V.2 Wendy Perrin- Teri Davis & Doug Snyder - Ireland Adventure

Day 1 - Welcome to Dublin

Arriving in Ireland today, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you into the city to your centrally located hotel. Check-in is usually not till 3 pm however feel free to store your bags, freshen up, or have a bite to eat.

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, and 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.

We have some great restaurant recommendations this evening for you from casual pub grub to more fine dining.

Overnight: Dublin | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: Executive King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Medieval Kilkenny

Your private Wilderness Ireland guide/ driver will meet you this morning, after some short introductions, you will leave the hustle and bustle of Dublin and begin your journey south, to Ireland’s original capital, Cork.

On route, you will stop in 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 Waterford, where more adventures await you.

Your guide will join you for a welcome dinner this evening to toast your adventure ahead.

Overnight: Waterford | Granville Hotel
Room Type: King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Comeragh Mountains Hike & afternoon in Carrick-on-Suir

The Comeragh Mountains are a glaciated mountain range, situated in the southeast corner of Ireland, formed during the Quaternary (Ice Age) by glacier ice scouring out a deep, armchair-shaped hollow at the edge of the mountains. Your guide will pick the best route today to suit your energy levels perhaps taking in the Mahon Waterfall or  Crough Wood.
After a well-earned lunch, we will spend some time this afternoon exploring Carrick-on-Suir, the birthplace of Teri’s family heritage.  The town itself has many historical buildings, from old churches to charming townhouses. Walking through the streets gives you a sense of the local history and culture, particularly as it’s linked to Teri’s family heritage.
The Heritage Centre is situated within the heart of Carrick-on-Suir, off Main Street with rear access from Town Wall. It stands on the site of the original 13th-century church and exhibits local memorabilia and artefacts. The grounds hold an interesting array of headstones, including a memorial to Thomas Butler (died 1604), an illegitimate son of Thomas, 10th Earl Of Ormond.

Overnight: Waterford | Granville Hotel
Room Type: King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Morning in Carrick & afternoon Farm Tour and Cheese Tasting

Start out this morning with another visit to Carrick following on from yesterday where you both will have more opportunity to explore the village and perhaps visit the local library before we head west, stopping in Cork City for a look around Cork’s iconic English Market. Trading since 1788, and one of the oldest and certainly the best-covered market in Europe, it has survived famine, flood, war, fires, and multiple recessions to remain a strong part of Cork’s retail environment. * Closed Sunday’s 

Later this afternoon, we pay a special visit to a working dairy farm for an immersive tour and cheese tasting. Meet the herd, chat all things agriculture with John the local farmer, and finish with a spectacular tasting session of some fine Irish cheese, made right there on the farm.

Check in this evening in a boutique hotel, just outside Kenmare, a lively little town where there are plenty of restaurants, shops and pubs to choose from.

Overnight: Kenmare | Brook Lane Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Hike Beara Peninsula with a local folklorist

Balanced on the edge of County Cork and County Kerry, the Beara Peninsula is the wildest of Kerry’s three peninsulas. This rugged corner of Ireland weaves a tapestry of wild mountains, pristine lakes, and meandering coastal and mountain roads. The Beara Peninsula is rich in local culture. Sparsely populated and rural, you can stumble across quiet villages and their warm and welcoming communities.
Today you will head out hiking the Beara Peninsula with your guide, joined by a local folklorist, who also specialises in the archaeology of the region bringing this fascinating landscape to life. Carina from Garnish, is a member of the Beara Historical Society. A writer and storyteller, she conducts guided historical tours throughout the Beara Peninsula in South West Ireland. She aims to give the visitor an appreciation of the deep history, culture and dramatic beauty that is Beara.
Carina is passionate about the layers of history woven into the landscape and deeply appreciative of the magnificent environment that surrounds her. Her interests include the sustainability and protection of life in rural Ireland.

Overnight: Kenmare | Brook Lane Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Killarney National Park Hike & Horse Riding

This morning, we make our way to 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. Enjoy a morning hike with your guide on one of the many trails the park has to offer.

This afternoon it is time to mount some four-legged friends for a couple of hours exploring Killarney on horseback. With trails into the Knockreer Estate north of Lough Lein, (the largest of the three lakes in Killarney) offering stunning views of mountains, lakes, flora and fauna your afternoon will be filled with the gentle clipping of hooves and the breeze in your hair.

Overnight: Kenmare | Brook Lane Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Sheep Dog & Cliffs of Moher

Meet a local farmer, Tom who will introduce you to his sheepdog’s before giving you a fascinating demonstration of how a sheepdog is used to bring in the sheep on real farms. Responding to Tom’s whistled commands, the dogs guide the sheep downwards from their mountainside location, safely and speedily to the commands of his master, gathering in a pen beside you.
Tom has trained Border Collies in the art of sheep herding, for over 15 years and his amazing skills are on show here with his dogs responding to his every command.

This afternoon we will visit Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher. Standing at the top of the Cliffs of Moher offers a breathtaking experience, where you’ll gaze out over the vast Atlantic Ocean from 700 feet above, with waves crashing below and seabirds soaring nearby. The wind carries the salty scent of the sea, and on clear days, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. The cliffs’ rugged beauty and the profound silence of the landscape create a sense of awe and connection to nature, making it an unforgettable stop on your journey.

Your charming and luxurious country house hotel is set in the heart of the Burren, offering stunning views of the unique limestone landscape. This historic 18th-century manor is known for its warm hospitality, elegant rooms, and exquisite dining experience, featuring locally sourced ingredients in its award-winning restaurant.

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

Day 8 - The Aran Islands

It’s hard to resist the allure of one of the many islands that dot the Irish coastline and today you and your guide will take to the water and ferry to The Aran Islands. The history of these islands goes back millennia and today Gaelic is still the daily spoken language of the inhabitants. The Aran islands seem to defy their size by all they have to offer: breathtaking scenery, mediaeval castles, cliffs and prehistoric forts are all to be found on this little group of islands.

Inis Mór, the largest of the three islands, is your destination today. The first port of call is a goat farm, here Gabriel, fisherman-come-goat farmer and island native will introduce you to his flock of extraordinarily cute goats. You’ll taste his award-winning cheese, but more importantly, you will leave with his wealth of knowledge on the island’s history, language and culture. We will make sure you don’t miss the incredible prehistoric cliff-top fortress at Dun Aenghus as well as some hidden spots along the island’s shore.

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

Day 9 - The Burren National Park

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 on your guided hike through this other-worldly region, it’s easy to see why! Home to a plethora of unique wildflowers, you will learn about the human history of the area dating back thousands of years.
Spend the day exploring the fissured plateaus of limestone and shale – vast in their captivating and barren beauty. Be sure to stop by the ancient monument of Caherconel Stone Fort thought to have been inhabited from 400-1200A.D
Over lunch at a charming, family-run perfumery, you’ll have the unique opportunity to meet local artisans who transform the essence of this beautiful region into exquisite perfumes and beauty products.

Your guide will again join you for dinner this evening to celebrate your final night together in Ireland.

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

Day 10 - Depart

Your time on the West Coast has come to an end today and your guide or a private transfer will take you back to Dublin or Shannon Airport for your onward flights home.

We hope the time you have spent in Ireland, meeting locals and learning more about our history and culture has deepened your love for the small island with a big heart and we welcome the opportunity to explore with you once again.

Meals Included: Breakfast