IRELAND

Day 1 | Wednesday 27 May
Arrive Dublin
Our tour begins this evening at our hotel in Dublin, where we meet for an introductory talk and drinks, followed by our welcome dinner. Overnight Dublin (D)

Day 2 | Thursday 28 May
Historic Dublin
Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, is our first destination this morning. Here, in the historic Old Library, we see the display devoted to the Book of Kells. Believed to have been created around 800 CE, this magnificent, illuminated manuscript is open at just a few pages per day to protect the extraordinary and vibrant work within. From here we make our way to the National Museum, a treasure trove tracing the rich archaeology of Ireland back centuries, providing an historical context for our travels in the days to come. After a break for lunch we continue to Dublin Castle, a Georgian palace which was the bastion of English power in the city, built on the remains of a medieval fortress which was itself built on what was once a Viking settlement. Our day concludes with a tour and a pint at the Guinness Experience, an introduction to what is arguably Ireland’s most famous export. Overnight Dublin (B)

Day 3 | Friday 29 May
Prehistoric Ireland
This morning we make our way north to the Boyne Valley and to Brú na Bóinne, a complex of monuments built along a bend on the River Boyne which includes the World Heritage site at Newgrange. Thought to be an ancient temple, the structure at Newgrange was built during the Neolithic period around 5,200 years ago, making it older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids at Giza. Its sophisticated construction allows sunlight to penetrate the inner chamber only during the Winter Solstice, on the shortest days of the year. We have a break for lunch near the Hill of Tara before visiting the archaeological site, the remnants of an ancient ring fort believed to be the inauguration site of the ancient Kings of Ireland. This evening, schedules permitting, we’ll enjoy a performance at Dublin’s renowned Gaiety Theatre. Overnight Dublin (B)

Day 4 | Saturday 30 May
The Wicklow Hills
Departing Dublin this morning we make our way to Kilkenny, stopping first at beautiful Powerscourt Estate, set amongst 47 acres of magnificent, landscaped gardens. The original mansion on the site, dating back to the 13th century, was razed by fire in 1974 but its owners, the wealthy Slazenger family, completely rebuilt the house and now run it as a luxury hotel. In the early afternoon we continue to Glendalough, lying in a verdant valley between two lakes in the beautiful Wicklow Hills. Here we’ll explore the remnants of the monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin, a renowned teacher and ascetic holy man, canonized by Pope Pius X in 1903. The settlement thrived as one of Ireland’s great ecclesiastical foundations and schools of learning before being destroyed by the Normans in 1214 CE. Arriving in Kilkenny, we check into our hotel and meet this evening for dinner. Overnight Kilkenny (B, D)

Day 5 | Sunday 31 May
Kilkenny
This morning we cross the nearby River Nore and head to Kilkenny Castle. The Earl of Pembroke built the first structure on the site in the 13th century, and the imposing castle became a symbol of Norman occupation, dominating the city. We explore the castle and stroll the surrounding gardens before heading into the historic centre of Kilkenny with free time to explore. Rejoining our coach, we then drive to Kells Priory – the extensive remains of a 13th-century Augustinian monastic centre. It is known locally as “Seven Castles” for the unusual series of medieval tower houses built along its defensive walls. We will also visit the nearby site at Kilree with its imposing 26 metre tall Round Tower, a lookout and sanctuary dating to the 11th century. Returning to Kilkenny, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Kilkenny (B)

Day 6 | Monday 1 June
Cashel & Cahir
Departing Kilkenny today, we head west to Limerick, stopping first at the Rock of Cashel, a spectacular site dramatically positioned on a limestone outcrop above the Golden Vale, a region renowned for its fertile grasslands. This rich site, once the seat of the ancient Kings of Munster, covers the centuries with its round tower, high cross, Romanesque chapel, Gothic cathedral, Hall of the Vicars Choral and a 15th-century Tower House. After a break for lunch in nearby Cahir we visit the Swiss Cottage, a whimsical imagining of the ideal country “cottage” designed for Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Glengall in the early 1800s, reputedly by renowned architect John Nash. From here we walk along the River Suir to an earlier Butler family residence, Cahir Castle, a 13th-century defensive stronghold built on a rocky island in the river. Rejoining our coach, we continue to Limerick and check into our hotel, meeting for dinner this evening. Overnight Limerick (B, D)

Day 7 | Tuesday 2 June
Adare
Our morning in Limerick begins with a walk to King John’s Castle, built on an island in the River Shannon. The site’s turbulent history dates back to the age of the Vikings, when it provided a base for raiding parties, becoming a trading port before King John chose it as the ideal location for his castle in the 1200s. Joining our coach after the visit, we then make our way to Adare, considered one of the prettiest villages in Ireland. Founded on the River Maigue in the 13th century, much of the settlement was destroyed in subsequent skirmishes and today it is largely a 19th-century reimagining of a typical Irish village, built for the Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl. We have lunch at the Earl’s former seat, the beautiful Adare Manor, then have the afternoon to explore the village, nearby Desmond Castle and surrounds. On return to our hotel, the evening is at leisure. Overnight Limerick (B, L)

Day 8 | Wednesday 3 June
The Burren & Cliffs of Moher
Departing Limerick this morning we head to the west coast and the area known as the Burren and Cliffs of Moher geopark, a unique and spectacular landscape internationally recognised by UNESCO for its geological importance. Named after the Irish word Boirinn, meaning rocky district, the area extends over 500 square kilometres. Here, we visit the dramatic Cliffs, extending 14km along the coast and rising to points as high as 200m above the Atlantic Ocean. Continuing to the coastal village of Doolin, we see more of the rugged karst landscape and explore several of the neolithic sites in the area before retiring to a local pub for a break for lunch. Recent archaeological evidence dates human habitation in the Burren back over 6,000 years and we’ll visit further sites here this afternoon before continuing to our hotel at Glenlo Abbey, a few kilometres out of Galway. There is time to relax before we meet for dinner tonight in our hotel. Overnight Galway (B, D)

Day 9 | Thursday 4 June
Lough Corrib & Galway
This morning we drive around beautiful Lough Corrib, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Ireland whose 300 plus islands support a rich natural environment and house the remains of several early monastic settlements. Stopping in the picturesque village of Cong, we explore the village centre before strolling upriver to Ashford Castle, a medieval castle extensively renovated by the Guinness family in the 19th century but sold to become a luxury hotel in the late 1930s. We enjoy lunch at the Castle before rejoining our coach and continuing our drive around the lake to Galway. Here we’ll have a tour of the historic centre of town including Lynch’s Castle, the Cathedral, St Nicholas’ Church and the Spanish Quarter with free time to explore at leisure afterwards. You may choose to stay in town or return to our hotel for dinner this evening. Overnight Galway (B, L)

Day 10 | Friday 5 June
The Aran Islands
An early start to the day sees us make our way to Rossaveal Airport to join the short flight to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. Here we’ll spend the day enjoying the natural beauty of the area and visiting the ancient sites for which the island is renowned. At the western tip of the island we visit Dún Aonghasa, an Iron Age ring fort perched on the edge of the precipitous Atlantic cliffs, offering spectacular views over, and an 87m drop into, the ocean below. We also visit the lesser known Dún Dúchathair, the Black Fort on the southeast coast, and the lovely site of the 12th-century church of St Ciaran, whose decorated boundary cross may have been used as a sundial, though today islanders apparently draw a handkerchief through the central hole in the cross for good luck. We have free time for a late lunch in the lovely seaside town of Kilronon before joining our flight back to the mainland, with the evening at leisure. Overnight Galway (B)

Day 11 | Saturday 6 June
Omey Island & Ballynahinch Castle
Today we drive to the western edge of the lovely district of Connemara where for the adventurous, and tide permitting, there is the opportunity to walk across to uninhabited Omey Island. Accessible via a causeway, open for a just a few hours a day, the archaeological evidence on the island dates habitation back to the Bronze Age and we can also see the remains of the monastic settlement established here by St Feichin in the early 7th century. After our visit we continue to Ballynahinch Castle, a gracious hotel estate set amongst 200 hectares of private woodland and against the stunning backdrop of the Twelve Bens mountain range. Following lunch here, we enjoy a guided tour through its grounds, before returning to our hotel. Overnight Galway (B, L)

Day 12 | Sunday 7 June
Kylemore Abbey
After a leisurely start to the day we depart Glenlo Abbey and make our way to Sligo, driving through the beautiful Connemara countryside to Kylemore Abbey. Built in the 1860s for a wealthy English financier and politician, stunning Kylemore Castle, as it was known, boasted numerous reception rooms and 33 bedrooms set in a spectacular lakeside setting. Sold in the early 20th century to the Duke of Manchester then sold again to pay gambling debts, the Castle became the home of a Benedictine community who continue to maintain the property in trust for the Irish nation today. We visit the abbey and gardens before continuing onto Sligo, taking the scenic route via Killary Harbour, a glacial fjord offering dramatic views of the surrounding mountains. Arriving in Sligo there is time to relax before we meet for dinner this evening. Overnight Sligo (B, D)

Day 13 | Monday 8 June
Carrowkeel & Carrowmore
Joining our coach this morning, we make our way into the Bricklieve Mountains where the high summits and ledges of the hills are dotted with a series of megalithic passage tombs over 4,000 years old. Here our walk takes us to the remarkable Carrowkeel passage tomb complex, first excavated in 1911, where the cairns served as both the final resting place for people from the neolithic community and as territorial markers. We return to Sligo for time for lunch before continuing to the megalithic cemetery at Carrowmore, visiting Queen Maeve’s cairn. Situated near the top of Mount Knocknarea this massive, unexcavated passage tomb dominates the surrounding landscape. We cap the day with a walking tour of the picturesque historic centre of Sligo, including the beautiful ruins of Sligo Abbey. Evening at leisure. Overnight Sligo (B)

Day 14 | Tuesday 9 June
Enniskillen & the North
We leave Sligo today and head north towards Derry, stopping enroute in Enniskillen – a lovely town built on a hilly island on Lough Erne. Here we visit the castle, a medieval stronghold which has held a strategic position on the river since it was built 600 years ago. Besieged several times and with a chequered modern history that saw it used as an army barracks and a council depot, the castle has been proudly reborn as a heritage centre and unique local museum. Following our visit we join our local guide for a lunchtime gourmet tasting tour, a stroll from bakery to bar to ice-creamery through the city’s historic centre, showcasing delicious, award-winning produce unique to County Fermanagh. Continuing on to Derry, we check-in to our hotel on arrival, with the remainder of the evening at leisure. Overnight Derry (B, L)

Day 15 | Wednesday 10 June
Derry
We meet our local guide this morning for a walking tour of historic Derry, a city with a long and often turbulent history and the only city in Ireland with extant city walls, built in the 17th century as a defence against settlers from England and Scotland. Our tour takes us on a fascinating promenade along the walls, and then on to Bogside, named for the soggy marshland it once was. A focus for much of the violence experienced in the city during the Troubles, we learn more about Bogside’s history at the Bloody Sunday Monument, the Free Derry Corner and the poignant People’s Gallery of Murals. After a break for lunch, we discover more about the long history of the city at the Siege and Tower Museums, finishing our day in the quiet surrounds of St Colomb’s Cathedral, the first Protestant Cathedral built in Britain and Ireland after the Reformation in the early 17th century. Overnight Derry (B)

Day 16 | Thursday 11 June
The Giant’s Causeway
In 1986, UNESCO declared the dramatic landscapes of the Giant’s Causeway to be of global geographical importance, awarding this spectacular pavement of some 40,000 polygonal basalt columns World Heritage status and formally recognising a site which has been a tourist attraction for over 300 years. After our visit here this morning, and weather permitting, we walk in the footsteps of the legendary giants down the coast from the causeway to the ruins of Dunseverick Castle, enjoying the extraordinary scenery and views across to Scotland. We’ll stop for lunch in the nearby town of Bushmills and enjoy a whiskey tasting at the Old Bushmills Distillery, established in 1784, before continuing onto Belfast. After checking in to our hotel, the afternoon and evening are at leisure. Overnight Belfast (B, L)

Day 17 | Friday 12 June
Belfast
Lying at the mouth of the River Lagan, Belfast was once the industrial heartland of Northern Ireland, whose shipbuilding yards had the dubious honour of constructing RMS Titanic. Severely damaged in the Blitz and later during the Troubles, the city has reinvented itself since as a vibrant centre for locals and visitors alike. This morning our coach and walking tour takes us through the city, visiting the imposing City Hall with its beautiful stained-glass windows, the Grand Opera House and the Clocktower. The afternoon is free for you to explore Belfast at leisure, and you may like to visit the award-winning Titanic Museum, the newly renovated Ulster Museum, St George’s Markets or the beautiful Botanic Gardens, a short stroll from our hotel. We meet again tonight for a farewell dinner in our hotel and the chance to reflect on our many experiences on tour. Overnight Belfast (B, D)

Day 18 | Saturday 13 June
Depart Belfast
Our tour ends after breakfast this morning. There is a coach transfer to Dublin available for those joining onward flights. (B)