Day One.
After our ferry crossing, we continue to the Westgrove Hotel in Clane, a scenic town overlooking the River Liffey in County Kildare and check in for our two night stay.
Day Two. We head into Dublin for a guided tour of the Fair City where attractions include Trinity College, the Ha’penny Bridge and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Afterwards, continue exploring at your own pace. Visit the Leprechaun Museum, tour the Guinness Storehouse or sip a drink in the Brazen Head – a pub that dates from the twelfth century. Later we head to Dublin’s Docklands to visit EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum for an intriguing self-guided tour.
Day Three. We check out and travel to compact and charming Kilkenny for a fun trip aboard the Land Train, followed by free time to explore. Kilkenny abounds with historic treasures. Step behind the imposing stone walls of Kilkenny Castle, see the soaring eaves of St Canice’s Cathedral, view the colourful stained glass of medieval Black Abbey or explore Rothe House – a unique sixteenth century townhouse. Elsewhere, you’ll find the Kilkenny Design Centre shopping mall with its Irish handcrafted gifts, and St Mary’s Church, which houses the Medieval Mile Museum, filled with artefacts and sculptures. Later, we make our way to Waterford for some free time before continuing to Lawlors Hotel in seaside Dungarvan, County Waterford, where we check in for two nights.Day Four. A day at leisure to perhaps relax on Dungarvan’s beach.
Day Five. We check out and step back in time at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park with its oldfashioned school, post office and pub. From here, it’s onwards to Gort in County Galway where we check into the Lady Gregory Hotel & Leisure Club for two nights.
Day Six. Today’s treat is a guided walking tour of Galway followed by free time. Here you’ll find a bustling waterfront, Lynch’s Castle, eighteenth century Eyre Square and a Latin Quarter with twisting lanes and quirky cafes. The city’s impressive cathedral is set on Nuns’ Island, accessed by a bridge and featuring a mighty dome, rose windows and Christian art.
Day Seven. After checking out, we journey to the picturesque village of Cong, where the Oscar winning movie, The Quiet Man was filmed. Here we enjoy a guided walking tour learning all about Hollywood movie makers arriving in this sleepy settlement. Later we continue to Castlebar, County Mayo, where you’ll find a selection of gift boutiques, and artisan cafes. Afterwards, we check into The Ellison for two nights.
Day Eight. Our day begins with a guided walking tour of the leafy Georgian town of Westport, home to a heritage centre and stone bridges linking a tree-lined promenade on the banks of the Carrowbeg River. Afterwards, free time to explore.
Day Nine. A morning visit to the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, home to interesting exhibitions including the National Folklife Collection. The Times: Rural Ireland 1850 – 1950 is one of the permanent exhibitions and it showcases the aftermath of the Great Famine. We then call at Foxford Woollen Mills Visitor Centre, where you can watch Irish craftmanship, then it’s onwards to Ballina for free time to explore this attractive town. We check into the superlative Diamond Coast Hotel in Enniscrone, County Sligo, for two nights.
Day Ten. We travel to historic Parke’s Castle to board the Rose of Innisfree tourist boat for a scenic sail on Lough Gill, taking in some of the spectacular scenery described so fondly by poet, W.B. Yeats. Lough Gill is an eight-kilometre-long limestone lake, steeped in myths and legends and a place of natural beauty. We then enjoy some free time in Sligo Town.
Day Eleven. We check out and head to our ferry back to Scotland, then continue home after our Irish adventure.