A Wonderful Ireland Trip for The Renzullis and Neiswangers
Day 1 Saturday June 2nd
Arrive at Dublin airport at 08.40am with flight US #722, from Philadelphia.
Our Airport Liaison Officer will be awaiting The Renzullis and Neiswangers at Dublin Airport, and will arrange for the luggage to be loaded onto trolleys and be brought out to their transport where their driver guide will be.
Cross country 3.5 hr drive to Ashford, which is fine as rooms will not be ready till after 12.00. The first part of the journey is all on highways as far as Kilbeggan, where a coffee stop at The Locks Distillery might be welcome. There are various sites to see, such as Dartfield horse Museum, Loughrea Cathedral, and Ross Erril Friary as Headford. At Ashford explore the beautiful river walk from Ashford Castle to The Abbey, founded in the 12th Century, or visit some of the settings for the John Wayne Maureen O'Hara classic, The Quiet Man.
Dinner in a pub and Overnight at Ashford castle
Day 2 Sunday June 3rd
Tour to Westport, Killary Harbour and North Connemara;
Ballintubber takes its name from St Patrick, Baile Tobair Phadraig meaning “the townland of St Patricks Well”. The countryside in this part of Mayo is punctuated by historical sites. Prominent among these is Ballintubber Abbey, the only medieval church to have remained Roman Catholic since it was built.
Westport lies on an arm of Clew Bay, a superb expanse of island-dotted sea framed by mountain ranges. This is a unique town in that it was designed to the plan of James Wyatt, the well-known architect of the Georgian period. The Mall, with its lime trees lining both sides of the Carrowbeg River, is a charming thoroughfare. The Westport neighbourhood was the setting of many novels by George A. Bermingham (Canon Hannay), who was once Church of Ireland rector here.
One mile (2 km) from the town is Westport House, home of the Marquess of Sligo. It is a fine Georgian mansion designed by Richard Castle with additions by James Wyatt, and the contents include English and Irish pictures, silver, Waterford glass, and exhibits of historical interest.
Connemara presents an amazing variety of bog, moorland,
lake and mountain scenery, the celtic heart of Ireland.
Return to Ashford Castle; Falconry, riding & shooting are possible at Ashford.(optional) Dinner and Overnight at the Castle
Monday June 4th
Tour via the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher to Bunratty and Limerick. Overnight The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge
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 also continues to attract the crowds. The Doolin Craft Gallery, where you will find treasures from all around Ireland is also worth visiting for its scrumptious food and stunning gardens - a plantsman's paradise.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. The great square keep was built around 1450 by the MacNamaras. It then fell into the hands of the O'Briens, Princes of Thomond and later was occupied by Admiral Penn, father of William Penn the founder of Pennysylvania. The restored castle now provides a wonderful insight into the life-style of the 15th and 16th centuries. The great hall where the Earls of Thomond held court, their private chambers and the public offices are furnished with Lord Gort's magnificent medieval collection. The crafts and skills of the self-sufficient Shannon farming community have been revived in the Folk Park where a 19th century village has been created. Features of the folk park include a recreated village street, 8 farmhouses, a watermill, a blacksmith's forge, Mac's pub, a church and a display of 19th century farm machinery.
Limerick is a big industrial city, famous as the setting for Angela’s Ashes. Limerick Castle is a dramatic city fortress of Norman times standing guard over Limerick on the river Shannon. The castle was built in 1210 under orders from King John. It is one of the finest examples of fortified Norman architecture in Ireland With an imaginative exhibition, multi-vision show, excavations, war machines, 800 years of history unfold within its battlements. In the narrow streets that surround it are several small antique shops. Nearby is The Hunt collection, an internationally important Collection of some 2,000 original works of art and antiquity. It is a personal collection formed by John and Gertrude Hunt who selected each piece according to the quality of its design, craftsmanship and artistic merit. These criteria were applied to objects from all periods of the past - from the Stone Age to the Twentieth Century.
Overnight near Adare. Snuggled in a wooden and lush countryside setting, Adare is widely regarded as being Ireland’s prettiest and most picturesque village. Situated on the river Maigue, a tributary of the Shannon river, Adare (Gaelic name: "Ath Dara" - the "ford of the oak" - from the combination of water and woodland) dates back, at least, to the early 13th century. The bridge by which you enter the village, in the shadow of the ruined Desmond Castle, was built in 1329. Two groups of world famous ornate, thatched cottages line part off the village’s broad main street, punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries and ruins.
The Mustard Seed
Nestled in the heart of the Co. Limerick countryside is The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge, a converted 19th century convent. The celebrated and comfortable Echo Lodge is set on ten acres of mature trees, herbaceous borders, orchard and kitchen garden. Home to The Mustard Seed restaurant, the busy, buzzy dining room has long been highly acclaimed, attracting lovers of good food and fine wine from around the globe. The Mustard Seed also welcomes non residents for dinner.
Good taste prevails and each of the 16 bedrooms is individually decorated combining traditional antique furnishings and modern facilities.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel.
Tuesday June 5th
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. Climb the Torc Waterfall and aim to be at Muckross House in time for lunch in the cafe here, sitting out by the garden is very pleasant. Take a ride in a jaunting car to the moss clad Muckross Abbey. Carry on over molls Gap to Kenmare. Overnight Park Hotel In Kenmare
Dinner at Oscar's.
Wednesday 6th June
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 to Killarney via Moll's Gap and Ladies View,
which give superb views of the Lakes. On 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.
Drive back to Kenmare
Enjoy the spa at the hotel.
Thursday 7th June
From Kenmare follow the coast of the wild west of Cork to stay on the Cork Waterford border
Over 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 Episcopalian Church, and Kilbrittain, where Roy Disney lives. Visit the Gourmet capital of Ireland, Kinsale. 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 Hayfield Manor
Friday 8th June Tour to Dublin.
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 b
uilding 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 craft workers of the river valleys of the Nore and
Barrow- some of the best craft
workshops in Ireland. Bloomingdale's, 
Bergdorf Goodman, Isetan, Nieman Marcus
and David Jones are only some of the top stores worldwide who have found
inspiration in these small, high quality Irish workshops.. Visit Nicholas
Mosse Pottery who has been a potter since he was 7. Chesneau Leather Goods, a
small and dynamic company that has a strong tradition in the production of
high quality leather goods, particularly handbags with original designs. 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.
To 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.
Overnight The Merrion
Dublin’s most stylish 5***** hotel, located in the city centre opposite Government Buildings and created from four restored Georgian Townhouses. Many of the 143 bedrooms and suites overlook 18th century gardens. Other features include an 18m pool, and a spa.
Saturday June 9th
Dublin has long been a centre of art and culture. Stroll through the elegant Georgian streets of Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares, shop in the elegant emporiums of Grafton Street and Powerscourt Townhouse, explore the collections of the National Museum and National Gallery, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and many fine small private collections. The range of art and artefacts is enormous, and you will have no problem spending many hours enthralled.. The city is over a thousand years old, and many of the towns and settlements that surround it are equally ancient. Successive centuries have left their distinctive overlays of character and architecture which means that Dublin has a wealth of historically significant and fascinating sights to explore such as Dublin Castle, where the Normans ruled from the 12th Century, St Patrick's Cathedral, of which Jonathan Swift was Dean, and Trinity College, famous for The Book of Kells and for its alumni who include Oscar Wilde and Oliver Goldsmith. And no visit to Dublin could be complete without visiting either the Old Whiskey Distillery or the Guinness Storehouse!
A Tour of Dublin's Fair City
 |
Bank
of The prestigious offices of |
| Trinity
College
Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth. Among many famous students to attend the college were playwrights Oliver Goldsmith and Samuel Beckett. Trinity's lawns and cobbled quads provide a pleasant haven in the hearth of the city. The major attractions are the Old Library and the Book of Kells, housed in the Treasury. Exit form the front of the Trinity complex and walk from College Green to Dame St and Continue west passing: |
 |
 |
The Olympia Theatre - Dating
back to the 1800s, this Victorian music hall-style theatre has a capacity
of 1,300. It presents an eclectic schedule of variety shows, musicals,
operettas, concerts, ballet, comedy, and drama. As a variation, for the
late-night crowd, live bands are often featured after regular
programs. A brief diversion here will bring you into the trendy
Temple Bar area. Across the Street is |
| City
Hall Erected between 1769 and 1779, and formerly the Royal Exchange. It is a square building in Corinthian style, with three fronts of Portland stone. Since 1852, however it has been the centre of the municipal government. The interior is designed as a circle within a square, with fluted columns supporting a dome shaped roof over the central hall. The building contains many items of interest, including 102 royal charters and the mace and sword of the city. Adjacent to City Hall is: |
|
 |
Dublin
Castle
Built between 1208 and 1220, this complex represents some of the oldest surviving architecture in the city, and was the centre of English power in |
| St.
Patrick's Cathedral |
 |
|
|
 PowerscourtThe townhouse of a famous Georgian family. Today the building houses one of the cities nicest shopping centres. In the 1960's major restoration turned it into a centre of specialist galleries, antique shops, jewellery stalls, cafés and other shop units. Carry on to
|
 |
Explore the Great Georgian Squares and Doorways.; Visit the famous Phoenix Park, Home of our President Mary McAllesse; See the delights of the city of Roddy Doyle, James Joyce, Brendan Behan, Sean O' Casey, Oscar Wilde and Nobel Prize winners W.B Yeats, George B. Shaw and Samuel Beckett.; See Guinness Brewery, O' Connell Street; The U2 Wall, The National Museum & Gallery |
The U2 Wall
 |
And of course Molly Malone
herself
"In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty, I first set my
eyes on sweet Molly Malone |
This evening
will be a literary pub crawl to create an appetite for dinner. Entertainment starts at 7.30pm. Meet your guide at the Duke Pub, on Duke street, off Grafton Street. Overnight at The Merrion
