Destinations Ireland & Beyond Suggested Itinerary
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Ireland Luxury Castle Vacation Offer
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Day 1: Arrive Shannon / Cliffs of Moher
Arrive Shannon and pick up your Hertz Rental Car. Drive to Ennis and enjoy your
first Irish breakfast before taking a leisurely stroll through this lively market
town.
Visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which extend for seven miles along Ireland's
wild Atlantic coastline. Continue on to Gregans Castle Hotel for your 3-night
stay. Enjoy breathtaking views over the mystical Burren mountains and Galway Bay.
Gregans Castle - Winner Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report Grand Award 2009
"In many ways, Gregans Castle is the embodiment of the perfect Irish hideaway"
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Day 2: The Burren / Doolin / Lahinch
This morning allow an expert guide to take you on a fascinating walking tour of
the lunar-like landscape of the Burren. Visit a range of historic monuments and
unique habitats featuring geology, natural history and botany. The Burren is home
to 22 species of Orchid and hundreds of stone-age Druidic pagan altars. Visit the
quaint coastal towns of Doolin and Lahinch. Perhaps finish off your day with a visit
to the Ailwee Caves.
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Day 3: Galway City / Connemara / Clifden
Take a drive north to Galway, known as the city of the tribes. Enjoy some shopping
and exploring. The Galway Oyster Festival is held every September and draws a great
international gathering. Galway is also home to many artists and musicians offering
colorful shops with unique art and rare books.
Continue west into the hauntingly beautiful scenery of Connemara, where Twelve Bens
tower over the turf bogs, ancient stone walls and thatched cottages. Continue to
Clifden and Sky Road for some beautiful scenery. Make a stop in Roundstone for Guinness
and chowder before returning south to Gregans for final night in County Clare.
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Day 4:
Kinnitty Castle is close to the picturesque village of Kinnitty, set beautifully
against a backdrop of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Ireland's only designated Environmental
Park.
The Castle has a long and turbulent history dating back to1209. It was destroyed
and rebuilt not once but twice and yet it retains character and oozes charm. The
castle even has its own ghost - a monk no less!!!!!!
Visit Birr Castle Demesne and Gardens, which has been in the Parsons Family for
over 400 years. Today, the castle is the home of Lord and Lady Rosse. After lunch
visit Tullamore Dew and enjoy one of Ireland’s beloved whiskeys. Drive back to Kinnitty
and enjoy a tour of Leap Castle by its owner, a storyteller in the old Irish tradition.
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Day 5: Aran Islands / Westport / Cong / Mayo
Today you may wish to take a ferry to see the famous Aran Islands. Inis Mor (The
Big Island) is the largest of the three Aran Islands and is home to the pre-historic
fort of Dun Aengus. The island is dotted with churches and small plots of land enclosed
by stone walls. Gaelic is the first language here.
As an alternative you can stay on the mainland and visit the village of Cong, where
the movie "The Quiet Man" was made. If you get to Westport in County Mayo
be sure to visit Westport House and Country Estate, a fine Georgian mansion, home
to the Earl of Sligo.
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Day 6: Limerick / King John’s Castle / Adare
Take a tour south to visit Limerick City, made famous by Angela’s Ashes. You may
visit King John’s Castle and see the Treaty Stone here. Head south to the picturesque
village of Adare and enjoy a stroll while shopping for crafts. Enjoy a visit to
the old Abbey followed by refreshments at Adare Manor.
Return to Kinnitty Castle for your final evening and a great night of traditional
music in the Dungeon of the Castle where local musicians will entertain into the
night.
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Day 7: Shannon Airport
Drive to Shannon Airport for your return flight home. Enjoy some duty free shopping
before you go. Slán abhaile!
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Trip Extensions
You may wish to extend your stay by adding an additional night to one of the castles
above.
OR
Where will Ireland take you .......
Other attractive add-on offers are available for Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork
& Killarney.
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