The Arnold's Irish Heritage Experience

Tuesday 22nd April – Wednesday 7th May 2025

Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights

Overview

Picturesque coastal towns and villages, green pastoral fields, soaring cliffs, wild barren landscapes, the crash of the ocean, the laugh of a local. Ireland is romantic, and authentic, a home away from home where both old and modern seem to cohabit seamlessly on a small island in the middle of the sea. Packed with history and tradition your days are spent exploring the island of Ireland’s famous and off-the-beaten-track sites of natural, cultural and political interest. A world-renowned food scene means your evenings are spent dining in style and with the promise of a pub just around the corner, music and laughter are never far away. Your trip to Ireland will surprise and delight you but the people of Ireland will stay with you, long after your journey has taken you home.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Tuesday 22nd April | Céad Míle Fáilte | Overnight: Dublin

Day 2 | Wednesday 23rd April | Discovering Your Roots | Overnight: Dublin

Day 3 | Thursday 24th April | Heading West | Overnight: Connemmara

Day 4 | Friday 25th April | Stories & Sheepdogs on the West Coast | Overnight: Connemmara

Day 5 | Saturday 26th April | Inis Oirr Adventure | Overnight: Connemmara

Day 6 | Sunday 27th April | Hiking The Wilds of Connemara | Overnight: Connemmara

Day 7 | Monday 28th April | Irish Dancing in Galway | Overnight: Ballyvaughan

Day 8 | Tuesday 29th April | Hiking in The Burren | Overnight: Ballyvaughan

Day 9 | Wednesday 30th April | Driving South | Overnight: Dingle

Day 10 | Thursday 1st May | The Dingle Peninsula | Overnight: Dingle

Day 11 | Friday 2nd May | Killarney National Park | Overnight: Kenmare

Day 12 | Saturday 3rd May | The Ring of Kerry | Overnight: Kenmare

Day 13 | Sunday 4th May | Hike Beara Peninsula with a local folklorist | Overnight: Kenmare

Day 14 | Monday 5th May | Exploring the Slieve Bloom Mountains | Overnight: Ballyfin

Day 15 | Tuesday 6th May | Ballyfin Demense | Overnight: Ballyfin

Day 16 | Wednesday 7th May | Depart

Day by Day

Day 1 - Tuesday 22nd April - Céad Míle Fáilte

Céad míle fáilte, or “one hundred thousand welcomes” to Ireland’s capital, Dublin! Arriving this morning, a private transfer will meet you at arrivals and take you to your centrally located hotel. There is no better introduction to this city than to join a local historian for an engaging walking tour of this lively capital city. Explore some of Dublin’s best-known attractions, while also enjoying the benefit of local knowledge by visiting spots hidden off the tourist trail. Finish the day in one of Dublin’s many award-winning restaurants for dinner.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion Hotel
Room Type: x1 Superior King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Wednesday 23rd April - Discovering Your Roots

Dublin has been described as the ‘city with a village feel’ and as you explore its cobbled streets and historical monuments it will be easy to see why. This morning, make your way to EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum for your 1 hour 45 minute session with a Genealogist. This detailed consultation will not only find your records but also explain the background behind your family genealogy history. The rest of the day is yours to explore at leisure, and Dublin is best explored on foot or using public transport such as the LUAS, our light rail system. 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 that you will soak up Dublin’s authentic atmosphere.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion Hotel
Room Type: x1 Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Thursday 24th April - Heading West

Meet your private guide in the lobby of your hotel this morning, and after some short introductions, together you will begin your journey west. Windswept and austere, the exceptional barren beauty of Connemara has captured the imagination of writers and artists for centuries. With two mountain ranges and far-reaching blanket bogs, to the southwest, the land is broken up into a myriad of tiny islands and crescents of sparkling sand. En route, we stop at Glinsk Castle for a chance to stretch our legs and grab a bite to eat, before we check in to Ballynahinch Castle. 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.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Friday 25th April - Stories & Sheepdogs on the West Coast

We take a drive through the windswept Twelve Bens Mountain Range to Killary, Ireland’s only fjord where we visit a local sheep farm for a private sheepdog demo in this wild and remote landscape. Watch the magnificent and intelligent collies work the sheep from mountainside to pen with only the calls and commands of its owner to follow. Enjoy some tea and cake with Tom the farmer and chat about rural life in Ireland. Afterwards, we take a stroll along the abandoned Famine Trail and hear stories of the people who emigrated en mass due to the harsh conditions they found themselves in. En route back to the hotel, we stop at the stunning Kylemore Abbey. Built in the 1800s as a dedication to his wife by Mitchell Henry MP, a wealthy businessman, today Kylemore is owned and run by the Benedictine community who have been in residence since the 1920s. Tour the house and walled gardens and be sure to stop by the cafe and gift shop, the homemade chocolates, made onsite are a delicious treat to take away.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Saturday 26th April - Inis Oirr Adventure

Connemara is home to the largest Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking population) in Ireland, where an estimated 70% of the population speaks Irish as their first language daily. Oozing with culture and tradition, Connemara and the islands have a lot to offer. This morning you will meet local guide and Gaeilgeoir (Irish-speaker) Padraic to take a flight to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the three Aran Islands. Enjoy the commanding views of the islands, Galway Bay, and the Connemara coastline before stepping into the wilderness. You’ll visit the island Arts Centre where you will get a glimpse of the island’s history, culture, heritage, and traditions and finish up doing a craft workshop with Máirtín, a local islander and expert craftsman. A feast of local seafood will be served for lunch, including Aran Lobster, before you embark on a tour of the island visiting the Shipwreck, Underground Church, and the 15th century O Brien’s Castle perched on the highest point of the island. Head back to the mainland this evening just in time to freshen up and grab a bite to eat.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Sunday 27th April - Hiking The Wilds of Connemara

This morning, your guide will lead you on a hike in the nearby Connemara National Park, a perfect place for hiking with scenic mountains, expanses of beautiful bogland, grasslands, and woodlands to explore. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy all that Ballynahinch Castle has to offer. There is a choice of unique activities such as relaxing in the Woodland Saunas, taking a fly fishing tutorial, biking, or simply sitting in the tranquillity of the grounds listening to the song of the river.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Superior King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Monday 28th April - Irish Dancing in Galway

Today we leave behind the wilds of Connemara, making our way farther south to Clare. En route, we take the opportunity to stop in Galway City, a charming Medieval-era city with a thriving arts and food scene. Here we gather in a cosy pub for a special performance of traditional Irish Dance and live music with talented dancers from “Lord of the Dance” and “Riverdance”. Learn basic steps and movements of Irish dance, have the craic, and come away with a newfound appreciation for Irish dance and culture. Later, it’s a short drive to your first hotel, 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 a hosted dinner at its award-winning restaurant.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x1 Junior Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Tuesday 29th April - Hiking in The Burren

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 – as you explore this region today you’ll see why! We make the short drive to the Burren today – a rugged, limestone escarpment that comes alive in the spring and summer with wildflowers. Set off for a walk in the nearby Slieve Carran Nature Reserve. Its unique, striated limestone landscape 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: x1 Junior Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Wednesday 30th April - Driving South

We start our day off at Ireland’s most famous cliffs, the Cliffs of Moher, before the crowds arrive, enjoying a short 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 we cross the mouth of the mighty River Shannon. County Kerry is made up of four peninsulas, The Kerry Head, The Beara, The Iveragh and probably its most well-known,  The Dingle Peninsula and our destination today. This is Gaeltacht country where the Irish language is still widely spoken as a first language and culture and traditions remain strong. Once you have checked in to your accommodation, you can spend the day exploring Dingle town, its famous seafood restaurants, and even more famous pubs!

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Room Type: x1 Terrace Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Thursday 1st May - The Dingle Peninsula

We spend today exploring the Dingle Peninsula; there is much to discover. This morning we meet some feather friends on an exhilarating Hawk Walk. Watch as these magnificent birds of prey swoop and soar with breathtaking speed and learn all about their fascinating habits. Your guide will lead you around the peninsula, visiting a fascinating array of ancient sites including Iron Age forts, beehive huts, inscribed stones, and historical churches. The Peninsula culminates at the dramatic Slea Head—Europe’s most western point. There are breathtaking views around every corner. We certainly won’t miss  Dunquin Harbour (pictured). We round off the day with some award-winning ice cream, the perfect day!

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Room Type: x1 Terrace Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Friday 2nd May - Killarney National Park

In the southwest of County Kerry is an expanse of rugged, mountainous country that sweeps down to the world-famous Lakes of Killarney. Here, stretching across 10,000 hectares, lies Killarney National Park, with its unforgettable combination of mountains, lakes, woodland and waterfalls. Embark on an enchanting cycle through the lush landscapes as you pedal through the oldest and most awe-inspiring national park in Ireland, every turn reveals a new facet of Killarney’s charm. Cycle along routes that offer uninterrupted views of emerald forests, tranquil lakes, and the untamed wilderness that defines Ireland’s rugged beauty. Afterwards, we leave the lakes behind and head to The Ring of Kerry and the small town of Kenmare.

Overnight: Kenmare | Park Hotel Kenmare
Room Type: x1 Classic King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Saturday 3rd May - The Ring of Kerry

Today we 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. We stop at picturesque bays and harbours and points of interest along the way before returning to your hotel this evening.

Overnight: Kenmare | Park Hotel Kenmare
Room Type: x1 Classic King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 13 - Sunday 4th May - Hike Beara Peninsula with a local folklorist

Balanced on the edge of County Cork and County Kerry, the Beara Peninsula is the wildest of Kerry’s three peninsulas. This rugged corner of Ireland weaves a tapestry of wild mountains, pristine lakes, and meandering coastal and mountain roads. The Beara Peninsula is rich in local culture. Sparsely populated and rural, you can stumble across quiet villages and their warm and welcoming communities. Today you will head out hiking the Beara Peninsula with your guide, joined by a local folklorist, who also specialises in the archaeology of the region bringing this fascinating landscape to life. Carina from Garnish, is a member of the Beara Historical Society. A writer and storyteller, she conducts guided historical tours throughout the Beara Peninsula in South West Ireland. She aims to give the visitor an appreciation of the deep history, culture, and dramatic beauty of Beara.

Overnight: Kenmare | Park Hotel Kenmare
Room Type: x1 Classic King
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 14 - Monday 5th May - Exploring the Slieve Bloom Mountains

Leaving the west coast behind today you will head to Ireland’s green and rolling midlands. The gently rolling hills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains rise from the central plains of Ireland, forming a natural link between the counties of Laois and Offaly. The area is picturesque, peaceful, gloriously multi-coloured, and one of the least explored in Ireland. Dotted around the mountains are quaint little villages, and to visit one is like stepping back in time to an era when life moved at a slower pace. You can explore the area with your guide today before you check in to Ballyfin Demesne, a place that has long been admired as the most lavish Regency mansion in Ireland. Situated on 614 acres it is a place of great natural beauty and tranquillity. You’ll enjoy a delicious gourmet dinner tonight onsite.

Overnight: Ballyfin | Ballyfin Demesne
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Room
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 15 - Tuesday 6th May - Ballyfin Demense

A perfect place to relax and enjoy your last day in the countryside, the 600-acre estate at Ballyfin is yours to explore. Surrounded by woodlands, lakes, grottos, follies, and walled gardens, along with an abundance of activities and bespoke experiences to choose from, you have plenty of choices as you spend time at Ballyfin today! Enjoy activities including fishing, clay pigeon shooting, walking, biking, and air rifle shooting or enjoy a good book by the fire in the library. We are happy to assist with pre-booking activities and spa treatments to avoid disappointment.

Overnight: Ballyfin | Ballyfin Demesne
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Room
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 16 - Wednesday 7th May - Depart

This morning, a private transfer will pick you up in the lobby of Ballyfin and take you to Dublin for your onward journey. We hope your time with us has been memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to Ireland once again.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • 15 nights accommodation, as stated in the itinerary above
  • Meals as stated in the itinerary above
  • The services of a qualified and experienced guide from Day 3 to Day 14 inclusive
  • All transfers in a private vehicle driven by our guide on guided days
  • Private Airport Transfer on Arrival Day
  • Private Airport Transfer on Departure Day
  • All guided hikes mentioned in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically:
    • Private walking tour in Dublin
    • Private Geneology experience in Dublin
    • Private Sheepdog demonstration
    • Entry to Kylemore Abbey
    • Private Inis Oirr experience (including flights)
    • Private Irish Dance experience
    • Entry to the Cliffs of Moher
    • Private Falconry experience in Dingle
    • Private Cycling experience in Killarney National Park
    • Private Seaweed foraging experience on The Ring of Kerry
    • Private Hiking experience on the Beara Peninsula
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • 24/7 In-Country Support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for the main driver guide
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking.
  • A 20% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed.
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision.
  • Activities are only private if so specified.
Pricing Read More

The price of this trip is €21,350 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking.

Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.

Virtuoso

The Arnold’s Irish Heritage Experience – V1

Tuesday 22nd April – Wednesday 7th May 2025