A Peregrination of the More Unusual Castles of Ireland

The famous castle hotels of Ireland, such as Dromoland Castle & Ashford Castle, are memorable by the most exacting of international standards & frequented by film stars & the international glitterati. However if you would prefer to experience more affordable castles you will find this tour of Ireland's lesser castles a fascinating insight into the not quite so grand side of medieval splendour and Victorian Romanticism.

Day 1 and 2

Your tour starts in Dublin at Bram Stoker's old haunt, Clontarf Castle, a 15 minute drive from the city centre. You'll stay here for two nights & explore the sites of Dublin's 18th century grandeur.  You'll get to see Dublin Castle, where royal levees once filled the courtyard with babbling debutantes, and Drimnagh Castle, whoose battlemented towers once looked over the farmlands of the Pale

Day 3 Head south along the coast, visiting Powerscourt Gardens & the ancient Monastic site of Glendalough. Imagine deep Glacial Valleys between tree clad mountains, with bottomless black lakes seaming the valley floor. This evening you'll stay at farm house castle is a 300 year old family home of charm & character, adjacent to a 13th century castle in a tranquil rural setting on a dairy farm close to the seaside.

Day 4 Through New Ross & along the beautiful valley of the River Nore, visiting Woodstock Gardens in Inistioge & the great Castle of Kilkenny. Meandering raods follw the river between rolling wooded hills, punctuated by picture book villages and stately demesnes. Kilkenny, a medieval city, is also famous for its witch haunted inns. Then through the Midlands to stay at a castle bed and breakfast.

Day 5 A day to explore the Midlands, visiting Holy Cross Abbey, The Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle (one of the largest Norman castles in Ireland) & the fabled motte of Knockgraffon. Today would also be a good day to explore some of the way marked walks in the area.

Day 6   By way of way of Limerick, a bustling town with wonderful buildings, galleries & museums, to Adare, one of the prettiest villages in Ireland with rose covered thatched cottages. Then on to Ballyseede Castle outside Tralee for the night. This 15th century castle is situated on 30 acres of woodland & has been completely refurbished & decorated in keeping with the elegance of the past.

Day 7 A tour of the Ring of Kerry, taking in the highlights of Ireland's most scenic mountains & most picturesque lakes, stopping at the gardens of Muckross House & maybe spending a little time looking for shells on the beach at Caherdaniel or Waterville. Return to Ballyseede.

Day 8 Head north into County Clare across the amazing lunar like landscape of The Burren, famed for its flowers & prehistoric buildings. A tour of Galway, the medieval city of the tribes & then on to a castle hotel in the heart of Connemara for the night. 

Day 9 Explore the country of Connemara made famous by John Wayne & Maureen O'Hara's movie The Quiet Man. This land of towering mountains corrugated with potato beds from 200 years ago, pearl-like lakes & mysterious bogs is an emotionally stirring landscape to enjoy. Overnight as before..

Day 10 Either depart Shannon or (optional extra) head back towards Dublin visiting the Whiskey Distillery in Kilbeggan &  Trim Castle en route. Overnight at a bed and breakfast castle 45 minutes north of Dublin Airport.

The Cost:-

The cost includes 9 nights accommodation in castle hotels and castle bed and breakfasts with breakfast, service and tax included. It includes all admissions when taken with a driver guide.  

With a self drive car - from Eu1200 per person sharing based on two people

With a driver guide - from Eu 4060 per person sharing based on two people

With a mini coach for a group with a driver guide  - from Eu1810 per person sharing based on 10 people

 For bookings, personal adjustments or more information:- Adams & Butler, Luxury Travel Specialists  or

Your Travel Agent

Adams & Butler, Luxury Travel Specialists
71 Waterloo Road
Mount Merrion
Dublin 4, Ireland
T +353 1 2889355 F +353 1 288 9282 E info@irishluxury.com
US Toll Free 1-800-8945712

Tour Accommodation

IN THE EVENT THAT YOU CANCEL A TRIP, YOUR DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS ARE REFUNDABLE ONLY IF A REPLACEMENT CAN BE FOUND FOR YOUR RESERVED SPACE. 

CIRCUMSTANCES MAY OCCUR THAT ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL AND MAY AFFECT THE ITINERARY. WE SHALL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SUBSTITUTE AN EQUAL ATTRACTION SHOULD IT BECOME NECESSARY.

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Adams & Butler Ltd  reserves the right in its sole discretion to make changes in itinerary and is not responsible to any person for expense, loss of time or money or other circumstances resulting in a change in itinerary or change in tour arrangements made by it for its tour members. We reserve the right to decline, or to accept, any person as a member of any tour at any time.

Adams & Butler Ltd is not  responsible for any injury, loss or damage incurred, personal or otherwise, by any tour member(s). Adams & Butler Ltd accepts NO responsibility, in whole or part, for events beyond our control including but not limited to strikes, quarantine, lockouts, revolts, acts of war, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, fire, weather, closure of highways or hotels/motels or technical problems of transport which force us to cancel the tour. In the event of cancellation of a tour you will be entitled to a refund of any moinies that you have paid to Adams & Butler Ltd, which will be the extent of their liability.