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In
the annals of the Irish History, the aristocracy and the great houses in which
their families have lived for generations stand for a privileged way of life few
can experience today. These are the houses in which history was made,
where the finest works of artists and craftsmen were collected, and which
inspired the creative muses of generations. To this day they are
still an elite and closed society into which outsiders are not invited. We
have gained the trust of many of the scions of nobility, and can offer a
wonderful tour that combines politics with P G Wodehouse, elegance with
entertaining eccentricity and indulgence with education!
Along the way, you'll stay
in the finest country houses and castle hotels, with time for golf, fishing,
riding, shopping and exploring in charming towns and villages.
Day 1
Arrive
Dublin, where you guide will meet you. The grandson of an Earl and the son
of a Lady in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth, he will bring you to The Merrion Hotel
and give you an introduction to the history of titles from ancient times to the
present day, and through the paintings in the National Gallery of Ireland, create
a picture of Aristocratic life. The balance of the day is free to relax after
your journey, or to explore
The Merrion Hotel in the heart of Georgian Dublin is one of the finest hotels in Ireland; Opened in 1997, this 1760s house was the birthplace of The Duke of Wellington. The modern garden wing offers stylish bedrooms with some suites available in the original house. The reception areas and meeting rooms retain their old-world elegance and the bar is situated in the former wine vault. There are two excellent restaurants as well as leisure facilities.
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Day 2
A visit to the nephew of Nancy Mitford in his 12th Century castle. Nancy Mitford, a famous writer, identified the difference between "U and Non- U" in
Noblesse Oblige: an Inquiry into the Identifiable Characteristics of the Aristocracy
in 1954! Your host, The Hon Desmond Guinness, is the son of Lord Moyne and founder of the Irish Georgian Society.
Lunch in one of Ireland's most historic family homes, Ballinlough was built in 1614 by Hugh O’'Reilly, and the castle remains home to his direct descendants, the Nugent family. Your host is the 6th Baronet.
In the afternoon Dunsany Castle will be a memorable place to visit. The Plunkett connection with Dunsany began with the knight Sir Christopher Plunkett (Deputy Governor of Ireland in 1432), who had come into the lands in the area through marriage in the early 1400's. Your hostess is the 20th chatelaine of the castle to have born the title Lady Dunsany, and is a distinguished architect with an international practice.
Return to Dublin for dinner with a member of the Irish Senate, the Upper House of
Parliament, and learn a little about the role of the aristocracy in 20th century Irish history.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Dunsany Castle |
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Ballinlough Castle |
Day 3
Head North to Belfast, lunching with The Earl of Erne at Crom Castle on the way. Home to the Creighton family since the 1600s, the present castle was built in the 1830s for the third Earl by English architect Edward Blore, who also worked on Buckingham Palace . Overnight at Castle Leslie, the home of Sir Jack Leslie, a cousin of Winston Churchill. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Castle Leslie | Crom Castle | Castle Leslie |
Day 4
Baronscourt, one of the finest stately mansions in Ireland and home of the Dukes of Abercorn since 1612. The Duke's titles, which go back to the 15th Century, include Marquess of Hamilton, Viscount Strabane, Duc de Chatellerault, Baron Mountcastle, and Lord of Paisley, Hamilton, Mountcastell and Kilpatrick. Baronscourt is among that handful of old family estates in the British Isles which combine great historical and architectural interest with a landscape of outstanding natural beauty. There are only 24 Ducal families, the highest rank below Royalty. This evening stay in the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 5
Explore the noble families and mansions of the Northern Coast, visiting the homes of Earls, Viscounts, and Barons. Antrim and Down, apart from having some of the most scenic countryside in Ireland, have also a history stretching back to the very earliest arrival of man here - the first settlers arrived here in around 7,000 BC. Overnight The Merchant. Breakfast, Lunch.
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The Stately Homes of Ulster |
Day 6
Travel South - A coffee stop with the Count Matouschka to see the superb 11th century Irish High Cross on his estate and then lunch with Lord Rathdonnell whose family name was used by Oscar Wilde for his eponymous hero Bunberry. In 1669 the family arrived at Lisnavagh. Over the next 10 generations the estate has evolved to include 1,000 acres of woodland, parkland, farmland and a Gothic Revival mansion, with extensive gardens. Overnight in The Earl of Carrick's stately home Mount Juliet, now a hotel, overlooking the River Nore in Kilkenny. Breakfast, Lunch.
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| Moone | Lisnavagh | Mount Juliet |
Day 7
Tour to Waterford to visit the magnificent home of the Marquis of Waterford and his ancestors since 1170. The interior of the house contains exceptionally fine plasterwork. Grounds include outstanding Arboretum, shell grotto, decorated by Catherine Poer, Countess of Tyrone in 1754 and a bridge built in 1205 for King John to cross the River Clodagh. A tour of Waterford followed by lunch with the Countess Bernstorff at her home Berkley Forest, with a chance to see her collection of antique costumes. The Countess is a distinguished contemporary artist, and her home was built by the family of Bishop Berkley, after whom the Californian University is named. Return to Mount Juliet. Breakfast, Lunch.
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| Curraghmore | Berkley Forest |
Day 8
To Birr Castle for lunch with the Earl of Rosse, a brother in law of Queen Elizabeth. Birr, his family home since the 1600s, has one of the most important gardens in Europe. Carry on to
Dromoland Castle for dinner with the O'Brien of Thomond, The Lord Inchiquin, spend your final night in this stunning
ccastle hotel before departing from nearby Shannon Airport. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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| Lord Rosse | Birr |
Day 9
Depart Shannon
This tour has a minimum of 8 participants and a maximum of 14 participants. A version of this tour for 2 people travelling together, with all the private visits but not as many private lunches, is EUR 7290.
A streamlined version of this tour for a group, without as many private lunches, is available from EUR 4,400
As many of the properties that we are visiting are private it may be that the owners have to cancel our visit at the last minute. In the unlikely event that that does happen we will substitute something of equal interest.
