Day 1: Dublin City (12km)
Welcome to Dublin Airport, where after picking up your car your will
travel into Dublin and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day
can be spent exploring this vibrant and historic city capital city with
its many historic buildings, Georgian streets and colourful gardens.
Your first night is spent in Clontarf Castle, which can be dated back
to 1172.
Day 2: Dublin City
Today why not spend the day exploring some of Dublin’s fine Museums and
Galleries? Trace its history from early Viking origins, through to the
medieval magnificence of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Visit Dublinia at
Christchurch, which brings the turbulent history of medieval Dublin
vividly to life, 16th Century Trinity College, founded by Elizabeth 1,
and now home to the famous illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells.
Don’t forget about the Guinness Storehouse for a tasting of this world
famous ‘black stuff’.
Return to Clontarf Castle for overnight.
Day 3: Galway &
Clifden (300km)
Leave Dublin this morning and travel across the rich midland pastures.
Why not visit Belvedere House, Gardens and Park?
The magnificent early 18th century stately home of Robert Rochfort,
Earl of Belvedere, stands in 160 acres of parkland on the shores of
Lough Ennell.
Belvedere is one of the finest of Ireland's historic houses, and
together with gardens and park has been exquisitely restored.
Before you cross the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river you can
visit Clonmacnoise a 6
th century Christian site.
Arrive into Galway, which has long traded with Spain and the Spanish
influences are many in the city. Of note is Spanish Arch, a gateway in
the old city walls and the Spanish Parade, where wealthy merchants and
their families enjoyed a stroll along the promenade.
Continue out into the wild and rugged Connemara region, famous for the
savage beauty of its lake and mountain scenery and on to
Clifden where you shall be staying in the wonderful Abbeyglen Castle
which has a panoramic view of Clifden and the bay
with a backdrop off the Twelve Bens.
Day 4: Connemara Region
(80km – based on Clifden)
Today travel through the wild and rugged Connemara region, famous for
the savage beauty of its lake and mountain scenery. Visit the Connemara
National Park, where Connemara ponies and Irish red deer roam freely
through 5,000 acres of scenic mountains, bogs and grassland. You can
also visit the magnificent Kylemore Abbey - a beautiful mansion in a
lakeside setting against a mountainous backdrop. Irish Benedictine
nuns, with a tradition of over 300 years run this unique Abbey set in
the midst of Connemara, overlooking Pollacapul Lake. On your return,
you can take a scenic drive through Leenane where you have an option to
board the Sea Cruise through Killary Fjord which will reveal some of
the many hidden Coastal and Mountain Scenery of Connemara.
Another night will be spent in
Abbeyglen
Castle.
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher, Kilrush & Co. Kerry (380km – based on
Clifden)
Leave Clifden, this morning, and travel south through Galway and into
Clare, known as the “land of castles”. Why not visit Rathbaun Farm and
see the animals being tended, or enjoy a traditional tea and scones
break? Travel on through the strange lunar landscape of the Burren
region or visit the Cliffs of Moher a spectacular 5-mile long cliff,
which rises almost 700 feet above sea level. Stop in the heritage town
of Kilrush, before boarding a ferry to Tarbert in north County Kerry.
Arriving in Tarbert, and continue through Listowel and on to Tralee to
Ballyseede Castle
for overnight.
Day 6: The Dingle Peninsula
(145km)
This morning the breathtaking landscape will unfold in front of your
eyes today as you drive around the Dingle Peninsula before arriving in
Dunquin, on the westernmost tip of the peninsula, to visit the Blasket
Centre. Here you will discover what life was like on the remote Blasket
Islands. This living history museum explores all the dimensions of
island-living, from the land, the sea, and the language, to the weather
and the seasons, as well as the distinctive character of the Blasket
Islanders. Weather permitting you can embark on a 2/3 hour boat trip
around the nine main Blasket Islands. The islands are remote, unspoilt
and unpolluted and spectacularly beautiful and are home to an
incredible number of breading seabirds, with the surrounding seas home
to Dolphins, Porpoises, Atlantic Seals and even the occasional Whale or
Orca.
Return to
Ballyseede
Castle for overnight.
Day 7: Medieval Limerick, Rock of
Cashel & Kildare (290km)
This morning spend an hour or two in the medieval city of Limerick,
either exploring its history and architecture or purchasing some of the
splendid crafts on offer. Why not visit the Hunt Museum, an exhibit of
one of Ireland’s greatest private collections of art and antiquities.
Leave Limerick and travel eastwards towards Kilkea in Co. Kildare.
En-route a small detour will bring you to the imposing 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 rich
pastures of Ireland’s midlands before arriving in Kildare for your
overnight in Kilkea Castle an 11th century castle which is Ireland’s
oldest inhabited castle and is located in the heart of the
horse-breeding county of Kildare.
Day 8: Dublin & Departure (85 km)
Today travel to Dublin Airport for your return flight home.
Suggested
Hotels:
- Clontarf
Castle Hotel, Clontarf, Dublin 3: A Stately home since
1172, this wonderful setting has gone through many transformations over
the centuries. The Castle is now a 4 star luxury hotel with 111 deluxe
bedrooms and suites all finished to the highest of international
standards. Located 4km from the city centre and a short distance from
Dublin Airport and car ferries with sea, mountains and golf courses
nearby. A fine dining restaurant and 2 unique bars complements the
extensive conference and banqueting facilities. Experience old world
atmosphere with all modern facilities.
- Abbeyglen
Castle Hotel, Sky Road, Clifden, Co Galway: Abbeyglen
Castle Hotel was built in 1832 in the heart of Connemara by John D'Arcy
of Clifden Castle. It is romantically set in beautiful gardens with
waterfalls and streams, has a panoramic view of Clifden and the bay
with a backdrop of the Twelve Bens. Abbeyglen has 45 en-suite bedrooms
and provides a long list of indoor/outdoor facilities, cuisine of
international fame, unique qualities of peace, serenity and ambience.
Complimentary afternoon tea a speciality. AA 2 rosettes for good food
and service.
- Ballyseede
Castle Hotel, Ballyseede, Tralee, Co Kerry: Ballyseede
Castle Hotel is a wonderful, intimate 15th century castle set on 35
acres of parkland and garden. The castle has a tradition of excellent
cuisine and lovely public areas for morning tea or afternoon coffee.
The Castle’s 12 bedrooms are elegant and spacious and come in a large
variety from single to mini suite. All the bedrooms have been totally
refurbished and are individually designed and are decorated with taste
and imagination. The bedrooms offer a magnificent view of the grounds
of the castle. All bedrooms are en-suite with direct dial phone and
satellite television. The castle is ideally located for touring Kerry,
Cork and Clare.
- Barberstown
Castle, Straffan, Co Kildare: This 13th century Castle is
a 4 Star Castle and Country House Hotel and is located in the heart of
the horse-breeding county of Kildare. The castle provides its guests
with the unique Castle experience but is only 30 minutes drive away
from Dublin airport and the city centre. The restaurant at Barberstown
Castle is renowned for the quality of its food and service. All of the
59 en-suite bedrooms are elegantly and luxuriously appointed, laden
with antique furniture and provide the highest standard in comfort. A
myriad of outdoor county pursuits such as horseback riding, historical
and heritage interest are all on the doorstep of Barberstown Castle.
Notes:All
clients should check-in to their hotel accommodation no later than 6pm.
If you are going to be later that 6pm, you should call your
accommodation and advise them of your approximate check in time.
Failure to do this could result in your reservation being cancelled and
rooms released.