The Douville & Hughes Irish Adventure

Day 1 - Friday 7^th February - Céad míle fáilte

Céad míle fáilte, or one hundred thousand welcomes, to Ireland’s capital, Dublin! A private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you into the city to your 5-star hotel. Check-in is at 3 pm however feel free to leave your bags, freshen up, or have a bite to eat. Today 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. 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 where you will soak up Dublin’s authentic atmosphere. Enjoy a local pub lunch and spend the rest of your afternoon taking in some of Dublin’s sights.

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: x2 Westbury King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Saturday 8^th February - Ireland's Fair City

There is no better introduction to Dublin than 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. Finish the day in one of Dublin’s many award-winning restaurants.

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: x2 Westbury King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Sunday 9^th February - Whiskey & Storytelling

Meeting your private guide in the lobby of your hotel, this morning you journey cross country, to the County of Galway, home to Connemara National Park along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. En route, we visit Galway City, a charming Medieval-era city with a thriving arts and food scene. Here you will meet an expert whiskey guide who will lead you to some of the oldest pubs to discover the finest Irish whiskey. Tasting the Uisce Beatha will leave you in the mood for our next stop, where we meet a famous Galway storyteller. Enjoy being transported back in time as we are immersed in the incredible myths and folklore of ancient Ireland. This experience seamlessly blends two of Ireland’s most indigenous crafts, storytelling and the allure of Irish whiskey. As we continue to the coastal regions, feast your eyes upon the breathtaking expanses of Connemara, once described as “a savage beauty” by author Oscar Wilde. Check into Ballynahinch Castle, once owned by an Indian Raj, this traditional hunting lodge has seen presidents and dignitaries grace its halls and rooms for generations.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x2 Luxury Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Monday 10^th February - Fly Fishing & Golf on Irelands West Coast

Renowned as one of the finest fisheries in Ireland, the Ballynahinch Catchment drains an area of 68 square miles and is a diverse system of interconnected loughs and rivers, drained by the Ballynahinch River and offering the very best of fly fishing in Ireland. This majestic river, with fishing rights owned exclusively by the Ballynahinch Estate, winds its way underneath the Castle for three kilometres until it reaches the wild Atlantic Ocean. While some enjoy the water today, your guide will take the rest further North to County Mayo, home to the historic Ashford Castle. Once owned by the Guinness family, Ashford dates back to the 12th century and has earned its place in Ireland’s history books. We have booked a tee time for you here on their picturesque 9-hole, 2996-yard, par 35 parkland course. Reconvene tonight for a delicious dinner, we recommend heading into the small village of Clifden for some seafood and a bit of music.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Room Type: x2 Luxury Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Tuesday 11^th February - Traditional Baking Experience & The Cliffs of Moher

Today we leave behind the wilds of Connemara, making our way farther south to Clare. We stop en route at a traditional farm where you will meet Evelyn and try your hand at making some traditional Irish scones. As you enter the Burren landscape, you’ll quickly notice its otherworldly attributes. With endless lines of karst limestone rock dominating fields and covering hillsides, the area is said to have been an inspiration for JRR Tolkien’s world-famous Lord of the Rings trilogy. From here we head to the musical village of Doolin, where we hop on a zodiac for an up close and personal exploration of the Cliffs of Moher. Far from the tourist crowds, learn the mythology and wildlife of this iconic site.

Overnight: Newmarket On Fergus | Dromoland Castle Hotel
Room Type: x2 Staterooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Wednesday 12^th February - Dromoland Castle

Today is all about spending time enjoying the activities and experiences that Dromoland Castle has to offer. For one couple, as residents, you’ll have unlimited access to complimentary boating and fishing equipment, in case you’d like to row out into the well-stocked Dromoland Lough and see about catching yourself some dinner. For another, winding across the massive Dromoland Castle estate, their magnificent championship course plays over 6,824 yards for men and 5,242 for ladies. Gently rolling hills, ancient trees, and deceptively winsome wildflower meadows conspire to conceal unexpected hazards, then open up in a blaze of glory to reveal breathtaking vistas of the Castle towers and County Clare’s untamed landscapes in the distance.

Overnight: Newmarket On Fergus | Dromoland Castle Hotel
Room Type: x2 Staterooms
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Thursday 13^th February - Heading South

Tracking further south this morning, our destination is the Kingdom of Kerry. As we journey, our route takes us through lush countryside with stunning views around every corner. Your 5-star hotel has many amenities onsite for you to enjoy and this afternoon, we have arranged a horse and carriage ride, the perfect way to explore the Sheen Falls Lodge estate. Climb aboard and take a trip back in time, as you settle in to experience the countryside at a gentle and traditional pace. Channelling the days of old, this romantic horse-drawn experience is the perfect afternoon activity.

*Please note there is fly-fishing onsite at Sheen Falls, however, this would depend on your arrival time. Please let us know if you would like us to look into this. 

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x2 Superior Deluxe Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Friday 14^th February - Forage & Feast on the Beara Peninsula

Today we head into the wilds of West Cork for a fully immersive experience in the sights, sounds, smells & tastes of a rare temperate rainforest valley & bay on the Wild Atlantic Way. Too often overlooked by visitors, the Beara Peninsula is a hidden paradise. At each turn, there is a new view to marvel upon, with panoramas over the hidden valleys, rocky slopes, sheep-dotted hills and far-away lakes. Make sure to leave room after breakfast this morning, as your experience of the day involves meeting local foraging expert Kloe to share in her craft on the remote southern edge of the Beara Peninsula. After an hour out in the field learning the science and practices of foraging in the woods, reconvene around a campfire together for a cooked lunch of your gathered goods.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x2 Superior Deluxe Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Saturday 15^th February - Depart

This morning, your guide will take you to Dublin Airport in time for your flight home. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to the Emerald Isle once again.

Meals Included: Breakfast