email: cathriona.o'[email protected]
tel: (091) 457 898
Honeymoon for Keith & Holly
Keith & Holly
Monday 20th May – Thursday 30th May 2024
Monday 20th May – Thursday 30th May 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, 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.
Departing Cork this morning, it’s time to make your way into the heart of the Kingdom of Kerry. En route to Killarney, stop at Molly’s Cottage where you can experience first hand the traditional craft of Irish soda bread making, baked over an open fire. Learn how to make real Kerry butter and taste it fresh from the churn. Take a tour of the farm, exploring the 5000 year old relics and the remains of a family dwelling from the era of the Great Famine. Making your way into Killarney, it’s time to check into your 4 star hotel and home for the next two nights. After a hearty dinner, settle in for the night or head out and experience some traditional Irish music in one of Killarney’s many famous pubs.
Overnight: Killarney | The Great Southern
Room Type: Suite
Meals Included: None
This morning, 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 of the region, from lonely monks to 18th century civil rights activists to mythical heroes. Together, enjoy a few nibbles of seaweed, learning how they earned their reputation as a superfood. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish, you can relax onsite at your hotel or head out and explore the famous Killarney National Park. Don’t worry – we will give you plenty of recommendations!
Overnight: Killarney | The Great Southern
Room Type: Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving Kerry behind today you will head north into Co. Clare. 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 – and you are staying in the heart of it! This afternoon we have arranged a behind-the-scenes visit of a local smokehouse for a master class in smoking salmon. Indulge in the locally brewed craft beer and a seafood tasting platter while you learn of the unique smoking processes and techniques that go into creating the companies award winning products. Your accommodation for the next two nights is a family run, 18th century manor house, complete with welcoming open fires, antique furniture and their very own organic garden.
Overnight: The Burren | Gregans Castle
Room Type: Junior Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, it’s time to explore this rocky and alien landscape. Meeting your local guide, you will traverse through what is said to be the inspiration for Middle Earth in JRR Tolkien’s world-famous Lord of the Rings trilogy. Highlights today will include vast limestone pavement expanses, Burren specialist wildflowers, outstanding archaeological monuments and otherworldly views of the Burren hills. For lunch, you will stop in a local perfumery that takes inspiration from the surrounding landscape. Pick up a handmade soap or cream and indulge in some local cheeses before continuing on your adventure. This evening you can sit back, relax and unwind in the magical setting of Gregans Castle.
Overnight: The Burren | Gregans Castle
Room Type: Junior Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast
Heading further north, Galway is the west coast’s most vibrant urban centre and a great place to visit. What better way to spend an afternoon here than a delectable food tour? Checkin in to your city centre hotel before tantalising your taste buds with a delightful journey through Galway’s culinary scene. From artisanal cheeses, craft beers, to handcrafted chocolate, this will be a true feast for the senses. After your tour, a stroll through shop street and a coffee stop at the Spanish Arch is recommended. Later on, catch a trad music sesssion in one of Galway’s many lively pubs.
Overnight: Galway | The Hardiman
Room Type: Deluxe Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s hard to resist the allure of one of the many islands that dot the Irish coastline and today you 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, medieval 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. Together with an expert bike guide, explore the island’s quaint roads on two wheels.
Overnight: Galway | The Hardiman
Room Type: Deluxe Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast
You have the day to yourself today – choose to have a little lie in this morning before getting out and spending the day as you please. If you fancy a drive, we recommend exploring the nearby area of Connemara. The hills and mountains of Connemara are defined by the ocean surrounding, and this is particularly evident at the beautiful Killary Fjord. Another option is a hike in Connemara National Park, or catching a traditional music session in the nearby village of Clifden. Alternatively, have a wonderful day just wandering around the city.
Overnight: Galway | The Hardiman
Room Type: Deluxe Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will take a trip north across the border, to the bustling Belfast, a city that has managed to grow and thrive into a cosmopolitan hub, effortlessly showcasing its burgeoning foodie scene, its love of tradition and proud history. As this is a long driving day, we will provide stops and recommendations along the way and you will have the evening free to spend in Belfast – exploration starts tomorrow!
Overnight: Belfast | The Merchant
Room Type: Deluxe Victorian
Meals Included: Breakfast
Belfast has had a turbulent history and today you will find out all about it. After breakfast you will be introduced to Belfast culture with a unique twist, joining a local Black Cab tour to visit some of the city’s historical and political sites. Belfast was at the heart of The Troubles for over thirty years and you’ll see firsthand how this shaped the city and its residents. Many stories of this time are now depicted through the murals dotted throughout the city, which are now recognised as political art. Visit the peace walls and hear tales from your local guide – an expert who lived through it. This afternoon, take a guided tour of a distillery and pumphouse. Explore the sights and sounds of the pumphouse, followed by a sensory experience and tasting of award winning spirits. It’s recommended to leave the car at the hotel for this one!
Overnight: Belfast | The Merchant
Room Type: Deluxe Victorian
Meals Included: Breakfast
Heading back to the south of Ireland today and its capital city – home to the famous Temple Bar and Guinness Storehouse! After checking into your 5 star hotel this afternoon, we have arranged a connoisseur’s private experience at the Guinness Storehouse, where you will discover the history and origins of the world-famous stout. There is an endless list of things to do in Dublin, some of our recommendations include a Georgian townhouse tenement museum and a landmark building that was the scene of some of Ireland’s most important political events. Finish off the day with a mouth watering meal at one of Dublin’s most popular restaurants.
Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion
Room Type: Superior King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Make your way to Dublin airport for your return flight home. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable.
Note: If you have already left your car rental back we can organise a private transfer to the airport for you. Cost not included in this quote.
Meals Included: Breakfast