Wandering Through Ireland

Day 1 - Tuesday 18^th March - Céad míle fáilte

Céad míle fáilte! This morning a private transfer will take you to your centrally located hotel in the heart of Dublin. The rest of today is open 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, like The National Museum of Ireland, are within walking distance and indeed you will discover it is in the act of wandering from one to another that you will soak up Dublin’s authentic atmosphere.

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: x1 Westbury King
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Wednesday 19^th March - Iconic Dublin

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, and the GPO on 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. Your guide will leave you at Trinity College where you can walk around the Campus and take a tour of The Book of Kells and Old Library (self-guided).

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: x1 Westbury King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Thursday 20^th March - Exploring Howth

This morning hop on the train to the suburb of Howth – with its picturesque harbour, pretty beaches and wildflower-covered sea cliffs, it feels like the kind of village you’d find on a far-flung stretch of the West coast rather than a 25-minute train ride from the city centre. From the moment you arrive and walk along the waterfront, spotting the resident seals poking their heads up between the docked boats, you’ll see why it’s the go-to spot for Dubliners looking for a weekend breath of fresh air. Enjoy a leisurely walk as you breathe in the crisp sea air and grab some lunch on the waterfront. Returning to the city this evening, we’ll provide plenty of recommendations for local dinner spots.

Overnight: Dublin | The Westbury Hotel
Room Type: x1 Westbury King
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Friday 21^st March - Heading West

Meeting your private guide at the airport this morning you journey west, arriving in Galway City. A labyrinth of cobbled streets, colourful shops and street performers, this city has a bohemian atmosphere. With your knowledgeable guide, spend the afternoon exploring. Later, head out of the city and venture off the beaten path to a small pub which, behind its nondescript doors, holds a treasure trove of whiskey. Surely one of the most impressive collections in the country, chat with the owner as you indulge in an informal tasting. This evening, settle into an 18th-century mansion hotel, which has been managed by the same family since 1976.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x1 Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Saturday 22^nd March - Boat Tours & Classic Cliffs

This morning transfer around 30 minutes to the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most impressive natural sites. The area is teeming with wildlife, and 20 species of birds, including puffins, make it their home. You’ll 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. You’ll finish in the village of Doolin, which is famous for its traditional music scene. Stop for a fish n’ chips lunch in a historic stone cottage and a chance to browse the quaint shops, before returning to Gregans’ Castle via Black Head, a mesmerizing stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos en route.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x1 Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Sunday 23^rd March - Exploring The Burren

This morning 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. Together with your guide, you will explore this fascinating area, and stops include 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: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x1 Superior Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Monday 24^th March - Bread Baking & Castles

What better way to get to know Ireland than through its people and its food? Meet Carmel and enjoy an authentic, fun experience making, baking (and eating!) traditional Irish soda bread and scones. Get an insight into Irish food culture and way of life, past and present. Check into Ashford Castle where 800 years of history await. Once owned by the Guinness family, Ashford has a history dating back to the 12th century and has earned its place in Ireland’s history books. Today, Ashford is one of Ireland’s premier hotels offering an unforgettable experience. After a chance to settle into your rooms and explore the castle, meet some feathered friends at the oldest falconry school in Ireland. Join an expert falconer to fly your own Harris hawks under the guidance of your instructor.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: x1 Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Tuesday 25^th March - Inis Oirr Adventure

Connemara is home to the largest Gaeltacht (Irish Irish-speaking population) in Ireland, where an estimated 70% of the population speaks Irish as their first language on a daily basis. Oozing with culture and tradition, Connemara and the islands have a lot to offer. This morning you will meet your guide and take a flight to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the three Aran Islands. Enjoy the commanding views of the islands, Galway Bay, and the Connemara coastline before stepping into the wilderness. You’ll visit the island Arts Centre where you will get a glimpse of the island’s history, culture, heritage, and traditions and finish up doing a craft workshop with Máirtín, a local islander and expert craftsman. A feast of local seafood will be served for lunch, including Aran Lobster, before you embark on a tour of the island visiting the Shipwreck, Underground Church, and the 15th century O Brien’s Castle perched on the highest point of the island.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: x1 Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Wednesday 26^th March - Taking it Easy at Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle boasts many outdoor activity pursuits for those wishing to try their hand at the life of the gentry. Today you have time to spend onsite, enjoying all the estate has to offer. The expansive 350-acre Ashford Estate lends itself perfectly to a range of experiences, from country classic pastimes such as horse riding, fishing, falconry and shooting, to more modern activities such as golf and cycling.

Overnight: Cong | Ashford Castle
Room Type: x1 Deluxe
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Thursday 27^th March - Depart

This morning, your guide will drop you back to Dublin Airport. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we look forward to welcoming you to our shores once again.