Day 2

Where we'll go today....
Destination: Dublin

Dublin is modern, bustling and lively and like most capital cities, never really sleeps. Yet venture inside one of its traditional pubs for a daytime pint of Guinness or visit one of its charming churches steeped in history and you'll soon forget that you are still in the heart of one of Europe's fastest growing centres of commerce. Sit back and enjoy the view while we lead you through streets with a story to tell about Ireland's past, stopping off along the way at the historic sites of St Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch and Dublin Castle. Gibbony's, a bar dating back to the 1800's located in the unique village of Malahide is our suggestion for lunch.

Malahide is a prelude to our afternoon. A wonderful coastal drive to one of THE most important visits in Ireland awaits us, as we head for Bru na Boinne, and Newgrange in particular. This is a Neolithic (New Stone Age) passage grave built around 3200 BC, five hundred years before the Pyramids in Egypt. One of the amazing features of Newgrange is the Roof Box. A small opening above the doorway, it is precisely aligned so as to catch the rays of the rising sun on the morning of the winter solstice, 21st December, the shortest day of the year, which illuminates the inner chamber for about twenty minutes. Newgrange was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The modern and fresh surroundings of Bang Café or Michelin star award winner Thorntons are recommended for an evening of fine dining. Alternatively let us arrange an early meal for you followed by a glass of chilled champagne as we escort you to a production of your choice in one of Dublin's fine theatres.

Day 3

Where we'll go today....
Destination: South East & Wexford

Today we depart from Dublin heading for the Sunny South-East. A suggested departure time would be 09.30am from your hotel and dress casual and comfortable, as you should enjoy some great experiences today.

Our first stop will take us to Kilruddery House & Gardens for a private tour. The house dates back to 1618 when the Earls of Meath, The Brabazon family, then occupied it. Today it is still lived in by the Lord & Lady and Ailbhe de Buitlear will give us an extensive talk on its history. We continue to Powerscourt for a quick browse and head for the Avoca handweavers Original mill for a sandwich and maybe some tea.

Driving through the garden of Ireland you are invited to the Pembroke studio & Gallery where Bev Carbery will help you to create some of your very own pottery which is a fun and unusual thing to do. A cool glass of wine and some chat with Bev will help you on your way to your lodgings for the next 2 nights. We suggest dinner in the Hotel.

Day 4

Where we'll go today....
Destination: South East & Kilkenny

This morning we leave you to enjoy some of the features of your hotel and suggest a departure of 11 am. First on our agenda the haunting ruins of Jerpoint Abbey founded in about 1160 and said to be the largest Cistercian monastic ruin in Ireland. Among its many interesting items are the superb cloisters, now restored, some very early effigies and a beautiful delicate, east rose window.

Our second visit of the day is to the charming city of Kilkenny. A quick and light bite in Langtons Pub and ready to discover one of the oldest and most interesting towns of Ireland. With the two centres of ecclesiastical and civic power, St Canice's Cathedral the second largest medieval cathedral in Ireland c. 1202 and the castle dating from 1192, linked by the main street. The rich assemblages of historic buildings, which range from early and late medieval to the 18th and 19th century, give it character different from many other Irish towns. It also provides you with some great shops.

Return to your hotel for your second night. For a less formal dinner you could use Zunni or the Wine Vault.

Day 5

Where we'll go today....
Destination: Waterford, Cobh & Kenmare

A 10.00 AM departure is on the cards today as we have a substantial jaunt. Our first visit is Waterford Crystal. You will enjoy a tour of the world famous factory and see some of Ireland's finest glassblowers & cutters at work. Continuing to Kenmare you will follow the coastal route passing through quaint villages and towns such as Dungarven & Youghal, where you will enjoy a delicious seafood lunch in Ahernes and be told about how Youghal was used for the filming of "Moby Dick" and it's rich historical significance.

After lunch we continue to Cobh. In this town you will experience what many Irish immigrants felt when they boarded the ships to America never to return home. One such voyage was of the famous Titanic. It is rather chilling to imagine the people boarding this majestic ship not knowing what lay ahead. Another worthwhile stop is St-Colmens Cathedral. You could also enjoy a visit to the Midleton Whiskey distillery though personally I find it too touristy. The final stretch to Kenmare is still substantial so without further delay we head for Kerry. I would suggest dinner in your hotel this evening, as the food here is wonderful.

Day 6

Where we'll go today....
Destination: Ring Of Beara

Today you will enjoy a real treat. Whilst all of your guidebooks tell you to see the Ring of Kerry, I did say the trip is based on personal experience and this experience tells you to go for the Ring of Beara.

Dotted with sparsely populated fishing villages surrounded by bleak moorland, this peninsula is remote. It used to be a refuge for smugglers, with the Irish getting the better deal in their exchange of pilchards for contraband French brandy.

The peninsula offers some spectacular scenery and wonderful walking country. From the Healy Pass, which cuts a jagged path across the spine of the Caha Mountains, there are some fine views of Bantry Bay and the rugged landscape of West Cork. To the west of the pass is Hungry Hill, the highest mountain in the Caha range and popular with hill walkers.

Encircled by the Caha and Slieve Miskish Mountains is Castltownbere, the main town on the peninsula, awash with foreign fishing trawlers.

From the tip of the peninsula a cable car travels across to Dursey Island, with it's ruined castle and colonies of sea birds. Licensed to carry three passengers and one cow, the cable car swings across the strait, offering views of Bull, Cow and Calf Islands.

From the headland the road back to Kenmare passes through the pretty villages of Eyries, noted for its brightly painted cottages and crafts, and Ardgroom, a centre for mussel farming and a base for exploring the scenic glacial valley around Glenbeg Lough.

Another dimension to the peninsula is that it is graced with some great art galleries. Upon return to Kenmare we will have booked you into the Limetree Restaurant for Dinner. A casual restaurant trading out of a charming old School house.

Day 7

Where we'll go today....
Destination: The Burren & Galway

I think it will be fair to say, that you will experience a hint of sadness upon departing Kenmare. Heading in a North-westerly direction, you will find the first hour of your journey un-interesting. Our first stop will be for morning coffee in Glin Castle. A wonderful place and home to the occupying Knight of Glin. Log fires etc. will make it difficult for your driver to usher you back into your vehicle. We board a little ferry and cross the Shannon (longest river in Ireland) to the contrasting landscape of Clare & the Burren.

The word Burren derives from the Irish Boireann, which means "rocky land". An apt name for this austere limestone landscape, described in the 1640's by Cromwell's surveyors as, "a savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury". Despite the lack of trees, the Burren is a unique botanical environment where Mediterranean and Alpine plants rare to Ireland grow side by side. Whilst exploring the Burren, you can visit the famous Poulnabrone Dolmen, a striking portal tomb dating back to 2500-2000 BC. In the Southern part of the Burren the limestone gives way to the black shale and sandstone that form the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. A good Lunch stop in this area is the Black Oak.

Continuing onwards you will head uninterrupted to Galway and your next overnight. Again after the long journey you might appreciate the comfort of having dinner in you hotel.

Day 8

Where we'll go today....
Destination: Connemara

Today is the day we will explore some of the more spectacular scenery ever. The Connemara region is a one Ireland's wildest region encompassing bogs, mountains and rugged coastlines. Kylemore Abbey, on the shores of Kylemore Lough, is sheltered by the twelve pins mountain range and was built by Mitchell Henry as a present for his wife. It was later sold to the Benedictine nuns who were fleeing from Ypres in Belgium during the First World War.

From the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll know you're in Connemara by the light that constantly changes.This natural terrain and unspoilt environment offers the visitor a wonderland of sights, experiences, adventure and activities. The people are warm, friendly and extend hospitality, which is the essence of Ireland.

The beautiful spring flowers, buds on the trees, newborn lambs dancing on the hills and the call of the cuckoo all make Spring time a very special and magical time in Connemara. This is an ideal time to take a break as the countryside is totally renewed. On mellow autumn days, one can enjoy the Connemara countryside, now clothed in different colours with each passing day.

"Connemara is a savage beauty", Oscar Wilde.

Day 9

Where we'll go today....
Destination: Departure

Today is D-Day. Flying ex Shannon, you should allow a 2˝ hour journey to the airport form Ashford and 1˝ form St-Clerans. You bid farewell to your driver & newfound friend and continue home or further afield in Europe.