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Marble Hall |
Ashbrook |
These itineraries take in some stunningly unspoilt parts of the Irish countryside and go through mountainous areas, the rolling landscape of river valleys, and seascapes. Travellers will be able to visit some of the finest gardens, historic mansions and splendid medieval ruins, as well as museums art galleries and wonderful little shops in the cities of Dublin, Kilkenny, & Cork. They will be in places where some of the best golfing, walking, fishing and riding is available and there are really outstanding restaurants in the areas that we would suggest for overnights. With a pub to every 300 of the population they are never far from a convivial meeting place, often with impromptu music sessions. :-
Day 1 Arrive Dublin Airport where you will pick up your car.
Familiarization tour of the city with a visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College & The Georgian Squares. Shopping opportunities in Grafton Street and Nassau Street, the downtown shopping areas of Dublin.
| Bed & Breakfast beside the Phoenix park at the Georgian Ashbrook House or in the beautiful Victorian Marble Hall, 20 minutes walk of the city centre. B&B | Hotel accommodation in Albany House, The Georgian House or The Hibernian Hotel, Boutique hotels in the city centre |
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Marble Hall |
Ashbrook |
Day 2 Tour via Powerscourt House and the sacred valley of Glendalough, where the ghost of Kathleen floats beneath the choppy waters of the lake beside St Kevin’s 6th Century monastery, into the wild Wicklow mountains.
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| B&B accommodation in Healthfield Manor, Mount Pleasant House, Killane Castle or Ballyhealy House Wexford | Hotel accommodation in Newbay House, The Cedars, Danby Lodge, Or Canada Street Hotel, Waterford |
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Ballyhealy House |
Killane Castle |
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Mount Pleasant House |
Healthfield Manor |
Day 3 Visit Waterford Crystal and then through Inistioge, dominated by the gaunt shell of Woodstock House, then on to the city of Kilkenny, with its phantom witches and narrow medieval streets. On the way you can visit some of the craft workers studios for which the area is so famous - potters, glass blowers and the like.
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| B&Bs Whigsborough, Spinners or Walcot Hall in Birr, Monaincha in Roscrea or Ardmore | Hotels - Doolys or The County Arms in Birr, The Heritage in portlaoise |
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Spinners |
Walcot |
Day 4 In the morning visit Leap Castle, once the most haunted inhabited castle in Ireland, home of one of Ireland’s greatest traditional musicians. On to Birr Castle, where you’ll tour the glorious gardens. Damer House in Roscrea will be your next stop,. On via Ballaghmore Castle, with its tales of Leprachaun gold and back to Dublin for the night. B&B
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Whigsborough |
Ardmore |
Day 2 Tour through the Royal County of Meath to Newgrange (prehistoric burial site) and then follow the River Boyne to Tara, once the seat of Ireland's Kings and on to Trim Castle, The largest Norman keep in Ireland.
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| Knockbrack Grange or Lough Crew House, a thrice cursed mansion in the shadow of the witches' hill | Hotels Kilmore, Cavan, Park Hotel Virginia |
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Loughcrew |
Knockbrack Grange |
Day 3 Your journey will take you through the delightful lakeland countryside. Visit Enniskillen Castle and The National Trust properties of Castle Coote and Florence Court. Travel on to Armagh, home of two cathedrals and Ireland's first Planetarium. Return to your accommodation
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Day 4 Through the undiscovered countryside of Louth to the seaside at Drogheda. Then along the sandy beaches visiting Ardgillan Castle, Newbridge House, Skerries Mill and Malahide Castle. Overnight Dublin
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South Lodge, on the sea at Portmarnock or the beautiful Newtown House at St Margaret's for the night. for the night. B&B
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Newtown House |
South Lodge |
