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Sunday Day 1 Arrive Shannon. A coffee stop in the pretty village of Adare, all thatched rooves and antique dealers, and then on to Kenmare, a smaller less frenetic town than its neighbour Killarney, and a tiny bit classier. It also has a faint whiff of hippydom - in the 60s it was Ireland's San Fransisco!! They are all now organic farmers, film directors or writers. Coffee Dinner |
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Monday
Day 2 A tour of the Ring of Kerry with a lunch at Cill Rialaig artists'
retreat, run by former magazine publisher and socialite Noelle
Campbell-Sharpe. This is a place where artists are invited to spend a residency
period, contributing some piece of their work to the centre afterwards, and also
combines a shop, café and gallery.
The Ring of Kerry takes in much of South Kerry, and it offers a panoramic
journey through some of Kerry's most outstanding scenery around the
peninsula. The route travels through Killorglin, by Caragh Lake and on to
Glenbeigh where you will get the first view of the Atlantic Ocean at Rossbeigh,
and possibly watch some sheep dogs at work. . The journey continues along the
southern shores of Dingle Bay to Kells, and south to Caherciveen, where Valentia
Island comes into view.
The Skellig Experience Centre is located here and Ballinskelligs is not far
away. Onwards to Waterville and along the coast via the Coomakista Pass and
Derrynane to Sneem. From there, along Kenmare Bay to Kenmare town.
Tuesday
Day 3 Via the stunning scenery of West Cork, the beautiful gardens of
Garnish Island and Bantry. Lunch in Castletownsend, the home of the early
20th century novelists Edith Somerville and Violet Martin (Ross), and on to
Kinsale, gourmet capital of Ireland, for the night. For more about Kinsale, an old sea port, click here. B&B
Wednesday
Day 4 Via Blarney Castle, renowned for its magical Stone of Eloquence.
Via Cork City to Youghal, and visit Sir Walter Raleigh's old
church. On along the "Gold Coast" to the Waterford Crystal
Factory. Overnight
at The Watermill, a 4* hotel in Bunclody. Dinner B&B
Thursday Day 5 A morning visit to one of the most haunted and most eccentric houses in Ireland - Huntington Castle, in County Carlow
, headquaters of The Fellowship of Isis Then on to the medieval city of Kilkenny for Lunch. Overnight Dublin. In Dublin there are several alternative hotels The Fitzwilliam, The Herbert Park, The Morrison, The Westin or The Clarence. Dinner, B&BFriday Day 6 A morning walking tour of the city centre, visiting its ancient highlights including Trinity College, St Patrick's Cathedral, The Francis Bacon Studio, the Oscar Wilde memorial, etc culminating in a visit to a magnificent private Georgian mansion in the heart of the city. . Afternoon at leisure. Specialist antiques guide available for optional antiques tour. The Dublin gay community is very welcoming and each room would have a copy of the Gay Community News. B&B. Optional pub night of traditional entertainment.
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Saturday Day 7 A day at rest in Dublin. B&B
Sunday Day 8 Depart
