The Stinson's Irish Adventure

Day 1 - Sunday 20^th April - Céad míle fáilte

Céad míle fáilte, or one hundred thousand welcomes, to Ireland’s South West! Your private guide will meet you at Cork Airport and after some short introductions, together you will journey to Kinsale, a bolthole for Ireland’s most culinary-minded, with mystical sea views, and an idyllic place for an adventure. Check in, have a bite to eat, and your guide will take you for a late afternoon walk to 17th-century star-shaped Charles Fort, which has survived some of the most momentous events in Irish history.  We recommend a sunset stroll along the waterside walkway after dinner to end your day’s touring.

Overnight: Kinsale | Perryville House
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 2 - Monday 21^st April - The History of Cobh

The nearby town of Cobh is cemented in history as the last port in which the ill-fated Titanic docked before embarking on its maiden journey to America. Formally called Queenstown, Cobh today has many attractions and not just for Titanic enthusiasts. Meeting an expert guide you will explore Cobh’s history with the Titanic away from the harbour and learn the stories of those from the area whose lives were forever changed.

Overnight: Kinsale | Perryville House
Room Type: x1 Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Tuesday 22^nd April - Farm Tour & Cheese Tasting

Saying goodbye to Cork this morning, we journey north into Kerry, but not before stopping for a visit to a Buffalo farm in the lush green countryside where we 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, we check in to Sheen Falls, situated amidst the majestic landscapes of the Ring of Kerry. Later today, we board a vintage Buick for a tour of the grounds and Kenmare town.

*The Vintage Buick Tour is a complimentary Virtuoso amenity and we are happy to add it to your booking.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x1 Superior Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Wednesday 23^rd April - 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 | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x1 Superior Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Thursday 24^th April - Relax & Unwind

Spend today enjoying the onsite facilities at Sheen Falls, whether you want relaxation or adventure, there is something for everyone. Choose a morning walk in nature, fly-fishing, archery, clay pigeon shooting, relax with a book in their library, or treat yourself to a treatment in their award-winning Easanna Spa. End your day with a cocktail on the terrace, soaking in the breathtaking scenery.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x1 Superior Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Friday 25^th April - Forage & Feast in a Temperate Rainforest

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. Our experience of the day involves meeting local foraging expert Kloe to share her craft on the remote southern edge of Ireland. 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: x1 Superior Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Saturday 26^th April - Killarney National Park

En route to Dinlge today, we take our time and stretch our legs. Nestled on Killarney’s doorstep is Ireland’s first national park, Killarney National Park. Delight in a hike through the verdant woodlands and along the lakeshores of Killarney, keeping an eye out for the park’s herd of red deer and taking in the gorgeous views that make this region special. Step back into the past with a visit to Muckross Traditional Farms, which showcases a very different Ireland – the Ireland of the 1930s and 1940s. Back then, a trip to the well was still a daily chore for the housewife and electricity had yet to be introduced to the countryside. In the late afternoon, we arrive in Dingle, this is Gaeltacht country where the Irish language is still widely spoken as a first language and culture and traditions remain strong. Check in to your accommodation and enjoy a cheese board in your room overlooking the ocean.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Room Type: x1 Top Of The House Bedroom
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Sunday 27^th April - The Dingle Peninsula

The county of Kerry is made up of four peninsulas, The Kerry Head, The Beara, The Iveragh and probably its most well-known, The Dingle Peninsula. Tour around the peninsula visiting a fascinating array of ancient sites including Iron Age forts, and beehive huts, related to those found on the Skellig Islands and featured in the Star Wars film, inscribed stones, and historical churches. The Peninsula culminates at the dramatic Slea Head—Europe’s most western point. We return to Dingle town this evening for a delicious locally sourced dinner.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Room Type: x1 Top Of The House Bedroom
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Monday 28^th April - Drive to County Clare

Today we say goodbye to Co. Kerry as we make our way to Co. Clare, home to The Burren region & Cliffs of Moher. We make a day out of it and stop a couple of times, one of our favourite walks is a great beach walk along one of Kerry’s best-kept secret coastlines and we can enjoy lunch in the quaint village of Adare, voted “Ireland’s prettiest village”. Its quaint cottages and artisan stores make it a great place to wander. Pay a late-afternoon visit to the Cliffs of Moher, enjoying a walk along the dramatic cliff edge on a background of coastal panoramas. We continue to Gregan’s Castle, a former retreat for poets and authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. We’ll be back in time for a cool pint of Guinness by the fire before dinner at its award-winning restaurant.

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

Day 10 - Tuesday 29^th April - 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: x1 Premier Suite
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Wednesday 30^th April - Traditional Treats

This morning, we journey further north in the untamed landscape of Connemara. Described by Oscar Wilde as a “savage beauty” Connemara is rich in wild mountainscapes and heather-clad valleys. Before doing so, we stop at a traditional farm and enjoy an authentic, fun experience making, baking (and eating!) traditional Irish soda bread and scones. What better way to get to know Ireland than through its people and its food?  Get an insight into Irish food culture and way of life, past and present. Next, 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 Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Thursday 1^st May - Sheepdogs & Stories on the West Coast

This morning it’s a 45-minute drive through the windswept Twelve Bens Mountain Range to Killary, Ireland’s only fjord. Start the day with a sheep-herding demonstration at a local farm, and you’ll have the opportunity to cut peat from the bogs – a method that’s been used to harvest fuel in these parts for aeons. 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 your hotel, you’ll 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 Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 13 - Friday 2^nd May - Hiking in Connemara National Park

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 Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 14 - Saturday 3^rd May - Gaeltacht Regions

This morning, we drive through the Gaeltacht region of south Connemara, stopping at a Seaweed Centre, the only one dedicated to the sea plant which grows in abundance on the shorelines and is used in medical, beauty and most importantly the food industry worldwide. Enjoy a Seaweed Bath before we visit Spiddal (An Spidéal), for a browse around a lovely craft village. This is a delightfully scenic coastal route with lots of history. We also have the option of a short walk on one of the islands accessed via a bridge. Afterwards, we make our way to Glenlo Abbey, just outside of Galway City. For dinner, we recommend the Pullman Restaurant, one of Ireland’s most unique dining experiences. Have a toast to a wonderful Irish adventure and last night in Ireland.

Overnight: Bushypark | Glenlo Abbey
Room Type: x1 Lake View Deluxe Room
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 15 - Sunday 4^th May - Depart

This morning, a private transfer will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and take you to Shannon Airport in time for 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