time of booking.
Friday 20th September – Friday 27th September 2024
