• 5 nights accommodation in a 3 star hotel, 2 nights in 4 star Farmhouse Accommodation based on per person sharing a twin/double room with bath/shower inclusive of service charges

• Overnights in Ballyknocken House – a traditional Irish farmhouse and now also a cookery school

• Visiting some of Ireland’s most scenic areas including the Ring of Kerry

• Explore Dublin, the capital of Ireland

Itinerary:

DAY 1: Dublin City (12km)

Welcome to Dublin. After you pick up your car at the Hertz desk, transfer to your city centre hotel. In the afternoon you can explore this capital city with its many historic buildings, Georgian streets and colourful gardens. Take the opportunity to visit some of its many attractions such as the Christchurch Cathedral, one of Dublin’s oldest and most recognised landmarks. You can also visit Trinity College Dublin where the visitor facilities include the Treasury which houses Book of Kells and also the Long Room, the largest single chamber library in the world containing over 200,000 of the library’s oldest books.

This evening why not enjoy dinner in one of Dublin’s many restaurants?

Ovenight in a Hotel (Mount Herbert Hotel or similar).

DAY 2: Malahide Castle & the Boyne Valley (125km)

This tour takes you through Dublin’s city centre and out across the North City where you can enjoy the magnificent views of Dublin Bay to the 14th century Castle at Malahide. The Castle, which is set in magnificent gardens, is furnished with the finest Irish period furniture and contains famous portrait paintings from the National Art Gallery. Continue to the award-winning village of Malahide.

Leave Malahide and head northward towards the River Boyne, which flows through the counties of Meath and Louth (north from Dublin) and has long been a pivotal setting in Irish history. Follow the flow of the river between Slane and Drogheda. The banks are lined with landmarks from almost every phase of Ireland’s past - from the prehistoric passage tombs at Newgrange, to the legendary Hill of Tara, seat of the Irish High Kings as well as monuments from the early days of Christianity. A visit to the Hill of Tara and Bru na Boinne including a visit to either Newgrange or Knowth burial passages, which were built between 3,500BC and 2,700BC and was used as a tomb in which Stone Age men buried their dead is strongly recommended.

This evening why not enjoy dinner in one of Dublin’s many restaurants?

Ovenight in a Hotel (Mount Herbert Hotel or similar).

Day 3: Rock of Cashel & Kinsale (285km)

This morning, you travel south from Dublin City for Cork. Visit the Rock of Cashel, which rises dramatically from the flat countryside. This site has the best set of varied monuments in any Irish site. The rock is crowned by a group of buildings, both ecclesiastical and royal, including a round tower, a 13^th century Romanesque chapel and the beautifully restored Hall of the Vicar Choral. Continue through the Golden Vale region of Ireland, famous for its butter, cheeses and dairy products and onto the picturesque fishing town of Kinsale, known as the “Gourmet Capital of Ireland”.

This evening why not enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants in Kinsale.

Overnight: Trident Hotel, Kinsale or similar

Day 4: Kinsale & Cork City (60km)

This morning, take some time to explore Kinsale – why not join a walking tour of the historic town and make a few visits including Desmond Castle and Wine Museum. Built as a custom house by the Earl of Desmond in circa 1500, Desmond Castle has had a colourful history. It was occupied by the Spanish in 1601, used as a prison for captured American sailors during the war of Independence, as a borough jail and a workhouse. Today Desmond Castle is a popular tourist attraction and houses the international museum of wine. Before completing your tour of Kinsale, a visit to Charles Fort just outside the town is a must. Constructed in the late 17th Century, Charles Fort is a classic example of a star-shaped fort. It was constructed primarily to prevent foreign naval forces from entering the harbour of Kinsale, which was then an important trading town.

In the afternoon, travel to Cork City, where much of the medieval core of the city is still intact today and the colourful and dramatic past is reflected in its streets, architecture and port. Visit St Ann’s Shandon which was erected in 1722 and is one of the city’s best known landmarks and features the famous Shandon Bells which visitors may ring. There is also a wonderful view of the city from the top. You can also visit the nearby Shandon Craft Centre is home to a number of craftspeople working under one roof. Visitors are welcome to watch the artists at work or browse through beautiful pieces of arts and crafts which are available for sale. Continue on to the Cork Butter Museum which dominated the world butter trade in the 18th and 19th centuries and the museum explores the development of the exchange and the history of dairying in Ireland.

Return to Kinsale where once again you can sample one of the many local restaurants for dinner.

Overnight: Trident Hotel, Kinsale or similar

Day 5: Cobh , Ballymaloe House & Old Midleton Distillery (155km)

Today, why not travel east of Cork city to Cobh where you can visit the Queenstown Story at Cobh Heritage Centre. This dramatic exhibition tells of the origins, history and legacy of Cobh, a unique Irish port town, which recalls the many historic events associated with the town. From 1845 to 1960 over 2.5 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland via Cobh on coffin ships, early steamers and finally on the Great Ocean Liners. Cobh was also the last port visited by the ill-fated Titanic. Leave Cobh and travel the short distance to Shanagarry and stop at Ballymaloe Gardens which surrounds Ballymaloe Cookery School and the Garden Café, which is run by TV chef Darina and Tim Allen and includes a Herb Garden, formal Fruit Garden, a formal Vegetable Garden and Water Garden. Why not enjoy lunch Ballymaloe House?

Return to Kinsale passing through Midleton where you can visit the Old Midleton Distillery and learn about the story of Irish whiskey through an audio-visual presentation; then follow the old distillery trail though mills, maltings, corn stores, stillhouses, warehouses and kilns. After the tour of the Distillery, you will have the opportunity to taste this world famous.

Return to Kinsale where once again you can sample one of the many local restaurants for dinner.

Overnight: Trident Hotel, Kinsale or similar

Day 6: Waterford Crystal & Wicklow (275km)

You depart Kinsale this morning and travel eastwards along the southern coastline. Arriving in Waterford, where you will receive a warm welcome to Waterford Crystal, home of the world famous crystal, this will be an experience you’ll never forget. The Waterford experience is unique in that you are visiting a real working, living, breathing factory. A thin yellow line is all that separates you from the craftsmen, during the tour you will get a chance to see the glass being blown and cut, also take in the factory’s magical audio visual presentation. The gallery features the finest of Waterford pieces guaranteed to quicken the pulse of even the most seasoned collector. Leaving Waterford we travel along the east coast through Enniscorthy and Gorey before arriving Ashford and on to Ballyknocken Country House & Cookery School for overnight.

Overnight: Ballyknocken Country House & Cookery School

Ballyknocken House is a charming Victorian farmhouse operating as a 4**** guesthouse. Run by Catherine, the third generation Byrne to reside there, the house has won many awards including the recent Jameson Georgina Campbell Farmhouse of the Year 2004; AA 4 RED stars 2005/6, Bridgestone 100 Best Places to Stay in Ireland 2003, 4,5,6. Catherine’s warm welcome and Irish hospitality has seen her nominated as the AA Landlady of the Year, Great Britain and Ireland 2005. Catherine also runs Ballyknocken Cookery School and entertains with Brown Bread Making Demonstrations and Cookery Courses.

DAY 7: Wicklow Tour or Ballyknocken Cookery School (135km)

Today (and subject to availability) you may have the opportunity to participate in a class at the cookery school (not included in the price).

Alternatively you can use Ballyknocken House as a base to explore Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland. Travelling through the scenic Wicklow Mountains, you arrive in Glendalough, in the heart of Wicklow and a well known beauty spot of Ireland. Visit the 6^th century monastic settlement with the ruins of seven churches and a round tower. The Visitor Centre explains the history of the region and the monastery. Travel to Blessington, to Russborough House, one of Ireland’s finest houses which is open to the public. Built between 1740 and 1750 in the Palladian style, the House is beautifully maintained and contains paintings from the Beit Collection, fine furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain and silver. Continue on to Enniskerry and visit Powerscourt House and Gardens. Here you will be able to stroll around the 45 acre garden which includes formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes which have over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. You will also have an opportunity to visit the restored 18th century house, which was destroyed by fire in 1974.

Return to Ballyknocken Country House for overnight. Why not sample some of Catherine Byrne’s cooking at dinner this evening in Ballyknocken?

Overnight: Ballyknocken Country House & Cookery School

DAY 8: Depart from Dublin Airport (80km)

Departure from Dublin Airport.

Child Policy

Children supplements apply when a child between 3 & 12 years is sharing with 2 full paying adults to a maximum of 2 children in the room. A child sharing with a single adult is charged the normal per person rate. Children sharing 0 - 2 years are free and meals paid directly to the hotel.

Notes:

All clients should check-in to their hotels/bed and breakfast accommodation no later than 6pm. If you are going to be later that 6pm, you should call your accommodation and advise of your approximate check in time. Failure to do this could result in your reservation being cancelled and rooms released.

The services and activities recommended in this programme are accurate at the time of printing. It is essential, however, that they are checked to ensure that they are operating prior to travelling.