Final Itinerary - Pascale Travel - Templeton Family Ireland

Day 1 - Monday 1^st July - Arrival in Ireland, free afternoon to explore

Arriving in Ireland, an airport transfer will meet you at the airport and take you the short distance to your centrally located hotel. Check in is not until later this afternoon however you are free to store your bags and freshen up, grab a bite to eat and head out to start exploring this vibrant city.

We have reservation for you this evening at Gallaghers Boxty House, payable locally.

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe King with extra single
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Tuesday 2^nd July - Dublins Art, History and Culture Museums

One of the big benefits of living in Dublin is the huge choice of world-class galleries, cultural attractions and museums located right on your doorstep, with many of them free.

Spend your day immersed in Irish history with some fascinating artefacts and finds including gold jewellery, viking armour, ancient bog bodies and gargantuan skeletons.

An evening of storytelling awaits you as you sip a beverage and hear tales, myths and legends of old brought to life by some talented storytellers in a heritage pub in the heart of Dublin. Sure to be an evening to remember.

Dinner this evening is Matt the Thresher

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe King with extra single
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Wednesday 3^rd July - Vintage Tea & Silver Workshop

This morning you have booked early tickets to Trinity College and The Book of Kells. One of Dublin’s lasting institutions.

Experience afternoon tea with a difference aboard a vintage bus. Sip Earl Grey or good old Lyons and indulge in scones jam and cream as you potter about the streets of Dublin with music banter and great conversations.

Alight from your bus and make your way to Drury Street where Jill and her skilled team will take you through the process of forging a bespoke piece of jewellery to commemorate your graduation and time in Ireland.

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe King with extra single
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Thursday 4^th July - Kilkenny & Hook Lighthouse

Time to get out of the city and this morning you will be joined by your guide for the rest of your trip, Fionnuala.  On route to Waterford, you will stop in the mediaeval city of Kilkenny and the iconic Kilkenny Castle, a fortress dating back to the 12th century. Immerse yourself in its rich history as you wander through the beautifully preserved rooms and explore the magnificent gardens. Afterward, take some time to wander around Kilkenny’s picturesque streets, lined with colourful buildings, quaint shops, and inviting cafes.

In Waterford, make a late afternoon visit to Hook Lighthouse for a private tour. Take in the views from the watchtower, then head into the lighthouse where your guide will take you on a immersive journey through the story that is the oldest operational lighthouse in the world. Finish on the first balcony where you take in the spectacular views of Leinster, Munster, our beautiful seas and estuary.

Overnight: Waterford | Faithlegg House
Room Type: Classic Triple
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5 - Friday 5^th July - Biking Waterford & Waterford Treasures

Collect your E-bikes this morning and depart from Dungarvan Depot on a stunning 46km off-road cycling and walking trail which travels through time and nature across eleven bridges, three viaducts and through the atmospheric tunnel all the way from the river to the sea. On route, stop at The Railway Cottage Cafe, a beautiful spot for coffee and snack and rest for the legs.

Ireland’s first ever Wake Museum this afternoon will take you on a journey of exploration of life and death, detailing traditions and superstitions, from early Christian times rights up to the 20th century. While the Horological Museum features the oldest Irish – made grandfather clocks among some of its treasures.

Overnight: Waterford | Faithlegg House
Room Type: Classic Triple
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Saturday 6^th July - Waterford Crystal, afternoon Cliff House Baths

A morning tour of the iconic Waterford Crystal factory and visitors centre. Experience the sheer divinity of fine crystal, as well as the masterful techniques that create such opulent visions of beauty. Witness how our crystal masterpieces are crafted, from initial design right up to the final engraving.

Returning to your hotel, lunch will be enjoyed onsite before your special relaxing outdoor baths experience this afternoon.

Overnight: Dysert, Ardmore | Cliff House Hotel
Room Type: Terrace Suite with extra bed
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Sunday 7^th July - Breadbaking & Cork Exploration

This morning you join Fanny for a masterclass in Sourdough Bread baking. Roll up your sleeves and prepare for a real hands-on baking experience where you will learn the traditional skills of how to bake delicious sourdough bread at home.

If time allows, before leaving Cork, visit some of the sights such as Kinsale, Cobh and Blackrock Observatory before continuing on to Killarney where an evening of song, music and dance await you at Celtic Step.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Room Type: Junior Family Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Monday 8^th July - Iveragh Peninsula with Foraging Experience & Dark Sky

The Ring of Kerry is often used as a substitute name for the Iveragh Peninsula, but more properly it refers to the 175-kilometre road that encircles this vast, scenic leg of land on the southwest of the island. The crystal clear coastal waters and shores of Ireland have been providing its inhabitants with sustenance for a milenia. This morning, meet a local fisherman, forager, poet and gent John who will help you discover the many edible gems to be found among the nook and crannies with a unique seaweed foraging walk.

After a delicious lunch in a nearby pub, take a spin out to the nearby Valentia Island, a step back in time. On the rugged and exposed elements of the southwest coast is Valentia Lighthouse, a beacon of safety to many a seaward traveller. There are even prehistoric fossilised footprints to discover.

The Kerry Dark Sky Reserve is one of only three Gold Tier Reserves in the world and it’s the only Gold Tier Reserve in the Northern Hemisphere.This means that on a clear night the sky in this corner of County Kerry is scattered with astronomical sights that you can gander at with the naked eye. We will plan for a clear night tonight and meet a local resident and expert stargazer to help you identify your Orion from your Canis Major. If the weather is not with us, we have tomorrow and the following evening.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Room Type: Junior Family Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9 - Tuesday 9^th July - Dingle Peninsula with Falconry Experience

The county of Kerry is made up of four peninsulas, The Kerry Head, The Beara,The Iveragh and probably its most well known,  The Dingle Peninsula and your destination today. Following a relaxed Irish breakfast, hit the road to explore the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. This is Gaeltacht country where the Irish language is still widely spoken as a first language and culture and traditions remain strong. Tour around the peninsula visiting a fascinating array of ancient sites including iron age forts, beehive huts, inscribed stones, and historical churches. The Peninsula culminates at the dramatic Slea Head—Europe’s most western point.

Before leaving, meet some feather friends on an exhilarating Hawk Walk. Watch as these magnificent birds of prey swoop and soar with breathtaking speed and learn all about their fascinating habits.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Room Type: Junior Family Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Wednesday 10^th July - Killarney Lakes Tour, afternoon Kerry to Clare

In the southwest of County Kerry is an expanse of rugged, mountainous country that sweeps down to the world-famous Lakes of Killarney. Here, stretching across 10,000 hectares, lies Killarney National Park, with its unforgettable combination of mountains, lakes, woodland and waterfalls. Take a tour of the famed Killarney Lakes this morning with Dux, your boatman who has been sailing these lakes since he was a child before heading north, crossing the border from Kerry to Clare where you will be staying in the small coastal town of Doolin.
Tonight be sure to check out some of the local pubs for some live traditional music.

Overnight: Doolin | Doolin Inn
Room Type: Double Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Thursday 11^th July - Cliffs of Moher Boat Tour

Towering above the crashing Atlantic below, the cliffs are one of Ireland’s most iconic and well known sights. Standing at over 700 ft high, these cliffs are home to a plethora of sea birds nesting from early spring onwards. Start your day with a thrilling boat tour taking in the cliffs for the vantage point of the ocean and witness the awesome power of mother nature. Once back on land take a tour of the visitors centre and cliff exhibition and of course some of the many vantage points with which to take pictures and view the cliffs .

The Cliffs of Moher have majestically faced the Atlantic for over 350 million years and their beauty is incomparable – it is Ireland’s most visited tourist attraction and when you visit you will understand why.

Overnight: Doolin | Doolin Inn
Room Type: Double Double
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12 - Friday 12^th July - Doolin to Cabra Castle

Settle back for a morning transfer from Doolin on our wild Atlantic west coast to Cabra Castle on Ireland’s eastern coast. We will break up the journey on route, stopping 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.

Your guide will say goodbye to you at the castle to allow you to enjoy your afternoon tea and final evening in the castle surrounds.

Overnight: Kingscourt | Cabra Castle
Room Type: Courtyard Family
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13 - Saturday 13^th July - Depart

A private car will take you in from the castle to Dublin Airport today for your onward journey to Iceland. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we welcome the chance to have you come stay with us once more.

Meals Included: Breakfast