Final Information - Exploring Ireland

Day 1 - Friday 2^nd May - Arrival in Dublin

Arriving in Dublin on your overnight flight, we have arranged an airport transfer to take you into the city to your centrally located hotel. Check-in may not be ready till later this afternoon however you are free to check your bags, grab a bite to eat, freshen up and head out to explore the city.
Dublin has been described as a ‘city with a village feel’; as you explore its cobbled streets and historical monuments, it will be easy to see why. Many of Dublin’s highlights are within walking distance from your hotel, and indeed you will discover it is in the act of wandering from one to another where you will soak up Dublin’s authentic atmosphere. Walk down Grafton Street where musicians and buskers entertain with modern and traditional music, or stroll through St. Stephen’s Green, an oasis in the heart of the city.

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Alex Hotel
Room Type: Classic Room
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Saturday 3^rd May - Morning Walking Tour, Free Afternoon

This morning, meet a local guide for a walking tour through this vibrant capital city, with its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the medieval 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.

Stop by one of the many ( many) pubs for a hearty lunch in a traditional atmosphere before spending your free afternoon taking in some more of Dublin’s sights. perhaps you would like to visit Trinity College and The Book of Kells or prefer to tick The Guinness Storehouse off your bucket list. One of our favourite experiences is The Little Dublin Museum for a personal and unique view into life for the residents of Dublin.

*We have arranged for your car rental to be ready this afternoon from the Stephen Green branch of Enterprise.
Ground Floor, Jervis Street Shopping Centre, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin  

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Alex Hotel
Room Type: Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Sunday 4^th May - Dublin to Cork

Check out of your Dublin hotel this morning, and your route will take you south, out of the city and into the countryside.
Our first recommended port of call is 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. Afterwards, take some time to wander around Kilkenny’s picturesque streets, lined with colourful buildings, quaint shops, and inviting cafes. Enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of the local eateries, sampling some of Kilkenny’s delicious cuisine. Once you’ve had your fill of this historic gem, continue your journey to Cork, where more adventures await you.

Overnight: Cork | The Imperial Hotel
Room Type: Premium Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Monday 5^th May - Kinsale

A foodie haven and the end of the Wild Atlantic Way, Kinsale is a bolthole for Ireland’s most culinary-minded, and its pretty harbour with mystical sea views is an idyllic place for an adventure.
Only 30 minutes from Cork City, you have arrived at a jaw-dropping coastal route through southwest Ireland as you explore a world of pirate invasions, famine, and conflict. Be sure to visit to 17th-century star-shaped, Charles Fort and stroll along a waterside walkway before meandering the colourful Kinsale shops, with local wares, art and vintage buys a plenty.

Overnight: Cork | The Imperial Hotel
Room Type: Premium Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Tuesday 6^th May - Forage & Feast in a Temperate Rainforest

This morning you will head to West Cork to enjoy a fully immersive experience in the sights, sounds, smells & tastes 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: Kenamare | Brook Lane Hotel
Room Type: x1 Junior Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Wednesday 7^th May - Killarney National Park

After breakfast, you’ll make your way to Killarney National Park, 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. Enjoy an afternoon exploring the park before returning to your accommodation for one last night in the South West of Ireland.

Overnight: Kenmare | Brook Lane Hotel
Room Type: x1 Junior Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Thursday 8^th May - Kerry to Clare

Hit the road this morning and admire the views as you leave the mountains of North Kerry behind you and make your way north to Clare. Take the scenic route and cross the mouth of the River Shannon on a car ferry entering the Burren. The Burren’s rocky alien landscape is said to be the inspiration for Middle Earth in JRR Tolkien’s world-famous Lord of the Rings trilogy – and today as you explore this other-worldly region, it’s easy to see why!  Head to Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher for a stroll on the cliff tops before finishing up at Gregans Castle. A former retreat for poets and authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, you’ll arrive in time for a cool pint of Guinness by the fire before dinner at its award-winning restaurant.

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

Day 8 - Friday 9^th May - Hiking in The Burren

This morning you will head into the heart of the Burren and meet local author and producer, Tony, for a walk in this rugged, limestone escarpment that comes alive in the spring and summer with wildflowers. Set off for a walk in an area that was shaped by ancient seas and is famous for its Mediterranean and Alpine Wildflowers. The region is steeped in history as well, with over 2,500 historical monuments to be explored. Lunch will be held at a local tearoom with an option to visit the adjoining Burren Perfumery where only natural and organic ingredients are used in production. It’s the oldest working perfumery in Ireland!

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

Day 9 - Saturday 10^th May - Galway City with Walking Tour

From Clare we continue to head north today, leaving the Burren and entering Galway. Galway City has a wonderful bohemian vibe with many artists, musicians and playwrights flocking to the region to hone their skills. Galway also has a very historic past and here, you will meet with a local military historian in the city’s main square to guide you through the bustling alleys sharing Galway City’s important roles in the clash of the French, Spanish, and Russian and British Empires from 1700 to 1922, including in Ireland’s revolution for independence

Once you have had your fill of Galway, head on out of the city, into the wild landscape of Connemara National Park. Home to miles of pristine beaches, quaint villages and The Twelve Bens Mountain range, there is a wealth of activity to be found here. Your hotel for the next few nights holds an impressive history. Once owned by an Indian Raj and professional cricket player, it has been a favourite retreat for American Presidents and dignitaries over the years.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Classic Riverside Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Sunday 11^th May - Inishlaken Island

This morning you’ll make your way to Roundstone Harbour to meet local man Damien, a fourth-generation fisherman who has been around the sea all his life. As you explore Roundstone Bay by boat, look out for the resident seals, dolphins & Basking sharks! You’ll pass by the stunning beaches of Ervallagh, Gurteen & Dog’s Bay as you make your way to the deserted Island of Inishlacken. With its panoramic views, picturesque unspoilt beaches & pristine waters, this deserted island is the perfect place to stop off for a bespoke picnic lunch! Inishlaken has long been a centre point for writers, poets & artists because of its unique setting. A once largely populated island with its own schoolhouse & lots of quaint cottages, the population dwindled & the last of the island’s residents left for the mainland. But where man has left, nature has flourished and the island is now home to a large variety of insects & birds, rabbits, resident goats, sheep & donkeys.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Classic Riverside Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Monday 12^th May - Connemara to Shannon

Saying goodbye to Connemara, take your time today as you head back south, passing back through Galway and into Clare. Stop for a walk and a bite to eat at Coole Park Nature Reserve where you will find a quaint little tea rooms cafe serving delicious home-baked soups, sandwiches and bakes.
If time allows, we highly recommend an hour or so at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park to make the most of your day.

Arriving at Shannon Airport, return your rental late this afternoon,  before enjoying your final night in Ireland ahead of your flights to London tomorrow. Be sure to order a taxi for the morning with reception.

Overnight: Limerick | Shannon Springs Hotel
Room Type: Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast