Judd - Irish Adventure

Kory & Darlene

Thursday 16th May – Saturday 25th May 2024

Number of Travellers:  2
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Overview

Enjoy the lively and colourful streets of Dublin with your 5 star hotel as a calm oasis to retreat to when needed.  Ireland’s capital city has culture and history living side by side with shopping, bars and restaurants in an eclectic mix of the ancient and the modern all on your doorstep. Travel west and uncover the natural history of the varied landscape from verdant green pastures to wild mountain scenery to lichen pickled traditional stone walls. These are just some of the images Ireland conjures in the mind of a wanderer and this wonderful adventure in Ireland offers you all the time in the world to explore and enjoy.

Highlights

  • Feel the warmth of an Irish welcome from the moment you arrive in Ireland.
  • Meet locals and enjoy authentically Irish experiences.
  • Discover off the beaten path locations

Day by Day

Day 1 - Thursday 16th May - Arrival in Dublin

Arriving into Dublin airport today you will be met at arrivals and transferred to your 5 star hotel for the night, The Westbury. Although these next couple of days are unguided, we have plenty of recommendations for you for places to visit and excellent tours that offer insight into Ireland’s culture and history.

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury
Room Type: Classic Double
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Friday 17th May - Historical Walking Tour of Dublin, Trinity College & The Book of Kells

Enjoy a morning 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. Your guide is a historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by. Your tour ends near the campus of Dublin’s Trinity College, where you will join a group walking tour of the campus before viewing the Book of Kells and Old Library. Afterward, immerse yourself in the vibrant Temple Bar area, known for its lively pubs, restaurants, and live music. Have dinner at one of the many traditional Irish pubs and soak up the lively atmosphere.

Overnight: Dublin | The Wesybury
Room Type: Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Saturday 18th May - Meet your Guide & Galway Food Tour

This morning, it’s time to meet your guide. Galway has a lively traditional and contemporary music and arts scene and you will find buskers and street performers to entertain you as you wander the cobbled streets. Making your way towards Connemara, stop off in the city and tantalise 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. Your accommodation for the next three nights, Ballynahinch Castle, sits on its own 700 acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks in the heart of Connemara. There is shooting, walking, fly fishing, horse back, falconry, hill walking, and a handful of villages to visit close by. Tonight, your guide will join you for a welcome dinner.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle
Room Type: Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4 - Sunday 19th May - Visit Inishbofin with a Local Archaeologist

Meet a local historian and archaeologist today and together explore the nearby Inishbofin Island. Inhibition on the island dates as far back as 8000-4000 BC, and her most famous resident was a Pirate Queen. Today the 16th century Cromwellian Barracks is well preserved along with a host of heritage sites. Spend the evening onsite at Ballynahinch or catch a trad session (and some craic!) in one of the nearby villages.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle
Room Type: Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Monday 20th May - Oyster Farm Tour En Route to Clare

Venturing into the heart of Connemara National Park, Killary Fjord dominates the landscape as an important fishing source throughout history for the locals. The fresh tidal waters on this part of Ireland’s coastline make a perfect growing ground for oysters and shellfish from here are shipped worldwide, renowned for the flavour and texture. Today you will donn waterproofs and join an oyster farmer as he does his rounds, learning all about the process of oyster growing and a little bit about what life is like on Ireland’s west coast. Afterwards, it’s time to head down to county Clare and check in to your next accommodation.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Monks
Room Type: Deluxe King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Tuesday 21st May - Burren Smokehouse Experience

After a relaxing morning, make your way to a local smokehouse for a Master Class in Smoking Salmon while enjoying a glass of wine or a pint of beer! Learn of the unique smoking processes and techniques that go into creating the company’s award winning products. Meet Peter Curtin, master brewer and their generation owner of the micro brewery and pub and sample some delicious beers before enjoying an onsite lunch.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Monks
Room Type: Deluxe King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Wednesday 22nd May - Cliffs of Moher En Route to Kerry

This morning, visit the iconic Cliffs of Moher. Rising 700 feet from the crashing Atlantic Ocean, the cliffs are home to a myriad of seabirds and aquatic life with views of the stacks, the Aran Islands and O’Brien’s tower. After a walk along the cliff edge, take a tour of the visitors centre before heading to Kenmare for the evening. On the way, you will visit the wonderful and charming Adare village – known as the prettiest village in Ireland. Arriving in the Kingdom of Kerry, your 5 star hotel and base for the next few nights is just outside the small town of Kenmare.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: Superior Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Thursday 23rd May - Unique Seaweed Foraging Experience

As you make your way into the southern part of the Ring of Kerry, the landscape becomes wilder and more rugged. At a secluded bay, meet a local foraging expert and storyteller who will take you on a wander along the shoreline learning about life on Ireland’s West Coast. Have a toast and enjoy some seaweed nibbles including the flavoursome Duilleasc and Nori, the famous sushi roll wrapping. Afterwards, visit the home of one of Ireland’s most famous revolutionary political figures. This evening, a golf tee time has been reserved for you – the southwest of Ireland is a golfer’s paradise – and as you overlook Kenmare Bay you will see why! Tonight your guide will join you for a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: Superior Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9 - Friday 24th May - Return to Dublin

This morning, it’s time to check out and say goodbye to the South West of Ireland! Your guide will drop you to your hotel in Dublin City, the Westbury. Depending on how you feel, choose to stop off in Cork City at the famed English Markets. This evening, put your feet up and relax before your flight in the morning!

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury
Room Type: Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Saturday 25th May - Departure

This morning, your private transfer will collect you in the lobby of your hotel and transfer you to the airport where it’s time to head back home.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Judd – Irish Adventure

Thursday 16th May – Saturday 25th May 2024