Pre Tour - March 11th, 2022 - This morning you will arrive into Dublin International Airport and spend the day at our airport accommodation get rested up before the tours starts the following morning. (B)
Day 1 - March 12th, 2022 - This morning you will be met at our Dublin International Airport Accommodation before we journey to County Kerry and lovely Killarney Town where we will spend our first week together. We will make a few stops along the way including Cashel to see the Rock of Cashel. Cashel with its well preserved ecclesiastical remains, is one of Ireland's spectacular landmarks, rising above the surrounding plain and dominating the land route southwards. There is a 13th Century Cathedral, 12th Century Round Tower and the Chapel of King Cormac. While in Cashel we will have time to enjoy this lovely town before we settle in for Afternoon Tea we continue on to our lovely home in Killarney where you can get settled in before a Welcoming Buffet Dinner! We will take over the entire house here in Killarney and you can make yourself completely at home and get settled before meeting for dinner. Welcome Dinner and Overnight Killarney. (B,L,D)
Day 2 - This morning we head to the Dingle Peninsula. A drive around Dingle reveals fascinating antiquities ranging from Iron Age Stone Forts to Inscribed Stones, early Christian Oratories and Beehive Huts. Stops include Dunbeg Fort, Slea Head, Ballyferriter, Kilmalkedar and Gallarus Oratory Drystone Church. The Gallarus Oratory was built and used by local farmers of the area at an early date, estimates of which generally range from the 6th century to the 9th century. Built in the Iron Age, Dunbeg Fort is an impressive and elaborate example of a promontory fort. Its location makes it one of the most dramatic archaeological sites on the Dingle Peninsula. It is built on a sheer cliff which projects South into Dingle Bay, at the base of Mount Eagle on the Slea Head Road. We will stop in Dingle for Afternoon Tea at Benners before some free time in this attractive fishing village. We then return home to Killarney for dinner. Dinner and Overnight Killarney. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - We will be spend the day on the Inveragh Peninsula better known as the 'Ring of Kerry'. Popular stops include Derrynane House, ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, lawyer, politician and statesman, and one of the great figures in modern Irish history. Many relics of O’Connell’s life and career are preserved in Derrynane House, but the house is more than just a museum. Derrynane was one of the great influences on Daniel O’Connell’s life being his own childhood home and, throughout his career, his country residence. Next on the agenda is Staigue Fort, one of the largest and finest ring forts you are likely to see in Ireland. It stands on a low hill in an amphitheatre of rugged hills open to the sea on the south. We then stop in the lovely village of Sneem where you can find some lunch before visiting the Kissane Sheep Farm, a traditional, working sheep farm with approximately 1,000 mountain sheep and hundreds of lambs. We will stop here for a Sheepdog Demonstration. We are then out to a Pub Dinner in Killarney this evening. Dinner and Overnight Killarney. (B,D)
Day 4 - Today is free for you to spend any way you like. Coolclogher House and Estate is a luxury home on the outskirts of Killarney town and located on the world famous Ring of Kerry route. This historic and listed building dating back to 1742 it is surrounded by 68 Acres Parkland and Gardens in a walled private estate. Nestling in beautiful surrounds of stunning lakes and the mountains of Killarney, the house is within walking distance of the Killarney National Park in case you want to work up and appetite for the Scottish Dream Tours Team Traditional Afternoon Tea in the Lounge! Afternoon Tea will be followed by Musical Entertainment in the Hall of the house. Killarney is one of my very favourite places in Ireland and there is nowhere else on earth where I would rather celebrate St. Patricks Day than here in Killarney. Killarney is plum full of lovely places to eat, drink and take in local entertainment and you will be on your own to explore these options! Traditional Irish Afternoon Tea and Overnight Killarney. (B,L)
Day 5 - Happy Paddy's Day! Killarney is a wonderful location to take in the festivities of St. Patrick's Day. Following breakfast we visit Ross Castle before starting the festivities with the annual Parade on High Street. Ross Castle is considered a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish Chieftain during the Middle Ages. The date of its foundation is uncertain but it was probably built in the late 15th century by one of the O'Donoghue Ross chieftains. We then make our way to the High Street of Killarney for Lunch at the Laurels before the parade. After the parade we will find a pub to settle into for an Afternoon Session of Traditional Music. This evening we are Out to Dinner at Bricin, my favourite place in Killarney to eat and then to Danny Mann's Pub, a well known music pub. We'll take in a bit of live music at Danny Mann's and then many of the pubs offering Traditional Music Sessions. Stay out as late as you like, we'll wait up for you! Overnight Killarney. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - We will have a leisurely morning today with a Late Brunch followed by a visit to Muchross House, an imposing Victorian Mansion that was built in 1843 and overlooks the spectacular Lakes of Killarney. Muckross House was built for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, the water-colourist Mary Balfour Herbert. This was actually the fourth house that successive generations of the Herbert family had occupied at Muckross over a period of almost two hundred years. William Burn, the well-known Scottish architect, was responsible for its design. Building commenced in 1839 and was completed in 1843. We will take a Jaunting Cart trip through the area stopping at the Torc Waterfall before a Traditional Afternoon Tea followed by some free time to investigate the area and Killarney Town. Killarney is delightful although some people do tend to find it a bit crowded and touristy, but many of those tourist are the Irish themselves! The town if full of lovely shops and great pubs and is very easy to walk in. Your are also spoilt for chocie as to where to eat. Overnight Killarney. (B,L)
Day 7 - This morning we make our way to Blarney and Blarney Castle, built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland's greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it one of Ireland's greatest treasures. If the Gift of Gab or 'Eloquence' has not been bestowed on you, you may want to kiss the Blarney Stone. The castle itself sits in spectacular grounds and is well worth a visit along with the Blarney Woollen Mills Outlet. While here we will learn the true story of the Blarney Stone so you will understand why it has been kissed for over 700 years! We will take a wee stroll around Blarney where you can find some lunch on your own. We then stop in the lovely village of Kenmare on the way home. Kenmare is well known for Irish Lace and a bountiful display of wonderful places to eat! We will visit the Kenmare Stone Circle also known locally as 'the Shrubberies', and is probably the largest in SW Ireland,being composed of 15 heavy boulders. Pub Dinner in Kenmare before returning home. Overnight Killarney. (B,D)
Day 8 - This morning we make our way north to Bunratty with a few stops along the way including the Lovely Village of Adare with its main street lined with Enchanting Thatched Roof Cottages and Shops! Billed as Ireland’s Prettiest Village, Adare founded in the 13th century, abounds with a rich history and a strong heritage, which remain ever present in its monuments, its thatched cottages, its streets and its people. From here we make our way to Limerick where we stop for Afternoon Tea before a chance to wander around Limerick. This is an ancient city located where the majestic River Shannon meets with the Wild Atlantic. Limerick is quirky, vibrant and utterly individual and you will love its charm! We then make our way to Bunratty and Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The Folk Park is a meticulous recreation of rural life at the end of the 19th century. After exploring the park and this 15th Century Formidable Castle getting checked into our accommodation where you can explore the wee village of Bunratty and do some shopping. Traditional Irish Music Night and Dinner at Bunratty Castle this evening. Overnight Bunratty. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - This morning we head further north and into the The Burren, a unique botanical environment in which Mediterranean and Alpine Plants rare to Ireland, grow side by side. There are more than 700 species of flowering plants here, roughly three-quarters of Ireland’s native flora. While in the Burren we visit the Burren Perfumery. The flowers of the Burren inspired the original Perfumery Fragrances of Man of Aran, Ilaun, Frond and Fraoch. While in the Burren we will also visit the Poulnabrone Dolmen Portal Tomb. The dolmen consists of a twelve foot, thin, slab-like, tabular capstone supported by two slender portal stones, which support the capstone. It is truly magnificent! In the southern part of the Burren, limestone gives away to black shale and sandstone to form the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. Even when shrouded in mist, the Cliffs of Moher are breathtaking, rising to a height of 650 feet out of the sea and extending for 5 miles. We then continue to our accommodation in Clifden in the Connemara Region where we find dinner waiting. Dinner and Overnight Clifden. (B,D)
Day 10 - As we head even further north today we will explore the Connemara and Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden. Enjoy the Abbeys beautifully restored period rooms and learn about its history of tragedy, romance, education, and spirituality. Explore the Victorian Walled Garden with its delightfully restored garden buildings, formal flower, vegetable and herb gardens. Discover Woodland and Lakeshore Walks that will take you on a beautiful journey through the 1,000-acre estate. The beautiful Neo-Gothic Church is a short walk from the Abbey, nestled nearby is the Mausoleum where the original owners Mitchell and Margaret Henry are buried side by side. Our next stop this afternoon is the Ceide Fields, a neolithic site in County Mayo that contains the oldest known stone walled fields in the world, dating back nearly 6,000 years. Thousands of years ago, our Stone Age Ancestors constructed houses, walls and fields that created an early farming community complete with megalithic tombs while the mighty Atlantic Ocean gently lapped and vigorously pounded up against the cliffs below. Then a half a mile of avenue meandering through mature parkland brings us to the Georgian Manor House we are staying in for the next 3 nights. Dinner and Overnight near Sligo. (B,D)
Day 11 - As we have taken over this entire Luxury Country House here in County Sligo, the first part of the day will be spent here in the house and its Private Estate of over 1,000 Acres. The house overlooks a 13th Century Lakeside Castle of the Knights Templar. The Perceval Family home since 1665, the present manor was redesigned in 1864 and enjoys the authentic and unpretentious luxury country house atmosphere. With 1,200 acres of gardens, farm, lake and parkland at your disposal, as well as the house itself, there is a wealth of space in which to relax and play. In the afternoon The Scottish Dream Tours Team will Prepare Afternoon Tea before a trip into Sligo. Nestled between majestic Benbulben Mountain to the north, ancient Knocknarea Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, beautiful Lough Gill to the east, and the rugged Ox Mountains to the south, Sligo is one of the most picturesque places in all of Ireland. The town straddles the Garavogue River where it meets Sligo Bay. It’s known for its literary heritage and rugged countryside. Ruined medieval Sligo Abbey has carved tombs and a 15th- century altar. Sligo County Museum displays memorabilia of local poet W.B. Yeats, Paintings and Stone Age Artefacts. You will be able to find some dinner in Sligo before we return home. Overnight near Sligo. (B,L)
Day 12 - Today will be spent visiting ancient sites around Sligo. The Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is the second largest Cemetery of Megalithic Tombs in Europe and is among Ireland's oldest. Archaeologists have found over 65 Tombs, Stone Circles, Passage Graves and Standing Stones. The site is thought to be over 700 years older than the spectacular Newgrange, which was built in 3200BC. Our next stop is Carrowkeel Megalithic Hilltop Tomb, a beautifully situated megalithic hill top passage tomb cemetery consisting of 14 passage cairns. This afternoon we have Afternoon Tea in Sligo before visiting Knocknarea and Queen Maeve's Cairn. This 1100 foot high mountain totally dominates the Cuil Irra Peninsula. Sitting proudly on top is Queen Maeve's Cairn, a neolithic passage tomb. The cairn is 180 feet wide by 32 feet high and has never been excavated. It is quite a hike to the top, but everyone who has navigated it has been so glad they did as the views are spectacular! We then return to our accommodation for a Light Buffet Supper. Dinner Overnight near Sligo. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - This morning we head further north to Derry with a stop in Donegal to visit Donegal Castle. Built by an O'Donnell Chieftain in the 15th Century, beside the River Eske, the Castle has extensive 17th century additions by Sir Basil Brooke. The Castle is furnished throughout and includes Persian Rugs and French Tapestries. Information panels chronicle the history of the Castle owners from the O'Donnell Chieftains to the Brooke Family. Lunch in Donegal before we visit Derry City where we will take a tour of the Walls of Derry. Derry is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. We will see Bogside, the Peoples Gallery (Murals) the Bloody Sunday Story, the History of the Apprentice Boys and the Marching Season Traditions. After taking in the walls we will visit St. Columb's Cathedral, the city's oldest building having been completed in 1633. We will have a tour of the building and then make our way to the Guild Hall where a tour of the building reveals 23 Stained Glass Windows that tell the story of the city, the Guildhall Clock which was designed as a replica of ‘Big Ben’ in London and was the largest of its kind in Ireland and a time capsule buried under the building when the foundation stone was laid in 1887 was recently uncovered. Dinner and Overnight Northern Ireland. (B,L,D)
Day 14 - This morning we take in the Giants Causeway and the Causeway Coast. First stop is Dunluce Castle, a 14th century castle which is located dramatically close to a headland that plunges straight into the sea, along the North Antrim Coast, and was the headquarters of the MacDonnell Clan. Next we visit the Giants Causeway where 37,000 Basalt Columns extend from the cliffs and out into the sea. Long ago, Antrim was subject to intense volcanic activity the larger fissures, through which the lava flowed, can be clearly seen as bands of dark rock which cut down the cliff faces and jut out to sea. There were three periods of volcanic activity which resulted in the flows, known as the Lower, Middle and Upper Basalts. It is the Middle Basalts Rocks which forms the columns of the Giants Causeway. The rapidly cooling lava contracted and variations in the cooling rate resulted in the world famous columnar structure. No matter how many times I have seen this, the sheer wonder and magic of the columns never fails to impress! Next we take in the ruins of Dunseverick Castle. King Dunsobairce of Ireland built a fortress here in 1525BC to rule the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada and the location is named after him. After taking in more of this spectacular coastline, we return home. Overnight Northern Ireland. (B,L)
Day 15 - Today will be spent in Belfast, Northern Ireland's Largest city and one of my favorite European Cities! We will visit the Titanic Quarter to take in the Titanic Exhibit. Titanic Belfast extends over nine galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition, drawing together special effects, dark rides, full-scale reconstructions and innovative interactive features to explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way. Explore the shipyard, travel to the depths of the ocean and uncover the true legend of Titanic, in the city where it all began. After exploring we will have Afternoon Tea in the Titanic Hotel in Drawing Office Two where many of the world’s most famous ocean liners, including RMS Titanic, were painstakingly designed. Then we start making our way back to Dublin with a stop along the way at Ballymacdermot Court Tomb. The monument lies on the southern slopes of Ballymacdermot Mountain close to Newry and is an extremely well preserved Neolithic burial site with three chambers. It dates between 4000 and 2500 BC and is situated within the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site offers excellent views of Slieve Gullion and the smaller hills of the ring dyke as well as the Mourne and Cooley Mountain Ranges. Farewell Dinner and Overnight near Dublin. (B,L,D)
Day 16 - March 27th - This morning we make our way to Dublin International Airport for the journey home.
