Country House Tours An A&B Company 71 Waterloo Road Dublin 4, IRELAND Tel (+353 1 ) 2889355 Fax (+353 1 ) 288 9282 E-mail info@irishluxury.com

"Did you ever make colcannon with lovely pickled cream,
With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream?
Did you ever make a hole on top to hold the melting flake
Of the creamy flavoured butter that our mothers used to make?
Oh weren't they the happy days when troubles we knew not,
And our mothers made colcannon in the little skillet pot."

Day 2
Morning tour of Dublin City taking in visits to Trinity College and the Book of Kells, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin's Georgian Squares and Newman House. Lunch at leisure in the city centre. In the afternoon, Alix Gardner, Cookery teacher and writer, will talk about and demonstrate favourite Irish recipes, with tastings throughout. Dinner tonight in the 18th century home of one of the Guinness family. Overnight as day one.

Day 3
Visit County Wicklow - Powerscourt Gardens and the 7th Century Monastic site of Glendalough. Visit organic vegetable and herb grower for the Dublin market. Lunch at a country inn. After lunch, we will visit a mixed organic and dairy farm in the foothills of the Wicklow mountains. Evening free to have dinner at a restaurant of your choice in the city. Overnight as day one.

Day 4
Depart Dublin for Cork. Visit the Rock of Cashel and lunch at leisure in Cashel town. Through the Golden Vale region of Ireland, famous for its butter, cheeses and dairy products. Visit to 16th Century Cahir Castle and onto the picturesque seaside town of Kinsale - Gourmet Capital of Ireland. Dinner in one of the town's top restaurants. Overnight in an 18th Century hotel overlooking the harbour.

Day 5
A visit to the Ballymaloe Cookery School with a tour of the water garden, orchard, meadow garden, and herb garden. Lunch at leisure and a visit to Stephen Pearce pottery nearby. Later a tour of the Irish Whiskey distillery at Midleton. Return to Kinsale in time to take a stroll around the town and dine at leisure in one of the many excellent restaurants. Overnight Kinsale.

Day 6
A tour of West Cork, famous for its many farmhouse cheese makers. The towns of Ballydehob, Schull and Skibbereen are synonymous with cheeses such as Milleens, Durrus, Dunbeacon and Gubbeen. And even goats ice cream can be found on Clare Island during the summer! A visit to one of the local cheese makers to find out some of the secrets of trade. Lunch at leisure in Schull followed by a visit to Bantry House. On to Kenmare and over night in five star accommodation on the Ring of Kerry. Dinner tonight in the Michelin star restaurant.

Day 7
Tour part of County Kerry and take some time to shop and lunch in Kenmare, which has a good selection of craft shops, pubs and restaurants. Golf, boating or horse riding can be arranged for the non-shoppers. Overnight Kenmare. Evening free to dine at your choice of Kenmare's fine restaurants.

Day 8
Take in the highlights of the Ring of Kerry and the lakes of Killarney en route to Killarney town. A visit to Muckross House, followed by lunch at a private Georgian home. A visit to Deer Farm at Drumcollogher if time allows. On to Adare in County Limerick and overnight at a coaching inn. Dinner at The Mustard Seed restaurant renowned for its good food.

Day 9
County Clare - visit the Cliffs of Moher which tower 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the Lisdoonvarna Smokehouse and sample some smoked salmon, eel and mackerel. Lunch at the adjacent Roadside Tavern which is famous for its toasted smoked salmon sandwiches. A visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk Village where we will see a demonstration of traditional farmhouse cookery. Over night as day eight. Dinner in Adare.

Day 10
Visit King John's Castle in Limerick City and spend some time in the pretty lakeside village of Killaloe where you have time for lunch. Continue onto Birr to overnight in a gothick revival castle in the Slieve Bloom mountains.

Day 11
Visit the peaceful monastic site of Clonmacnoise on the banks of the River Shannon. In the afternoon, visit to Birr Gardens. Dinner and overnight in the Gothic Castle.

Day 12
To Galway City where the day can be spent at leisure exploring this lively city. Galway is a hive of activity with street theatre, buskers, art galleries, craft shops, pubs and cafes. Visit the the old fishing village of the Claddagh and the Spanish Arch - evidence of the influence of the Spanish merchant ships which came into this port to trade with the 14 tribes of Galway. Overnight in a newly opened hotel in Galway city centre.  Evening free to dine at a restaurant of your choice in the city.

Day 13
Tour of Connemara with a visit to Dan O'Hara's Cottage near Clifden. Visit to Kylemore Abbey and lunch at leisure in Clifden, the capital of Connemara. Overnight in Galway and dinner at Moycullen House

Day 14
Depart Shannon Airport.


Your tour includes:

• Luxury coach for 14 days
• All taxes & service charges
• Professional guide for 14 days
• Lunch on three days
• 13 nights accommodation
• All admissions
• A full Irish breakfast every morning
• A gourmet dinner on 10 evenings

The visits on this itinerary are all subject to availability. Should certain private houses be unavailable on the day, clients will be informed in advance and a suitable alternative found.


E-mail us for booking information.
Orcall us from the US & Canada at 1(800) 894 5712
from outside the US at (+353-1) 288-9282,
or telephone (+353-1) 288-9355.