9:50am: On arrival after clearing passport control and customs, collect your luggage and proceed to the Arrivals Hall. Here you will be met by your guide, Warner Wilders, for your road transfer to Parknasilla Resort where you will stay for three nights.

Along the scenic drive overlooking the ocean, you will make a stop at the quaint village of Adare where you can wander the cottage lined streets before visiting the ruins of an ancient abbey. The centuries of history contained in one small area are a perfect introduction to Ireland.

At a time to be determined with your guide the night before, your guide will take you on the short, but beautiful drive through Moll’s Gap to Killarney National Park. Here you will take to the world-famous Lakes of Killarney in a traditional wooden boat.

The views over the MacGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountains, are unmatched. On the other side of the lake you will meet a jaunting car- local horse drawn carriage- for trip through the famous and isolated Gap of Dunloe.

Your guide will accompany you and help you to interpret the landscape as you go.

Please make sure that you are prepared for the outdoors, including waterproof jacket and trousers and hiking boots

Today, your guide will meet you to explore the Ring of Kerry further. Perhaps join a local boatman Captain Ray aboard his boat for an exploration of Kenmare Bay, visiting a local seal colony and keeping an eye out for wildlife including eagles and dolphins. A little more off the beaten track is Valentia Island, where a fossiled dinosaur footprint, countless millenia old megalithic monuments and the first trans-atlantic communications cable are all within reach. Not to mention the opportunity was walk some isolated, empty white sand beaches or enjoy a pint of Guinness is a truly authentic Irish pub. Your hotel also has an award winning spa.

At a time to be determined with your guide the night before, you will head back north along the Atlantic Coast where you will first ferry the Shannon estuary. Ireland’s longest river is so-named after the goddess of its creation myth and is home to one of the world’s largest pods of dolphins that you can keep an eye out for. Onwards to the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s iconic landmark. Here you have the option of joining your guide for a hike. This way you see the very best of the cliffs away from the crowds.

*Please make sure that you are prepared for the outdoors, including waterproof jacket and trousers and hiking boots

At a time to be determined with your guide the night before, after breakfast, meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel for your full day touring.

Your hotel is at the heart of The Burren a geologically unique area of ‘karst’ limestone. Here plants unique to the region (the area is home to dozens of species of orchid) and arctic and Mediterranean plants flower side-by-side. The craggy landscape has inspired poets such as Seamus Heaney and is said to be inspiration for Middle Earth in JRR Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings. Our recommended stops include The Burren Perfumery, Poulnabone Portal Tomb and the Ailwee Caves and Birds of Prey Centre. Later we venture further afield there as we ferry to The Aran Islands where you can explore this ‘Gaeltact’ (Irish language speaking) island by foot or by horse and cart. On the return ferry, we will cruise below the magnificent Cliffs of Moher where you can watch the thousands of birds that call the cliffs home in flight.

*Please make sure that you are prepared for the outdoors, including waterproof jacket and trousers and hiking boots

At a time to be determined with your guide the night before, you will continue your adventure northwards with numerous stops along the way. Dunguaire Castle, a Norman keep, in the town of Kinvarra is right on the road but we recommend getting there as early as possible as it gets very busy. If seafood is your thing, we can stop at an ocean-side tavern for the best oysters in Ireland- here they are grown in a natural oyster bed at the river mouth. For a more urban vibe, we will stop in Galway City, known as the ‘town of the tribes’. Here colourful shop fronts and cobbled streets are a striking counter point to the city’s modern cosmopolitan outlook. The River Corrib with its swans, the Spanish Arch and great cafes, pubs and restaurants are the focus. Continuing beyond Galway you will notice the landscape getting wilder and more rugged as you head out into the area known as Connemara. Described by Oscar Wilde as a ‘savage beauty’ the views from your hotel will give you insight into his perspective. Your hotel’s wonderful restaurant is worth eating at at least once during your stay.

*Please make sure that you are prepared for the outdoors, including waterproof jacket and trousers and hiking boots

Today you have the opportunity to explore Connemara. Your guide will suggest a walk somewhere in the area today, as this is some of Ireland’s best walking country. Diamond Hill is a local favorite and the view from it’s glittering quartzite summit is fabulous and really gives you a sense of the magnitude of the Twelve Bens and Mamturk mountain ranges that dominate the landscape. You can also stop to tour majestic Kylemore Abbey or drive across the sand at low tide to a lovely west coast island. Upon your request one of the fantastic restaurants in Clifden can be recommended if you want to eat out this evening and there are several pubs that have traditional music in town.

This morning at a time to be determined the night before, you will depart your accommodation with your guide, with one final stop in Connemara. Here you will watch sheep farmer, Joe, work with this dogs.

Afterward, drive to the northern part of the Connemara region where you will arrive at the Killary Harbour, which is Ireland’s largest fjord. From here we can walk a short way along the fjord to the ruins of a famine era village. This natural harbour is overlooked by the region’s highest mountain, Mweelrea.

You will then follow a route around the head of the fjord and into the Delphi Valley. Passing the eerily beautiful Doolough lake you can pause to reflect on the thousands of local victims of the potato famine of the 1840s- this area was especially hard hit.

Your boat to Clare Island leaves from Roonagh pier and here you will say goodbye to your guide. On arrival you will be brought to Clare Island Lighthouse where you will stay for two nights.

*Please make sure that you are prepared for the outdoors, including waterproof jacket and trousers and hiking boots

Today you have a chance to explore this island, once home to Grace O’Malley the Pirate Queen who ruled the Clew Bay in the 1500s from her castle which is still seen on the island. Clew Bay is said to have 365 islands, one for every day of the year and Clare Island is the biggest of these. There are numerous walking routes and interesting places to visit from stone age forts to more recent additions to the island’s unique culture. Your lighthouse hosts will make sure that you are well looked after and will give you personal advice on the best places to visit and let you in on some of the island’s secrets. A local favorite is the 12th century abbey which contains a remarkable series of medieval wall and ceiling paintings from animals to men to dragons. Dinner this evening is in the local pubs.

By now you will have settled into the swing of island life but it’s time to take your leave of your hosts and head back to the mainland by ferry. A transfer is arranged for your journey today taking you to the market town of Westport. Westport is overlooked by Croagh Patrick. A pilgrimage route since ancient times, this mountain is still climbed by thousands each year, many of them barefoot. If you wish you can follow the well-worn path to the white church on the summit for views back across Clew Bay and beyond. There are numerous quaint shops and cafes in town.

After time in town is a relaxing 3.5-hour train journey westwards to the country’s capital city Dublin (tickets purchased day of).

On arrival, make your way independently to Buswell’s Hotel where you will stay for three nights.

The remainder of the evening will be yours at leisure to being exploring Dublin.

This morning you will be met in your hotel’s lobby by a local historian who will bring you on a tour of his native city. This will give you plenty of ideas for how you would like to spend your next few days and you will also get unparalleled insight into Dublin’s fascinating past and captivating present.

This afternoon you can explore the city in further depth with your centrally located hotel as your base right up the street from the national museums of art and history and the graceful Georgian buildings of the city’s core.

Today explore Dublin at your leisure. There are many different ways to explore the city. it is recommended that you leave the downtown area and venture westwards where two of the city’s most famous attractions are to be found: The Guinness Storehouse and historic Kilmainham Gaol as well as the world-renowned Irish Museum of Modern Art. For something completely different why not kayak through the city seeing the sites from a different angle?

7:15pm: This evening you will join some literary loving locals on a tour of the city’s pubs with a dramatic focus.

8:20am: You will be met and transferred to the airport for your flight home, taking with you the sights, sounds, and memories of an incredible Irish vacation.