The Veale Family's Irish Adventure

Day 1 - Friday 24^th January - Céad míle fáilte - The Burren

Céad míle fáilte! One hundred thousand welcomes to Ireland’s ‘Wild West’, a region of immense beauty, ancient history, and Irish tradition. This morning, your guide will meet you at Shannon Airport and transfer you to the Burren – a rugged, limestone escarpment that comes alive in the spring and summer with wildflowers. 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! Afterwards, 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.  Later, it’s a short drive to your first accommodation, located right on the pier in Ballyvaughan. You’ll be back in time to enjoy a cool pint of Guinness with your guide at its award-winning restaurant.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Monks Stay Ballyvaughan
Room Type: x2 seaview kings, x1 seaview twin, x1 deluxe king
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 - Saturday 25^th January - Sheepdogs, Iconic Cliffs & Whiskey

This morning you’ll visit a local farmer and enjoy a private viewing of their sheepdog experience, an exhilarating demonstration of absolutely adorable and keenly intelligent dogs. Your tour includes a walk to a pre-historic stone fort, with a worldly history which will be brought to life by the farm’s local guide. You head for a bite to eat before a late afternoon visit to the Cliffs of Moher, after the crowds have departed. Walk along the cliff edge and make sure to get that selfie for those at home! Tonight you’ll join Margaret, a local landlady, in her pub for a fascinating whiskey-tasting journey through some of her extensive collection..

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Monks Stay Ballyvaughan
Room Type: x2 seaview kings, x1 seaview twin, x1 deluxe king
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Sunday 26^th January - 4x4 Experience on 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 | Monks Stay Ballyvaughan
Room Type: x2 seaview kings, x1 seaview twin, x1 deluxe king
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Monday 27^th January - Farm Tour & Cheese Tasting

This morning you will 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. You’ll witness the cheese-making process firsthand and enjoy a tasting of their full range of Irish cheeses, right there on the farm! Afterwards, you’ll head further south to what is known as the “Kingdom of Kerry” and your home for the next two nights, Kenmare. Once you check in, 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.

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x4 Superior Deluxe Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Tuesday 28^th January - Forage & Feast in a Temperate Rainforest

This morning you will head to West Cork to enjoy 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. Back at your accommodation tonight, your guide will join you for a farewell dinner and a chance to chat about your favourite moments this week!

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Lodge
Room Type: x4 Superior Deluxe Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6 - Wednesday 29^th January - Traditional Boat Tour in Killarney National Park

After breakfast, you’ll make your way to Killarney National Park, the jewel in Kerry’s crown. Here you will board a boat with Dux and his canine friend and cruise the tranquil lakes of Killarney with one of the most spectacular backdrops imaginable as you are overlooked by Ireland’s highest mountain peaks. Afterwards, your guide will drop you to your hotel and you will say farewell.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Thursday 30^th January - Wedding Celebrations

Day 8 - Friday 31^st January - Departure

This morning, a private transfer will pick you up at 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.