|
Due to
popular demand from our long standing
and repeat customers, an Ireland
departure was added in 2011. In the
first year, the tour has taken off a
storm and feedback received has been
excellent with a lot of good ‘craic’
along the way! The tour can
be combined with any Scotland or indeed
London tours.
|
 ESCAPE
TO THE WEST
5 Day Tour
Package prices include: Accommodation as
stated in tourist (B&B or guest house)
or middle class hotel (3 star), with
private facilities and breakfast;
Transportation by top of the range 16
seat Mercedes mini coaches; services of
a professional Irish driver/guide.
From Dublin
Day 1
The tour departs from Nassau Street
opposite the Kilkenny Shop. Guests are
requested to check in 15 minutes before
departure. Departing Dublin at 09.00,
you head west through the farmland and
peat bogs of counties Kildare and
Offally. Our first stop is the Locke’s
Distillery – reputedly the oldest legal
distillery in the world. Sample the
local whiskey and discover the true
spirit of Ireland! Further west you will
reach the mighty Shannon River and the
early Christian site of Clonmacnoise –
with its collection of churches, stone
crosses and round towers. After an
afternoon stop in a traditional pub in
the village of Shannonbridge, travel
into Galway City for your first night.
This lively student town has no shortage
of good pubs and restaurants.
Day 2
From Galway City it is only a short
drive along the coast to the Burren –
one of Ireland’s great natural
treasures. This is a land of limestone
pavements, barren hillsides, rare flora,
early Christian settlements and ancient
stone monuments. You will spend most of
the morning exploring this unique area.
You will then pass through Kilfenora the
“town of the crosses” before stopping in
the traditional village of Lisdoonvarna
for lunch. After lunch you will visit
the stunning Cliffs of Moher, which drop
almost 700 feet straight into the
crashing Atlantic waves. Here you can
walk the cliff top trails, watch the
numerous seabirds or visit the award
winning environmental exhibition. From
here you travel south through County
Clare passing the famous golf course and
beach at Lahinch to catch the ferry
across the Shannon estuary and into
County Kerry to the beautiful lakeside
town of Killarney – your base for the
next 3 nights. The pubs here are great
for food and most have live music in the
evenings – your only problem is which
one to choose!
Day 3
The tour today will explore the
wonderful Dingle Peninsula – one of the
most scenic parts of Ireland and a
heartland of Gaelic culture and
tradition. The first stop of the day is
the beach at Inch – a vast expanse of
sand facing out into the Atlantic and
very popular with surfers. From here
increasingly narrow roads lead onto the
peninsula itself through the town of
Dingle and out to Slea Head. This is an
area of ancient forts and dwellings
going back thousands of years and you
will visit some of the best examples
along the way. The views here are
impressive with the nearby Blasket
Islands rising dramatically from the sea
and the mountains of the Ring of Kerry
to the south. Weather permitting you
will be able to walk on the beaches or
along the cliff tops to fully appreciate
the fabulous scenery. This area is very
important in Gaelic literature and you
will learn more during the day. The
circuit of Slea Head leads back to
Dingle town with its brightly colored
buildings and busy harbor. You will
spend the rest of the afternoon here
before returning to Killarney. If the
weather is good you could take an
evening walk in the Killarney National
Park – just on the edge of town.
Day 4
Today you will tour one of the world’s
classic routes, the Ring of Kerry -100
miles packed full of interest. First
stop will be at the Gap of Dunloe with
views to Ireland’s highest mountain,
Carrauntoohil. From here we join the
coast road through Glenbeigh and Kells
to Cahersiveen. There will be plenty
opportunities for photos stops along the
way with great views across to the
Dingle Peninsula. Other possible stops
include the gardens at Kells Bay and the
Cahersiveen ring fort before reaching
the little fishing village of Portmagee.
Here you can sample local seafood for
lunch before crossing to the island of
Valencia for a visit to the Skellig
Experience where you can learn about the
nearby rocky islands and the small
community of monks who once lived there.
In the afternoon you will make a stop in
Waterville - a favorite holiday place fo
Charlie Chaplin and then at the top of
Coonmakista Pass for one of the best
views in the country. From here the road
drops down to sea level for a visit to
Derrynane House – family home of Daniel
O’Connell. There are walks in the
gardens and down to the beach as well as
the house itself. The tour
continues on around the Ring with stops
at Moll’s Gap and the Ladies View before
arriving back into Killarney.
Day 5
First stop today will be at the Torc
Waterfall – beautifully situated in the
forest of Killarney National Park. After
a short walk here and time for photos
you will head back east through the
mountains of West Cork to the market
town of Macroom then along the Lee
Valley to Blarney Castle. Here you will
have time to visit the castle, explore
the woodland walks and mystical Rock
Close as well as visiting the village of
Blarney itself – a good place for a bite
of lunch and a bit of shopping.
There may even be the chance to kiss the
famous Blarney Stone although in peak
season it can be very busy. In the
afternoon the tour continues on to the
Rock of Cashel with its mediaeval
monastery complex sitting high above the
town and finally Kilkenny, a bustling
city with a fine Castle and Park,
riverside walks, the National Craft
Centre and plenty pubs for one last
Guinness before hitting the road again
for the last leg of a wonderful journey
arriving back into Dublin about 19.00. |
