Good Life Travel Sept/ Oct

Day 1 - Dublin - Introduction to the city

Failté and welcome to Ireland.
This morning a private transfer will meet you at Dublin Airport and take you the short journey to Dublin city and your centrally located hotel.

Later today, join a local guide on a private walking tour through Ireland’s 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.
Finish your tour at Trinity Collage Campus where you can enjoy a self guided tour of the Library & Book of Kells.

*walking Tour is about 2 hours 

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

Day 2 - Into the West

This morning, you will both be meet at your hotel by your private guide/ driver who will be with you for the rest of the week. After some short introduction, perhaps over a cup of coffee you will set off for the journey to County Kerry, renowned the world over for its epic scenery.

Our first stop at the small town of Cashel, in County Tipperary where your guide will take you on a walk to the Rock of Cashel, a medieval hilltop complex featuring a ruined Gothic cathedral and 15th century castle with sweeping views over the town and county below.
Enjoy lunch in this picturesque little town perhaps checking out a Ireland’s oldest handmade pottery studio and shop for some traditional handmade wears before continuing on to Kenmare and your home for the next 2 nights, Sheen Falls Lodge, where you will enjoy a delicious locally sourced dinner with your guide toasting your trip ahead.

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

Day 3 - Beara Penunsula

Today, we’ll head out to explore The Beara Peninsula, through the lens of a local walking guide, writer and storyteller. The Beara Peninsula is densely studded with Bronze Age remains: wedge tombs, stone circles and standing stones. As you hike, you will learn of the history of some of the archaeological gems found in this remote and tranquil region.

The peninsula contains a long and varied scenic coast, two mountain ranges and a number of passes, and forms part of the Wild Atlantic Way. This remote spot is well and truly off the beaten track and offers some of the most stunning scenery.

*Your hike will be matched to your pace and wet weather options at the ready.

We can head back to Kenmare for lunch, or stop in a village tea room.

There are great options for dinner in Kenmare and we’ll point you in the right direction for a trad session in a local pub.

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

Day 4 - Killarney National Park

Just 40 minutes from Kenmare is Killarney National Park, the oldest national park in Ireland and home to the country’s highest mountain range, gorgeous lakes, waterfalls, medieval castles and ancient oak forest.
There are many ways to explore the park and we propose a looped walk around Ross Castle and Lough Leanne to showcase some of the stunning views in the region. Alternatively, sit back, relax and be entertained as take a tranquil boat ride around the lakes visiting a remote island along the way.
Enjoy a well earned lunch in Killarney before your afternoon transfer to Gregan’s Castle Hotel in The Burren where we suggest you dine this evening.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: Superior
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - The Burren & Cliffs of Moher

This morning, after your delicious breakfast,  we’ll hike the looped Mullaghmore route in the Burren National Park, walking on the rocky limestone and looking out for the early arrival of wildflowers that carpet the rock in summer.

Hike details: 7km / 4.5 mi, elevation 177m / 580 ft.

With your lunch well and truly earned, we visit the local Burren Perfumery to see how this tiny business takes its inspiration from the plants and flowers on the The Burren and turns them into beautiful products.  Enjoy lunch in their lovely tea room with simple and delicious homemade soups, salads and sandwiches and join one of their daily group tours.

In the late afternoon, we will visit the iconic Cliffs of Moher for a short walk across the tops of these dramatic sea cliffs, home to thousand of migrating birds with views of the Aran Islands and beyond.

We suggest dinner this evening in a local restaurant renowned for their fresh fish.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: Superior
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Clare to Connemara

Leaving Clare and the Burren behind, we continue north into Galway, a lively bohemian city with a passion for the arts. On street corners there are artists and buskers a plenty to enjoy and entertain however you will meet a local walking guide and historian for a private insiders tour. With ancient city walls hidden in shopping centres, a Spanish Arch down by the docks, and the history of 12 clans to cover, Galway is a fascinating visit to enjoy.

Leaving behind the streets of Galway we make our way out along the coast to the village of Spiddal.  Enjoy lunch in the local café and small craft village, see local artists at work and have a chance to buy pottery, artworks and more before checking in to the stunning Ballynahinch Castle Hotel in the heart of Connemara surrounded by the Twelve Bens Mountain range.

For dinner, we recommend either the Owenmore Restaurant or the Fisherman’s Pub at the hotel.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: Superior
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Rural Life in Connemara

Today we enjoy the very best of rural life around Connemara. Our first stop is to see our friend Tom, a local sheep farmer looking after his flock in a beautiful setting on the shores of Killary Fjord.  Tom will give us a demonstration of sheep herding with one of his dogs and we’ll learn a little of life on the farm.
As we continue along the quiet lanes and roads, we see see the vision of Kylemore Abbey rise up to meet us. A haven of history, beauty, and serenity and home to a Benedictine order of Nuns for the past 100 years. Tour the abbey and church, feed the pigs in the walled garden and indulge in some handmade chocolates made by the nuns onsite before returning to Ballynahinch Castle.

This evening, head into the lively little town of Clifden (10 minutes from the hotel) for dinner and a trad session in a local pub.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: Superior
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 - Hike Connemara & Falconry at Ashford Castle

After checking out of Ballynahinch, we’ll head to the heart of the Connemara National Park for a 5-mile hike up Diamond Hill with beautiful views over the park and Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Hike details: 8km /5 miles with elevation of 112m / 1211ft. Whilst there is quite a bit of elevation on this hike, the path is on a wooden boardwalk and so is quite easygoing.

Followiong the hike, it’s a 1-hour drive to the village of Cong, the backdrop of the Oscar-winning movie, The Quiet Man where we can enjoy a walk around the village and lunch.
This afternoon we arrive at Ashford Castle and the oldest falconry school in Ireland, where we will be joined by an expert to learn about this fascinating Medieval sport and then see the birds of prey in action.
Your guide will leave you to enjoy Ashford Castle in privacy for the next 2 days.

Dinner will be at one of Ashford Castle’s excellent restaurants.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: Lake View Corrib Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Onsite at Ashford Castle

Enjoying your day, relaxing onsite at Ashford Castle, take your time over breakfast, walk the castle estate, enjoy the onsite spa or simple relax in the library absorbing the castle atmosphere and history.

There are plenty of additional onsite activities to choose from should you prefer a more active day and we are happy to make bookings for you.

We recommend indulging in the opulence of the George V dining room this evening for a celebratory final night dinner.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: Lake View Corrib
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Farewell

Meals Included: Breakfast