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Road Book – Schneider Family Irish Adventure
Wednesday 12th June – Friday 21st June 2024
Wednesday 12th June – Friday 21st June 2024
Travel along Ireland’s western coasts taking in some of our famous historic sites and highlights while at the same time exploring more off-the-beaten-path locations and stunning landscapes. Along the way, you will get under the skin of Ireland, visiting sites associated with the country’s long and complex history from prehistoric times to the recent past. Meeting local people and learning about life on Europe’s western edge, you’ll uncover the natural history of the varied landscape from verdant green pastures to wild mountain scenery.
Picking up your separately arranged rental car this morning, your first stop on your Irish adventure is the historical fishing town of Kinsale. Famous as a rapidly up-and-coming foodie haven of Ireland, this colourful town is brimming with activity from art galleries to elegant yachts. Your accommodation is in a central location overlooking the sea, and provides an excellent home base for a stroll along the village’s colourful alleyways.
Overnight: Kinsale | Actons Hotel
Room Type: Classic Family Room
Meals Included: None
Suggested driving route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mxp9kUifXbUrYXLRA
Alternative driving route, passing through Waterford’s coastal towns: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GuW2uc849UzFjH9p6
The Rock of Cashel: an imposing medieval castle perched atop the hill overlooking Cashel, Co. Tipperary, which is about halfway through your drive. Stop by for a quick self-guided walk through the castle halls for a leg stretch, or join one of the regular public guided tours.
Dungarvin Castle: if opting for the coastal Waterford drive, the village of Dungarvan makes for a perfect lunchtime stop and leg stretch. Pay a visit to Dungarvan Castle – even though the interior is closed to visitors at the moment, the exterior of the castle makes for stunning views and a great introduction to classic Irish monuments.
We recommend dinner at Fishy Fishy for seafood lovers, otherwise The Supper Club for a look into Kinsale’s trendy modern European cuisine.
Head out this morning to bring to life the tales of pirates and conquest set in Kinsale Harbour. Set on the water’s edge, Charles Fort is one of the best-preserved examples of a 17th-century star-shaped fort and is associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. There are plenty of lookouts to climb to and tunnels to explore. Enjoy lunch in an award-winning local Irish pub.
Overnight: Kinsale | Actons Hotel
Room Type: Classic Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activity: Hike to Charles Fort
Coastal walk details: https://www.activeme.ie/guides/kinsale-to-charles-fort/
You can’t beat lunch in The Spaniard today, which is just off the coastal walk to Charles Fort and is renowned as an award winning pub.
We recommend dinner in the hotel tonight to keep things local, otherwise you have our recommendations from last night or Dino’s which has the best casual fish n’ chips in town.
Today you are free to explore one of the famed Kerry peninsulas: The Beara Peninsula. In this breathtaking region, there are plenty of options for short walks, taking in some quiet coastal landscapes or the widening expanses of the Caha Mountains with views to Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula and beyond. Spend time in the wee coastal village of Bantry where the spectacular views and the 17th century Bantry House are worth a visit.
Overnight: Killarney | The Lake Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Lake View Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Suggested driving route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fymgimhWQc5z4TmD9
Garnish Island: a tiny but paradisiacal island located just off the southern entrance to the Beara Peninsula, Garnish makes for a perfect morning trip with a quick return ferry from Glengarriff. Spend an hour or two strolling through the lush botanical gardens or relax in their peaceful outdoor cafe if the sun is shining.
Allihies Copper Mines: for any historical or geology buffs, the copper mines in Beara are a must-see. Visit the museum at your own pace or book a tour to learn a bit about the mining history in Ireland, not to mention the beautiful views from the old mining complex.
Dursey Island: at the far western tip of the Beara Peninsula is Dursey Island, best known as the Irish island only accessible by cable car! We highly recommend taking this unique journey over the sea which cannot be experienced anywhere else in the country.
We recommend lunch at either Breens Lobster Bar in Castletownbere or O’Neills Bar in Allihies for some midday pub grub.
After the big day of driving, we recommend dinner in your hotel’s Lakeside Bistro tonight.
Killarney National Park is the most famous of Ireland’s national parks – and with good reason! Discover some of Killarney’s most breathtaking mountains, lakes and waterfalls. Historic manor houses and abbeys makes for an interesting visit but Killarney is best explored via its beautiful looped forested and mountain hikes or by heading out onto the lakes of Killarney in a traditional boat.
Overnight: Killarney | The Lake Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Lake View Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Best parking lots with easy access to the national park:
Activity: Suggested Activities
Torc Waterfall & Muckross Loop: the best intro hike in Killarney National Park, conveniently passing through Muckross House’s grounds for a lunch stop. This can be extended an extra two hours to climb Torc Mountain.
Ross Castle: an example of one of the most well preserved castles in Ireland, Ross Castle’s location can’t be beat as it overlooks the massive expanse of the national park’s lake. You can pay €5 for entry into the castle to climb its battlements and get the best views.
Dux Boat Tours: departing from Ross Castle at 10:30am daily, join a boat tour on the water to take in the park’s scenery from a new angle. Pre-booking is necessary for this tour which can be arranged either with us or over their website.
Today could be a great day for a packed lunch on the trail, otherwise the Muckross House & Gardens have a lovely quaint cafe right in the middle of the park.
Head into Killarney town tonight for dinner and some traditional Irish music! The Tan Yard is our favourite locally sourced restaurant with a great atmosphere, with Kitty O’Se’s having the best seafood in a casual environment.
For a good pub after dinner, head to The Porterhouse (another casual pub choice for dinner) for its massive beer menu and Danny Mann’s Pub for music.
The best way to explore the Dingle Peninsula? Spending a day at the beach! Visit the less visited northern end of the peninsula today to relax on Ireland’s longest stretch of sandy coastline, treated to views of Mount Brandon across the bay and the dunes of the Maharees behind. Be sure to stop into the buzzing Dingle town for a seafood dinner and shopping before heading back to Killarney for the night.
Overnight: Killarney | The Lake Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Lake View Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Suggested driving route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FXhi5dvvjYyqMscJ6
Activity: Suggested Beaches
Maherees Beach is a local favourite away from the main crowds, with its views of Mount Brandon and shelter from the prevailing southerly winds making it a hidden gem.
Inch Beach is the largest beach of the peninsula with the high summer crowds, providing a buzzing atmosphere on a sunny Sunday with a nice cafe just at the entrance to the beach.
It’s another great day for a packed lunch with a picnic on the beach! If you prefer to sit in somewhere, the nearby town of Castlegregory has a few popular spots including Fitzgerald’s Gastropub and Spillane’s.
We suggest sticking around Dingle for dinner tonight before making the drive back to Killarney. Out of the Blue is a local favourite by the water for seafood, The Blue Zone for a jazzy casual pizza joint, or Danno’s for an outdoor dining spot if the weather is nice in the evening.
If you don’t mind a later drive back to Killarney, be sure to check out Dick Macks or Foxy John’s Pub (a hardware store converted into a pub!) for an after dinner pint and introduction to Dingle’s famous pub scene.
Leaving County Kerry and the southwest behind today, your first stop in County Clare is truly a sight to behold: the iconic Cliffs of Moher. Embark on a clifftop walk away from the visitor centre crowds to soak in the best views of the 700 foot tall cliffs and its resident bird colonies. This evening head into one of Doolin’s many local pubs to get a taste of the traditional Irish music for which the village is renowned.
Overnight: Doolin | Doolin Inn
Room Type: 1x Deluxe Double and 1x Deluxe Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Suggested driving route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FPyQ86VNvNe6dQ5y9
Activity: Suggested Activities
Cliffs of Moher to Hags Head hike: leave the crowds of the visitor centre behind for a walk along a quieter section of the cliffs. This 6-mile route takes in the best views and lets you see the Cliffs with more solitude.
Stop for lunch on the way to the Cliffs, with Vaughans Anchor Inn or The Frantic Chef in Liscannor being great options for fuelling the walk ahead.
Doolin has several options for fantastic local dinners. Our favourites are The Ivy Cottage for a range of locally sourced Irish staples, with Gus O’Connors next door having a great wide ranging pub food menu and traditional Irish music later in the evening.
Today you will get to fully immerse into the culture of Inis Mór – its history goes back millennia and today Gaelic is still the daily spoken language of the inhabitants. Take to your rental bikes this morning off the ferry, and explore the breathtaking limestone scenery, cliffs and prehistoric forts which dot the sprawling island. Enjoy your overnight on the island as the day-trippers leave you with the peace and solitude that only a night on a remote island can give.
Overnight: Inis Mor | Pier House Aran
Room Type: Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Operator: Doolin Ferry Company
Contact Number: +353 65 707 5555
Your tickets have been pre-booked for the 9:00am ferry leaving from Doolin Pier. Parking can be found here.
Please arrive 30 minutes ahead of departure to allow time to get parked and collect your tickets from the pier office ahead of ferry boarding.
Activity: Bike Hire Collection
Start Location: Aran Bike Hire, just to the right of the ferry port exit | Start Time: 10:00
Phone: +353 9961132 | Website: https://aranislandsbikehire.com/
Your bikes have been pre-booked and are ready to collect at 10:00am from Aran Bike Hire. These bikes must be returned to the same location by 5:00pm today, leaving a full 7 hours to explore the island!
Your hotel, The Pier House, is located just across the road from the bike shop. You are free to drop your bags off at the hotel before collecting your bikes.
There is an island loop which runs from Kilronan (your starting point) to Kilmurvey along the coast). We suggest taking this route to take in all the best sights of the island.
Must-see stops on your cycle include:
Take the walk up to Joe Watty’s tonight for dinner, as it’s the best spot on the island for a delicious dinner. Head for a drink at the aptly named The Bar to eavesdrop on the locals speaking Irish and have a fresh island Guinness.
Return to the mainland after an island breakfast, arriving in time for a quick bite to eat back in Doolin. Be sure not to fill up too much at lunch today, as your main activity today involves meeting with local farmers on a tour of the craggy, alien landscapes of The Burren, a place said to be J.R.R. Tolkien’s inspiration for Middle Earth in Lord of the Rings. End the tour with a picnic sampling of the farm’s delicacies as your guides regale you with stories and lessons taken from the unique methods of farming demanded by The Burren’s unique landscape.
Overnight: Galway City | The Hardiman
Room Type: Deluxe Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Operator: Doolin Ferry Company
Contact Number: +353 65 707 5555
Please arrive at least 15 minutes ahead of your ferry’s scheduled departure, using the tickets you collected yesterday from the Doolin Ferry office.
Suggested driving route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kFphReTVckGmHt5i8
Activity: The Burren Farm Tour
Bronagh O'Rourke: Farmer
Start Location: The Burren Farm Experience | Start Time: 14:00
Phone: +353 86 399 0440 | Website: https://burrenfarmexperience.ie/
Local farmer Bronagh will meet you at her farm in the middle of The Burren National Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wEuLpVZBtKu3EX6BA
The 2-hour experience will include a walk in The Burren with snacks sourced from the farm, diving into tales of the landscape and the ancient practices of farming within the unique limestone landscape.
On the way to The Burren Farm, we recommend stopping into The Burren Perfumery for a delicious light lunch and a perusal of their beautiful shop.
We recommend dinner in one of Galway’s countless central restaurants near your hotel tonight. Please reference our ‘Eat, See, Stay’ list of recommendations for the city, attached in the additional documents below, for a full list of our favourite choices.
Galway is the capital of Ireland’s west – known as the ‘town of the tribes’ the small centre of cobblestone streets and colourful store fronts is vibrant, fun and cosmopolitan. Take the day at your own pace exploring the town, with the option of booking on to a locally guided tour ranging from food, history, or art.
Overnight: Galway City | The Hardiman
Room Type: Deluxe Family Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activity: Suggested Activities
Please reference our attached ‘Eat, See, Stay’ list of recommendations for the best of the best in Galway, and feel free to get in touch for any local guides we would recommend!
Our favourite tour provider in town is Galway Food Tours, which run regular public tours across a range of interests daily. We would be happy to get something booked in for you, or feel free to book a tour at your own time as you see fit.
Make the short drive out to Salthill in the afternoon to get out with the locals at a beautiful stretch of coastline, and see its well-renowned diving board where sea swimmers braving the cold water are drawn in huge numbers.
Bid farewell to the west coast this morning – perhaps after spending the morning with one last exploration of Galway city – before heading back to Dublin to continue your adventure in the capital. Say hey to Eddie Vedder for us, and have a safe journey back home!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Suggested driving route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zcSsTYScBJrXXoPLA
Wednesday 12th June – Friday 21st June 2024
