Discovering the Emerald Isle: A 7-Day Ireland Itinerary

Day 1 - Wednesday 9^th July - 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 4 star hotel in the city centre. Check-in is at 3pm however feel free to leave your bags, freshen up, or have a bite to eat.

Head out in the afternoon at your own leisure to explore the viking capital city Dublin. You can relax on the famed Grafton street with a cup of coffee watching the buskers on the corner, or venture out for a bit of the city’s rich history found on every unassuming street.

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

Day 2 - Thursday 10^th July - Welcome to Dublin

This morning take in Dublin on your own, head for a walk through St. Stephen’s green, wander into the beautiful and historic Trinity College and take a self-guided venture through the Book of Kells, the oldest book in the world.

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, 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.

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

Day 3 - Friday 11^th July - Head West

Your private guide will meet you this morning. After some short introductions, together you will transfer west from Dublin to County Clare, the home to Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher. Enroute, stop at the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise. St Ciarán founded his monastery on the banks of the River Shannon in the 6th Century. The monastery flourished and became a great seat of learning, a University of its time with students from all over Europe. Today the ruins include a Cathedral, two round towers, three high crosses, nine Churches and over 700 Early Christian grave slabs.

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

Day 4 - Saturday 12^th July - The Burren National Park and Traditional Scone baking.

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 today as you explore this other-worldly region, it’s easy to see why!

Spend the day exploring The Burren with your guide from prehistoric stone forts to lunch at a boutique perfumery. Along the way, we stop at a farm visit the animals and take a hands-on lessons in traditional bread and scone baking.

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

Day 5 - Sunday 13^th July - Galway 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. A local military historian will meet you at the city’s main square to guide you through the bustling alleys sharing Galway City’s important roles in the clash of the French, Spanish, Russian and British Empires from 1700 to 1922, including in Ireland’s revolution for independence.

Your accommodation this evening is a fitting finale to your time on the Wild Atlantic Way. Ballynahinch Castle is one of Ireland’s finest luxury castle hotels, set in a private 700 acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks in the heart of Connemara, Co. Galway. This authentic and unpretentious Castle Hotel stands proudly overlooking its famous salmon fishery, with a backdrop of the beautiful Twelve Bens Mountain range.

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

Day 6 - Monday 14^th July - Connemara

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.

Wave farewell to your guide before ending your last evening with a fine dining experience in the beautiful Ballynahinch Castle.

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

Day 7 - Tuesday 15^th July - Depart

A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and take you to the airport to make your onward connections. Waving farewell for now but taking with you special memories and wonderful stories of your explorations.

Meals Included: Breakfast