AN IRISH HONEYMOON

	AN IRISH HONEYMOON

Day 1 7:00AM Private transfer Shannon Airport to Dromoland Castle

Private Transportation to Connemara Ballynahinch Castle for four nights


Connemara		Galway

Your route takes you through Co Clare and along Galway Bay - stop for oysters in Morans of The Weir of Burkes of Clarinbridge.

Galway is a pretty medieval city, full of shops and pedestrianized streets. Moycullen is the gateway to Conemara and the road from Galway to Ballynahinch was once the front avenue of Ballynahinch Castle - the longest front drive in the world!

Ballynahinch Castle is located in the centre of the vast Ballynahinch Estate, which comprises 350 acres of unspoilt Connemara landscape. Choose from a fine selection of outdoor activities or simply stroll through the beautiful grounds. There are miles of scenic walks to enjoy throughout the estate. Ballynahinch Estate plays host to numerous flowers and fauna. As you walk the grounds, you may encounter swans, mallards, teals, or catch a view of a swooping hawk or come upon an otter, or if you are lucky, the illusive pine martin. Every turn brings a new delight to discover and reception has maps for sale of walks available on the grounds. You may also enjoy a game of tennis, croquet or even a bike ride, and of course fishing. There is plenty to look at to work up an appetite for a warm drink beside a roaring log fire on your return.

There are several golf courses in the area. The most renowned being the Connemara Championship 18 Hole Links Course in Ballyconneely. The Connemara Golf Course is only 12 miles/20 kilometres from Ballynahinch. There are numerous other 18 hole golf courses in the county such as The Barna Golf Course, The Galway Bay Course in Oranmore and the Oughterard Golf Course.

Peruse the many shopping choices in Clifden from sweater shops, quality gift shops, boutiques to antique and souvenir shops. Lunch in tea-shops, pubs and in the evenings, indulge in Clifdens emerging reputation as the West's 'Gourmet Capital' by dining in its fine restaurants.

Options include a private cruise on The Brazen Hussy, a 40 ft Motor Cruiser, which offers home baked refreshments along the way and picnic on good days and chats about local history, wildlife and hot conversation topics. For lunch and accommodation you will be brought to places glam and stylish, quaint and hidden. You might also visit local craft workers such as Curragh builder (a traditional canvas fishing boat) or a Bodhran (Irish drum) maker.

Adare is famed for its pretty cottages and its golf. The Ballyhoura Mountains offer wonderful long distance walks.

Spend an easy day strolling through the rural village of Ballingarry. There are ruins of an early Norman castle in the middle of the village. While it is situated on private property and access is poor, it is worth a stroll as the condition is excellent considering its age. The spire of the Roman Catholic Church can be seen for miles around and the church itself is similar to a small cathedral with palatial décor.

The village is overlooked by Knockfernia, a 286m high hill sacred to Donn Firinne, Celtic god to the Otherworld. The hill has many strange legends and stories. Also known as the 'hill of truth,' a great expanse of territory embracing six counties, many mountain ranges and the Shannon estuary can be seen from the summit on a clear day. There is a rough track for walkers, which leads to the top.

As the famine took effect in the 1840's, local who were evicted from their own houses fled to Knockfernia, which at the time was commonage. They built simple mud huts and fed on the roots of wild vegetation. As the starvation intensified, all the inhabitants emigrated. Today, the simple mud huts remain, partially restored, as a stark reminder of their suffering. Weather permitting; this trek is the ideal way to work up an appetite for dinner!!

Cork city is approx. 1 hour drive (N20) from Ballingarry. Recently the European Capital of Culture, it is just beyond Blarney where you can visit the famous Blarney Castle (www.blarneycastle.ie) to kiss the 'stone of eloquence.' The Blarney Woollen Mills flagship store is worth a visit to pick up traditional memories of your travels.


Blarney	Cobh	Kinsale

Kinsale, 30 minutes south of Cork City, is one of the most picturesque and fashionable resorts on the south west coast. It is famous for its yachting, gourmet restaurants and of course the 'Old Head golf course.' There are guided tours available of 'Charles Fort' a 17th century star shaped fortress and the 16th century Desmond castle is also worth exploring.

The town of Cobh is situated 30 minutes south east of Cork city on Great Island, one of the three large islands in Cork harbour which are now all joined by roads and bridges. Cobh harbour is one of the largest and safest anywhere, being capable of taking the largest vessels afloat.

On the quayside there is a memorial to the victims of the Lusitania, many of whom are buried in the old church cemetery. The ship was sunk off Kinsale in 1915 by German submarines. Cobh (formerly known as Queenstown) was the last port of call for the Titanic before she embarked on her fateful maiden voyage. Cobh, the Queenstown story, is displayed in the heritage centre and is an imaginative illustrative story f emigration from Cobh during the famine period in 1845 and afterwards.

On your journey home, you can side track from the main N20 route, to Doneraile (R522) to visit the forest park and demesne. Doneraile is a smell town steeped in history and is the perfect stop for a picnic and a walk.

One of the most famous and popular road circuits in the south west of Ireland, the ring of Kerry traverses the coastline of the Inveragh peninsula with lots of tourist sites along the way.

Beginning in Killorglin, one and a half hours from Ballingarry, the ring is 179 km long and will provide an extensive and fulfilling day trip. It is best to travel anti-clockwise to avoid meeting the coach tours 'head on.'

The scenery is breathtaking and continues to amaze even us, the Irish folk! Allow plenty of time at the end of the ring to stroll through the streets of Kenmare, a noble heritage town with lots of great shops and restaurants.

Homewards towards Killarney, the tourist capital of the region. Visit Muckross House and gardens (www.muckross-house.ie) the torc waterfalls and Killarney national park.

If all that exploring sounds like too much hard work, Killarney alone will make a perfect, easy day trip being just over 1 hour's drive from Ballingarry.

Day 10 Private Transportation to SNN airport – 50 minutes drive from Echo Lodge