Five-Star Deluxe Ireland Tour

Ireland is country known for its stunning landscapes, vibrant colourful villages, ancient Celtic relics, lush green valleys and abandoned castles. As an ocean 'outpost' at the western edge of Europe, Ireland has a natural character quite different to the Continental landmass. Its geology is remarkably varied, with rocks that range back over 2,500 million years. Once, long ago, Ireland was covered by ice, and the track of the glaciers can be read in the dramatic shapes of the mountains and the little drumlins hills of the countryside.

DAY 1 ARRIVE DUBLIN
Cead Mile Faile ( a hundred thousand welcomes! )
Arrive into Dublin Airport where you will be met by a private driver & transferred to your city centre hotel.

Dublin is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Over a thousand years old, the turbulent history and rich traditions of the city have inspired writers, artists and musicians down the ages. Today, artists are still attracted by Dublin’s youthful enthusiasms and easy-going lifestyle and the city has become a thriving center of culture and enjoyment. The new wave of cafes and restaurants are meeting places for all ages while traditional Dublin pubs are rightly world-famous for their informal atmosphere and lively conversation.

The city oozes atmosphere, not least in the heady scents that cling to it – the rich aroma of the hops being roasted in the Guinness brewery and the salty tang of the sea.

Nighttime entertainment is a rich mix of world-class theater, concerts from classical to rock, jazz clubs, traditional music sessions and old-style cabaret. Above all, Dublin is a small city, where visitors can feel at home after even the shortest stay.

Check into your accommodation at The Westbury Hotel. With an unrivalled location just off Grafton Street, The Westbury Hotel is a true landmark of luxury in the very heart of the city. Recently refurbished to the highest standards, the hotel features 205 of the cities most luxurious bedrooms and showcases some of the most opulent surroundings in the city including the contemporary marble bar, the uber-luxurious gallery and Wilde - The Restaurant, a market leading new dining experience.

DAY 2 DUBLIN CITY
This morning after a hearty Irish breakfast, your driver will bring you on a tour of Dublin City. On the tour you will experience all the wonderful sights and landmarks of this ancient city. The tour includes some of Dublin’s most renowned sites, such as St Patrick’s Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, and the Guinness Storehouse.

You may like to visit Trinity College, where the famous “Book of Kells” is on display. On the city tour you will also see the Georgian Squares, O’Connell Street, the Greens and the Phoenix Park, which is the largest urban parkland area in Europe. The president of Ireland resides here. You may also visit the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street. Return to the Westbury for overnight.

DAY 3 DUBLIN-CORK CITY
Depart Ireland’s capital city traveling South towards Waterford via the Wicklow Mountains.

Wicklow is known as “The Garden of Ireland”, not because of its domesticity but because of the huge variety of landscapes it contains. Expanses of bog cover the higher slopes of the mountains in ever-changing hues. In the valleys ruined castles provide shelter for the hardy local breed of sheep and the tea-coloured rivers are teeming with trout. The flinty character of Wicklow granite must have inspired the hermit St. Kevin to situate his sixth-century monastery in remote and lovely Glendalough. The round tower, built as a refuge from the Vikings who looted Glendalough at intervals from the ninth century onwards, looks as if it has grown out of the very earth itself. Close to the round tower is St. Kevin’s Church with a 12th century bell tower projecting from its roof. The bell tower is oddly shaped and resembles a chimneystack, thus the colloquialism of St. Kevin’s Kitchen. St. Kevin’s Kitchen and Cross are highlights of this monastery. Visit the Heritage Center and watch the audio visual which helps explain monastic life. Drive through Roundwood which is the highest village in Ireland.

Continue on the coastal road via Wexford to Waterford - Waterford City itself is a fine example of a walled city. The walled city withstood siege on several occasions in the past but fell to the Normans in 1170 AD. It prospered under the Normans and emerged as the second city of Ireland after Dublin. The city was the chief port of Ireland throughout the middle ages. Here you can visit Waterford Crystal factory – where the world renowned crystal is made by a skilled team of workers. Visitors are guided through the production area, where they can see the birth of crystal from a white-hot furnace and then witness its transformation by dedicated blowers, cutters and engravers into beautiful sparkling crystal. On their return from the tour, visitors are shown around the Crystal Gallery, which houses one of the world’s finest displays of crystal

Your final destination today is Cork City. Cork City is Ireland’s third city after Dublin and Belfast and has always been an important seaport. It is built on reclaimed marshland and is still dominated by water - The River Lee divides the city in two. The word Cork comes from the Irish name "Corcach" which means "marsh". The city's origins lie early in the seventh century when St. Finbarr, founder and patron saint, founded a small monastic community close to where Gilabbey Street now stands, and it grew into an extensive and wealthy establishment. It attracted the attention of the Viking sea-pirates who raided and burned the infant city, but returned in later years to settle and trade. The Anglo-Norman invasion in 1172 resulted in both the Danish lords and local MacCarthy chiefs having to submit to Henry II, but Cork has always had a reputation for independence and stubborn resistance - it came to be known as "Rebel Cork".
Although a busy industrial city, it is also an important shopping centre. The principal streets are lined with fashion houses and department stores stocking quality Irish goods. Cork was the European City of Culture for 2005.The many sites of Cork include Cork City Gaol, City Library, St. Finbarr's Cathedral, Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Triskel Art Centre, English Market, Museum & Fitzgerald Park, Cork Opera House, Custom House, Elizabeth Fort, The Courthouse, and City Hall.

Overnight at Hayfield Manor or similar in Cork City. Hayfield Manor is a unique Irish experience with staff dedicated to providing you with individual & memorable service. The spacious rooms have been individually designed in classical style and elegant marble bathrooms. As a resident, you have exclusive access to The Beautique Spa. They offer two award-winning & distinctive restaurants.

DAY 4 COBH & BLARNEY
This morning, you may wish to visit the poignant visitor centre in nearby Cobh – Cobh's past glories and history will be remembered in a splendid presentation which will recall the town’s part in the world events from the American War of Independence to the great liner traffic of the twentieth century. The sorry plight of convicts bound for Australia will be recalled as will the sad story of the famine emigrants leaving their stricken homes forever. Later emigrants departed from Cobh's quays on board vessels of the great shipping lines, such as Cunard and White Star.The liners had their glamorous and romantic side, but have left two enduring memories at Cobh of the great disasters of the "Titanic " and "Lusitania". The "Titanic" sailed from Cobh, never to touch land again. The sinking of the "Lusitania" in 1915 is still remembered in the town which gave its survivors refuge and a burial place for many of its victims at Old Church Cemetery. The Heritage Centre will tell these stories in a way that is fitting and sympathetic of the endeavour and trauma of the people who were involved.

In the afternoon you can also visit nearby Blarney. Blarney is of course famous for its castle and the Blarney Stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The word 'Blarney' means pleasant talk, intended to deceive without offending. The battlements crowning the castle keep are typically Irish in form. Having climbed more than 100 steps, the famous Stone is set in the wall below the parapet, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards from the parapet walk of the battlements. You can also visit the Blarney Woolen mills for some fine quality Irish produce.

Return to Hayfield Manor for overnight.

Old Head, Kinsale

DAY 5 CORK – KILLARNEY Travel south today where you first stop is the picturesque village of Kinsale. Every visitor to Kinsale is captivated by its beautiful setting, with the long waterfront, narrow winding streets and Compass Hill rising sharply behind the town. The old fortifications of Charles Fort and James Fort guard the narrow entrance to Kinsale from the sea.

Not surprisingly the town is renowned for its fresh seafood and gourmet cooking, as well as the numerous ‘cozy’ pubs where we will have time for an ‘Irish Coffee’ Proceed to Kinsale driving along country roads through gentle rolling farmland alongside the estuary of the River Bandon. Kinsale’s fame was established years ago as a quaint seaside town with a delicious restaurants and carefully preserved 18th century buildings. With the broad harbour and rich maritime past, Kinsale is a perfect town in which to stroll around during the stop on your tour. There are several small gift and souvenir shops in Kinsale where you can browse for that special momento of Ireland. Or, quaint side streets, colourfully painted houses and the unique Irish pubs are yours to capture on film as you wander around this picturesque and historic setting. The town has poignant memories of the sinking of the liner ‘Lusitania’ in 1915, off the Old Head of Kinsale, and it was in the courthouse the inquest into the incident took place.

Spend the rest of the day touring the lovely coastal villages of – Clonakilty, Skibbereen and Baltimore and onto Bantry Bay.

You can visit Bantry House, home to the Shellswell-White family. Marvel at artifacts collected from worldwide travels and perhaps climb the 100 steps to the bell tower. Take a relaxing stroll through the gardens or just simply enjoy the view.

Continue via the Heritage town of Kenmare to Killarney where you will overnight for the next 2 nights.

Check into the Hotel Europe or similar. Situated adjacent to Killarney's three golf courses, the Hotel Europe is a veritable haven for the golfer. Added to its lakeshore setting, proximity to Killarney Town and surrounding mountainous landscape, the Hotel Europe, with its luxurious decor and friendly atmosphere, is one of the finest places to stay when visiting Killarney.

DAY 6 RING OF KERRY The Ring of Kerry Tour takes you through spectacular coastal and mountainous scenery along the base of the highest mountain range in Ireland, The MacGillycuddy Reeks, and the highest peak being Carrantuohill rising 3,414 feet. The journey takes you through villages and towns depicting typical rural life in Ireland. As you descend into Killarney, fabulous views of the three Lakes of Killarney are afforded from 'Ladies View', named after Queen Victoria's visit at the beginning century. Continue to Killarney's National Park and the Muckross House Estate for a visit.

Muckross House, is a 19th century manor house, majestically situated on the shores of Muckross Lake. Now a major visitor centre, the House has two main themes, the environment of the National Park and the folklore of County Kerry in the 19th and 20th centuries. The gardens informal in size, are noted for their fine collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, which bloom in May/July, extensive water gardens and an outstanding rock garden of natural limestone.

Return to Killarney for an evening at leisure in the town and overnight at the Hotel Europe.

DAY 7 KILLARNEY- ADARE
Depart Killarney and travel north to the village of Adare. Snuggled in a wooden and lush countryside setting, Adare is widely regarded as being Ireland’s prettiest and most picturesque village. Situated on the river Maigue, a tributary of the Shannon river, Adare dates back, at least, to the early 13th century. During its long history, Adare, as a strategic location, has been the subject of many conquests, wars and rebellions.

The old town of Adare, which stood on the northern bank of the river Maigue, near the Desmond castle, was destroyed during the 16th century wars. Almost all of the present village was built in the 19th century. The early developments were very haphazard but from about 1820, streets and buildings were laid out according to the, then, Earl of Dunraven’s design. He built houses and rented them, under various agreements, to his tenants, working on his estate lands.

Today, Adare village has a rich wealth of heritage, as well as architectural and scenic beauty. Two groups of, world famous, ornate, thatched cottages line part off the village’s broad main street, punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries and ruins.

Check into Adare Manor for your last night on the Emerald Isle. Located 20 miles from Shannon Airport. Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort, provides a historical backdrop for a romantic getaway, a golfing break or group event. Elegant, rooms boast complimentary internet access. Their internationally acclaimed head chef prepares haute cuisine laced with Irish charm. As home of the Irish Open, play a course that challenges some of the finest golfers in the world. Other pursuits include indoor heated pool, fitness room, treatment rooms, fishing, archery & falconry.

DAY 8 DEPART SHANNON
After a leisurely breakfast, a driver will transfer you to Shannon Airport for your flight back to the United States

Slan Abhaile! (Safe Home!)

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