This itinerary takes in some stunningly
unspoilt parts of the Irish countryside and goes through mountainous areas, the
rolling landscape of river valleys, and seascapes. Visit some of the finest gardens, historic mansions and splendid medieval ruins,
as well as museums art galleries and wonderful little shops in the cities of
Dublin, Kilkenny, & Cork. Explore places where some of the best
golfing, walking, fishing and riding is available. There are really
outstanding restaurants in the areas that we would suggest for overnights. With
a pub to every 300 of the population, a convivial
meeting place is never far, often with impromptu music sessions.
Day 1 24th
June
Arrive
Shannon. Transfer to Adare Manor..
At Adare horsehide, swim, golf, fish in the Maigue and explore the ancient
abbeys of the area. There are antique shops and gift shops in the very pretty
village.
For those full of
energy a visit to Bunratty Castle on the way down to Adare would be wonderful.
Adare Manor
Day 2 Sat 25th
June 25
Today could be a leisurely
day at Adare - there is lots to do on the estate. Alternatively 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. Managed by Shannon
Heritage Limited.
Day 3 Sunday 26
The next day I
would suggest 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 - there is a farm that children love, as well
as lots of beautiful gardens for running around (the rhododendrons will be in
bloom). There are also horse drawn jaunting cars that will take them down to the
old Muckross Abbey. For a longer day head out along the Dingle peninsula.
For a longer day tour the Ring of
Kerry, a spectacular coast road that skirts the Iveragh Peninsula, 120 miles of
fairly narrow roads from Killarney to Kenmare. Stop for a
fascinating demonstration of working sheep dogs on your way to Valentia Island.
After lunch continue on around the Ring to Caherdaniel and Derrynane
House, home of "The Great Liberator", Daniel O'Connell.
Sheep Dogs Working
Ring of Kerry
The Bog Village
Day 4
Monday 27th
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. Back
to Kenmare for the night.. Alternatively take a Sea safari down Kenmare
Bay and spend time walking in the Kenmare area.
Bantry House
Glengarriff
Healy Pass
Day 5 a
long drive Tues June 28th
Via Blarney Castle,
whose stone gives the "gift of the gab" Fota Island, with its wonderful gardens, historic house and wildlife park. Cobh
Heritage Centre with its tales of emigration to America. Barryscourt Castle.
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..Visit Waterford Crystal.
Overnight River
Court Hotel, Kilkenny
Day 6 Weds
June 29
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. Stoneware
Jackson Pottery. the pottery and showrooms are situated amongst pleasant gardens
where the visitors can relax and see the pots being created by a team of skilled
craftsmen. 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 famine ship Dunbrody in New Ross, the gardens of Kilmokea, the
medieval abbey of Tintern, or fish the Nore.
Kilmokea Gardens
The Dunbrody
Tintern Abbey
Day 7 Thursday June 30
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 Merrion
Day 8 Friday
1
July
Explore Dublin and
take a Viking Splash Tour. 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.
Day 9
Sat 2 July
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.
24th
June
