The Bull's Irish Journey

Day 1 - Monday 17^th March - Céad míle fáilte

Céad míle fáilte, or one hundred thousand welcomes, to Ireland’s capital, Dublin! On arrival, you’ll be met by a private transfer who will whisk you directly to your city centre hotel. Take some time to settle in before going the short distance to the Little Museum of Dublin for a private tour and an introduction to the history, humour and hospitality of Dublin. We have some great pub and restaurant recommendations for you this evening.

*Please note the Little Museum is closed for renovations and they are operating out of their pop-up museum close by

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

Day 2 - Tuesday 18^th March - Historic Dublin

Dublin is best explored with a local historian for an engaging walking tour of the 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. Later this afternoon, visit 14 Henrietta Street, a social history museum of Dublin life, connecting the history of urban life over 300 years to the stories of the people who called this place home. Work began on the street in the 1720s when houses were built as homes for Dublin’s wealthiest families. By 1911 over 850 people lived on the street, over 100 of those in one house – 14 Henrietta Street. The rest of your day is open for you to explore more and Dublin is best explored on foot or using public transport such as the LUAS, our light rail system.

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

Day 3 - Wednesday 19^th March - County Tipperary

Picking up your rental car this morning, the next leg of your Irish adventure takes you to the midlands of Co. Tipperary. You have the option today to visit Silvermines and afterwards continue to the small village of Cashel for the night. Here you will visit the Rock of Cashel, a cluster of immaculately preserved medieval buildings including a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, and a fifteenth-century Tower House.

Overnight: Cashel | Cashel Palace Hotel
Room Type: x1 Carriage House Classic
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Thursday 20^th March - Buffalo Farm Tour & Cheese Tasting

As you drive further south today, the landscape becomes more wild and rugged. Your first stop is a local Buffalo farm in the lush green countryside where you will take a tour of the land, meet the herd, chat about the cheese-making process with Dorothy, and partake in a special tasting experience using local produce and cheese made right there on the farm. Afterwards, you continue to the small town of Kenmare, nestled between the Beara Peninsula and the majestic landscapes of the Ring of Kerry.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Room Type: x1 Junior Suite, Garden Wing
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Friday 21^st March - Exploring the Beara Peninsula with a 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 walking the Beara Peninsula with a local folklorist, Carina, who also specialises in the archaeology of the region bringing this fascinating landscape to life. A writer and storyteller, Carina conducts guided historical tours throughout the Peninsula and aims to give the visitor an appreciation of the deep history, culture and dramatic beauty that is Beara.

Overnight: Kenmare | Brook Lane Hotel
Room Type: x1 Junior Suite, Garden Wing
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Saturday 22^nd March - The Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is often used as a substitute name for the Iveragh Peninsula, but more properly it refers to the 175-kilometre road that encircles this vast, scenic leg of land on the southwest of the island. Your first stop is the Skellig Six 18 Distillery where you’ll meet a local storyteller and discover the science and art of crafting Irish Whiskey, all while learning the history and mythology of this ancient land. After a delicious lunch in a nearby pub, we recommend you take a spin out to the nearby Valentia Island, a step back in time. On the rugged and exposed elements of the southwest coast is Valentia Lighthouse, a beacon of safety to many a seaward traveller. There are even prehistoric fossilised footprints to discover.

Overnight: Kenmare | Brook Lane Hotel
Room Type: x1 Junior Suite, Garden Wing
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Sunday 23^rd March - Killarney National Park

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. Today you are travelling north and this is the perfect stop for a day of exploring. Your final destination today is the lively town of Dingle, we’ll recommend a few great stops en route to make a leisurely day of it.

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

Day 8 - Monday 24^th March - The Dingle Peninsula

Spend today exploring the Dingle Peninsula; there is much to discover. This morning, you’ll 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. Options for the day include strapping on the boots and taking to the hills and trails for a hike, grabbing some takeaway coffees and browsing the local stores or taking the famous Slea Head Drive route along the Wild Atlantic Way with ancient archaeological sites, like the Fahan Beehive Huts. The peninsula delivers breathtaking views around every corner. Be sure not to miss my personal favourite,  Dunquin Harbour ( pictured). Round off your day with some award-winning ice cream and today is going to be a perfect day.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Room Type: x1 Terrace Twin

Day 9 - Tuesday 25^th March - Dingle Sea Safari

What is the best way to discover the best of the Dingle Peninsula? By boat, of course! Spend the day with a charismatic wildlife expert boating around Slea Head and the Blasket Islands, an abandoned archipelago famous for its rich literary heritage and unique cultural insight about life in Ireland’s westernmost fringes: spot seabirds and marine wildlife such as whales, seals and porpoises and dolphins.

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

Day 10 - Wednesday 26^th March - Coastal Cliffs

We take to the road again today, leaving Dingle and Kerry, crossing the Shannon River and entering Clare. Use the quiet of the afternoon to visit Ireland’s famed Cliffs of Moher, part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, a special region with outstanding geology. Visually stunning, the Cliffs Stand 702ft at their highest point and stretch for 5 miles along the Atlantic coast. Take in the views, stop into the visitors centre, and most of all, take a family selfie for those at home before heading for Doolin. Be sure to pick up some breakfast provisions and snacks en route!

Overnight: Clare | Russells Cottage
Room Type: Cottage
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Thursday 27^th March - 4x4 on Inis Mor

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: Clare | Russells Cottage
Room Type: Cottage
Meals Included: None

Day 12 - Friday 28^th March - The Burren National Park

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 this morning you will head into the heart of it 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: Clare | Russells Cottage
Room Type: Cottage
Meals Included: None

Day 13 - Saturday 29^th March - To Connemara

This morning make your way to the last 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: x1 Riverside Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 14 - Sunday 30^th March - West Coast Archaeology

Connemara, one of the finest wilderness areas surviving in Europe today, remains a bastion of traditional landscape and culture. The area is dotted with dozens of archaeological sites dating from the stone age, many of which are recent discoveries by Michael Gibbons. Today you will meet Michael who will bring the landscape, traditions and mythology of the region alive. Your guide is a member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland with over thirty years of experience, with stories of surveys and excavations all over Ireland’s west coast.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Riverside Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 15 - Monday 31^st March - Sheepdog, Stories & Fjords

Today you meet a local farmer, Tom who will introduce you to his sheepdogs before giving you a fascinating demonstration of how a sheepdog is used to bring in the sheep on real farms. Responding to Tom’s whistled commands, the dogs guide the sheep downwards from their mountainside location, safely and speedily to the commands of his master, gathering in a pen beside you. Tom has trained Border Collies in the art of sheep herding, for over 15 years and his amazing skills are on show here with his dogs responding to his every command. This afternoon, choose to walk along Ireland’s only fjord at an abandoned famine route along the southern shoreline. The life of locals during the famine times was catastrophic, emigration was the only option of survival and communities were completely cut off.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x1 Riverside Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 16 - Tuesday 1^st April - Galway & Travelling East

This morning, take one last walk around the gardens before you bid farewell to Ireland’s West Coast as you make your way back towards Dublin. Recommended stops today include Galway City, with its cobbled pavement and street performers, Galway is the West Coast’s most vibrant urban centre and a great place to visit. Your hotel for your final night is an historic site, and home to one of Ireland’s most up-and-coming restaurants – a perfect way to end your trip before flying home.

Overnight: Kildare | Cliff at Lyons
Room Type: x1 Estate Room
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 17 - Wednesday 2^nd April - Depart

This morning, drop your rental car at Dublin Airport and its time to fly 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