14 night Exploring Ireland – June 2017

15  – 29 June 2017

Join Wine Diva Deb exploring the wonders of Ireland, taking in Kilkenny Castle, Blarney Castle and much more.

Itinerary

Date City Activity
Thu 15 Jun Kilkenny Arrive Dublin. Dublin on your own. Tour starts 10am at Marriott Hotel Lobby. Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny, Smithwick’s Experience
Fri 16 Jun Cork House of Waterford Crystal, Blarney Castle, Cobh Heritage Centre
Sat 17 Jun Cork Old Midleton Distillery, Beara Peninsula
Sun 18 June Kerry Jaunting Car Tours, Muckross House and Gardens, Ring of Kerry
Mon 19 Jun Kerry Staigue Fort, Dingle Peninsula, Dingle Village
Tue 20 Jun Clare (Doolin) Ailwee Cave and Burren Birds of Prey Centre, Cliffs of Moher
Wed 21 Jun Galway Galway Cathedral, Galway City, Galway Crystal
Thu 22 Jun Galway Kylemore Abbey and Garden, Connemara
Fri 23 Jun Mayo/ Westport Westport Heritage Town, Clew Bay, Cong. Optional stay at the famous Ashford Castle
Sat 24 Jun Mayo / Westport Croagh Patrick
Sun 25 Jun Donegal Blue Stack Mountain Drive, Donegal Castle, Glenveagh National Park
Mon 26 Jun Antrim Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge, Giants Causeway
Tue 27 Jun Antrim Belfast City, Bushmills Distillery
Wed 28 Jun Westmeath Bru na Boinne and Newgrange
Thu 29 Jun Dublin Drop off at the Dublin airport in the morning

Itinerary Details

Kilkenny

Ireland’s smallest – but most spirited – city is Kilkenny, in the heart of the midlands. The majestic Kilkenny Castle sits in the centre of the town, overlooking savvy shoppers and rowdy revelers, while just up the main street is Ireland’s newest attraction, the Smithwicks Experience (Kilkenny’ answer to the Guinness Storehouse). Not far away is one of Ireland’s most splendid manor homes, Mount Juliet, where you can (and should) live like royalty for a day.

Stay at Hotel Kilkenny or Similar or hand selected Bed and Breakfast.

  • Kilkenny Castle
  • Smithwick’s Experience
  • Kilkenny City
  • Waterford Crystal

Cork

Known as the ‘rebel county’, Cork is the largest county in Ireland and has some of the biggest attractions outside of Dublin; Blarney Castle, where you can earn the gift of eloquence by kissing the Blarney Stone, the seaside town of Cobh where the Titanic left for her maiden voyage, the untamed and unspoiled scenery of West Cork, and of course, the English Market, which the Queen of England herself saw fit to visit in 2011.

Stay at Maryborough Hotel or Similar or hand selected Bed and Breakfast

  • Blarney Castle
  • Cobh
  • West Cork
  • Old Middleton Whiskey
  • Dermot Ryan’s Kinsale Heritage town walk

Kerry

Known as ‘the Kingdom’, Kerry is the heart of ancient Ireland and still the most stunning spot on the island. From quaint seaside villages like Dingle (where a dolphin voluntarily puts on a show for the boats every afternoon) to the busy tourist spot of Killarney, not to mention one of the most breathtaking road trips in Europe, the Ring of Kerry, and the simply astounding Killarney National Park a visit to Kerry is unforgettable.
Stay at Dingle Skellig Hotel or Similar or hand selected Bed and Breakfast

  • Ring of Kerry
  • Dingle Peninsula
  • Killarney National Park
  • Staigue Fort
  • Muckross House of Garden
  • Killary Catamaran Cruise
  • Jaunting car to Ross Castle

Clare (Doolin)

From the out of this world limestone plains of the Burren and the misty, magical Cliffs of Moher to the golden beaches and buzzing towns and villages, Clare is a county not to be missed on your Ireland holiday. Whether you want to relax and enjoy the fresh sea breeze in bustling Kilkee or Ballyvaughan or explore the spooky underworld of the Aillwee Caves and other hair-rising activities, Clare really does have it all.

Stay at Tir gan Ean, Doolin or Similar or hand selected Bed and Breakfast

  • The Burren
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Ailwee Caves
  • Bunratty Castle
  • Burren Smokehouse
  • Jane O’Brien’s Ennis walking tour
 mcdermott-s-pub In Clare our accommodation will be in Doolin. Doolin is a charming small seaside village on the northwest coast of County Clare on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and is renowned world-wide as the traditional music capital of Ireland.

Galway

Galway is the wild west of Ireland at its best. Rugged coastlines, dramatic hills and valleys, isolated islands, emerald fields and towns filled with traditional music, dancing, and language. Galway city is a tangle of cobbled streets, cosy pubs and mouth watering restaurants, the magnificent Connemara landscape is just a short drive away and the traditional Gaelic community of the Aran Islands are reachable with a quick boat trip too, although they both seem a world away.

Stay at The Salthill Hotel or Similar or hand selected Bed and Breakfast

  • Connemara
  • Kylemore Abbey
  • Galway City
  • Galway Crystal

Mayo

Mayo is often first on the list of anyone travelling to the west of Ireland, and for good reason. This large coastal county is where you’ll find the brooding Croagh Patrick, which pilgrims climb to honour Ireland’s patron saint every year; the village of Cong, where The Quiet Man was filmed and where an exquisite medieval abbey stands; and of course the vibrant town of Westport, situated along the picturesque Clew Bay.

Stay at The Westport Woods Hotel or Similar or hand selected Bed and Breakfast

  • Croagh Patrick
  • Cong
  • Clew Bay
  • Bellek Pottery Factory
  • Glencar Waterfall
 ASH_Exterior_001_S_1400x568 For these 2 nights you can have the opportunity to stay at Ashford Castle (for an addional cost).  The magnificent five star Ashford Castle is set in 350 acres, on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib. Dating back to 1228, the castle now enters a new chapter in its history, as part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection. With 82 guest rooms, a wealth of activities and thoughtful touches, enjoy acclaimed Irish hospitality on a grand scale.

The Castle offers many activities such as Falconry, Golf, Horseback Riding, spa time, kayaking, biking and more for an additional cost. Fly a hawk in the spectacular grounds.  Discover the ancient form of falconry at the oldest established Falconry School in Ireland – flying hawks is an experience of a lifetime!  Our aim is to share with you the pleasure and excitement of falconry, a fascination that has enthralled people for 4,000 years, and today provides guests with a unique experience in magnificent surroundings. No previous experience is necessary and our private guided Hawk Walks cater for all ages and families.

Donegal

Donegal is one of the most beautiful, unspoilt, isolated parts of the whole island. If you want to get away from it all and experience this country at its best, Donegal is where to go. Surfing fans will adore the beach town of Bundoran, while outdoor adventurers will find everything they need at the breathtaking Glenveagh National Park and indoorsy types will find plenty of cosy pubs in Letterkenny and Donegal Town.

Stay at The Sandhouse Hotel or Similar or hand selected Bed and Breakfast

  • Glenveagh National Park
  • Donegal Castle
  • Blue Stack Mountain Drive
  • Glengesh Pass
  • Ballyhannon Town
  • Derry wall walk

Antrim

What doesn’t Antrim have to offer? This northern county is home to the vibrant Belfast city, the unforgettable hexagonal landscape of the Giant’s Causeway, the delectable Bushmills whiskey distillery, and so much more. Road trip along the Northern coastline to take in the quaint seaside towns, rocky inlets, sweeping beaches, and crumbling castles, then come back to the ‘big smoke’ of Ulster (that’s Belfast by the way) for culture, culinary delights, and plenty of craic.

Stay at The Wellington Park Hotel or Similar or hand selected Bed and Breakfast

  • Giant’s Causeway
  • Belfast City
  • Titanic Museum
  • Bushmill Distillery
  • Carrick Apede Rope Bridge

Westmeath

Westmeath is home to one of the most important ancient sites in Ireland; the Hill of Uisneach, long associated with the Celtic festival celebrating the arrival of summer, Bealtaine. Apart from that, Westmeath is largely an agricultural county with neatly bordered fields dotted with cows and sheep stretching for miles in every direction. The bustling market towns of Athlone and Mullingar are also worth a look, filled with lively pubs, busy shops and cosy cafes.

  • Newgrange
  • Bru na Boinne
  • Hill of Uisneach
  • Sean’s Bar
  • Lough Ennell

Dublin

Time to say good-bye. There will be 2 transfer drop offs to the Dublin Airport. You can catch a flight home or catch a shuttle into Dublin town center on your own and extend your time in Ireland.

  • Drop off at Dublin airport

Inclusions

  • Accommodation Each Night
  • Breakfast Each Morning
  • Luxury Touring Vehicle
  • Private Driver/Guide
  • Entry to listed attractions
  • FREE Support while travelling

Pricing Details* (per person ALL prices are in US Dollars)

*Airfare not included in prices listed

$3,750 per person (Double occupancy)

$4,710 per person (Single occupancy)

Optional Extras

Ashford Castle – €650 per night per room (subject to availability and current 2016 rate)

Falconry at Ashford Castle – €134 per person. €84 per person if a group of 4+

  • Additional Deposit of €160 to reserve Ashford Castle at time of booking

To Reserve your space

Send email to: winedivadeb@yahoo.com or call Wine Diva Deb on 206-617-6160.

A deposit of $500 is required on booking.

Final payment due 120 days (February 15, 2017) prior to departure 

Discount of 2% at final payment if complete trip is paid in cash

No fee for Personal credit cards

1% fee for Business credit cards and American Express

2% fee for International credit cards

Cancellation Policy                                                                Cancellation Terms

Deposit due upon booking                                                      $500

From 121 days prior to departure:                                         $500 loss of Deposit

120 – 90 days prior to departure:                                          50% loss of Trip

90 days prior to departure:                                                    100% loss of Trip

Travel Insurance highly recommended as well as Personal & Medical Insurance.