The Douville & Hughes Irish Adventure

Friday 7th February – Saturday 15th February 2025

Duration: 9 Days / 8 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 Ireland’s famous and off-the-beaten-track sites of natural, cultural, and ancient 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.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Friday 7th 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 8th February - Ireland's Fair City

A short stroll from your hotel you’ll find history, humour and hospitality in the much-loved Little Museum of Dublin. Housed in a beautiful Georgian building, your private tour will reveal the history of a city that has undergone remarkable changes in the last 100 years, from the visit of Queen Victoria to the global success of U2. Take a deeper dive into life in Ireland over the last 1,000 years with exclusive access to their prized collection and your own private host to talk you through it. Stop for a bite to eat in one of Dublin’s many delicious eateries before heading to the Abbey Theatre for a behind-the-scenes private tour.

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

Day 3 - Sunday 9th February - Heading South

Meeting your private guide in the lobby of your hotel, this morning you journey south to the the Kingdom of Kerry. As we journey, our route takes us through lush countryside with stunning views around every corner. We stop at the Irish National Stud & Gardens, located in the beating heart of Ireland’s thoroughbred country in County Kildare. You will take a tour of the grounds, and the paddocks, meet a thoroughbred, and enjoy the famous Japanese Gardens. We continue to the quaint and colourful town of Kenmare, nestled between the Caha Mountains and the McGillicuddy Reeks and sitting at the head of Ireland’s longest bay.

Overnight: Kenmare | Park Hotel Kenmare
Room Type: x2 Park Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Monday 10th February - Flying Fishing & Golf on the South West

Golf is synonymous with Ireland as its coastal rolling sand dunes and coarse grass make for some of the world’s most renowned links courses. Today we have booked a tee time for two at Killarney Golf Club. Located in Killarney National Park, surrounded by the lakes of Lough Leane, it is a Six-Time Host Venue to the Irish Open and home to two 18-hole championship courses. In the meantime, back in Kenmare, we have organised a Ghillie to bring his expertise to the many lakes and flowing rivers in the locality. They provide the finest fishing for the expert seeking to extend their range, and you are sure to be rewarded after a hard day’s work.  The Ghillie provides a fisherman’s knowledge of the water, some local wit and stories as well as advice on the best tackle, flies and strategies for an unforgettable experience. Your catch can be cooked by the chef for a celebratory meal for dinner.

Overnight: Kenmare | Park Hotel Kenmare
Room Type: x2 Park Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Tuesday 11th 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 | Park Hotel Kenmare
Room Type: x2 Park Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Wednesday 12th February - Heading North & Falcony

Today we leave behind the wild and rugged southwest behind, making our way farther north to Clare. Your guide will facilitate a couple of stops on the way. On arrival, we meet some feather friends on an exhilarating interactive Falconry experience. Watch as these magnificent birds of prey swoop and soar with breathtaking speed and learn all about their fascinating habits. Finish the day with a delicious dinner onsite.

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

Day 7 - Thursday 13th February - The Cliffs of Moher & Farming Traditions

As we enter the Burren landscape, we 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. Today we pay a visit to a charming, locally-owned goat farm for an immersive tour and tasting. Meet and feed the tribe, visit the milking parlour, and learn about the history of goat farming in Ireland and the traditional methods used to care for them and produce award-winning goat cheese. We witness the cheese-making process firsthand and enjoy a tasting of their full range of Irish cheeses, right there on the farm! Next 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 8 - Friday 14th 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 and Lunch

Day 9 - Saturday 15th 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

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • 9 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 9 inclusive
  • All transfers in a private vehicle driven by our guide on guided days
  • Private Airport Transfer on Arrival Day
  • Entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary, specifically:
    • Private Little Museum of Dublin tour
    • Private Tour of the Abbey Theatre
    • Tour of The Irish National Stud
    • Golf at Killarney Golf Club
    • Fishing Ghillie in Kenmare
    • Private Farm Tour & Tasting
    • Private Falconry Experience
    • Private Zodiac Tour
    • Golf at Dromoland Castle
    • Private Foraging Experience
  • 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 is13,880 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking.

Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.