Lisdonagh
House, a magnificent 10 bedroomed Historic Country House, is located 20
minutes from Galway City in a glorious tranquil setting. The house is early
Georgian with commanding views over Lough Hackett with over 100 acres of
woodland on the estate where guests can meander on country walks. Coarse
fishing and horse riding can be arranged.
By
way of Cross and The Neale, with its prehistoric stone circle (if Stonehenge
is a cathedral, then this was a local chapel, about 4,000 years ago) and
ancient cairns. Follow the path of St Patrick's Pilgrimage from
Ballintubber to Westport. The charming town of Westport, situated on the
shores of Clew Bay, is one of the few planned towns in the country. It is an
estate town, built to the plan of James Wyatt, the well known architect of the
Georgian period. One of its outstanding features is the elegant tree-lined
boulevard, known as The Mall. Lunch at The Asgard Tavern or, if open,
The Quay Cottage. From Westport take the Leenane road. The
adventurous can try the mountain pass the the stunning Delphi Valley.
Return to Headford by way of Lough Nafooey and the village of Cong.
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Spend
the morning exploring Galway and then head west to Clifden. The beaches
and coves of the coast from Clifden to Roundstone are outstanding - their
brilliant white is from the crushed coral. In Roundstone the Duc de
Stacpooles gallery, set in a romantic garden, is worth stopping by.
Overnight Ballynahinch Castle
It will probably be too early to
sample a pint at Moran's of The Weir, a thatched oyster house and pub on
Galway Bay that was a favourite of such as John Wayne & Noel Coward.
Pass on to the very pretty village of Kinvara, noted for its hookers - as
the antique sailing barges are called. Then across the Burren -
Words simply cannot do justice to this eerie, peculiar 193-square mile area
of ancient seabed that suffered glacial activity during its long history.
The Burren, is a bare lunar like landscape of a limestone plateau dotted
with stone age forts and megalithic tombs. In the narrow crevices that criss-cross
this pavement flourish orchids, gentians and other rare flora, an amazing
mix of arctic, alpine, temperate, and tropical vegetation growing side by
side. Twenty-two varieties of orchids thrive here, nourished by underground
rivers and rich soil. Today we see treeless meadows of
limestone karst that forms
natural pavement interspersed with lush flora. Scholars of history can scour
the Burren for tombs, chambers, and dolmens (two stones that support a
horizontal slab), traces of Stone Age inhabitants. . To the north the Burren
is bounded by Galway Bay 
with the fishing port of Ballyvaughan, a noted
centre for oysters, while to the west the Aran Islands stand out against the
broad expanse of the Atlantic Ocean . Visit the Cliffs of
Moher, a sheer precipice 8 km long and rising to a height of 203m, one of
the most impressive stretches of the coast in the West of Ireland,
remarkable especially at nesting seasons for the quantity and variety of
seabirds there. Lisdoonvarna is a spa town with an excellent salmon smoke
house. September was, and still is, the peak month of the matchmaking season
here and with the harvest safely in bachelor farmers flock to Lisdoonvarna
in search of wives. The Spa Well (of stinking sulphur water) also continues
to attract the crowds. The Doolin Craft Gallery, where Matt O'Connel and
Mary Gray pursue silver-smithing and batik work as well as selling treasures
from all around Ireland is also worth visiting for its scrumptious food and
stunning gardens - a plantsman's paradise. You will pass Lahinch Golf
Course, famous for its impenetrable rough and its goats. On
through Ennis. The town of Ennis owes its origin to the O'Briens of
Thomond 
who moved from Limerick and settled in Clonroad between 1208 and
1216. The original name of the town of Ennis was Iniscluanruadh or
Inis-Cluainramh-Fhada.The word Inis, which is the Gaelic word for an island
was anglicised to Ennis. The town was formed between two streams on the
River Fergus. In the mid to late 1200s a member of the ruling O'Brien clan
invited the Franciscans to establish a settlement within his domain. A
significant portion of the Friary still remains intact. If there is still
time a visit to Bunratty Castle on the way down to Ballingarry would be
wonderful.
For a day of touring head into
Limerick to see the castle and The Hunt Museum, then via Tipperary to Cashel.
The Rock of Cashel is one of the most spectacular archeological sites in
Ireland. It sits on the outskirts of Cashel on a large mound of limestone
bristling with ancient fortifications. Mighty stone walls encircle a
complete round tower, a roofless abbey, a 12th century Romanesque chapel,
and numerous other buildings and high crosses. The Rock of Cashel is
composed four structures which are the Hall of the Vicars Choral, the
cathedral, the round tower, and Cormac's Chapel. Hore Abbey is about one
kilometer north at
the base of the rock. From
Cashel to 
Cahir via Athassel - near Golden. Augustinian, the largest
mediaeval priory in Ireland, dating from the 12th century, very extensive
outbuilding in a riverside setting.. Once the stronghold of the
powerful Butler family, Cahir Castle retains its impressive keep, tower and
much of its original defensive structure. It is one of Ireland's largest and
best preserved castles. It is situated on a rocky island on the River Suir.
The 
castle's attractions include an excellent audio-visual
show which informs visitors of
all the main sites of the area. If you have time vist the Swiss
Cottage at Cahir, a delightful "cottage orne'" built in the early
1800s by Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Glengall, to a design by the famous
Regency architect John Nash. Its
interior contains a graceful
spiral staircase and some elegantly decorated rooms. The wallpaper in the
Salon manufactured by the Dufour factory is one of the first commercially
produced Parisian wallpapers. Then return to Adare through Tipperary, with
the possibility of visiting Lough Gur on the way. Lough Gur is a small
horseshoe-shaped lake in south-eastern Limerick around whose shores are
dotted a great number of largely prehistoric monuments, Stone Age
dwelling-places and stone circles. Access to the monuments differs, but many
require some walking and the climbing of walls. A visitor centre contains
information on the numerous monuments. Overnight Echo Lodge
The next day I would suggest
head out along the Dingle peninsula through Tralee and Blennerville.
Dingle is the main town on the Dingle Peninsula, the westernmost point in
Ireland. It is just big enough to have all the necessary services for
tourists, and a steady n
ight time beat for Irish traditional
music. Dingle is
traditionally Irish, being in theheart of the Chorca Dhuibhne Gealtacht. The
main industries here are farming and fishing.The harbour is always busy with
fishing boats and yachts, and its few streets are lined with brightly
painted shops, pubs and restaurants. In 1970, Dingle was introduced to the
world through the film Ryans Daughter, and Dingle fans from all over the
world flock to the small town every year. In the 1990's, the town has gained
fame in the world of music, history, gastronomy, scenery and 
not least it's
friendly dolphin. The Slea Head scenic drive starts in Dingle town.
Take the Ventry road for 4 miles to the village of Ventry village. Here
there is a beautiful cresent shape beach. From there, continue on towards
Dunquin, passing Dunbeg Fort and the Fahan Group of Beehive Huts and
enjoying the beautiful coastal scenery along the way. At Dunqiun, there is
the opportunity of visiting the Blasket Islands from the pier, or going to
the Blasket Island Interpretive Centre. Dunqiun is the half way mark, from
here you continue on towards Ballyferriter. From here the next stop is Riasc
monastic settlement which is well worth a visit. After that, Gallarus
Oratory and Kilmealkeadar, both of which are a must for those interested in
early Christianity in Ireland. Continue on into Dingle town. Overnight
at Carrig House on Caragh Lake.
A day in Killarney - by pass the town and head straight for Ross
Castle on the Muckross / Kenmare Road. If the weather is decent take a boat
ride here. Visit Muckross House as well - Apart from the well furnished
Victorian Mansion, there is a farm as well as lots of beautiful gardens.
There are also horse drawn jaunting cars that will take them down to the old
Muckross Abbey.
Tour the Beara Peninsula, 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
Bantry House. In 1796 a French invasion fleet sailed into Bantry Bay to join
forces with Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen. But a storm changed the
course of history, forcing the French to turn back to Brest. Richard White
must have blessed that so-called "Protestant Wind" as he watched
their retreat from Bantry House. White bought the property in 1765, which
was enlarged by his son Richard, the 2nd Earl of Bantry. The house is filled
with a unique collection of tapestries, furniture, carpets and art
treasures, collected by the 2nd Earl from all over Europe in the 19th
Century. At Clonakilty are huge beaches, and a wonderful minor road
follows close to the coast through Timoleague, with its castle and Hidndu
Epicopalean Church, and Kilbrittain, where Roy Disney lives. Overnight
in the Gourmet capital of ireland, Kinsale, at Perryville House.
Via Blarney Castle, whose stone
gives the "gift of the gab", The city of Cork (wehere you can ring
the bells of Shandon Church and sample the "Slow Food Movement" in
the victorian covered market, as well as exploring contemporary art in the
new Gluckmann gallery in Cork. Developed over three years at a cost of
€12m, the Lewis Glucksman Gallery hosts major exhibitions of international
art. On to Fota Island, with its wonderful gardens, historic house and
wildlife park. Cobh Heritage Centre with its tales of emigration to America.
Barryscourt Castle. Overnight at Perryville
Along "The Gold Coast"
to Waterford via Sir Walter Raleigh's church at Youghal . St Mary's,
one of the oldest churches in Ireland, is a building of great beauty founded
by St. Declan c. 450, rebuilt in Irish Romanesque style c. 750, and its
great Norman nave erected c. 1220. The Copper Coast Drive embraces the
panoramic seascapes, cliffs, bays and coves between Dungarvan and the major
seaside resort of Tramore as well as more intimate Seaside Resorts with Blue
Flag Beaches, Clonea and Bunmahon. Visit Waterford Crystal.
The Ring Of Hook
signposted drive takes visitor along a wealth of historic sites and coastal
roads culminating in the arrival at Hook Head. At Hook in the famous Norman
Lighthouse, believed to be one of the oldest in Europe. Slade Castle is
nearby. Visit the medieval abbey of Tintern. In the afternoon explore
The famine ship Dunbrody in New Ross, the gardens of Kilmokea. At Ferrycarrig the Irish National Heritage Park has a recreation of a motte
& bailey castle as part of its portrayal of 9,000 years of history from
a Mesolithic camp site to fortifications of the Norman period.
Wexford but there are many others, catering for
an extraordinarily diverse range of interests. At Johnstown Castle is the
Irish Agricultural Museum. The castle itself is a fine example of 19th
century Gothic Revival architecture, was designed by Daniel Robertson, who
was also responsible for the layout of the ornamental grounds. There
are three lakes, the ruins of a medieval tower house, walled gardens and
hothouses. Rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias abound.
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 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. Via the
National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Kildare to Dublin.
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 in Dublin at The
Merrion or Brookes Hotel
Explore either South of Dublin, into the Wicklow mountains, visiting
Powerscourt Gardens, just 24km south of Dublin in the foothills of the
Wicklow Mountains. Its 47 acres of garden are famous the world over. They
were begun in the 1740s by Richard Castle and continued by Daniel Robertson.
During the middle years of the last century he directed an army of 100 men
with barrows, horses and carts in carving out terraces from the hillside and
enlarging the lake. The resulting Italian gardens contain beautiful statues
and urns collected by the Powerscourt Lords. The Estate contains the highest
waterfall in Ireland at 398 feet set in a wooded deerpark where Lord
Powerscourt introduced the first herd of Japanese Sika deer to Europe..
Also worth visiting is the Earl of Meath's Kilruddery House.
Killruddery is unique in having the most extensive early formal gardens,
still in their original style, surviving in Ireland. Dating from the 1680s
they are amongst the most important gardens of their type in these islands
and should be regarded as mainly the work of the 4th and 6th Earls of Meath.
Killruddery Estate has been in the ownership of the Brabazon family (the
Earls of Meath) since 1618. The core of the gardens is a pair of canals (550
feet long) which focus on the House at one end and on an avenue of lime
trees at the other. Overnight in Dublin at The Merrion or Brookes Hotel
