The Phantoms of Ireland
Day 1 Arrive Dublin Airport where your guide will meet you. Familiarisation tour of the city with a visit to the haunted Malahide Castle. Irish Coffee reception on the seaside overlooking the James Joyce Tower. Dinner Bed & Breakfast in the Killiney Court, a Victorian Manor House Hotel in the Bel Air of Dublin
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. On to Newbay House, Wexford, where the unfortunate Col. French still wanders his yard.
Day 3 The ghosts of Wexford - a tour of the fabled Huntington Castle, the most haunted inhabited house in Ireland. Then on to Kilmokea House for a light lunch followed by a visit to Tintern Abbey. Return to Newbay for dinner and the night.
Day 4 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. Tea with the ghosts of Cuffesborough House. Dinner in the splendour of the 19th century gothic Kinnitty Castle where 2 guests will get the haunted bedroom!
Day 5 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, with the ticking clock, where you’ll tour the glorious gardens. Damer House in Roscrea will be your next stop, where the echo of shots still ring out in the execution yard. On via Ballaghmore Castle, with its tales of Leprachaun gold and back to Kinnitty for the night.
Day 6 Your journey will take you through some delightful countryside. You will visit Portlick Castle, whose ghost dates from the 1200s, the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise, the ghosts of Anne Boleyn’s sisters at the ruined Clonony Castle and finally to Castle Leslie,Glaslough, Co. Monaghan
John Leslie bought Glaslough's magical 100 acre lake and trees for his retirement in 1664, and built the present house, with a fine Italian interior and a cloister faithfully copied from Michaelangelo. The present Castle, designed by Lanyon and Lynn was built in 1878 and is one of the last of the 'Great Houses' to be built. The fine stucco work is complemented with rich Italian and Spanish furniture, Belgian tapestries and Persian carpets. On view are Churchill's baby dress, Wellington's bridle, Napoleon’s bed, gifts from the Empress Dowager of China, Wordsworth's harp, and the oldest working bath and WC, as well as a variety of Ghosts. Desmond Leslie has written widely on the ghosts and is the president of the Irish UFO society.
Day 7 We will tour through the Royal county of Meath to Newgrange (prehistoric burial site) early arrival in Dublin to give time for a little shopping and a churchyard tour then on to The Killiney Court.
Day 8 The ghosts of Dublin City - Visit St Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College and St Michan’s Church. Afternoon free for shopping. A night of music and dance in a Dublin Pub. Overnight at The Killiney Court.
Day 9 Depart for homeward flight.
The tour includes
8 nights accommodation in 3* or 4* historic hotels with dinner every night and a full Irish breakfast every morning.
All admissions as specified
an expert guide throughout
A luxury 35 seater coach
Porterage at the hotels
All taxes and service charges except for driver and guide gratuities.
Copyright Jcolclough 1999