Day 1 Arrive Shannon

Arrive at Shannon airport in the morning, pick up your car rental and travel to Adare in County Limerick (1 hour).

Day 1 Adare

Adare is a quaint picturesque village lined with traditional thatched-roof cottages. Snuggled in a wooden and lush countryside setting, Adare is widely regarded as being Ireland's prettiest and most unique village. Situated on the river Maigue, a tributary of the Shannon river, Adare dates back, at least, to the early 13th century. Adare village has a rich wealth of heritage, as well as architectural and scenic beauty. Two groups of world famous, ornate, thatched cottages line part of the village's broad main street, punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries and ruins. Situated in the centre of County Limerick, with just 15 minutes from Limerick City and 45 minutes from Shannon Airport, Adare Village is an ideal base from which to explore County Limerick's many visitor attractions such as Lough Gur and King John's Castle.

Day 2 & 3 Kinsale

Travel south from Adare to the fishing and culinary town of Kinsale, just outside Cork City (2 hours).

Located just 16 miles from Cork City in a naturally protected harbour, Kinsale is one of the most picturesque, popular and fashionable towns on the south-west coast. Kinsale is a centre for yachting, sea angling, gourmet eating and golf. Restaurants in Kinsale pride themselves on their high reputation for culinary expertise, and the Good Food Circle has been organizing a Gourmet Festival here every autumn for over 25 years.  A charming town, its narrow streets are steeped in history and its harbour is always full of boats. Visit the museum housed in the French Prison or, just outside the town, the star-shaped Charles Fort with its spectacular views, before retiring to one of the town's many cozy atmospheric pubs.

Day 3 and 4 Optional Activities:
Golf at Old Head (Day 3)
Sailing from Baltimore (Day 4)

Day 4 Kenmare

From Kinsale travel along the south coast through the West Cork towns of Clonakilty and Skibbereen before turning north through Bantry and Glengarriff to Kenmare (3 hours). This route is one of the most gorgeous in the country with many quaint villages and incomparable mountain and coastal scenery.

Kenmare is a haven of tranquility, gourmet food, superb accommodation and breathtaking scenery in one of the most natural, unspoilt environments in Europe. Cradled in the heart of Kenmare Bay, the picturesque town of Kenmare is the perfect location from which to discover this most beautiful parts of Ireland. The Ring of Kerry, known all over the world, follows the coastline of the Iveragh peninsula. It is one of the most dramatic scenic drives in the country and makes a most exciting day tour. To the north of Kenmare is the Killarney National Park, 10,000 hectares of woodland and magical mountains, with spectacular views of the lakes of Killarney. The unspoiled Ring of Beara lies to the south of Kenmare. Its rugged beauty is beyond compare, traffic is minimal and it abounds with archeological sites and spectacular views.

Day 5 & 6 Dingle

Head north from Kenmare through Killarney and onto the sparkling town of Dingle (2 hours).

The residents of Dingle, or An Daingean as it is now officially known, are the envy of everyone in Ireland. They live in what many agree is the most beautiful part in the country, in a strikingly attractive fishing village with fantastic pubs, rousing music, great restaurants and more characters per head of population than anywhere in the world. The key to Dingle is to visit as many pubs as you can while there. Seek out the old pubs frequented by the locals, sit up to the bar, order a drink and prepare to be entertained! The Dingle Peninsula on which the town is located is littered with ancient archeological sites including stone forts and many beehive huts. Scenically, the Peninsula is an absolute delight with every turn of the road revealing more of the achingly beautiful landscape. One highlight is the Slea Head loop drive from Dingle which is easily driven in an hour or cycled in an afternoon. For the energetic, a day spent climbing Mount Brandon, the peninsula's highest, will be richly rewarded. The views from the top on a clear day are absolutely stunning.

Day 6 Optional Activity:
Horseback Riding at Dingle

Day 7 Bunratty

Head northeast through Limerick City to the village of Bunratty, home of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park (3 hours).

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, located just 7 miles from Shannon Airport, is high on the list of Ireland's top visitor attractions. If you want to learn about Ireland and how the Irish lived in earlier times, Bunratty's Folk Park is a must.  Entire houses of various sizes and dates have been taken apart stone-by-stone and reassembled here, along with a school, a pub, a church, a row of shops, and other buildings. What makes it especially enjoyable is watching activities, including scones and bread being made, as well as work being carried out in the little fields. Chat with the staff; they are very friendly and informative. Bunratty's most obvious attraction is its imposing castle which overlooks the river Shannon. Once the stronghold of the O’Briens, kings and later earls of Thomond, it reflects their style and power. Its Great Hall has a very fine collection of 14th-century furniture, paintings and wall hangings and also hosts medieval banquets which anyone can attend with plenty of entertainment as well as food and drink. Finally no visit to Bunratty would be complete without a pint of plain in the world-famous Durty Nelly's Pub located right next to the castle.

Day 7 Optional Activity:
Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle

Day 8 Depart Shannon

Transfer to Shannon airport to catch your departing flight (30 minutes).

Golf at Old Head (Day 3) 4 hours

Old Head is unquestionably one of the most spectacular golf developments that has taken place in Ireland in 50 years. Since opening in 1997, Old Head has quickly assumed a place among Ireland's top-20 courses. Some are of the opinion it deserves to be ranked at the very top, alongside fabled Ballybunion. Old Head is located a short drive outside of Kinsale, a picturesque harbor town on Ireland's south coast just 20 miles from the city of Cork. The cliff edges have been cleverly incorporated into the layout, so that no less than nine play along the very lip of the promontory with greens precariously perched as though they might slide into the waves below at any moment.

Sailing from Baltimore (Day 4) 4 hours

Perfect introduction to sailing or a treat for a special occasion. 10 miles of sheltered water with magnificent scenery. We sail up the Ilen River to Oldcourt and motorsail back to Sherkin Island, 30 minute stop-off ashore before returning to Baltimore. Tea/coffee served on board.

Horseback Riding in Dingle (Day 6) 1 hour to full day

The dramatic beauty of the Dingle Peninsula on the south-westerly coastline of Ireland has been an inspiration and wonder to visitors for thousands of years. Dingle Riding Stables are located on the mountainside overlooking Dingle Harbour and close to the town of Dingle - the perfect location for the most memorable, challenging and enjoyable horse riding adventure you will experience anywhere in the world. More>>

Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle (Day 7) 2.5 hours

Join the Earl of Thomond in the splendour of the main guard of Bunratty Castle for a dinner experience not to be missed! Bunratty Castle, was built in 1425 by the Earl of Thomond. Following his tradition of hospitality, the world renowned Bunratty Medieval Banquet is held twice nightly throughout the year.

Since 1963, the Ladies of the Castle, aided and abetted by the Earl's Butler, have welcomed guests from the four corners of the globe to dine at The Earl's Banquet at Bunratty Castle.  The entertainment provided by the world renowned Bunratty Singers is a fitting compliment to a mead reception, a four course meal, and of course good wine. More>>