V.2 &Olives Sample Itinieray - Guided

Day 1 - Arrival in Ireland, Bru Na Boinne & Head West

This morning, your guide will meet you at the airport and together you will begin your journey to the west of Ireland. First, stop at the world heritage site of Brú na Bóinne, Ireland’s richest archaeological landscape. Constructed 5,200 years ago, no one knows exactly why these structures were built, but we do know that they were places of burial and ritual. The most famous prehistoric passage tombs are Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth and today you will take a guided tour with access to the chamber. After lunch, continue on to your home for the next two nights in the colourful town of Westport. Your guide will join you for a welcome dinner and you can discuss your plans for the week.

Overnight: Westport | Knockranny House Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 - Achill Island & The Great Western Greenway

Together with your guide, pick up your rental bikes and embark on a journey out to Achill Island, well-known as the filming location for Banshees of Inisherin. Spend a couple of hours exploring the island before hopping on your bikes and taking to the Great Western Greenway, a refurbished railway line and 42km car-free cycling track. Pedal past rushing waterfalls, ancient ruins, megalithic tombs and scenic bridges on a canvas of coastal and mountain views as you learn how this fascinating prophecy came to be true. This evening, take a stroll around the town before dinner.

Overnight: Westport | Knockranny House Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Killary Fjord

The hills and mountains of Connemara are defined by the ocean surrounding, and this is particularly evident at the beautiful Killary Fjord. This morning you will visit a family run shellfish farm where you can head out onto the fjord, lift a string of mussels for hauling and harvesting and understand the lifecycle of these delicious shellfish. After, your guide will lead you on a short hike along the shores along the fjord, delving into Irish history at a famine-era abandoned village and bringing to life the rich and ancient histories of the landscape. Your accommodation for the next two nights, Ballynahinch Castle, sits on its own 700 acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks in the heart of Connemara. There is shooting, walking, fly fishing, horse back, falconry, hill walking, and a handful of villages to visit close by.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Catle
Room Type: Classic
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Connemara National Park & Kylemore Abbey

After a leisurely breakfast, spend the day with your guide discovering the delights of Connemara National Park. There are a myriad of different walks and trails to choose from and the picture postcard views you will experience today are some of Ireland’s most beautiful and yearned for landscapes. With over 2,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands and forests to roam in, your guide will ensure today is unforgettable. Be sure to finish your day with a  tour of the stunningly beautiful Kylemore Abbey and Gardens. This evening, be sure to catch a trad session in one of the nearby villages.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle
Room Type: Classic
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Visiting Sheepdogs

Enjoy a leisurely morning onsite at Ballynahinch. Take a walk around the grounds or simply relax in your room. Later today, enjoy a visit to a working sheep farm. While you watch the brilliant sheepdogs work the flock, chat to the local farmer about a life spent on the rugged west coast. Tonight, settle back in to your accommodation and enjoy a delicious dinner inspired by the seasons.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle
Room Type: Classic
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Galway City Food Tour

This morning, leave Clifden behind and head for a night in the city. 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. With a lively traditional and contemporary music and arts scene, you will find buskers and street performers to entertain you as you wander the cobbled streets. Here you will meet a local foodie and tantalise your taste buds with a delightful journey through Galway’s culinary scene. From artisanal cheeses, craft beers, to handcrafted chocolate, this will be a true feast for the senses. Your accommodation tonight is located right in the centre of town.

Overnight: Galway City | The Hardiman
Room Type: Classic
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - The Burren National Park and The Cliffs of Moher

This morning, depart Galway and head south to explore the fascinating Burren landscape – fissured plateaus of limestone and shale, vast in their captivating and barren beauty. Accompanied by your guide, wind your way over the stark rocky terrain, past prehistoric tombs and through wildflower grasslands. Later, visit the striking Cliffs of Moher, absorbing their majesty in a quiet, secluded spot away from the crowds. Home to thousands of seabirds, including razorbills, fulmars and puffins, the cliffs are alive with activity above the crashing waves far below. This evening, enjoy your luxury castle hotel for a drink or two by the crackling fire.

Overnight: Clare | Gregans Castle Hotel
Room Type: Superior
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 best way to get around is exploring the island’s quaint roads on two wheels. We will collect rental bikes at the ferry port to explore, making sure we stop at the cliff top fortress of Dun Aenghus. Returning to the mainland your ferry will cruise under Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher for views most never see.

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

Day 9 - Tour of the Guinness Storehouse

This morning, it is time to say goodbye to the West of Ireland as you head to the capital – Dublin! Your guide will drop you at your hotel and you will say farewell. After check in, indulge your senses in the world of Guinness with our exclusive private experience at the Guinness Storehouse. For the discerning connoisseur, this tour delves deep into the history and origins of the iconic stout. 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. Your expert guide will walk you through the intricate brewing process, sharing the secrets and traditions that have been passed down through generations. Finish the tour by tasting a variety of Guinness brews and savouring their unique flavours.

Overnight: Dublin | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: Classic
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Trinity College & The Book of Kells

Today enjoy a morning at the campus of Dublin’s Trinity College, where you will join a group walking tour of the campus before viewing the Book of Kells and Old Library. Afterward, we will provide plenty more stops for you in the city. Tonight immerse yourself in the vibrant Temple Bar area, known for its lively pubs, restaurants, and live music. Have dinner at one of the many traditional Irish pubs and soak up the lively atmosphere.

Overnight: Dublin | The Davenport Hotel
Room Type: Classic
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Depart Ireland

After enjoying a relaxing morning at your accommodation, it is time to leave Dublin behind and make your way to the airport. A private transfer will pick you up in the lobby of your hotel. We do hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we once again have the opportunity to welcome to our shores.

Meals Included: Breakfast