Experience Ireland - Sample Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Dublin

Arriving in Ireland today, an airport transfer will take you from the airport to your 5 star hotel in the city centre. Once you have checked in, take a moment to freshen up or indulge in a delightful bite to eat. Head out in the afternoon to enjoy a walking tour with a local private guide through this capital city, featuring 1,000 years of architecture from medieval to Georgian to modern. Visit 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, a historian, will bring the city to life with colourful tales of times gone by. Cap off the day in one of Dublin’s many award-winning restaurants for a delicious meal before your adventure truly begins tomorrow!

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: x1 Westbury King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Heading West

Your private guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel this morning. After some short introductions, together you will transfer west from Dublin to County Clare, the home to Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher. En route, stop at the ancient monastic site 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, you’ll visit the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most impressive natural sites. A late afternoon visit offers you the chance to explore after the day crowds have departed. The area is teeming with wildlife and 20 different species of birds, including puffins, make this area their home.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x1 Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - 4x4 Experience on the Aran Islands

We hope the weather gods are on our side today as we head out to visit one of the remote islands that dot the Irish coastline. Inis Mor (Inishmore) is the largest of the three Aran Islands and our destination this morning. Explore the island with the aid of some off-road adventure vehicles as your local guides, Padraig and Aonghus bring you to all the off-the-beaten-track spots on the islands that only their 4×4 can reach. Learn of the Irish language spoken on the islands, the unique Irish culture and traditions of the local people, the flora and fauna that inhabit the islands and of course the filming site from the recent Banshees of Inisherin film! This evening back on the mainland, join your guide at a local traditional pub where Margaret, the landlady will bring you on a fascinating whiskey-tasting journey through some of her extensive collection.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x1 Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - The Burren National Park

Heading inland today, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of The Burren. As you enter the Burren landscape, you’ll quickly notice its otherworldly attributes. With endless lines of karst limestone rock dominating fields and covering hillsides, the area is said to have been an inspiration for JRR Tolkien’s world-famous Lord of the Rings trilogy. Today you visit a beef farm in the Burren and learn about the traditional farming methods that help shape and conserve this unique landscape. explore the original farmhouse and see how the Irish people used to live, survey the pre-famine settlement where inhabitants lived on rockier ground and visit an ancient ring fort designed for defensive purposes enabling the Chieftain to guard his sheep. Afterwards, you’ll visit a local shepherd and enjoy a masterclass in sheepdog working with an exhilarating demonstration of his absolutely adorable and keenly intelligent dogs. Baby lambs are also available for cuddles and there are lots of opportunities for photos and selfies with the very photogenic animals (and shepherds!).

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Killarney National Park

Leaving Clare today we track south into county Kerry Stopping at Killarney National Park en route. Killarney National Park is the jewel in Kerry’s crown, here you will 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 many experiences on offer including a hike to Torc Waterfall, a tour of the historical Muckross House and Gardens, time spent browsing the local craft shops in lively Killarney town, people-watching with coffee and cake and more. Your guide will ensure you get the best out of your day in Killarney.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x1 Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Forage & Feast

A fully immersive experience in the sights, sounds, smells & taste of a rare temperate rainforest valley & bay on the Wild Atlantic Way. Too often overlooked by visitors, the Beara Peninsula is a hidden paradise. At each turn, there is a new view to marvel upon, with panoramas over the hidden valleys, rocky slopes, sheep-dotted hills and far-away lakes. Make sure to leave room after breakfast this morning, as your experience of the day involves meeting local foraging expert Kloe to share in her craft on the remote southern edge of the Beara Peninsula. After an hour out in the field learning the science and practices of foraging in the woods, reconvene around a campfire together for a cooked lunch of your gathered goods.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x1 Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7 - Depart

Time for a last exploration of Kenmare this morning before departing Kerry and the west coast and returning to Dublin where your guide will take you directly to Dublin Airport. We do hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we once again have the opportunity to welcome you to our shores.

• your guide will discuss departure times with you the evening before.

Meals Included: Breakfast