V.4 LuxuryBound - Alexander & Capp

Day 1 - Thursday 26^th June - Céad míle fáilte

Céad míle fáilte! One hundred thousand welcomes to Ireland’s ‘Wild West’, a region of immense beauty, ancient history, and Irish tradition. This morning, your guide will meet you at Shannon Airport and transfer you to Connemara, once described as “a savage beauty” by author Oscar Wilde. Check into Ballynahinch Castle Hotel, once owned by an Indian Raj, this traditional hunting lodge has seen presidents and dignitaries grace its halls and rooms for generations. Today, surrounded by thousands of acres of estate land and forests, Ballynahinch boasts fine dining, a traditional pub, on-site fly fishing and a remote escape in the wilds of Connemara. You have the rest of today free to relax and rest and enjoy the hotel and her surroundings.

* Transfer time Shannon Airport to Ballynahinch Castle approx 3 hours
Depending on arrival flights and energy levels, we have the option for an estate walk this afternoon at Ballynahinch. 

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: Luxury Twin
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Friday 27^th June - Inislaken Island

This morning your guide will take you to Roundstone Harbour to meet local man Damien, a fourth-generation fisherman who has been around the sea all his life. As you explore Roundstone Bay by boat, look out for the resident seals, dolphins & Basking sharks! You’ll pass by the stunning beaches of Ervallagh, Gurteen & Dog’s Bay as you make your way to the deserted Island of Inishlacken.
With its panoramic views, picturesque unspoilt beaches & pristine waters, this deserted island is the perfect place to stop off for a bespoke picnic lunch!  Inishlaken has long been a centre point for writers, poets & artists because of its unique setting. A once largely populated island with its own schoolhouse & lots of quaint cottages, the population dwindled & the last of the island’s residents left for the mainland. But where man has left, nature has flourished and the island is now home to a large variety of insects & birds, rabbits, resident goats, sheep & donkeys.

Return to your hotel in the afternoon for some downtime before dinner.

*Minimal driving time today- approx 20/30 minutes to the harbour  

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

Day 3 - Saturday 28^th June - The Wilds of Connemara

This morning it’s a 45-minute drive through the windswept Twelve Bens Mountain Range to Killary, Ireland’s only fjord. Start the day with a visit to Kylemore Abbey, a haven of history, beauty, and serenity and home to a Benedictine order of Nuns for the past 100 years.

From there we walk an abandoned famine route along the southern shoreline of the fjord. After a pit stop at a local café for lunch, your guide will transfer you back to Ballynahinch Castle.
You will have some free time to enjoy the estate this afternoon – go fly fishing, have a massage, or simply relax with tea and book by the river.

*The full Killary Fjord Coastal Walk or “Famine Walk’ is 16km however you have the option to shorten it if you wish with your guide.
In the afternoon your guide is happy to include another walk should you feel up to it and we suggest Diamond Hill for this. 

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: Luxury Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Sunday 29^th June - Galway City & Cliffs of Moher

After breakfast at Ballynahinch Castle, you will be transferred around 1.5 hours to Galway, a charming Medieval-era city with a thriving arts scene. A local expert will join you in Galway for a historical walking tour.
After a delicious local lunch, we make our way to the iconic Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most impressive natural sites. A late afternoon visit offers you the chance to explore after the day crowds have departed. The area is teeming with wildlife and 20 different species of birds, including puffins, make this area their home.

Continue on to Dromoland Castle, welcoming guests since the 16^th century and ancestral home of the O’Briens of Dromoland, whose lineage dates back 1,000 years to Brian Boru, one of the last High Kings of Ireland.

Check-in and relax for the remainder of your evening.

*In total drive time, today should be no more than 3.5 hours 

Overnight: Newmarket On Fergus | Dromoland Castle Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Monday 30^th June - Dromoland Castle

Take advantage of your castle setting today and relax on-site at Dromoland Castle, enjoying the ambience and facilities. With amenities such as a Spa and leisure centre, pool, golf and tennis there are many activities available to those with a little extra energy.

The onsite falconry, clay shooting and estate walks give you the chance to experience life like the gentry or simply explore the castle and grounds in your own time, with its stunning rooms and history.

We are happy to make any reservations or bookings for you at the castle.

Overnight: Newmarket On Fergus | Dromoland Castle Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Tuesday 1^st July - Killarney National Park

This morning you will bid farewell to Co. Clare and make your way to “The Kingdom” of County Kerry, with your first destination being the county’s crown jewel. Killarney National Park is the most famous of Ireland’s national parks – and with good reason, as it is flourishing with breathtaking mountains, lakes and waterfalls. Historic manor houses and abbeys make for an interesting visit but Killarney is best explored via the water with a private boat trip across the lake with Kerryman, Dux. Afterwards, your guide will lead you through the grounds and gardens of Muckross House, a 19th-century mansion set upon the shores of the glistening lake. You’ll then head further south to Kenmare & The Park Hotel.

Overnight: Kenmare | Park Hotel Kenmare
Room Type: Deluxe Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Wednesday 2^nd July - Explore The Ring of Kerry

Today we head for The Ring of Kerry or Iveragh Peninsula as it is known locally.

As a driving route, the Ring of Kerry allows you to experience breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and a rich tapestry of Irish culture along one of the most scenic drives in the world. The diverse views—from rugged coastlines to lush mountains—make it a perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

With many looped and linear walks available to choose from your guide will suggest one that suits your timing and preferred distance.

This evening check into a boutique hotel in picturesque Kenmare.

*There are many hikes and walks available on the peninsula from an easy 5km Derrynane Loop to a more challenging 12km Skellig Way. 

Overnight: Kenmare | Park Hotel Kenmare
Room Type: Deluxe Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Thursday 3^rd July - Kenmare Co. Kerry

With rolling mountains as the backdrop and colourful streets lined with charming restaurants and shops, Kenmare or Ceann Mara (head of the sea) is the place to escape to. Right on your doorstep is Bonane Heritage Park which boasts one of the most significant archaeological sites in Ireland. Perfect if you prefer to get some walking in today or simply wander the small quaint streets with a coffee, picking up souvenirs for home.

Overnight: Kenmare | Park Hotel Kenmare
Room Type: Deluxe Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Friday 4^th July - Rock of Cashel and Dublin

After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to Ireland’s west and your guide will take you to Ireland’s capital, Dublin. Our cultural exploration continues en route as we stop at the imposing Rock of Cashel, a complex of medieval buildings sitting in a picturesque spot above the town before continuing on to Dublin where your guide will take their leave.

Dublin has been described as a ‘city with a village feel’; as you explore its cobbled streets and historical monuments, it will be easy to see why.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax at your hotel or explore, many of Dublin’s highlights are within walking distance and indeed you will discover it is in the act of wandering from one to another where you will soak up Dublin’s authentic atmosphere. We recommend a walk down Grafton Street where musicians and buskers entertain with modern and traditional music.

*Total drive time from Kenmare to Dublin is about 4.5 hours 

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: Westbury Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Saturday 5^th July - Ireland's Fair City

Head out this morning 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 medieval 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 walking guide is also a historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by. Your tour will end at Trinity College where you will join a public guided tour of the campus, discovering some of the secrets and famous pupils who graced its halls and quads before making your way to the Old Library for an audio tour of the Book of Kells with its new immersive digital experience.

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: Westbury Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Sunday 6^th July - An Irish Goodbye

We recommend a visit to St Stephen’s Green this morning, a historic park and gardens in the centre of Dublin. Grab some coffee and pastries and stroll the gardens and monuments in the bright morning sunshine. This evening, why not visit The Jameson Distillery and enjoy a tour and tasting of the famous whiskey or indeed, The Guinness storehouse is always a firm favourite and a great way to end your trip.

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: Westbury Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12 - Monday 7^th July - Depart

This morning, a private transfer meet you in the lobby of your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight home. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to Ireland once again.

Meals Included: Breakfast