Revel in the legendary hospitality and warmth of the Irish people on this independent journey across the Emerald Isle. Take in world-famous scenic backdrops, enjoy traditional foods and stories and celebrate a culture cherished on both sides of the Atlantic, staying in five-star hotels along the way.
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
DAY 9
DAY 1
Arrive in Dublin, where you are met by your A&K Guardian Angel and privately transferred to your hotel. Spend the evening at leisure.
Conrad Dublin
DAY 2
Begin your day with a privately led exploration of Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Then, enter the Old Library to view the legendary Book of Kells, one of the finest illuminated medieval manuscripts in existence. Afterward, discover more of the city with your expert guide, visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland, and the Temple Bar area, where boutiques and cafes line narrow alleyways and cobbled streets and traditional pubs teem with life. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure.
Conrad Dublin
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3
Travel south to the heart of County Kilkenny to one of Ireland's best-preserved medieval towns, where you visit enchanting Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice's Cathedral. Then, explore the renowned Kilkenny Design Center, home to a flourishing school of pottery and textile design, before proceeding to your hotel in the countryside of County Cork.
Castlemartyr Resort
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4
Today, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
Sample Classic Irish Whiskeys on a premium tour and tasting at Jameson’s Old Midleton Distillery.
Relax with a Spa Experience, taking full advantage of your hotel’s diverse amenities.
See fabled Blarney Castle, and then visit the Cobh Heritage Centre to learn about the lives of emigrants to America.
Afterward, the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Castlemartyr Resort
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
This morning, journey into the region of West Cork via the picturesque town of Kinsale, well known for its quaint streets, art galleries and gourmet food. Continue along the coast road though Clonakilty and Skibbereen en route to Bantry Bay. Later, reach Glengarriff, where you board a small boat that takes you to Garinish Island to admire its Italian-style gardens. Return to the mainland and drive over the picturesque Caha Mountains that form the heart of the Beara Peninsula’s wild and windswept landscape, following the waters of the River Sheen to your next hotel.
Sheen Falls Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6
Cross through Killarney National Park, en route to the bustling town of Killarney. Upon arrival, take a spin in a lively jaunting car with real jarvies (drivers), known for their wit and charming storytelling. Tour Killarney National Park by traditional horse-drawn cart, viewing splendid landscapes dotted with lush greenery, ruined castles, abbeys and lakes. Then, set out on the famed Ring of Kerry for a breathtaking coastal drive, where every turn in the road reveals new and ever-more-stunning vistas. County Kerry also affords a genuine glimpse into the traditional lifestyles of the Gaelic-speaking fishermen and farmers who carry on the time-honored skills of bygone generations. After a fascinating day, return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.
Sheen Falls Lodge
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7
Cross the Shannon River this morning and drive through County Clare to the Cliffs of Moher. View these great dark sandstone cliffs that rise at a sheer angle from the Atlantic Ocean, towering 702 feet at their highest point and extending for five miles. As cool Atlantic winds blow in from the ocean, you may opt to peek over the edge to watch the frothy waves splash against the cliffs below or glimpse some of the 20 different species of breeding birds who fill these cliffs with their colors and sounds. Next, venture though the Burren, the largest karst landscape in Europe, on a dramatic drive, looking out at the lunar-like backdrop of amazing rock formations. Afterward, continue through County Galway to spectacular Ashford Castle to check in and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Ashford Castle
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8
Explore the windswept landscape of Connemara and visit Kylemore Abbey, a stunning building with gray stone turrets and a Gothic Chapel. The Abbey was built in 1868 by Mitchell Henry, in memory of his late wife Margaret and it is now occupied by a convent of Benedictine nuns. This afternoon, return to Ashford to enjoy the hotel’s facilities at your leisure.
Ashford Castle
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9
After breakfast, transfer to Shannon Airport or, upon request, Dublin Airport, and board your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Conrad Dublin
Castlemartyr Resort
Sheen Falls Lodge
Ashford Castle
