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Sunday 1st August 2010
Arrival at Shannon. A one hour drive to Adare Manor. Spend the day settling in. This evening consider an early dinner in the village of Adare which has several outstanding restaurants.
Monday 2nd August
A tour to The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, ending up at Bunratty Castle
This will be a full day excursion. The area around the cliffs and The Burren involves some of the most surprising and startling scenery in Ireland and re-enforces the notion of Ireland as an island of contrasts. The largely limestone structure of this area has become exposed over the millennia leaving the lunar-like surface of grey rock called karst which extends for miles. In the cracks and crevices of this porous surface a microclimate supports a range of flora more at home in arctic and Mediterranean soil.
An Historical Discovery Trip to Bunratty Folk Park farmyard and see sights that haven’t been seen for more than 100 years as you amble through the rural and urban scenes of the folk village.
When the park closes we will stay on to enjoy a Medieval Banquet in the great
hall of the castle.
Depart Bunratty 8.45 pm. Return to Adare 9.45 pm.
Tuesday 3rd August
For Golfers a golf outing - Apart from Adare itself, Ballybunion is 90 minutes away and Tralee is just under 2 hours.
Others might prefer to visit Limerick, 20 minutes from Adare
The Hunt Collection is housed in the beautifully restored Custom House in the heart of Limerick city. This Palladian style building was designed by Italian architect Davis Duckart in 1765 and is regarded as one of the finest examples of 18th Century architecture in Limerick.
This is the personal and private collection of John and Gertrude Hunt collected over their lifetime. Three floors of galleries exhibit 2000 original pieces of art and antiquity from the Neolithic period to the 20th Century. Highlights in the collection include The Antrim Cross, a 9th century metal forerunner of the later high crosses, a bronze horse after Leonardo da Vinci, a Mary Queen of Scots Cross and paintings by Renoir, Picasso, O’Conor and Yeats.
King John’s Castle is situated in the heart of Limerick’s Medieval precinct, on the river Shannon at "Kings Island". The Castle was built between 1200 and 1210 and was repaired and extended many times in the following centuries. The visitor centre at the Castle contains an imaginative historical exhibition which tells the story of the Castle.
Shopping Opportunities in Limericks charming city centre, and an Angela's Ashes walking tour
can be arranged.
For others activities available at or near Adare include horseback riding, swimming (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult), laser clay pigeon shooting (available from the age of 10 upwards), bicycling, Go Karts, or a nature trail.
Tonight a cocktail party at Adare manor for the family followed by dinner locally at Echo Lodge, a delightful restaurant in a village 20 minutes from Adare.
Wednesday 4th August
Kissing and Shopping in Blarney
10.00 AM Depart Adare to take a trip to Blarney village to kiss the world famous Blarney Stone and shop at the legendary Blarney Woollen Mills. 12.10 Blarney Castle dates back to the 15th century and is a typical Norman Tower House, built for defence. Climb 99 steps to the parapets to kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the “gift of eloquence” the Irish are so famous for. And kissing the stone requires a certain elasticity and gymnastic ability – you must lie down on your back and stretch backwards to kiss the stone in an upside-down position! The grounds, the groves and the caves around the castle have a fascinating, eerily romantic air. Blarney Woollen Mills, established in 1824, is an excellent place for shopping for Irish made products and goods, eg , linen, Waterford crystal, woollen jumpers and hand made crafts. After all this activity there is nothing more relaxing than a hearty lunch in the village or in the Woollen Mills Restaurant.
2.30 Depart Blarney
4.45 Return to Adare. Consider dinner in the great dining room of the Manor House is advised, or a more informal meal in the club house restaurant.
Or
9.00 AM Depart Adare to take a trip to Blarney village to kiss the world famous Blarney Stone and shop at the legendary Blarney Woollen Mills. 11.10 Blarney Castle dates back to the 15th century and is a typical Norman Tower House, built for defence. Climb 99 steps to the parapets to kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the “gift of eloquence” the Irish are so famous for. And kissing the stone requires a certain elasticity and gymnastic ability – you must lie down on your back and stretch backwards to kiss the stone in an upside-down position! The grounds, the groves and the caves around the castle have a fascinating, eerily romantic air. Blarney Woollen Mills, established in 1824, is an excellent place for shopping for Irish made products and goods, eg , linen, Waterford crystal, woollen jumpers and hand made crafts. After all this activity there is nothing more relaxing than a hearty lunch in the village or in the Woollen Mills Restaurant.
12.45 Depart Blarney
1.45 Arrive Kinsale. Lunch, followed by an exploration. Kinsale in County Cork is one of the most picturesque, popular and fashionable resorts of the south-west coast of Ireland. Famous for its beautiful yachting, sea angling, Dolphin & Whale Watching Trips, gourmet restaurants and golf. Kinsale can easily claim its place amongst Ireland's most historic locations for this has been a centre of population, commerce, trade and fishing far beyond memory and record. In its earliest days the estuary of the Bandon River gave it great importance as the river is tidal as far as Innishannon and water transport was dominant until the 18th Century.
3.45 depart Kinsale
6.15 Return to Adare. Consider dinner in the great dining room of the Manor House, or a more informal meal in the club house restaurant.
Thursday 5th August - The Big Day!!!
9.20 AM Depart Adare for Killarney. 11.15 Arrive at the 14th century Ross Castle, located in picturesque fashion on the lakeshore, overlooking Inisfallen Island. At Ross Castle the fishermen will set off with a ghillie for and afternoon's fishing as they embark on an intriguing voyage by small boat across the Lower Lake towards Dinis Island. Enjoy the anecdotes and tall stories of the boatman as you glide across the water surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Packed lunches provided by Adare manor will ensure the fishermen do not starve even if they catch nothing!
The rest of the group head on to Muckross House, a magnificent period building with a sad and poignant history. Set on the lakeshore amidst a spectacular garden and woodland, the beautiful setting is in direct contrast to the tragic events of its past. Your trip through the estate will be by horse and buggy, driven by a local “jarvey” who will provide expert local wit and knowledge.
This is where time stands still in the silence of the lakes, but where all modern conveniences and great shopping and dining can be found.
After lunch in the cafe at Muckross the group will be taken into Killarney for a shopping expedition whilst the coach returns to pick up the Fishermen.
Depart Killarney 2.00 pm
Arrive Adare 3.50 pm
Depart Adare 4.45 pm for Dromoland Castle Dinner at 6:30 PM. Have a family photo taken at the castle.
Friday 6th August
9.30 depart for Islanmore Stud Farm
Islanmore is a thoroughbred breeding farm whose primary functions are the keeping of broodmares, foaling them, and then preparing their produce for sale as yearlings (18 months old) at the various international sales. All the mares are foaled here and taken to the various stallions to be covered at the appropriate time. Islanmore has a reputation as one to the leading yearling producers in Europe and has produced many winners worldwide over the years. The gardens of Islanmore are very special – there is a really beautiful arboretum and parkland on the banks of the Maigue and then one of the best walled gardens in the country with outstanding roses. The Tarry family will on occasion serve
coffee and scones in their impressive Georgian mansion afterwards.
12.00 Nearby are the 3000 BC stone circles at Lough Gur. In the visitor centre they tell the story which sets the scene for the adventure which awaits the visitor around the lake shore and surrounding area. The pre-Celtic settlers of Ireland farmed and lived in this peaceful valley, protected from aggression and the elements from the surrounding hills. The archaeology of the area provides evidence for the activities of the first farmers in the region, their dwellings, rituals and burial sites as well as their tools and implements.
1.30 pm Lunch in a pub in medieval Kilmallock
3 PM return to Adare.
6 PM depart for a farewell private banquet in The Georgian House in
Limerick. It is one of a terrace of six houses built c. 1830 by the Pery Square Tontine Company. The Terrace is widely regarded as being the best example of late Georgian Architecture in Limerick and probably in Ireland. No. 2 Pery Square has been fully restored with all its original architectural features reinstated in precise detail.
Saturday 7th August
Depart Adare
