Day 1: Dublin - Killiney - Glendalough - Kilkenny - Cashel - Cork.
We leave the bustling metropolis of Dublin to begin this wonderful adventure together. The excitement builds as we cruise through the flat lush Horse lands of Kildare. We view the 12th century Norman castles of Kilkenny as we approach the Rock Of Cashel, Irelands equivalent of Ayers Rock with a majestic 12th Century Cathedral/Palace on top. Have your cameras ready! Fantastic photo opportunity. We are privileged to get a guided tour of mediaeval Cahir Castle, see first hand the bloody thirty past of the fighting Irish! Then we take the ancient Munster highway into Cork, the Republic of Ireland’s charming second city on the banks of the Lee. Our first night together is in mediaeval is in Kinsale. Arguably Ireland’s most beautiful village. Like a wee Irish Monte Carlo, classy Kinsale slopes down into the calm ocean. Its home to Irelands finest Restaurants and the new super-rich of our Celtic Tiger economy! Despite their new found wealth the Locals haven’t lost their charm and a hearty Cork welcome waits you in its many quaint pubs!
Day 2: Cork – Blarney Castle – West Cork – Cork/Kerry Mountains - Killarney (bonus 2 night stay!)
Top of the morning to ya! First stop today is the world famous Blarney Castle, to kiss the Blarney stone… 7 years of eloquent speech will be your magical reward. Paddywhackery aside, this is actually a very impressive 12th Gaelic Fortress built by the McCarthy Clan. We give you lots of time to stroll the lovely castle Park and Gardens, maybe buy some gifts in the mindboggling discount souvenir stores in Blarney village. After lunch we advance to West Cork, the Rebel County, birthplace of Patriot leader Michael Collins (1921), before adventuring into the wild and beautiful Cork & Kerry Mountains. The best is yet to come! Killarney, Ireland’s most welcoming tourist town. We have a relaxing two night stay, top of the ratings in our tour member evaluations! Your chance to experience the Irish way of life in-depth! Guinness, Storytelling, Music, Irish Dancing, Castles, National Park, Lakes!! Killarney has it all …. Happy Days, Happy Nights!
Day 3: Killarney – Ring of Kerry & Gap of Dunloe – Dingle Bay & Skellig Islands – Killarney National Park & Torc Waterfalls – Killarney.
Today we concentrate a full day on the most wonderful scenic drive in Western Europe – The Ring of Kerry! Your guide will enchant you with the legends and stories of the Kingdom of Kerry as you cruise through this emerald paradise. Maybe hike up the Gap of Dunloe, storm the peninsula’s pre-historic Celtic stone fortresses, and visit the National Park and Torc Waterfalls, before returning to Killarney to party with the Irish on our final night in Irelands most loved holiday town!
Day 4: Killarney – Dingle – Slea Head – Sleeping Giant Island – Blasket Islands – Ballyferriter – Fungi the Dolphin – Oceanside Hike – Dingle.
Alas we must bid farewell to Killarney! Today though is the shortest day on the Paddywagon coach! We drive North to the next majestic Peninsula, through Dingle and out to Slea Head. Walk the beaches featured in Far & Away & Ryan’s Daughter, be astounded at Sleeping Giant Island (see brochure) and speak beautiful lyrical Irish Gaelic with the locals in Ballyferriter. After our half day touring this archaeological wonderland we return to Dingle (An Daingean). You can relax on the pier with the fishermen, take an Oceanside hike, swim with Fungi the Dolphin, or take an optional Horse riding excursion. Dingle is a world famous, relaxed, Irish speaking Fishing village, we’re certain you’ll fall in love with it.
Day 5: Dingle – Tralee – Shannon Ferry – Lahinch – Cliffs of Moher – The Burren – Galway Bay – Galway.
We drive North through the Festival Town of Tralee, home to young female ‘Roses’ of Irish descent each year. We take the Shannon Ferry into musical county Clare, home to the famine walls, the mind-blowing 750ft high Cliffs of Moher and the mystical 200 million year old Burren area – an archeological, botanical and geological wonderland. Lunch at the surfing town of Lahinch. We enter the province of Connacht. Scenic stop at Ballyvaughan to view Dunguaire Castle and the Dark Galway ‘Hookers’ (ask your driver!). On via Galway Bay to Gaelic Galway - Irelands most hip, most historic medieval Party City.
Day 6: Galway – Ferbane – Bog of Allen – Guinness Brewery – Dublin
You should arise early and view the Spanish arch and the 12th century walls before we journey on the road to Dublin. Cross the Shannon by bridge this time into the province of Leinster and County Offaly. The Hiney Family feed and water us in Ferbane in anticipation of the Great Bogs of Allen. We finish our adventures together in the most revered site of all - the Guinness Brewery, we take a tour of one of the world’s great visitor attractions. The perfect end to be sure, to be sure…. Slainte!
