Ireland October 2021

Dublin Arrival

Meet your Driver Guide in the arrivals hall Dublin Airport

We travel to the centre of Dublin and a visit to the wonderful EPIC museum

Discover why 10 million people left Ireland, and the impact they had on the world

Irish history should never be a long list of names and dates, it should be an experience. Get hands on with Irish culture and its past with our fully interactive museum – swipe through video galleries, dance through motion sensor quizzes, listen to remastered audio from 100 years ago and watch videos that bring Irish history to life. At EPIC you’ll discover the far reaching influence of Irish history, and the impact the 10 million Irish men and women who left Ireland had on the world.

“My own experience of being an emigrant has always stayed with me. And as they say, I left Ireland but Ireland never left me. Before retiring as Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola in 2009 my career took me all over the world, to 151 countries, living and working in 5 different continents. I’ve always believed that the story of Irish people around the world was one worth telling, and so, I founded EPIC in 2016.”

– Neville Isdell, Founder, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum

Brazen Head Pub

Lunch at Irelands oldest pub The Brazen Head dating from 1198 In fact there has been a hostelry here since 1198. The present building was built in 1754 as a coaching inn. However The Brazen Head appears in documents as far back as 1653. An advertisement from the 1750’s reads “Christopher Quinn of The Brazen Head in Bridge Street has fitted said house with neat accommodations and commodious cellars for said business”

Teeling Whiskey Tour & Tasting

TEELING STORY

The Spirit Of Dublin – A Craft Revival

Whiskey making and entrepreneurship has been in the Teeling genes as far back as 1782, when Walter Teeling set up a small craft distillery on Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8. Right back in the heart of the Liberties district of Dublin city, Jack and Stephen Teeling, the latest generation of whiskey makers, set up the Teeling Whiskey Company in 2012. In March 2015 they opened the Teeling Whiskey Distillery the first new distillery in Dublin in over 125 years, and just a stone’s throw from their ancestral distillery,

right in the heart of the Golden Triangle, the historic distilling district of the city.

With one eye on the past, but looking to the future, we’re the new generation of Dublin distillers. We approach our craft with a respect for generations passed but with the confidence to forge the next chapter of Irish and Dublin whiskey.

Westbury Hotel Dublin

Voted Number 1 Hotel in Ireland by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2019

The unrivaled location and luxury of The Westbury in Dublin, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, blends city living with an oasis of comfort and calm. From the moment guests ascend the hotel’s central staircase to be introduced at check-in, there is a sense of being welcomed into a home from home. Take The Gallery, the supremely appointed and positioned space where afternoon tea is an institution and to one side, The Sidecar, with its 1930s, Gatsby-esque look and feel, sees white-jacketed bartenders fix martinis at your table. Meanwhile, with its buzzy outdoor terrace and walk-in entrance, all-day eatery Balfe’s marries the easy elegance of a Parisian bistro with the dynamic energy of a New York brasserie. And, signature restaurant WILDE couples 1930s elegance with a botanical aesthetic, its floor-to-ceiling windows and an array of greenery, looking out over the city centre.

The Westbury’s central location in the heart of Dublin offers unrivalled access to the pedestrianised social hub of Grafton Street, as well as the historic open spaces of Dublin’s Trinity College and St Stephen’s Green. Irish heritage abounds in the hotel too, from the flowers to the food, along with one of the country’s foremost art collections, featuring original paintings by Sir John Lavery and Louis le Brocquy. But is it the warmth of welcome that is most vivid – a tangible service ethos that sets the seal on a haven of luxury.

Full Irish Breakfast included

Dublin Walking Tour

Meet your walking guide at the Molly Malone Statue Suffolk Street to start your City tour with a visit to Trinity College 3rd oldest university in the World & the Book of Kells the four Gospels of the New Testament. A visit to St Patricks Cathedral one of two Church of Ireland Cathedrals in Dublin dating from 1191.

In just over 2 hours, this Fáilte Ireland-approved, award-winning and entertaining walking tour, , explores the main features of Irish history - Dublin's development, the influence of the American and French Revolutions, the Potato Famine, the Great War and the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence, the Northern conflict and Ireland today.

Book of Kells & Grafton Street

Our next stop will be Dublin City Center where you will have the opportunity to visit Trinity College and the famous Library & the Book of Kells

The Book of Kells (Trinity College Dublin MS 58) contains the four Gospels in Latin based on the Vulgate text which St Jerome completed in 384AD, intermixed with readings from the earlier Old Latin translation. The Gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including "canon tables", or concordances of Gospel passages common to two or more of the evangelists; summaries of the gospel narratives (Breves causae); and prefaces characterizing the evangelists (Argumenta).

The book is written on vellum (prepared calfskin) in a bold and expert version of the script known as "insular majuscule". It contains 340 folios, now measuring approximately 330 x 255 mm; they were severely trimmed, and their edges gilded, in the course of rebinding in the 19th century.The date and place of origin of the Book of Kells have attracted a great deal of scholarly controversy. The majority academic opinion now tends to attribute it to the scriptorium of Iona (

Argyllshire), but conflicting claims have located it in Northumbria or in Pictland in eastern Scotland. A monastery founded around 561 by St Colum Cille on Iona, an island off Mull in western Scotland, became the principal house of a large monastic confederation. In 806, following a Viking raid on the island which left 68 of the community dead, the Columban monks took refuge in a new monastery at Kells, County Meath, and for many years the two monasteries were governed as a single community. It must have been close to the year 800 that the Book of Kells was written, although there is no way of knowing if the book was produced wholly at Iona or at Kells, or partially at each location.

The manuscript’s celebrity derives largely from the impact of its lavish decoration, the extent and artistry of which is incomparable. Abstract decoration and images of plant, animal and human ornament punctuate the text with the aim of glorifying Jesus’ life and message, and keeping his attributes and symbols constantly in the eye of the reader.

There are full pages of decoration for the canon tables; symbols of the evangelists Matthew (the Man), Mark (the Lion), Luke (the Calf) and John (the Eagle); the opening words of the Gospels; the Virgin and Child; a portrait of Christ; complex narrative scenes, the earliest to survive in gospel manuscripts, representing the arrest of Christ and his temptation by the Devil. The Chi Rho page (folio 34r), introducing Matthew’s account of the nativity, is the single most famous page in medieval art. There are portraits of Matthew and John, but no portrait of Mark or Luke survives. These were probably executed, like other major pages of the manuscript, on single leaves and they are presumed to have become detached over time and lost. In all, around 30 folios went missing in the medieval and early modern periods.

OR

Enjoy some free time shopping on Dublins Iconic Grafton Street explore the Grafton Street ‘experience’, with beautiful historic buildings housing iconic Irish businesses such as Brown Thomas, Weir & Sons and Bewley’s Grafton Street Café, Grafton Street offers an experience that cannot be found elsewhere.

Grafton Street has a great variety of retail stores including café’s, bars, restaurants and hotels and caters for shoppers searching for high-end or high street.

Kilmainham Gaol

Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for Dublin. It closed its doors in 1924.

Today the building symbolises the tradition of militant and constitutional nationalism from the rebellion of 1798 to the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Leaders of the rebellions of 1798, 1803, 1848,1867 and 1916 were detained and in some cases executed here. Many members of the Irish Republican movement during the Anglo-Irish War (1919-21) were also detained in Kilmainham Gaol, guarded by British troops. Names such as Henry Joy McCracken, Robert Emmet, Anne Devlin, Charles Stewart Parnell and the leaders of 1916 will always be associated with the building. It should not be forgotten however that, as a county gaol, Kilmainham held thousands of ordinary men, women and children. Their crimes ranged from petty offences such as stealing food to more serious crimes such as murder or rape. Convicts from many parts of Ireland were held here for long periods waiting to be transported to Australia.

Kilmainham Gaol Museum
Inchicore Road, Dublin, DUBLIN, IE, 8

Overnight Westbury Hotel

Waterford & Kilkenny

Today we travel to Waterford City and a visit & tour of the famous Waterford Crystal factory & Showrooms to watch the craftsmen & women design and produce some of the most iconic pieces of glass in the World. In1783, when Beethoven was publishing his first works and the world’s first hot air balloon launched in Paris, in Waterford City George and William Penrose, petitioned Parliament for aid to establish the manufacture of flint glass in their Waterford Glass House. They were successful and established an extensive glass manufactory in Waterford City on the 3rd October 1783.

Lunch in a local Pub

A walking tour of one of Irelands oldest citys Waterford City was founded by the Vikings some 1,100 years ago, it had extensive trading links with Viking Settlements overseas. Later in the year 1170 the city was taken by the Normans who sealed their victory by the marriage of their leader Strongbow to Aoife, daughter of the King of Leinster.

Overnight Pembroke Hotel Kilkenny

House Of Waterford Crystal
The Mall, Waterford, WATERFORD, IE

Pembroke Hotel Kilkenny

The 4 star boutique hotel in Kilkenny is situated on Patrick Street, Kilkenny’s most exclusive street, right in the centre of a city rich in medieval heritage and alive with a vibrant arts culture. With over 400 years of history and a vast array of beautiful countryside to explore, Pembroke Kilkenny provides the perfect city-centre base for guests of all ages looking to make the most out of everything Ireland has to offer.

Cashel, Cork

Rock of Cashel

Today we travel across county Laois to County Tipperary and the amazing Rock of Cashel

It’s huge, it’s complex, it’s iconic, there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world and it’s right here in Cashel at the heart of Tipperary. The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig), more formally St. Patrick’s Rock, it is also known as Cashel of the Kings.

Reputedly the site of the conversion of Aenghus the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century AD. Long before the Norman invasion The Rock of Cashel was the seat of the High Kings of Munster, although there is little structural evidence of their time here. Most of the buildings on the current site date from the 12th and 13th centuries when the rock was gifted to the Church. The buildings represent both Hiberno-Romanseque and Germanic influences in their architecture.

The Rock of Cashel
Cashel, County Tipperary, IE

Jameson Distillery

Enjoy a tour and whiskey tasting at our home in Midleton, Cork.

For over 200 years we called Dublin home, but in 1975 we moved our ever expanding operation to the green expanses of Midleton, Co. Cork. The big move wasn’t without risk, but the migration certainly paid dividends in the whiskey making department. Our new home provided the space we needed to stretch our legs and our whiskey making ambitions, proximity to barley farmers and freshwater probably aren’t what people typically look for when house hunting, but Midleton seemed to have everything we need as well as the extra space for visitors.

The Jameson Experience
Old Distillery Walk, Midleton, CORK, IE

Hayfield Manor Hotel

Welcome to Hayfield Manor

An Experience Beyond the Best. At the 5 Star Hayfield Manor Hotel Cork, our family owned, boutique luxury hotel, a visit is an experience in itself and is among the top hotels in Ireland. Winner of the Conde Nast Traveler 2012 Reader's Choice Awards, our hotel is discreetly nestled within beautiful walled gardens, a tranquil oasis in the vibrant city of Cork South West Ireland. Hayfield Manor features in The Blue Book collection as one of the top hotels to visit in Ireland. Whether your stay is for leisure or business, it is our pleasure to attend to every detail for you.

Guests can unwind in Hayfield Manor’s signature restaurant Orchids, overlooking the beautiful private gardens it creates the perfect atmosphere to dine one of the best fine dining restaurants in Cork.Guest will be utterly pampered with a choice of elegant bedrooms, the hotel also caters for junior guests making it one of the best family hotels in Cork.

With luxury at the centre of all that we do, we look forward to welcoming you.

Hayfield Manor Hotel
Perrott Ave, Cork, CORK, IE

TOURING TO KILLARNEY

Beara

Meet your Driver/Guide to travel across Healy Pass a mountain pass at an elevation of 334 metres (1,095 ft) above the sea level located in the Beara peninsula, in the Caha mountain range. It’s one of the Ireland's greatest drives.

The pass, also named Bealach Scairt in Irish, is traversed by the serpentine R574. The road is truly wild. There is little traffic and the mountain landscape is breathtaking. The road over the pass is a very nice and scenic serpentine road that winds through the mountains at the west coast of Ireland. Well worth a visit!
The drive is definitely worth it. Don’t forget your camera! It's difficult to drive around Beara and not want to take lots of panoramic shots! The road winds through a desolate, otherworldly landscape, passing between two of the highest summits in the Caha mountain range.
The weather on this zone is harsh and highly unpredictable and it does not take much time for the bright sun shine to change over to moderate to heavy fog. Caution required when traversing and the area is subject to fog and mist in the early morning and late evening.
The road has serpentine turns, is asphalted and very narrow. The pass was named for Time Michael Healy, a politician from Cork who served as the first governor general of the Irish Free State.

Healy Pass
R574, County Cork, IE

Glengarriff
County Cork, IE

Great Southern Hotel

Welcome to The Great Southern Killarney

KILLARNEY’S PREMIER HISTORIC HOTEL

Built in 1854 with the remit to ‘take the guest’s breath away’, Great Southern Killarney still stands proudly as Killarney’s Premier Historic Hotel. The hotel is a proud member of the internationally renowned collection of independent hotels, Preferred Hotels and Resorts, and also of Historic Hotels World Wide. Great Southern is also part of the Hayfield Family Collection of properties, a family business led by local hoteliers, which also incorporates Killarney Royal and Hayfield Manor in Cork. Great Southern is a truly unique and iconic hotel, situated on 6 acres of beautiful gardens right in the heart of Killarney town centre. Great Southern Killarney has enjoyed a most interesting and impressive history, throughout which the hotel has fortunately retained its striking original Victorian features, while continually developing a deluxe guest experience featuring beautifully appointed accommodations. Guest facilities including the gourmet Garden Room Restaurant, the welcoming meeting point Brownes - The Bar.

Full Irish Breakfast Included

Celtic Steps

Killarney’s famed beauty has been attracting visitors for centuries and the scenic splendour of Killarney National Park continues to draw people in their thousands each year. Evening entertainment in Killarney town has also evolved over the years. After a refreshing day in the open air enjoying the sights, it’s nice to relax and unwind as the evening draws in. The Celtic Steps show has established itself as a firm favourite in the entertainment options available in Killarney. It is is a wonderful showcase of traditional Irish music, song and dance that is a great way to round off a day in Killarney.

My first experience of Celtic Steps was last summer on a beautiful sunny evening. A ‘milestone’ birthday was being marked so dinner and a show was the plan. We strolled down Ross Road in Killarney as we digested the early bird meal we had just had in town. The last of the day’s sun was fading behind the mountains framing the Killarney Racecourse. We were looking forward to a good evening’s entertainment and we weren’t to be disappointed. Celtic Steps is a great showcase of the best of traditional Irish music, song and dance and is a lovely way to spend an evening in Killarney

Ring of Kerry Tour

Meet your Driver/Guide for a day tour of the Ring of Kerry with its lovely fishing villages.

A visit to the lovely Kells bay Eco garden a corner of Ireland on the Gulf Stream with Ireland's longest Rope Bridge

A visit to the Skellig centre to learn the story of these group of Islands Skellig Michael the Atlantic Ocean and the Monks who lived there in the 6th century now made famous by the Filming of Star Wars

Lunch at the Moorings Pub in Portmagee

Overnight Killeen House Hotel

The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
Kerry, IE

Kells Bay House and Gardens
County Kerry, IE

Killarney Lakes Boat Trip

Meet your Boatman/Guide for a beautiful boat trip along the famous lakes of Killarney once you reach Lord Brandon's cottage stop relax with a coffee and enjoy the amazing scenery Then you can you can enjoy the 2hour leisure walk through these wonderful mountain rage ,or take a horse and buggy or you can cycle it. , The Gap of Dunloe option which guests enjoy most is the boat and cycle option. which we will arrange on your behalf.

Gap of Dunloe
Gap of Dunloe, County Kerry, IE

Ross Castle
Ross Rd, Killarney, KERRY, IE

Overnight Great Southern Hotel Killarney

Touring to County Clare

Today after a wonderful Breakfast we head north travelling through towns of Tralee & Listowel with time to explore these lovely towns before we catch a 20min River Ferry to County Clare

Cliffs of Kilkee

This circular drive begins at the Diamond Rocks Café at the West End of the town of Kilkee and follows a cliff path along the outstanding coastline.

Passing the Pollock Holes, the quartz-filled Diamond Rocks and a natural stone amphitheatre formed by the waves, you arrive at Intrinsic Bay, named after a ship, the Intrinsic, which sank along with all 14 hands on board in 1836.

At this point there is a steep climb for about 200 metres; this part of the walk is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. Arriving at the top, the coastal path turns inwards to Dunlicky Road.

Bridges of Ross

The Bridges of Ross were a trio of spectacular natural sea arches – at least until two of them fell into the sea. Today, even though only one ‘bridge’ remains, the name persists in the plural.

The Bridge of Ross lies on the western side of the natural harbour that is Ross Bay, looking north to the Atlantic Ocean, near the village of Kilbaha.

It can’t be seen from the road, but it’s not difficult to find. Head due west (left) from the Bridges of Ross car park and walk for a few hundred metres along the footpath. (Be careful to keep close to the fence, as there have been recent landfalls over the water.)

The area is regarded as one of the best seawatching sites in Europe. In late summer and autumn, it becomes a birder’s paradise as thousands of rare seabirds pass close to shore on their southbound migration.

Dromoland Castle Hotel 5*

One of Ireland’s most magical address, Dromoland Castle has been welcoming guests since the 16th century. The ancestral home of the O’Briens of Dromoland, whose lineage dates back 1,000 years to Brian Boru, one of the last High Kings of Ireland, we’ve got nobility and hospitality in our DNA.

From the imposing baronial façade to our startling interiors, you’ll find a world of historic grandeur underpinned by the finest modern comforts. With lavish decor, indulgent dining, fabulous views and magnificent bedrooms, this is a place to feel at home.

Behind our warm Irish welcome is the belief that every guest is royalty. Stroll the 450-acre estate. Tee off on our world class golf course. Take afternoon tea by a roaring fire. Relax in our intimate spa. Enjoy delicious cuisine. No matter what your preference, at Dromoland Castle there’s no escaping the sense that you are walking in the shadows of kings.

The pinnacle of excellence, come in the knowledge that all your expectations will be met. A remarkable retreat with an easy elegance, it’s time to make Dromoland Castle a part of your story.

Full Irish Breakfast included

Transfer Shannon airport

Meet your Driver Guide in the lobby of your hotel to transfer to Shannon airport for your onward flight to Edinburgh with Ryanair.

INFORMATION & DOCUMENTS

Important

The dates are only for the purposes of giving options you may choose the dates & the number of days you wish to visit we will then put a revised itinerary together to suit your desired vacation

All hotels mentioned in this itinerary are subject to availability at time of booking

All hotels include Breakfast except Premier Suites in Dublin which is Bed only

Nothing in this itinerary is laid in stone and may be changed at any time even while on vacation in Ireland

Once the itinerary & Hotels are agreed we will require a 10% deposit on invoice and the Final invoice will be issued 60 Days in advance of arrival in Ireland for immediate payment

Payments may be made by Bank Transfer or by Credit/Debit Card

Credit/Debit card payments incur an additional 3.5% credit card charge

We advise all travelers to take out travel insurance locally with your own insurance company/broker