Irish Saints & Spirits

Céad Míle Fáilte (a hundred thousand welcomes!) Arrive into Dublin Airport, where you will be met by your private driver for your journey into Dublin City for a short panoramic tour of the main highlights. Dublin is internationally noted for its writers, Georgian architecture, witty natives and the production of Guinness!

Sample some Irish whiskey on your visit to Teeling Distillery, which gives visitors a unique and genuine experience of Irish whiskey distilling & tasting, in the heart of the Liberties of Dublin and Dublin’s Golden Triangle, an area long associated with brewing and distilling.

Have some free time at your own leisure before dinner and overnight (Dinner, B&B Basis).

Hotel Stay: The Ashling Hotel, Dublin City (or similar). (Dinner, B&B Basis).

This morning after breakfast the tour will proceed south to County Wicklow, traditionally known as the ‘Garden of Ireland’ – Here you will visit Glendalough. In a stunning glaciated valley in County Wicklow, in the sixth century, one of Ireland’s most revered saints founded a monastery, including a superb round tower, numerous medieval stone churches and some decorated crosses.

After some free time for lunch the tour will travel back towards Dublin City to visit the Guinness Storehouse, located in the heart of the St James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, which has been home to the ‘black stuff’ since 1759. Here you will learn everything you ever wanted to know about this world-famous beer, from how Guinness is made, to the ancient craft of Guinness barrel making in the cooperage and on to the creation of the world-famous brand. The highlight for many visitors is the Gravity Bar, where you can enjoy the 360-degree views across Dublin City.

The group will have the rest of the evening free to relax or to explore the city.

Hotel Stay: The Ashling Hotel, Dublin City (or similar). (B&B Basis).

Depart Dublin and travel westwards to Knock Shrine in Knock, County Mayo, an international place of prayer and pilgrimage. The story of Knock dates back to the 21st of August 1879 when fifteen people from the village witnessed an apparition of Our Lady, St Joseph, St John the Evangelist, an altar, cross and lamb. The personal pilgrimage of Pope John Paul 11 in 1979 to commemorate the centenary of the apparition and the visit of Mother Teresa of Calcutta in 1993 inspired an even greater devotion to the shrine. Have a walking tour of the grounds of Knock Shrine, a visit to Knock Museum and celebrate mass in the Knock Apparition Chapel.

Dinner this evening will be at your hotel in Castlebar, County Mayo.

Hotel Stay: The Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, County Mayo. (or similar) (Dinner, B&B Basis).

Today you will explore some of the beautiful countryside of Connemara, a wild and beautiful region of mountains, lakes, tumbling streams undulating bog, unspoiled beaches and panoramic views. It is a Gaelic- speaking region and the centre of Connemara is composed of mountain peaks, the Twelve Bens or Pins which culminate in Benbaun. Join Killary Cruises on their vessel, The Connemara Lady, to explore the unspoiled splendor of the Killary, Ireland’s only Fjord.

Experience the beauty and tranquility of the 1000-acre estate of Kylemore Abbey & Gardens, home to Ireland’s only Benedictine community of nuns since 1920- Set in a dramatic landscape, and originally built as a castle in 1867 as a romantic gift, Kylemore is steeped in history and tales of tragedy and romance, engineering initiatives, model farms, royal visits, spirituality and education.

Continue to Galway City for dinner & overnight.

Hotel Stay: The Ardilaun Hotel, Galway (or similar). (Dinner, B&B Basis).

Travel towards the midlands of Ireland & visit Clonmacnoise, an early Christian monastic site located near Shannonbridge, County Offaly. It was founded by St. Ciarán in the mid-6th century on the eastern bank of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, seven churches (10th-13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and the largest collection of Early Christian grave slabs in Western Europe. There are also exhibitions that deal with the flora, fauna and landscape of the region.

In the afternoon return to Galway City. Galway nestles at the neck of Galway Bay and is reputed to have been Columbus’ final point of departure on his epoch-making voyage of discovery. See the famous Spanish Arch, located on the left bank of the Corrib, where Galway’s river meets the sea. It refers to former merchant trade with Spain, whose galleons often docked here. Have some free time for shopping or to relax with a drink or 2 in one of the many bars in Galway City.

Hotel Stay: The Ardilaun Hotel, Galway (or similar). (B&B Basis).

After breakfast tour through the Burren, a limestone plateau in North County Clare, formed 320 million years ago under a tropical sea. The many wedge tombs and megalithic tombs prove that people have been living in the Burren for more than 5000 years.

Discover the iconic Cliffs of Moher which rise up to 214 (700 feet) at the highest point and range for 8km over the Atlantic Ocean on the Western seaboard of Co. Clare.

Continue to the town of Killarney, where a visit by Queen Victoria in 1861 gave the town international exposure. Killarney is also famous for its jaunting cars (horse drawn carts). Have some free time to relax before dinner in the hotel.

Hotel Stay: The Dromhall Hotel, Killarney, County Kerry (Or similar) (Dinner, B&B Basis).

Visit the world renowned Muckross House & Gardens, situated amidst the spectacular scenery of Killarney National Park, before exploring the Ring of Kerry.

Pass through parts of the Killarney National Park on a journey that takes you on steep and narrow roads through Ireland’s highest mountain range, the MacGillycuddy Reeks. Have a photo at the scenic point at Ladies View with magnificent panoramic views of the three Lakes of Killarney and primary mountains.

Dinner & Irish entertainment this evening at a traditional Irish Night in Killarney.

Hotel Stay: The Dromhall Hotel, Killarney, County Kerry (Or similar) (B&B Basis).

This morning after breakfast travel to Blarney village to visit Blarney Castle, most famous for its stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. In the grounds of the castle the Rock Close, and its surroundings, is a curious place of ancient trees and far more ancient stones, by legend a garden of druidic origin and a centre of worship in pre-Christian days. Have free time for shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills Store in Blarney Village.

Continue the tour to Midleton for a visit to the Jameson Experience at the Middleton Distillery, Co Cork. Visitors come face to face with original kilns and pot stills from that time and explore warehouses that have matured whiskey for more than 2 centuries. Enjoy a signature drink of Jameson at the end of the tour.

Travel further eastwards to Waterford City, one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic cities. The city was the chief port of Ireland throughout the middle ages. Dinner this evening at your hotel in Waterford.

Hotel Stay: Dooley’s Hotel, Waterford City (Or similar) (Dinner, B&B Basis).

Journey northwards to Kilkenny City. Located in the heart if Ireland’s Ancient East, the medieval city of Kilkenny is named after a 6th century monk called Saint Canice. Explore the beautifully preserved St. Canice’s Cathedral built overlooking the city in the 13th century.

After some free time for shopping or refreshments in Kilkenny, continue to the Royal Oak Distillery in County Carlow, dedicated to the production of premium handcrafted Irish whiskeys. It is unique as the only distillery in Ireland where all three forms of Irish whiskey (pot still, malt and grain) are distilled in the same still room. It is one of the largest distilleries in Ireland capable of producing 650,000 cases or 8 million bottles of whiskey a year.

Continue to Carlow town to check in for overnight.

Hotel Stay: Talbot Hotel Carlow (Or similar) (B&B Basis).

Today the group will explore parts of Carlow and Kildare. One very unmistakable monument dating back to pre-historical times is the great Brownshill Dolmen in Carlow. Its granite capstone weighing over 100 tonnes, makes it the largest of its kind in Europe.

Continue the tour to St. Brigid’s Cathedral, located in the heart of Kildare town. This is the site most associated with Ireland’s most famous female Saint, Brigid.

Visit the Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens. Nowhere better symbolizes all that is great about County Kildare, the beating heart of Ireland’s thoroughbred industry, than the stud, a unique attraction of outstanding natural beauty that is home to some of the most magnificent horses and sumptuous gardens to be found anywhere in the world. On the grounds are the world-famous Japanese Gardens, a horse museum and St. Fiachra’s Garden.

Return to Carlow for some free time to freshen up and relax before a farewell dinner.

Hotel Stay: The Talbot Hotel Carlow (or similar) (Dinner, B&B Basis).

A coach and driver will transfer the group from the hotel directly to Dublin Airport in time to check in for their departure flights.

Slán go Fóill! (Bye for now!)

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