Pre Tour - March 11th, 2021 - Arrive into Dublin International Airport and make your way to our airport accommodation where you can get adjusted to the time change, rested up and get ready for the tour starting the following morning.
Day 1 - March 12th, 2021 - This morning you will be met at the Dublin International Airport, but our journey starts north of the city in the Boyne Valley where we visit Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb. The tomb at Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The kidney shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. The passage and chamber are aligned with the rising sun on the mornings around the Winter Solstice, and it is seen today as more of a Temple than a passage tomb. We will next stop in the lovely village of Kildare in County Kildare. County Kildare is known as the Race Horse Capitol of Ireland. After Lunch in Kildare, we will visit the Irish National Stud’s Japanese Gardens, renowned throughout the world and the finest of their kind in Europe. Devised by Colonel William Hall Walker, a wealthy Scotsman from a famous brewing family, the gardens were laid out by Japanese Master Horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru. We then make our way to County Tipperary and to our accommodation. Welcoming Dinner and Overnight in Cashel, County Tipperay. (B,L,D)
Day 2 - Today we stay very local as while we are in Cashel we will 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 my favourite place on the rock, the Chapel of King Cormac. We will take some time to explore Cashel before making our way to Tipperary Town. After visiting Tipperary, we take a spectacular drive through the Glen of Aherlow a country valley, which lies between the Slievenamuck Ridge and the main Galtee Mountain Range. We will experience some of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable before Stopping for Afternoon Tea. After tea we make our way to Cahir to see Cahir Castle, an impressive Fifteenth Century Castle which was the largest of its period in Ireland. Superbly set on a rocky island in the River Suir, it was considered impregnable until the advent of the heavy cannon. After returning to Cashel, you will be able to do some further exploring and find some dinner on your own. Overnight Cashel. (B,L)
Day 3 - This morning we journey westward to Killarney with a stop at 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 to Killarney. 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. Once we finally reach Killarney, we will get settled into our accommodation before dinner. Dinner and Overnight Killarney. (B,D)
Day 4 - We will have a leisurely morning and then head out 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 before some free time in this attractive fishing village. We then return to home to Killarney where you can find dinner on your own. Overnight Killarney. (B,L)
Day 5 - Our day will start today with 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. Following our visit we will take a Jaunting Cart trip through the area stopping at the Torc Waterfall before a Traditional Afternoon Tea followed by a visit to the ruins of Muckross Abbey. The Abbey was founded for the Observatine Franciscans about 1448 by Daniel McCarthy Mor and was the burial place of local chieftains, and in the 17th and 18th centuries, the three Gaelic poets, Geoffrey O’Donoghue, Aodhagan O’Rathaille and Eoghan Rua O’Suilleabhain. Overnight Killarney. (B,L)
Day 6 - 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. We'll have our Paddy's Day Dinner at my favourite Killarney restaurant and then journey to Danny Mann's Pub, a well known music pub in Killarney. 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! Overnight Killarney. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - 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 out to dinner in Killarney this evening. 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. 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 we stop in Limerick for Afternoon Tea before 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,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. 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 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 - This morning we start our journey south with a visit to Cookstown to visit the Beaghmore Stone Circles. Beaghmore, "the moor of the birches", was first uncovered in 1945 when 1269 stones were uncovered. Further work in 1965 revealed a total of seven circles, six of which are paired, along with many cairns, some of which have associated stone rows. After Lunch in Newry we head further south to visit the Hill of Tara. Tara was the political and spiritual center of Celtic Ireland and the Seat of High Kings until the 11th century. Sitting on top of the King's Seat was the most famous of Tara's monuments, Ireland's Ancient Coronation Stone. 142 Kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. In Ancient Irish Religion and Mythology, Temair was the sacred place of dwelling of gods, and the entrance to the otherworld. Saint Patrick is said to have come to Tara to confront the ancient religion of the pagans at its most powerful site. We then head further south to our accommodation near Dublin to get checked in before a Farewell Dinner. Dinner Overnight near Dublin. (B,D)
Day 16 - March 27th - We return you to the Dublin International Airport for the journey home.
