TENTATIVE ITINERARY

(subject to change)

 

DAY 1

• Meet + greet bus + tour guide at Dublin airport.

• We will head a short distance up the road to County Meath, where we will explore the Boyne Valley Region.

• We’ll visit Trim Castle - the largest and best preserved, Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Few places in Ireland contain more medieval buildings than this heritage town. Trim gets its name from the Irish, ‘Baile Atha Troim’, which means ‘Town of the Ford of the Elder Trees’, indicating that this was an important fording point on the River Boyne.

• Before re-boarding the bus, there’s time to shop at Trim’s local craft shop!

• A short drive to nearby Navan, and check into hotel, where we relax and refresh.

• Overnight at the beautiful Bellinteer House. On the banks of the River Boyne, this upscale hotel occupies a splendid Georgian mansion, built about 1750. The Palladium-style house was designed by Richard Castle for John Preston, grandfather of the first Lord Tara.

 

DAY 2

• After a sumptuous Irish breakfast, we check out of Bellinteer House and visit Newgrange - a prehistoric monument located on a rise overlooking the River Boyne, It is an exceptionally grand passage tomb built during the Neolithic Period, around 3200 BC, making it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids!!

• Accommodation (tbc)

 

DAY 3

• Travel westward, taking in the beautiful sites of the border counties of Cavan / Monaghan / Leitrim / Sligo…and arrive at Collooney, County Sligo.

• Tonight’s overnight accommodation will be in the luxurious Markree Castle - an authentic Irish castle located in the beautiful county of Sligo on the route of the world-famous Wild Atlantic Way. 

• We will have a sumptuous meal in the Castle’s restaurant.

• After dinner, we will enter the castle’s quaint chapel for a special performance of Nu Blu with some special guests.

 

DAY 4

• After we enjoy a well prepared breakfast, you’ll have time to explore the beautifully secluded 500-acre castle grounds 

• Later, we head west to County Mayo and arrive in the lovely town of Westport.  Tonight we will stay in the beautiful Knockranny House Hotel - Just a short walk from the town centre, and set in secluded grounds on a hillside, this luxury hotel stands proudly overlooking the picturesque town of Westport and enjoys breathtaking views of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay’s islands to the west and the Nephin Mountains to the north. 

• Tonight, after dinner, we go to the famous Matt Molloy’s (of the Chieftains) pub for a traditional Irish session. One never knows who will turn up. Matt Molloy himself is often on site and joins in the nightly session!

 

DAY 5

• Today we head to the medieval midlands town of Athlone. 

• We’ll visit Athlone Castle and the self-proclaimed ‘oldest pub in Ireland’ Sean’s Bar. Whether it’s truly the oldest or not, there’s always a good atmosphere and a great pint of Guinness pulled!

• continue on to Dublin, and attend singing session (tbc)

• Overnight accommodation: tbc

 

DAY 6

• After breakfast, visit Malahide Castle

• After the Castle, have the rest of the day to yourself in Dublin for shopping and sightseeing (Joe, our tour guide will happily advise and facilitate whatever specific spots you may want to visit.

• Evening time you can attend one of many Irish traditional sessions in the City Centre.

 

DAY 7

• Final morning to start the day with a full Irish breakfast , then check out of the hotel and we say goodbye until next time….!

 

 

CUSTOMARY GRATUITIES FOR TOUR GUIDE AND DRIVER NOT INCLUDED.

 

FURTHER DETAILS TO FOLLOW!