Hadsell Family Ireland Adventure

Day 1 - Wednesday 4^th June - Galway City

Meet your guide this morning in either Dublin or Shannon and make your way towards the west of Ireland.

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: 3x Superior Double
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 - Thursday 5^th June - 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.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: 3x Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Friday 6^th June - The Burren National Park and The Cliffs of Moher

This morning, head out from Connemara and towards County Clare to explore the fascinating Burren landscape – fissured plateaus of limestone and shale, vast in their captivating and barren beauty.

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.

Top off today with a visit to one of the largest whiskey collections in the world. Take a tour of the history of whiskey. There are soft drinks as an alternative option for this experience.

This evening, head to your luxury hotel retreat for a drink or two by the crackling fire.

Overnight: Newmarket On Fergue | Dromoland Castle Hotel
Room Type: 3x Deluxe King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Saturday 7^th June - 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. You’ll be picked up from the pier in a customised Land Rover Defender 4×4 off-road Jeep, complete with large leather seats and expansive windows, giving you incredible views of the breathtaking landscape and seascape of Inis Mór, right in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way.

You’ll explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Dún Aonghasa, an ancient 3,000-year-old stone fort perched 100 meters above the Atlantic Ocean, on the very edge of Europe. This unforgettable experience is guided by native Islanders, brothers Aonghus and Pádraig, whose deep passion for their culture and homeland brings a personal and authentic touch to your journey.

Polish off your day back on dry land with all the amenities of your accommodation waiting for you.

Overnight: Newmarket On Fergue | Dromoland Castle Hotel
Room Type: 3x Deluxe King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Sunday 8^th June - Rock of Cashel and Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers

Heading east, take your time travelling through Ireland’s hidden heartlands. Stop and visit the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most iconic collections of medieval buildings. Perched on a precipice of limestone in the Golden Vale, it offers over 1,000 years of fascinating history and folklore.

Later, visit Cashel Farmhouse Cheesemakers and enjoy a private tour and tasting of the famously delicious blue cheese. Created in the 1980s, it’s still made on the same 200 acre farm, rich in the green grass of Tipperary.

Overnight: Newmarket On Fergue | Dromoland Castle Hotel
Room Type: 3x Deluxe King
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6 - Monday 9^th June - Depart

A private transfer or your guide 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.

**If you have more time to spend today, we can offer a variety of activities from falconry at the castle, to private experiences and beyond.**

Meals Included: Breakfast