Sunday: We depart Cobham Services in the early morning, stopping off at a motorway services on the way to Holyhead for our ferry crossing over to Dublin. We arrive late afternoon and after clearing customs we head into the city centre where we will meet a local guide and commence a short panoramic sightseeing tour of Dublin. We then check into our overnight hotel and have dinner.
Monday: We have an early morning visit to trinity College (Old Library and Book of Kells). Afterwards we travel across the midlands of Ireland to the enchanting City of Galway, on route we will visit Clonmacnoise Monastic site which was founded by St. Ciaran in the 6th Century on the banks of the River Shannon. Our next stop will be a mid-afternoon visit to rathbaun Farm, set in the heart of rural Ireland. This visit offers an opportunity to experience farm life and will include an afternoon tea in the 200- year-old farmhouse. We continue our journey and check into our hotel which is situated just on the outskirts of Galway where we enjoy 3 nights dinner bed and breakfast.
Tuesday: Today we discover Connemara, a breathtaking region of mountains and lakes between Lough Corrib and the sea. We first drive west through the Irish speaking village of spiddal and onwards to Clifden, with an almost alpine like setting, nestled on the edge of the Atlantic. We will visit Kylemore abbey, a magnificent 19th Century castle, previously run by the Benedictine Nuns as a boarding school. We continue our drive via Maam Cross, site of the replica cottage used in the classic movie ‘The Quiet Man’, to Moycullen, stopping at the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory.
Wednesday: Today is a free day to enjoy the gorgeous harbour town of Galway. This colourful, cultural and compact city is home to the 18th century Eyre Square which has a rich history dating back to medieval times and in the Latin Quarter there are twisting lanes, quirky cafes and traditional Irish pubs with live music.
Thursday: We travel southwards to Kinvara via the Burren, the most enigmatic region in Ireland with its rich diversity of flora, fauna and the history of man in this landscape. Later we reach the majestic Cliffs of Moher - 700 feet above sea level and stretching for almost 5 miles we have time in the visitors’ centre. Passing the market town of Ennis and on into Bunratty. We have admission to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park where Irish life at the turn of the century is tellingly recreated in a relaxed, yetstimulating and inspirational environment. Later in the afternoon we reach our hotel around Limerick and enjoy 1 nights dinner bed and breakfast.
Friday: This morning we depart for Killarney with our first stop in adare, one of the most picturesque villages in Ireland where there will be time to take some photos. Continuing through the towns and villages of Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Castleisland and on into the town of Killarney, where we will have the opportunity to visit Muckross House, located in the Killarney National Park this magnificent Victorian mansion is one of the leading Irish stately homes. The elegantly furnished rooms portray the lifestyle of the landed gentry, while downstairs in the basement one can experience the working conditions of the servants employed in the house. Later we checkinto our hotel for a 2-nights stay around the Killarney area.
Saturday: Full day excursion of the ring of Kerry. Our tour will take us along the Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the ‘Ring of Kerry’. The mountains, lakes and sea blend into a beautiful landscape. Passing through the villages of Killorgan, site of the ‘Puck Fair’, Glenbeigh, Cahirciveen, birthplace of Ireland’s patriot Daniel O’Connell, the award[1]winning village of Sneem, Kenmare and stopping at Moll’s Gap to view the lakes of Killarney.
Sunday: Today we return to Dublin, stopping on route to visit Blarney Castle. This historic castle is most famous for its stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. Onwards to Cashel where we will visit the Rock of Cashel, a spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale. Later we check into our overnight hotel around the Dublin area.
Monday: This morning we depart the hotel with a breakfast box and reach the Port of Dublin in good time for our ferry crossing back to Holyhead departing at 08.15. We reach Holyhead in the late morning and continue our journey back to Cobham Services reaching our awaiting taxis mid evening.