Heather Chauney & Family - Ireland Adventure

Day 1 - Monday 1^st September - Céad míle fáilte - Welcome to Ireland

Céad míle fáilte! One hundred thousand welcomes to Ireland’s “Fair City”, Dublin! A private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you into the city to your boutique hotel. 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. Finish the day in one of the many award-winning restaurants that pepper the streets of Dublin.

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Alex Hotel
Room Type: x3 king rooms
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Tuesday 2^nd September - The Rock of Cashel & Cork

Your private guide will meet you in your hotel lobby this morning, and after some short introductions, you will begin your journey into the countryside travelling through Ireland’s hidden heartlands. Dive right into the wonder of ancient Ireland with a stop at the Rock of Cashel, an immaculately preserved cathedral overlooking the sweeping landscape below. After lunch, it’s only an hour’s drive to your luxurious country house, nestled within 300 acres of land in County Cork. You’ll have time for a walk in the walled garden before this evening, where your guide will join you for a delicious, farm-to-fork welcome dinner and the chance to discuss the week to come.

Overnight: Cork | Ballymaloe House
Room Type: x3 classic house rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Wednesday 3^rd September - Exploring Cobh

The nearby town of Cobh is cemented in history as the last port in which the ill-fated Titanic docked before embarking on its maiden journey to America. Formally called Queenstown, Cobh today has many attractions and not just for Titanic enthusiasts. Here you will meet a local guide, author and historian Michael for a fascinating guided walking tour, which will bring you through the streets and environs of Cobh, revealing locations and incidents directly connected to the Titanic and many other aspects of Cork Harbour History & Irish Heritage. You’ll then visit Cobh Heritage Centre which offers a glimpse into Ireland’s past and the hardships that those early emigrants endured. There are many interesting stories throughout the exhibition of Irish emigrants who left Queenstown/Cobh to far-flung destinations across the globe such as Brazil, Argentina, The West Indies as well as North America and Australia.

Overnight: Cork | Ballymaloe House
Room Type: x3 classic house rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Thursday 4^th September - Forage & Feast

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. Afterwards, you’ll head north and check in to your accommodation, nestled on a private estate on the edge of Killarney National Park.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Room Type: x3 deluxe rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Friday 5^th September - Kayaking Killarney National Park

Enjoy a day of exploration in Killarney National Park – the jewel in the county’s crown and the largest of Ireland’s National Parks. Today the park encompasses 26,000 acres of mountains, woodlands, lakes, waterfalls and history. Historic manor houses and abbeys make for an interesting visit but Killarney is best explored via the water with a private kayaking guide. Afterwards, your guide will lead you through the grounds and gardens of Muckross House, a 19th-century mansion set upon the shores of the glistening lake. If time and energy levels allow, it’s only a short walk up to the base of the serpentine Torc Waterfall winding its way from the mountainside and into the lush canopy of trees. Tonight we recommend heading into Killarney town for some live music and perhaps a glass of the uisce beatha (whiskey).

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Room Type: x3 deluxe rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Saturday 6^th September - Adare & The Cliffs of Moher

Leaving the Kingdom of Kerry behind this morning, make your way into the neighbouring counties of Limerick and Clare. Your first stop this morning is into the buzzing village of Adare, where you can stretch your legs with a wander between its traditional thatched-roof cottages, local art galleries, and warming cafes. Use the quiet of the afternoon to visit Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher, part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, a special region with outstanding geology. Visually stunning, the Cliffs Stand 702ft at their highest point and stretch for 5 miles along the Atlantic coast. Take in the views, stop into the visitors centre, and most of all, take a family selfie for those at home before heading for your cottage, located 10 minutes from the village of Doolin. Be sure to pick up some breakfast provisions and snacks en route!

Overnight: Doolin | The Hawthorn Cottage
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Sunday 7^th September - Inis Mór

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 Irish is still the daily spoken language of the inhabitants. Inis Mór, the largest of the three islands, is your destination today. The first port of call is a goat farm, here meet a 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. We 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: Doolin | The Hawthorn Cottage
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 8 - Monday 8^th September - Cultural Galway City & An Irish Goodbye

After breakfast, you’ll head 1.5 hours north to Galway, a charming Medieval-era city with a thriving arts scene. Known as the ‘town of the tribes’ the small centre of cobblestone streets and colourful storefronts is vibrant, fun and cosmopolitan. You have the day free to explore as you wish, walk along the Spanish Arch and the picturesque Claddagh area, where you can enjoy views of Galway Bay. Galway is home to lively streets like Quay Street and Shop Street, filled with famous pubs, like The Quays or Tigh Neachtain, and a great place to wander. This evening join a local whiskey guide who will lead you around the streets of Galway into some of the historic pubs to discover the finest Irish whiskey. This will certainly leave you in the mood to go to your last stop to celebrate your final night in Ireland, we have organised an intimate performance of Irish dance in one of the oldest pubs in Galway. Soak up the wonderful atmosphere, music and dance unique to this island and cheers to a week well spent.

Overnight: Galway | The Hardiman Hotel
Room Type: x3 classic doubles
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 9 - Tuesday 9^th September - Depart

This morning, your guide will drop you at the airport in time for your flight home. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to our shores once again.

• If you are flying to the UK flight options are available from Knock Airport, which is only an hour’s drive from Galway.

Meals Included: Breakfast