Intimate Ireland

Day 1

USA-Dublin. Depart USA for overnight flight to Ireland.  Dinner is served shortly after take-off.

Day 2

Dublin.  Morning arrival at Dublin Airport where after clearing customs, you transfer on own via taxi to your Dublin City Centered Hotel.  We then check into the Five Star WestburyHotel a Leading Hotel of The Worldlocated in the very heart of Dublin City.  Within walking distance to many shops, restaurants pubs and theatre. The rest of the day is free to browse this 1000 year old city on your own.Overnight Dublin at theWestbury Hotel.

Day 3

Dublin-Kilkenny-Cork. After a leisurely breakfast we meet our Driver Guide in the lobby of the hotel.  We depart Dublin and travel south.  Next it is on to Medieval Kilkenny, an ancient Medieval Town once home to many microbreweries including the still standing Smithwick's Brewery.  We then enjoy a panoramic tour of Cork City, home to several magnificent churches including St. Ann’s and St. Finbar’s cathedral.   Cork City is the second largest city in Ireland and takes it name from the Irish word Corcaigh meaning “marshy place”.  The ancestral home of America’s automobile pioneer, Henry Ford is located here.  Dinner and overnight Hayfield Manor Cork(Five Star Leading Small Hotel of the World).

Day 4

Cork-Kinsale-Clonakilty-Skibbereeen-Bantry-Glengarriff-Kenmare-Killarney.  After breakfast we depart Cork.  Our vehicle allows us access to many of the small town hidden treasures of West Cork. We will make stops along the way to Clonakilty, Skibbereen and Bantry.  It is then on to Kenmare. Known as Ceann Mara (Head of The Sea) by the ancients.   Our journey makes its way to Killarney, Ireland’s most popular southern town for overnight.   Dinner and overnight Killarney Royal Hotel (Four Stars)

Day 5

Dingle.  After breakfast we depart Killarney for the Dingle Peninsula. The journey begins with some of the most magnificent scenery in all of Ireland.  The little town of Dingle is straight out of a story book.  The fishing boats in the harbor and tiny brightly painted pubs portray a time that has continued to stand still. The population of 1500 people and only 52 pubs are ready to welcome you this afternoon. Worth the wait is the native seafood chowder served up at lunch time with freshly baked brown bread.  We continue on to Slea Head.  Along the way, we will see bee hive style huts, originally inhabited by 12th century monks, which overlook the rugged Blasket Islands.  The awe inspiring beauty of this particular area is unmatched.  There is no other landscape in Western Europe as beautiful.  Overnight at The Killarney Royal Hotel

Day 6

Killarney-Cashel-Lough Rynn Castle.  After breakfast we depart Killarney where many new friends have been made.  We travel north stopping at Cashel.  We visit the impressive Rock of Cashel. The Rock of Cashel, with its well preserved ecclesiastical remains, is one of Ireland's most spectacular landmarks, rising above the surrounding plain and dominating the land route southward. The large Cathedral, ancient round tower and the very early Romanesque Cormac's Chapel , perched on a dramatic outcrop of rock, were silent witnesses to many of the stirring events of Irish History; St. Patrick converted the local King Aenghus, here in the 5th century; Brian Boru was crowned King of Ireland on this spot in the early 11th Century.We continue north through the Irish Midlands and Athlone to Co. Leitrim and Lough Rynn Castle one of the most luxurious Castle Hotels Ireland, the ancestral home of the Clements family and the legendary Lord Leitrim. The entire estate comprises over 300 acres of an Ireland that is idyllic, rich in history and charmed with natural beauty. This secluded Castle is majestically set on the shore of Lough Rynn, boasting breathtaking scenery, lush green pastures, ancient forests and historical points of interest. Seamlessly blending Old-World elegance with contemporary luxuries, Lough Rynn Castle delivers impeccable, unobtrusive service that is never compromised.  Dinner and overnight Lough Rynn Castle.

Day 7

Lough Rynn-Mullingar-Dublin.  After a leisurely breakfast fit for a King we depart Lough Rynn and make our way via Mullingar.  Mullingar was a borough by 1210 and a parish by 1205.  In 1227 an Augustinian Friary was established in Mullingar and a Dominican Friary was founded in 1237. There was also a building called the Frank House which belonged to the Knights Hospitalliers Order. You might enjoy an optional stop at Belvedere House.  Throughout the gardens there are acres of beautifully kept greenery, lakeshores and woodlands. The house is an 18th century hunting/fishing lodge. There are tours available to show you all around the house while telling you its history.  It is onto Dublin.  Overnight Westbury Hotel.

Day 8

Dublin-Dublin Airport.  This morning we make our way to Dublin Airport for our flight onwards. In the true Irish tradition we wish you a “Safe Home”