Departing from Dublin, this tour of Ireland opens up the landscape from the Wicklow Mountains southwards exploring the picturesque countryside Ireland offers its visitors. Punctuated by busy fishing villages and of course Ireland’s second largest City Cork, we reach out taking in a rich maritime heritage, medieval castles, and spectacular coastal scenery. Whilst we enjoy the bustle of Waterford & Cork City we also get the chance to see the traditional glass blowing skills of the Waterford Crystal Glass makers in action amongst other great adventures, ensuring this visit to the south will be one to treasure.
Day One: Morning transfer to your hotel in Dublin. This afternoon we take a guided familiarisation tour of Dublin City, visiting the famous Guinness Store House Museum. This evening we have the opportunity to enjoy and evening of Irish traditional music in the Temple Bar District.
Day Two: This morning head south through the picturesque Wicklow countryside stopping at Russborough House, home of Sir Alfred Beit, an avid socialite and art collector whose family amassed his wealth though Diamond mining. From there we continue south to Glendalough, where we discover the iconic Monastic Tower which is almost 1,000 years old. We have a lunch break in Avoca, before continuing on through Enniscothy town to New Ross, where we visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship. Here we to discover life as an emigrant to the New World. Our evening is spent in the historic town of Waterford where we overnight.
Day Three: Before leaving the city we visit the world famous Waterford Crystal works where we view the art of crystal glass making. Taking the ‘Copper Coast’ route to Dungarvan, we arrive at Lismore Castle, which belonged to the Earl of Desmond, and now by marriage since 1753 to the Duke of Devonshire (of Chatsworth House Derbyshire). We take the opportunity to discover both the picturesque town, the imposing Castle and its walled gardens. Our journey continues onwards to Cork where we overnight for the next three nights.
Day Four: This morning we travel the short distance to the small seaside village of Youghal, before heading to the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School for lunch and a look around the fascinating organic kitchen gardens. This afternoon as we travel back towards Cork we visit Cohb, the last landfall the newly built Titanic stopped at on its ill-fated journey across the Atlantic. Here we have the opportunity to stroll the promenade and call in the visitors centre before heading into Cork for our second evening.
Day Five: This morning we take the short journey to the picturesques harbour town of Kinsale as we head to the town of Bantry. We return via the Mizenhead Signal Station, Irelands most South Westerly point. For the brave there is an option to take a boatride from Balitmore to the Fastnet Rock Lighthouse before our return to Cork.
Day Six: After breakfast, we make our way to Blarney Castle,to ‘kiss the famous Blarney Stone’ as we travel north via the Rock of Cashel to Dublin where we have an opportunity for some last minute shopping in the City Centre.
Day Seven: We transfer to your departure flight from Dublin Airport.
