Day 1  August 2nd

Depart Clonakilty.  Follow the coast of West Cork via Drombeg stone circle to the town of Bantry.  Tour Bantry House   then cruise a short distance through Bantry Bay, passing families of seals en route to the magical island of Garinish and its splendid gardens and Martello Tower On return to dry land head on to the Beara Peninsula, and over The Healy Pass.  To Kenmare for the night.

Bantry House	Glengarriff	Healy Pass

Day 2  Aug 3rd

Tour the Ring of Kerry, a spectacular coast road that skirts the Iveragh Peninsula. Stop for a fascinating demonstration of working sheep dogs on your way to Valentia Island. After lunch  continue on around the Ring to Caherdaniel and Derrynane House, home of "The Great Liberator", Daniel O'Connell.  Return to Kenmare.  For those who prefer the day could be spent fishing in Kenmare

Sheep Dogs Working	Ring of Kerry	The Bog Village

Day 3 Aug 4th

Visit Muckross House in Killarney and then follow the valley of The Blackwater back through County Cork to Blarney Castle, whose stone gives the "gift of the gab.  On to Limerick 

Limerick is a busy city and has several major attractions - the Hunt Museum in the 18^th century customs house, King John's Castle, St Mary's Cathedral and the Georgian House on Pery Square. After Limerick head out towards Shannon, stopping off at Bunratty Castle and folk park on the way. You'll also see Cratloe Woods house. Dating from the 17th Century, this is the only example of an Irish longhouse which is still lived in by a family. The house is steeped in history and features works of art, curios and in the yard horse drawn farm machinery and a pets corner. The primeval Garranon Oak Wood, which provided the timbers for Westminster Hall in London, also forms part of the estate.   Visit to Bunratty Castle and folk village.  Stay the night at a country inn near Dromoland Castle. If you have time take the old road into Newmarket on Fergus you will see a turn to the right just at the end of the village. When you reach the top of the hill walk up through the trees to Moohaughan Fort, the iron age seat of some great ruler.  

Day 4  Aug 5th

Explore the Burren. Be sure to see Dysert O'Dea near Corofin, the sulphur Spa at Lisdoonvarna, St Bridget's Well at the Cliffs of Moher, the Doolin Craft Gallery, the internationally renowned karst limestone habitat of the Burren, with its orchids, gentians and ragged robin, and stop for a drink in Kinvara, home of the Galway Hooker and of King Guaire the Generous, whose right arm was longer than his left from so much giving. At Kilcolgan take a moment to explore the Turlough down a laneway opposite the blind poet's graveyard and then stop for refreshments at Morans of the Weir, a thatched oyster bar patronised by John Wayne & Noel Coward. Coming back towards Ennis  on the main road through Gort visit the Literary museum at  Coole Park with its autograph tree and Thoor Ballylee, home of the poet WB Yeats. 

Day 5  Aug 6th

Fead through Tipperary to Cahir, with its splendid Castle, Cashel, ancient seat of Kings and the medieval city of Kilkenny, with its tales of ghosts and witches. Explore the 12th Century St Canice's Cathedral named after the town's founder. Known nowadays as the creative heart of Ireland, Kilkenny is where ancient history and contemporary culture meet.  There are medieval shops,  perfectly preserved Elizabethan houses and its breathtaking Norman Castle on the banks of the River Nore.  Overnight at Kilkea Castle.

Day  6 Aug 7th

Either head to Dublin or explore the craft workers of the river valleys of the Nore and Barrow-  some of the best craft workshops in Ireland. Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf Goodman, Isetan, Nieman Marcus and David Jones are only some of the top stores worldwide who have found inspiration in these small, high quality Irish workshops.. Visit Nicholas Mosse Pottery who has been a potter since he was 7. Chesneau Leather Goods, a small and dynamic company that has a strong tradition in the production of high quality leather goods, particularly handbags with original designs. Stoneware Jackson Pottery. the pottery and showrooms are situated amongst pleasant gardens where the visitors can relax and see the pots being created by a team of skilled craftsmen. All these workshops are located in Bennetsbridge just outside Kilkenny. You could also visit Jerpoint Glass Studio in Thomastown to see for yourself how completely hand made glass is formed using simple hand made tools.The famine ship Dunbrody in New Ross, the gardens of Kilmokea, the medieval abbey of Tintern, or fish the Nore .

Kilmokea Gardens	The Dunbrody	Tintern Abbey

Day 7 or 8   

Explore Dublin. Don't miss Merrion Square and its Georgian architecture, Stephen's Green and the Phoenix Park.  Trinity College which was founded by Elizabeth I in 1592 and is home to the priceless Book of Kells, a 8th century manuscript.  St Patrick's Cathedral and its connection with Jonathan Swift and Gulliver's travel is another Dublin landmark.

Overnight Dublin

Day 8 or 9 

Depart Dublin Airport