Thanki Family - Scott Dunn

Day 1 - Friday 8^th August - Céad míle fáilte - One Hundred Thousand Welcomes

Arriving at Shannon Airport this morning, pick up your rental car and make your way to the first stop on your Irish road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way. Connemara is a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region) known for its windswept landscapes of mountains, beaches and bog. Ballynahinch Castle is one of Ireland’s finest 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. As today is your arrival day, we want you to check-in, relax and spend the afternoon on-site enjoying the estate.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x2 Classic Twins & x1 Luxury Room
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Saturday 9^th August - Inishlaken & Roundstone Bay

This morning you’ll make your way 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: x2 Classic Twins & x1 Luxury Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Sunday 10^th August - Hiking Diamond Hill

Your first day of hiking takes you on a captivating 7km trail through Connemara National Park as you climb a narrow pathway to the top of Diamond Hill, Connemara’s most iconic hilltop. From the summit, enjoy stunning views from the mountains to the Atlantic. To one side, the silhouette of Connemara’s hills and mountains beckon, rugged and wild. On the other side, the sea glistens in the distance. Look just below, and you can out the turrets and towers of Kylemore Abbey, a gothic-style manor set amongst the slopes.

*This is an unguided day, Diamond Hill is very well way-marked

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x2 Classic Twins & x1 Luxury Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Monday 11^th August - Exploring Connemara

After a hearty breakfast, embark on a day of exploration of Connemara, once described by author Oscar Wilde as “a savage beauty.” Options include feasting your eyes upon the breathtaking shores of one of Ireland’s only three fjords, a neo-gothic abbey or exploring the small town of Clifden.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x2 Classic Twins & x1 Luxury Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Tuesday 12^th August - Oyster Tasting on Ireland's Northwest Shores

After breakfast, it’s time to make your way further north towards Donegal. You’ll stop halfway in Sligo, nestled between the iconic mountains of Benbulben and Knocknarea. Join our local guide, Ashling, on an exclusive adventure of a working oyster farm, where she’ll share the history, care, expertise, and craft of oyster farming, a tradition passed down through generations. As you take in stunning views of Sligo Bay, enjoy freshly shucked oysters by the shore, paired with local craft beer, bubbles, and refreshments, offering a true taste of Sligo’s rich seafood heritage. Afterwards, you’ll hit the road again for a 1-hour drive to your castle hotel, located on the shimmering shores of Lough Eske.

Overnight: Donegal | Lough Eske Castle
Room Type: x2 courtyard twin, x1 superior deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Wednesday 13^th August - Hiking Slieve League Cliffs

Spend some time today exploring South Donegal with a local guide. A morning hike on the highest sea cliffs in Europe, three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher, is the perfect way to work up an appetite for some traditional fish and chips, al fresco, straight off the boat in a little harbour town. Your hike takes you on the little-travelled Pilgrim’s Path, a route used for Christian pilgrimages for centuries. You’ll get the chance to do something few visitors get to do: stand atop the edge of the Slieve League Cliffs. There are terrific views of the cliffs, the Atlantic Ocean, the mountains of Sligo, and Donegal Bay. Later, head into town to enjoy a delicious dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight: Donegal | Lough Eske Castle
Room Type: x2 courtyard twin, x1 superior deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Thursday 14^th August - Galway City

This morning you will journey south into The Burren, a region of immense beauty, ancient history, and Irish tradition. The day is yours to explore how you wish, but we recommend stopping at the capital of Ireland’s west coast, Galway! Enjoy lunch at one of our favourite restaurants, have a coffee by the Spanish Arch, or people-watch at the city’s iconic Tigh Neachtain pub. Continue to Gregan’s Castle, a former retreat for poets and authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. You’ll be back in time for a cool pint of Guinness by the fire before dinner at your leisure at its award-winning restaurant.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x2 Classic Twins, x1 Premier Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Friday 15^th August - Hiking in The Burren

This morning you will head into the heart of the Burren and meet local author and producer, Tony, for a walk in this rugged, limestone escarpment that comes alive in the spring and summer with wildflowers. Set off for a walk in an area that was shaped by ancient seas and is famous for its Mediterranean and Alpine Wildflowers. The region is steeped in history as well, with over 2,500 historical monuments to be explored. Lunch will be held at a local tearoom with an option to visit the adjoining Burren Perfumery where only natural and organic ingredients are used in production. It’s the oldest working perfumery in Ireland!

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x2 Classic Twins, x1 Premier Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Saturday 16^th August - 4x4 Experience on the Aran Islands

We hope the weather gods are on our side today as we head out to visit one of the remote islands that dot the Irish coastline. Inis Mor (Inishmore) is the largest of the three Aran Islands and our destination this morning. Explore the island with the aid of some off-road adventure vehicles as your local guides, Padraig and Aonghus bring you to all the off-the-beaten-track spots on the islands that only their 4×4 can reach. Learn of the Irish language spoken on the islands, the unique Irish culture and traditions of the local people, the flora and fauna that inhabit the islands and of course the filming site from the recent Banshees of Inisherin film!

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x2 Classic Twins, x1 Premier Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Sunday 17^th August - The Cliffs of Moher & North Kerry

Leaving Clare today you’ll track south into County Kerry, but first, we recommend a morning visit to Ireland’s most-famous cliffs, the Cliffs of Moher, before the crowds arrive, enjoying a walk along the dramatic cliff edge on a background of coastal panoramas. Leaving County Clare behind, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine wildlife as you cross the mouth of the mighty River Shannon. As you make your way south through North Kerry, we’ll recommend a great beach walk along one of Kerry’s best-kept secret coastlines, as well as a few other great stops to make a leisurely day of it. Alternatively, you may prefer to head straight to Killarney where you can enjoy an afternoon of leisure at your hotel.

Overnight: Killarney | Killarney Park Hotel
Room Type: x2 Classic Twins, x1 Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Monday 18^th August - Killarney National Park

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. Here you will board a boat with Dux and his canine friends and cruise the tranquil lakes of Killarney with one of the most spectacular backdrops imaginable as you are overlooked by Ireland’s highest mountain peaks. Enjoy an afternoon hike of your choosing – we’ll give you plenty of recommendations!

Overnight: Killarney | Killarney Park Hotel
Room Type: x2 Classic Twins, x1 Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12 - Tuesday 19^th August - Seaweed Foraging along the Ring of Kerry

Today you will travel to the southern shores of the Iveragh peninsula, also known as The Ring of Kerry, where you will meet one of our favourite characters. A fisherman, foraging expert, storyteller and a true Irish gent, John, will take you on a wander along the shoreline learning about life on Ireland’s west coast all the while regaling you with tales of characters from the region, from lonely monks to 18th century civil rights activists to mythical heroes. Take some time today to tour The Ring of Kerry stopping at picturesque bays and harbours and points of interest along the way before returning to your hotel in Kerry this evening.

Overnight: Killarney | Killarney Park Hotel
Room Type: x2 Classic Twins, x1 Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 13 - Wednesday 20^th August - Depart

This morning, drive to Shannon Airport, drop your rental car and its time to hop on your flight home. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to our shores once again.

Meals Included: Breakfast