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

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.
A wilderness picnic will be well-earned with the best seat in the house overlooking the lunch countryside below.

Depending on the time and the hike you choose, you have the option to visit nearby Carrick – On – Suir this afternoon, or first thing tomorrow morning.

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

Day 4 - Farm Tour and Cheese Tasting

Leaving Waterford behind today, you will head west to the Kingdom of Kerry. We have the option to stop at Carrick on Suir if yesterday’s timing did not allow for a visit or visit 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 

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 pf restaurants, shops and pubs to choose from.

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

Day 5 - Coastal Foraging

Into the southern part of the Ring of Kerry, the landscape becomes wilder and more rugged. At a secluded bay, join a foraging and foodie expert for a seaweed discovery and tasting walk to uncover the Kerry coast’s edible gems.
Together, discover how to sustainably harvest these sea plants, and learn how they earned their reputation as a super-food. Enjoy a few nibbles of seaweed yourself, including the flavoursome variety, Duilleasc, which sustained the monks on Skellig Island, the rock pinnacles rising dramatically from the sea on the horizon, or Nori, the famous Sushi roll wrapping.

Enjoy lunch in a nearby pub before choosing to explore the peninsula and some Ring of Kerry sights with your guide or return to your hotel.

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

Day 6 - Exploring Killarney National Park

Spend today discovering some of Killarney’s most breathtaking mountains, lakes and waterfalls. Killarney National Park is the most famous of Ireland’s national parks – and with good reason! Historic manor houses and abbeys make for an interesting visit but Killarney is best explored via its beautiful looped forested mountain hikes and by heading out onto the lakes of Killarney in a traditional boat.

You have the option today to explore Killarney on a full-day hike with your guide or, opt for a shorter walk and a relaxing boat trip on the lakes.

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

Day 7 - 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 8 - 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 9 - The Burren & Whiskey

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

This evening, in a small local pub, spend some time with landlady Margaret and her famous collection of Irish whiskey for a unique tasting before joining the guide once again for dinner and a toast to your final night in Ireland.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: Superior Room

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