13th
JuneDay 1
13th
June
Arrive Shannon. Transfer to Adare Manor or Echo Lodge for the first two nights. 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.
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Adare Manor |
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Echo Lodge
We would recommend 1 Dunraven stateroom (Room 202) with a connecting de luxe twin for the parents with children
Alternatively
Echo Lodge
Day 2 14 June
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The next day I would suggest a day in Killarney - by pass the town and head straigt 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
From Killarney they could either return to Adare up the same main road or take towards road to Mallow, possibly visiting the ancient site of The City in the Boggeragh Mountains and Kanturk Castle. Return to Adare/Echo Lodge
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Day 3 15 June
Via Limerick to Tipperary to The Rock of Cashel. Onto Cahir to visit the castle. Over the Knockmealdowns to Lismore. Overnight Hayfield Manor, Cork.
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Day 4 16 June
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Blarney Castle, Fota island, with its wonderful gardens, historic house and wildlife park. Cobh Heritage Centre with its tales of emigration to America. Barryscourt Castle. Maybe the Irish Whiskey Centre at Midleton. Return to Hayfield
Day 5 17 June
Along "The Gold Coast" to Waterford. Visit Waterford Crystal. Overnight at Mount Juliet. An opportunity to fish here as well. I would recommend rooms 32 and 33. Although they are on the top floor they are in a sort of nook.
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The alternative place to stay would be Dunbrody house.
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Day 6 18 June
The medieval city of Kilkenny, with its tales of ghosts and witches, then via the National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Kildare to Dublin
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Overnight Merrion / Four Seasons /
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Day 7 19 June
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Explore Dublin and take a Viking Splash Tour
Day 8 20 June
