Marilyn & Raymond's Irish Adventure V4

Day 1 - Monday 8^th September - Welcome to Dublin

Arriving in Dublin today, check into your 4-star, boutique hotel in the city centre. 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.

Overnight: Dublin | Brooks Hotel
Room Type: x1 Deluxe King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Tuesday 9^th September - Iconic Dublin

Explore some of Dublins most iconic sights today starting with a tour of Trinity College and Book of Kells. Your guided Trinity tour will take you around the campus, discovering some of the secrets and famous pupils who graced its halls and quads before making your way to the Old Library for an audio tour of the Book of Kells with its new immersive digital experience. Take a walk through the famous Temple Bar, the live trad. music spills out from many of the pubs and cafes along the cobbled stoned streets. Stop for a beverage or two, checking out some musicians and buskers as you go, making your way to the iconic Guinness Storehouse for a late afternoon tour. From the moment you step inside this historic establishment, you’ll be immersed in the rich heritage of Guinness, tracing its roots back to its founding by Arthur Guinness in 1759.

Overnight: Dublin | Brooks Hotel
Room Type: x1 Deluxe King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Wednesday 10^th September - Drive to Wicklow

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning before you head south out of the city to your 4-star eco-lodge, located in a secluded County Wicklow Valley. Spend the afternoon relaxing, enjoy a walk around the gardens, or check out the spa facilities onsite. This evening, enjoy a meal at The Strawberry Tree, Ireland’s first certified organic restaurant.

Overnight: Aughrim | BrookLodge
Room Type: x1 Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Thursday 11^th September - Wicklow Mountains National Park

One of Ireland’s six national parks, the Wicklow Mountains are the epitome of Irish countryside. Meet your guide this morning and pull on your hiking boots to trundle through the heather-topped Wicklow Mountains, following trails once traversed by pilgrims and monks. On your way, bask in panoramas of patchwork fields dotted with white fluffy sheep, each lined with hedgerows and old stone walls. With a few different options through the Wicklow Mountains, work with your guide to find the best one for you and your group. In the evening, tuck into a cosy pub for a satisfying end-of-hike pint.

Overnight: Aughrim | BrookLodge
Room Type: x1 Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Friday 12^th September - Medieval Kilkenny

The medieval town of Kilkenny is certainly one of our best-kept secrets. An artsy, colourful town, Kilkenny is home to local artists such as ceramics and other hand-made crafts found in the craft village. Probably the most impressive sight in town is Kilkenny Castle. One of the most fascinating castles in Ireland, learn about the massive restoration process behind the castle, following clues back through the years to restore the castle to its former glory. As the hometown of Smithwick’s beer, you’ll certainly have to enjoy some of the local brews.

Overnight: Kilkenny | Pembroke Hotel
Room Type: x1 Castle View King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Saturday 13^th September - Canoeing along the Barrow River

Starting in the lovely little town of Graignamanagh, meet your guide to pick up your canoes. Together, you’ll paddle the lapping waters of the River Barrow. Journey through woodlands and valleys, soaking up the region’s history, flora, and fauna. Get ready to learn how to paddle rapids and weirs of the River Barrow as your guide helps you navigate a centuries-old system of river locks.

Overnight: Kilkenny | Pembroke Hotel
Room Type: x1 Castle View King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Sunday 14^th September - Exploring Cobh Enroute to Cork

Checking out this morning, watch the wild and rugged Irish countryside unfold around you as you look forward to your afternoon visit to the seaside town of Cobh, which 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. Small colourful houses line the streets that cup a picturesque harbour while the impressive Cobh Cathedral dominates the skyline overlooking the town. You’ll 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. Afterward, it’s time to check into your city centre hotel. Here you can relax or head out and explore for the afternoon!

Overnight: Cork | Imperial Hotel
Room Type: x1 Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Monday 15^th September - Cork City

Today you have a chance to explore the cosmopolitan Cork city, the original capital of Ireland. Known as the Rebel County – to do with shifting allegiances – you have a few different ways you can choose to spend your day – from the bustling stalls of the Victorian-era English Market to the fort-turned-Victorian prison atop Spike Island to the historic Ballycotton Lighthouse, Cork city and county has a wealth of fascinating sites.

Overnight: Cork | Imperial Hotel
Room Type: x1 Classic Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Tuesday 16^th September - Colourful 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. Follow a jaw-dropping coastal route through southwest Ireland as you learn of pirate invasions, famine, and conflict. A visit to 17th-century star-shaped Charles Fort or a sunset stroll along a waterside walkway is a perfect end to your day’s touring.

Overnight: Kinsale | Perryville House
Room Type: x1 Superior Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Wednesday 17^th September - Kinsale Food Tour

After breakfast, take a deeper dive into the history & culture of Kinsale. Historically a medieval fishing port, its spectacular waterfront setting, and candy-colored houses, shops, and restaurants, make it a glorious blend of old and the new. You’ll embark on a delightful culinary journey where every bite tells a story of tradition, innovation, and local flavour. As your local guide regales you with stories of the town, enjoy fresh seafood, artisan cheeses, and vibrant produce sourced from nearby farms. Afterward, enjoy a stroll through the village and a browse in the stores before heading back to your accommodation.

Overnight: Kinsale | Perryville House
Room Type: x1 Superior Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Thursday 18^th September - Killarney National Park

Checking out of your hotel this morning, say goodbye to Cork as you make your way further north to Killarney. Today you’ll visit Killarney National Park, the jewel in county Kerry’s crown. Today the park encompasses 26,000 acres of mountains, woodlands, lakes, waterfalls, and history. Choose to enjoy a walk along the lakeside, relax with a picnic lunch, and soak up the beautiful views. Top off your time in the park with a visit to Ross Castle and hear about the legend of O’Donoghue and his snow-white horse. Enjoy some free time to explore the colourful Killarney town this evening, known for its bustling atmosphere and traditional Irish pubs. Finish the day listening to some tunes by an open fire.

Overnight: Killarney | The Lake Hotel Killarney
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12 - Friday 19^th September - Seaweed Foraging the Ring of Kerry

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 true Irish gent, 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. Afterward, we’ll recommend some popular viewing points as well as the hidden gems along the way before you head back to Killarney.

Overnight: Killarney | The Lake Hotel Killarney
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13 - Saturday 20^th September - North Kerry & The Cliffs of Moher

As you make your way north through Kerry, we’ll recommend a great beach walk along one of Kerry’s best-kept secret coastlines, as well as a few other great stops to make a leisurely day of it.  We recommend taking a shortcut via the Shannon River Ferry – keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine wildlife as you cross!  End your day at Ireland’s most famous cliffs, the Cliffs of Moher, enjoying a walk along the dramatic cliff edge on a background of coastal panoramas. Continue on to your home for the next three nights and last stop on your Wild Atlantic Way adventure, an 18-century manor house!

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

Day 14 - Sunday 21^st September - Goat Farm Tour & Tasting

Today you will pay a visit to a charming, locally-owned goat farm for an immersive tour and tasting. Meet and feed the tribe, visit the milking parlour, and learn about the history of goat farming in Ireland and the traditional methods used to care for them and produce award-winning goat cheese. You’ll witness the cheese-making process firsthand and enjoy a tasting of their full range of Irish cheeses, right there on the farm! Back at your accommodation, you have time to relax before dinner.

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

Day 15 - Monday 22^nd September - Depart

This morning, it’s time to make your way to the ferry port, and say goodbye to Ireland. We hope your time here was memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to our shores once again.