| Tuesday: Arrival in Dublin, Ireland
Welcome to Ireland! You arrive in Dublin and check in to your first night's accommodation*.
If you have time, check out some of the excellent tours of the city and sample some of Dublin's unique bars and restaurants. Then off to bed with you for a good night's sleep, for tomorrow begins what we hope will be one of your best experiences yielding a lifetime of happy memories!
* We will contact you prior to your departure date with your Dublin hotel details.
Wednesday: Day 1 - Dublin to Dunmore East
Meet your guide and the rest of your trip participants and begin your wonderful and exciting travels in Ireland. Leaving Dublin and heading south, we drive through the enchanting "Wicklow Mountains." For years, early rebels evaded British troops and monks founded places of learning and worship over a thousand years ago. See hidden lakes, mountainous peat bogs and beautiful, charming towns along the way.
After a mid-day break for lunch, we head further south through Counties Carlow and Kilkenny with a chance to see an ancient stone dolmen (~6000 years old) and stone crosses from the 7th Century! Onwards to our final stop for the night in the lovely fishing town of Dunmore East, along the coast of County Waterford. The night is yours to relax, eat, drink, and be merry!
Thursday: Day 2 - Dunmore East to Clonakilty
Great views as we drive the scenic southern coast till we stop to see one of Ireland's finest old Round Towers, built over a thousand years ago by pious monks during frequent Viking raids. We move onto the culinary coastal town of Kinsale, known for its many restaurants and excellent food. Here we stop for lunch and later explore the nearby "Charles Fort" to see its impressive 17th Century ramparts and bastions.
Continuing on, we head to our final stop for the night, the colorful town of Clonakilty. Known for its popular "black pudding," it is more famously linked to Michael Collins who was instrumental in Ireland's uprising and subsequent independence from Britain. Enjoy the lively bars and the pretty streets and perhaps sing along to a song or two.
Friday: Day 3 - Clonakilty to Dingle
A magnificent day as we drive through some of the most visually stunning parts of Ireland. In the morning, we set out to see an ancient stone circle. Continuing on northwards we take in views of Bantry Bay, and the unusually tropical town of Glengarriff. We then follow an amazing route to County Kerry over the rugged Healy Mountains, and down to Kenmare, a lovely town filled with colorful buildings and plenty of good places to eat.
After lunch, the route takes us to the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, the largest mountains in Ireland, and home to the spectacular Killarney National Park. A photographer's dream...you may well wish for an extra pair of eyes! The views keep coming along coastal roads and sandy beaches flanked by green hills as we make our way to the Dingle peninsula and tonight's stop in Dingle town. This magical and festive town is full of quaint shops, lively bars, and great traditional music. It also features a host of good restaurants, and you'll have fun discovering bars that double as cobblers or hardware stores. We stay here for a second night so cozy in and relax.
Saturday: Day 4 - Dingle
Your free day! There are many fun and interesting things do in and around the town such as biking, golfing, shopping, fishing, horseback riding, and hill walking. Take a walk to see Dingle's wild mascot, "Fungi the Dolphin" who is almost always to be found in the mouth of the harbor making new friends and showing off.
Alternatively you could simply find a nice bar or coffee shop to while away the hours and strike up a conversation with some of the interesting and friendly characters to be found in Dingle. Enjoy another great night in this enchanting and fun town!
Sunday: Day 5 - Dingle to Aran Islands (Inis Meain)
We depart Dingle and head north toward Ireland's largest river, the Shannon. After a fun ferry ride across the river to County Clare, we head on to one Europe's most spectacular sights, the "Cliffs of Moher." Looming over 700 feet above the smashing force of the Atlantic Ocean, these awe inspiring cliffs are simply not to be missed!
We then take another ferry to our stop for the night on the small island of "Inis Meain," the middle of a group of three known as the Aran Islands. The most untouched of the group by modern tourism, its people go about their day with a determination needed to thrive in the harsh Atlantic conditions. These people speak primarily Gaelic and you can pick up some Gaelic phrases during your stay.
The island's beautiful scenery and solitude have attracted some of Ireland's finest writers whose works have immortalized its way of life. With its maze of high stone walls stretching all over the island, and the amazing Den Conchuir (an ancient oval stone fort, dating to pre-Christian times), this is a truly memorable experience!
Monday: Day 6 -- Inis Meain to Westport
We catch the early ferry to Rossaveel in County Galway and make our way to the banks of Lough Corrib to visit "Aughnanure Castle," the fantastic 16th Century stronghold of the O'Flaherty's. Moving west, we drive through "Connemara National Park," an area of outstanding natural beauty. We then head to County Mayo and Ireland's only fjord, "Killary Harbor." This dark and tranquil inlet was the setting for some famous movies over the years, mainly based at the end of the fjord in the small town of Leenaun.
Continuing on we come to Clew Bay at the base of "Croagh Patrick," the mountain where Saint Patrick is said to have cast all the snakes out of Ireland! Our overnight town is charming Westport. You have the option of hiking up Croagh Patrick for astonishing views or kick back and relax in Westport. Either way, your evening can be filled with great shopping, pubs, restaurants, and traditional music.
Tuesday: Day 7 - Westport to Dublin
We head east across the midlands to County Westmeath and visit one of Ireland's best kept secrets...the Loughcrew Cairns--a range of ancient tombs rarely visited by foreigners. These are some of the oldest structures on the face of the Earth and have fascinating carvings showing alignments to the sun! These ancient passage tombs were spiritual centers for the ancient Irish and are older than the Egyptian pyramids.
Our route then takes us through the gentle rolling hills of the Boyne Valley. This area is rich with folklore and history and was the setting for the most decisive battle in Ireland, the "Battle of the Boyne" in 1690, which set forth a series of events that eventually led to the conflict in the north of Ireland.
Onto the ancient home of Irish high kings...the Hill of Tara. In ancient Ireland, all roads led to Tara. Alas we head back to Dublin and your last night in the Emerald Isle. Enjoy a meal in one the many fine restaurants, walk the busy streets and savor your final hours and enjoy a lifetime of memories. Slan Beo!! (Gaelic for "Goodbye, live life!")
** While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion, it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The information in the itinerary has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However, it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and Inroads Ireland, LLC. |
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