Uniquely Irish
7 Night Deluxe Self – Drive
Tour
Ireland is a land of
contrasts and while the “Celtic Tiger” has brought prosperity,
the country has still managed to hold onto many of the features the country
is renowned for the world over. The Irish are warm, hospitable and
welcoming people and the pace of life, especially away from cities, is a
reminder of bygone days. Socialising invariably happens in the pubs, which
have a deserved reputation as being the best in the world. You’ll
find top entertainment, excellent pubs and restaurants, luxurious spas,
golf courses and incredible historical sights. And of course, there will
always be time out to shop for everything from designer labels to uniquely
Irish produce, such as delicious smoked salmon, golden whiskey or exquisite
hand-crafted crystal.
DAY 1:
Dublin City (12km)
Welcome to Dublin, after you pick up your car at the
Car Rental Company desk, transfer to your accommodation booked. Spend the
remainder of the day soaking up the atmosphere of this exciting city or
visit some of its many attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College or Old Jameson
Distillery.
Overnight
at Ariel House (4* Guesthouse), Lansdowne
Road, Dublin 4
or similar
Day 2:
Dublin
Continue your exploring of Dublin city, or
perhaps take a short bus tour of the city and its surroundings. Why not
visit Malahide Castle or the Newgrange Burial Chambers, which
predate the Pyramids in Egypt?
You can also travel south from Dublin and
visit Wicklow – known as the garden of Ireland.
Among the many sights you can see the 6th century monastic settlement of
Glendalough and Powerscourt House and Gardens are
of note.
Overnight
at Ariel House (4* Guesthouse), Lansdowne
Road, Dublin 4
or similar
Day 3:
Galway (285km)
Leave Dublin this morning and travel across the
rich midlands pastures. Why not visit Belvedere House, Gardens and Park?
The magnificent early 18th century stately home of Robert Rochfort, Earl of Belvedere, stands in 160 acres of
parkland on the shores of Lough Ennell. Belvedere
is one of the finest of Ireland’s
historic houses, and together with gardens and park has been exquisitely
restored. Before you cross the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest
river, you can visit Clonmacnoise a 6th century
Christian site. Arrive into Galway, which has long traded with Spain
and Spanish influences are many in the city. Of note is Spanish Arch, a
gateway in the old city walls and the Spanish parade, where wealthy
merchants and their families enjoyed a stroll along the promenade.
Overnight
in a traditional Bed & Breakfast accommodation from the Georgian or
Victorian eras, a thatched cottage or some other unique features property
in Galway County.
Day 4:
Connemara Region (80km)
Today travel out into the wild and
rugged Connemara region, famous for the
savage beauty of its lake and mountain scenery. Why not visit Connemara National Park,
where Connemara ponies and Irish red
deer roam freely through 5,000 acres of scenic
mountains, bogs and grassland. You can also visit the magnificent Kylemore
Abbey – a beautiful mansion in a lakeside setting against a
mountainous backdrop. Irish Benedictine nuns, with a tradition of over 300
years, run this unique Abbey set in the heart of Connemara, overlooking Pollacapul
Lake.
Overnight
in a traditional Bed & Breakfast accommodation from the Georgian or Victorian eras, a thatched
cottage or some other unique features property in Galway County.
Day 5:
Cliffs of Moher, Kilrush & Co. Kerry (380km)
Leave Clifden this morning, and travel
south through Galway and into Clare, known
as the “land of castles”. Why not visit Rathbaun Farm and see
the animals being tended, or enjoy a traditional tea and scone break?
Travel on through the strange lunar landscape of the Burren region or visit
the Cliffs of Moher a spectacular 5-mile long cliff, which rises almost 700
feet above sea level. Stop in the heritage town of Kilrush, before
boarding a ferry to Tarbert in north Co. Kerry.
Overnight
in a traditional Bed & Breakfast accommodation from the Georgian or
Victorian eras or some other unique featured property in Kerry County.
Day 6
– Ring of Kerry (160km)
Today tour one of Ireland’s loveliest
districts, the Ring of Kerry. Poets, painters, writers and musicians have
all tried to convey the beauty of this area. Mountains, valleys and lakes
blend into a palette of scenic splendour. A delightful day includes a drive
along the broad, dramatic coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula
and through charming villages and towns of Killorglin,
Cahirciveen, Waterville and Irish-speaking Sneem. Why not visit Muckross House, a magnificent
Victorian mansion and one of Ireland’s leading stately
homes? The gardens at Muckross House are renowned world-wide for their
beauty; in particular they are noted for their fine collections of azaleas
and rhododendrons.
Overnight
in traditional Bed & Breakfast accommodation from the Georgian or
Victorian eras or some other unique featured property in Kerry County.
Day 7
– Medieval Limerick, Rock of Cashel
& Kildare (300km)
This morning spend an hour or two in
the medieval city of Limerick,
either exploring its history and architecture of purchasing some of the
splendid crafts on offer. Why not visit the Hunt
Museum, an exhibit of one of Ireland’s
greatest private collections of art and antiquities. Leave Limerick and travel eastwards towards Co. Kildare.
En-route a small detour will bring you to the imposing Rock of Cashel which
rises dramatically from the flat countryside. This site has the best set of
varied monuments in any Irish site. The rock is crowned by a group of buildings,
both ecclesiastical and royal, including a round tower, a 13th century
Romanesque chapel and the beautifully restored Hall of the Vicar Choral.
Continue through rich pastures of Ireland’s
midlands before arriving in Maynooth, Co. Kildare
for your overnight in Carton House, one of Ireland’s
greatest stately homes which is located in the heart of the horse-breeding county of Kildare
Day 8
– Dublin & Departure (85km)
Today travel to Dublin Airport
for your return flight home.
Uniquely Irish 2010 – Tour Rates & Information
|
PACKAGE
|
|
|
Per Person sharing
|
Single Supplement
|
|
January – March
|
$750.00
|
$385.00
|
|
April
|
$750.00
|
$360.00
|
|
May
|
$800.00
|
$360.00
|
|
June - September
|
$835.00
|
$360.00
|
|
October - December
|
$750.00
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$360.00
|
|
Children 3 to 12 years
|
$305.00
|
N/A
|
NOTES:
• We reserve the right to vary the itinerary should the need
arise, but will ensure where feasible that location and standard are
maintained.
Clients that
they should check-in to their hotel/bed&breakfast
no later than 6pm. If clients are going to be later than 6pm, they should
call their accommodation and advise them of their approximate check in
time. Failure to do this could result in their reservation being cancelled
and rooms released.
§
All hotels/bed & breakfast accommodation are prebooked & rooms have ensuite facilities. Also
note that bed & breakfast accommodation covers members of both the
“Town & Country Homes Association” and “Farmhouse
Association”.
PRICE INCLUDES:
• Bed & Breakfast
accommodation as follows: 1 night in a 4 star Castle hotel, 2 nights in a 4
star guesthouse, 4 nights in themed bed & breakfast accommodation. Based on per person
sharing twin/double room with bath/shower inclusive of service charges.
• Heritage Island
Touring Guide and discount card
§ All prices quoted are $AUD p.p. twin share basis
Our Uniquely Irish programme is designed to capture the Irish
contrasts while staying at a combination of guesthouses and really unique
personally selected traditional bed and breakfast accommodation ranging
from Victorian and Georgian style homes to thatched cottages and everything
in between.
Self Drive Tours
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our Self Drive
Tour details
