Pickup mid-morning, in Dublin. Exact location to be announced. We will go directly to Rye River Craft Brewery. Following our brewery tour we will have a brief meet and greet while we taste test the beer!

Next we will head to Johnny Fox’s, nestled in the Dublin mountains, where we’ll have our first group lunch. This pub was built in 1798 and is world renowned for being the highest pub in Ireland.

Following lunch we take a short drive and visit the ancient monastic city at Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. This site dates back to the 6th century.

Our final destination on this first day is the medieval city of Kilkenny, where we’ll stay for 2 nights at the 4 star River Court Hotel, overlooking Kilkenny Castle. For those with stamina we’ll head to Kilkenny’s longest running traditional Irish music session. Dust off those party pieces and be ready to join in!

NO DRIVING DAY
 
After breakfast we explore Kilkenny with a guided tour of “The Medieval Mile”, followed by a tour of Kilkenny Castle. Then the group will have free time to adventure and explore the many cathedrals and castles of the medieval city before we gather in the evening for a group dinner at the hotel. After dinner we head to the pub for some traditional Irish music and Craic!

We leave Kilkenny and head to Ballvourney west Cork, where we stay for 2 nights at the Mills Inn. Established in 1755, it is one of the best kept secrets of the “real” Ireland in west Cork.

Along the way we’ll stop at the Kindred Spirit Sculpture, in Middleton followed by the Jameson experience tour at the Middleton Distillery. Once we arrive at the Mills Inn, have a bite, and dust ourselves off, we are invited to a special traditional music concert in Ballyvourney.

Today we explore west Cork and get our first glimpse of the Wild Atlantic Way. Cork is known as the “rebel” county and had a major roll to play in the War of Independence, as depicted in the movies, The Wind That Shakes the Barley and Michael Collins. We will explore 2 of these important historical sights.

We’ll then journey to Gougane Barra, the tranquil setting of St. Finbarr’s 6th century monastery, followed by lunch and free time in Glengariff. Back to Ballvourney we’ll then go. Put on your dancing shoes, set dancing tonight!

Dingle peninsula

We take you to our home ground where we stay for 3 nights at the 4 star Skellig Hotel and Peninsula Spa.

Among the highlights of the next 3 days will be:
Inch Beach
Folk concert at St James Church
Archeological tour of Slea Head
A short hike back west, where the most westerly point in all of Europe is found, and some of the most breathtaking views to be seen on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic way.
Traditional concert at our own O’Sullivans Courthouse Pub
And plenty of other special surprises to be announced

Drive to Ennis Co. Clare where we stay for 2 nights at the 4 star Old Ground Hotel a beautifully restored 18th century manor house hotel in Ennis town center.

Free time to explore the medieval narrow streets and lane ways of Ennis will be followed by a group meal at the hotel. After the group dinner, we will meander to the Poets Corner and join in a traditional Irish music session with local musicians.

After breakfast we drive to the Cliff’s of Moher and embark on the coastal walk to Doolin. Along the way we’ll take in breath taking views of the cliffs, the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. In Doolin we will have a farewell lunch and music session.

Drop-off at Shannon airport which is only a 30 minute drive from Ennis.