Pre-tour - December 14th - Fly into Dublin International Airport and spend the day resting up and adjusting to the time
change and jet lag. We will meet here the following morning to start the first day of the tour.
Day 1 - December 15th - We will meet at our Dublin International Airport Hotel this morning and then head into
Dublin to first visit Temple Bar’s Famous Old Christmas Market creating a vibrant festive atmosphere. These events
include the Designer Mart on Cow Lane with Irish based designers and arts and crafts artists presenting some unique
Christmas gifts for visitors, followed by the Old Temple Bar Food Market with traditional Christmas fayre from local
farmers and food Lord Mayor's Lounge at the Shelbourne Hotel. Lord Mayor's Lounge at the Shelbourne Hotel.
You will then have some You will then have some free time in Dublin before we get checked into our accommodation just a free
time in Dublin before we get checked into our short way out of the city. You can get settled in to our accommodation before we
meet up for a Welcoming Dinner. Dinner and Overnight Dublin. (B,L,D)
Day 2 - December 16th - We venture just a short way out of the city today to Dublin's most loved Christmas Experience
at Malahide Castle, Gardens and Fairy Trail. We will have a Guided Tour that will take you on a journey through
time and give you an extraordinary glimpse into the life in the castle during the 800 years that the Talbot Family resided
there- right up until 1975! Highlights of the tour are the beautiful reception rooms, The Oak Room, The Small and Large
Drawing Rooms and the Great Hall, home to the original Battle of the Boyne Painting- on loan from the National
Gallery of Ireland. The castle is adorned with beautiful period furniture and an extensive collection of paintings from the
National Gallery of Ireland. Our visit will be followed by a Festive Afternoon Tea at Bon Appetit in Malahide. After
some time to explore Malahide, we then return to our accommodation just outside the city where you can get rested up and
then find dinner on your own. Overnight Dublin. (B,L)
Day 3 - December 17th - Today starts our with 12 days of Christmas Market at Dublin’s Docklands. This
traditional yuletide event will see over 80 market stalls selling a range of creative Christmas gifts from craft jewellery and
glassware to wooden toys. Celebrating the magic of Christmas at its best, the market features a Classic Carousel and other
fairground attractions as well as Christmas Carol Singers, Mulled Wine Stalls and the chance for little ones to sit on
Santa’s knee and issue their Christmas demands! After our visit, you will be able to find some lunch on your own and then do
some shopping. Dublin offers a fantastic shopping experience with a huge range of stores, boutiques and shopping centres.
The main shopping areas of the city are the pedestrianized zones of Grafton Street and Henry Street along with Dublin’s
central boulevard of O’Connell Street and you’ll find many a Christmas bargain on Moore Street and at Blackrock
Market. This evening we meet up for dinner and then a Classic Christmas Panto at Olympia Theatre in Temple
Bar. Overnight Dublin. (B,D)
Day 4 - December 18th - This morning we make our way south to Kilkenny with a few stops along the way. We will stop at
Wicklow to take an exciting journey on The North Pole Express Train and a trip to Christmas Island where we will
meet the Elves for singing, dancing and Christmas activities. We then depart Christmas Island on Santa’s Giant Sleigh Boat
headed to see the big man himself in Santa’s Grotto. We then continue to Avoca to visit Avoca Woolen Mill. This
Christmas, they are celebrating the joy of the little things. Those precious moments of wonder that pass in an instant. From the
look on a little one’s face as they open a carefully chosen gifts to savouring each bite of a much-loved festive dish, this Christmas
is all about cherishing life’s simple joys. We will have their Christmas Feast Lunch before time to visit the shop. Next we
visit Wells House and Gardens for A Victorian Christmas at Wells in the beautiful setting of the Great Hall of
Wells House. We will also meet Mrs Claus and the Wells Elves in their Workshop and decorate our very own Christmas
Bauble to take home while enjoying yummy hot chocolate! Then we continue on to Kilkenny to get checked in before dinner.
Dinner and Overnight Kilkenny. (B,L,D).
Day 5- December 19th - This morning we take in Woodland Santa to make sure our childlike Christmas spirit stays
replenished. We will start our adventure at the North Pole Station and take a Rambling Train Ride through the
Incredibly Enchanted Woodlands on board the Santa Express, make a Christmas Tree Decoration in the Arts
and Crafts Area and Visit Santa to receive a your gift. We then take a short jaunt out of the city to Mount Juliet for
their Festive Afternoon Tea. Then back into the city to take part in Kilkenny's Yuletide Festival where you can Stroll
Down Medieval Streets and Slipways, buzzing with atmosphere and festive cheer. The annual Christmas Markets will
be taking place on the Parade and Reindeer will be seen all around the city. You can visit Santa’s Christmas Village in
the grounds of the Medieval Mile Museum and check out “Christmas at Butler Gallery” including virtual tour of
Wolfwalkers Exhibition and Christmas Children’s Art Workshop. After taking in everything the city has on offer this
year we will have dinner and then take part in a Christmas Panto. Dinner and Overnight Kilkenny. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - December 20th -Welcome to the Medieval City of Kilkenny! Kilkenny is home to one of the most recognisable
landmarks in Ireland, the 12th Century Kilkenny Castle. We will tour the castle in all its Christmas Finery and then go
back in time and explore Ireland’s Medieval Mile, a discovery trail running through Kilkenny city linking the 13th Century
St. Canice’s Cathedral to the Anglo-Norman Castle and everything in between from Rothe House and Gardens, the
Medieval Mile Museum to Butler House. We will stop for a Festive Afternoon Tea along the way and then make our way to
the heart of city at the mid point of the Medieval Mile to one of Ireland's True Hidden Gems, Rothe House and
Garden. It was once the home of wealthy merchant and politician John Rothe Fitzpiers. He built the complex for his wife
Rose Archer and their eleven children between 1594 and 1610. We will have a tour of the house and then wander and explore
at our leisure as we step through cobbled courtyards and take in the relaxed atmosphere of the extensive garden. Then the rest
of the afternoon and evening is free to enjoy all that Kilkenny has to offer. Overnight Kilkenny. (B,L)
Day 7 - December 21st - This morning we make our to Thurles and to our castle home for the next week. It is just a short
journey to our Wee Irish Castle so we will make a few stops along the way. This morning we will take in a bit of County
Tipperary including a visit to Cahir and Cahir Castle, once the stronghold of the powerful Butler family, the castle
retains its impressive keep, tower and much of its original defensive structure. It is one of Ireland's largest and best preserved
castles and is spectacularly situated on a Rocky Island on the River Suir. After some time to wander in Cahir we make our
way to Cashel for a Festive Afternoon Tea before we visit 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, which is my
favourite place on the rock! We will have a tour of the site that is reputedly the site of the conversion of Aenghus the King of
Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th Century AD. Long before the Norman invasion, The Rock of Cashel was the seat of
the High Kings of Munster. We then return home to our wee little castle before a Light Supper Buffet. Dinner and
Overnight Thurles. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - December 22nd - This morning we will visit the Christmas Market at the Milk Market in Limerick. Shoppers
will experience wafting scents of spices and oils combining with the aroma of cooking. Food Will Sizzle, Christmas Choirs
Will Sing, craft workers will explain their work. Buskers from around the world will merge their differing musical and
entertainment traditions and the banter between traders and shoppers will add to the buzz and excitement of the market. We
will have a Christmas Afternoon Tea at NO.1 Pery Square in the city which will be served in The Drawing and Park
Rooms located at the heart of the house with grand old original marble surrounds and burning turf fires with echoes of festive
music. We will take some time to explore Limerick before we head further up the road to Bunratty Castle. “Christmas
Evening at Bunratty Castle” is a superb mix of classic Christmas tunes and contemporary classics performed by the
members of the world renowned Shannon Castle entertainers guaranteed to put guests into the festive spirit. Once proceedings
in the castle are complete, guests are invited to take in the glittering lights of the folk park’s Christmas Village. Overnight
Thurles. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - December 23rd - This morning we are off to Waterford for a tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory. The
factory was founded in 1783. June 2010 saw the opening of the new factory where visitors can follow all stages of production of
this world renowned glassware. After the tour we will spend some time in the opulent showroom for some shopping. We then
make our way into the heart of Ireland’s Oldest City, Waterford. Despite boasting a history of over 1,000 years,
Waterford just keeps coming out with more surprises. Ancient Viking Creations, Norman Constructs and glittering
expanses of immaculately crafted crystal – step in to this glittering gem in Ireland's Ancient East, and discover the not-so-
secret treasures that make it truly special. First things first, so we stop for a Festive Holiday Lunch at the Fitzwilliam
Hotel in Waterford before taking some time to explore all that this lovely city has to offer as we take part in Waterford
City's Winterval Festival. The Festival will take over the heart of the Medieval City where beautifully decorated
traditional log cabins will host an offering of the very best quality and range of goods, craft, toys and decorations. The list of
events at this years Winterval goes on and on and will include a Georgian Christmas at the Bishops Palace, a
Christmas Carousel and Horse Drawn Sleighs! It will be a lovely afternoon in Waterford and then we are back home to
rest up before a Dinner Outing in Thurles. Overnight Thurles. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - December 24th - Christmas Eve Day! This morning we make our way to Cork for some last minute Christmas
Shopping. We will visit the English Market, a mix of Traditional Cork Fare and exciting new foods from afar, along with
longstanding family-run stalls and newcomers from outside, all contribute to its unique appeal, which is celebrated widely. We
will also visit the Christmas Market on Princes Street with lots of beautiful items to choose from with Art, Crafts,
Fashion, Body Care, Vintage Boutiques, Jewellery and more. In between shopping we will stop at the 5 Star Hayfield
Manor for Afternoon Tea. We then make our way back home to start our Holiday Celebration with a Christmas Eve
Buffet Supper. After supper we will open our gifts to each other and then watch 'Its a Wonderful Life' in the Drawing
Room. After an evening full of merry making, we settle in to get a good nights rest before the Christmas Day Festivities.
Christmas Eve Buffet Supper and Overnight Thurles. (B,L,D)
Day 11 - December 25th - We will have a leisurely morning as we get up and see if Santa has brought us anything and if the
Stockings that were Hung with Care have been filled! There will be nibbles set out if anyone is hungry and you may even
find something in your stocking to tide you over until we Gather for Brunch at Mid Morning. You can then spend the day
socializing, reading, catching up in your journal, take a long winter's walk or just enjoy the house and grounds. This afternoon we
will gather for a Traditional Christmas Dinner with all the Trimmings as more merry making abounds! We will
take a break after dinner to sit and socialize together before we break out the pie and goodies. We will then gather to watch my
favourite holiday movie, 'Meet Me in St. Louis' and it is never truly Christmas until Judy Garland has sung 'Have
Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!' We will leave out nibbles to help yourself to as we reminisce about the trip and the
year ahead. Overnight Thurles. (B,D)
Day 12 - December 26th - Today in Ireland it is St. Stephens Day also known as the Day of the Wren is an occasion to
commemorate the life of St. Stephen and is considered a holiday in Ireland. To stay in the holiday mood, we will put out a Mid
Morning Brunch and then after brunch we will take one of my favourite drives through the Glen of Aherlow a country
valley, which lies between the Slievenamuck Ridge and the main Galtee Mountain Range. Bounded by the rural villages
of Bansha and Galbally, the Glen was historically an important pass between Limerick and Tipperary. We will travel
south of the heritage town of Tipperary, through sixteen miles of unspoilt countryside affording some of the most
breathtaking scenery imaginable making it one of the most desirable destinations in Ireland. Within the Glen the focal point is
the Statue of Christ the King. Erected in 1950, Christ the King, overlooking the valley at its most scenic viewpoint has his
hand raised in “blessing the Glen and all who pass by”, attracts thousands of visitors every year. After some glorious
sightseeing we will return home to dinner in the castle. Dinner and Overnight Thurles. (B,D)
Day 13 - December 27th - Today we visit Farney Castle which as well as being the Cullen family home, Cyril Cullen
Knitwear and Porcelain is designed and produced in the converted Old Stables in the Castle Courtyard. These unique
parian porcelain designs are sold in what was the Old Dairy at Farney castle, the Knitwear Boutique is situated in the
Original Kitchen of the castle and the Coffee Shop is situated in the 15th Century Round Tower. It is the only Round
Tower in Ireland occupied as a family home! After a tour of the castle we will have Lunch and a Harp Recital in the Drawing
Room. Next we will have a Private Guided Tour Conducted by the Owners of the Beautiful Ballyowen House and of
the Stableyard and Grounds. Over the centuries this old place has accumulated a fascinating history and the owners will
share interesting and colourful events from it's past with us. Ranging from ancient times up to the Irish War of
Independence, with lots of colourful details! At the end of the tour we will be treated to Teas, Coffees and Freshly
Baked Scones in Ballyowen House's Elegant Main Dining Room. Dinner on your own in Thurles this evening before
we make it back home to our wee Irish castle for our last night here. Overnight Thurles. (B,L)
Day 14 - December 28th - On our way north toward Dublin today we will stop at Roscrea to visit Roscrea Castle and
Damer House. In the heart of one of the oldest towns in Ireland, you will find a Magnificent Stone Motte Castle dating from the
1280s. It was used as a barracks from 1798, housing 350 soldiers, and later served as a school, a library and even a sanatorium.
Sharing the castle grounds is Damer House, named for local merchant John Damer, who came into possession of the castle in
the eighteenth century. The house is a handsome example of Pre-Palladian Architecture. It has nine beautiful bay
windows and one of the rooms has been furnished in period style. After Lunch in Portlaoise we will visit the ruins of the
Rock of Dunamase, an imposing and magnificent example of the remains of a Celtic Fortification. We will visit mainly for
the Spectacular Views of the Surrounding Countryside which made the towering Rock of Dunamase a strategic place to
build a fortress. Through the centuries, warriors have fought to control this site and when standing here you will know why! We
then make our way to our accommodation near Dublin to get settled in before a Farewell Dinner. Dinner and Overnight
near Dublin. (B,L,D)
Day 15 - December 29th - This morning we return you to the Dublin International Airport for your journey home.
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