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Overview
This magical itinerary brings you from the East to West coast of Ireland exploring the most unusual and beautiful gardens in the country, and the world. Explore the majestic floral nature of the Emerald Isle while also seeing the cultural sights and sounds of Ireland. Let the Irish local experts at Destinations plan your perfect itinerary, customized to your needs. Specializing in families, groups, couples, alumni events, or association gatherings.
Day 1: Arrive in Dublin Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Stay 3 nights Dublin.
Day 2: Explore Dublin City.
Day 3: Tour Dublin City & Phoenix Park.
Day 4: National Botanic Gardens & Japanese Gardens. Stay 1 night Kilkenny.
Day 5: Kilfane Glen & waterfall. Rock of Cashel. Stay 2 nights Cork.
Day 6: Cork City, Kinsale, & Lisselan Estate Gardens.
Day 7: Kenmare & Bantry House and Gardens. Stay 2 nights Kerry.
Day 8: Killarney National Park & Lakes. Muckross House Gardens.
Day 9: Ring of Kerry. Knockpatrick Gardens. Stay 2 nights Co. Clare.
Day 10: Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, & Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.
Day 11: Drive to Airport & prepare to return home.Price: Please contact our travel experts for current pricing 1800-832-1848
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Dublin Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Stay 3 nights Dublin.
Arrive in Dublin Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. Settle in today, and become familiar with your surroundings. Perhaps take a horse and carriage ride through the old Georgian Squares of Dublin. Enjoy a delicious dinner at a local pub, with traditional Irish Music. We’ll give you a list of our favorite recommendations for pubs and restaurants. Stay 3 nights at Brooks Hotel.
Day 2: Explore Dublin City.
Explore Dublin City today. We recommend getting a 48 hour pass for the ‘Hop on, Hop off’ double-decker bus tour of Dublin. it’s a fantastic way to get around while touring all the best sights. Highlights include Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, St. Stephen’s Green, The Guinness Brewery, The National Gallery of Ireland and much, much more. Visit the Kilkenny Design Shop for fine Irish made crafts and goods, and stroll along Grafton Street; Dublin’s premier shopping area.
Day 3: Tour Dublin City & Phoenix Park.
Catch the ‘Hop on, Hop off’ bus and get off at The Phoenix Park. At 1752 acres the Phoenix Park is one of the largest enclosed recreational spaces within any European capital city. The Park was established in 1662 by one of Ireland’s most illustrious viceroys, James butler, Duke of Ormond, on behalf of King Charles II. About 30% of the Phoenix Park is covered by magnificent trees. A huge herd of Fallow Deer has lived in the Park since the 1660’s. The Phoenix Park is a sanctuary for many mammals and birds and a wide range of wildlife habitats are to be found in the park. The Victorian People’s Flower Gardens located close to the Parkgate Street entrance comprise an area of 22 acres. These gardens were established in 1840 as the Promenade Grounds. They provide an opportunity to display Victorian horticulture at its best. The Phoenix Park also features one of the best zoos in Europe.
Day 4: National Botanic Gardens & Japanese Gardens. Stay 1 night Kilkenny.
After breakfast, pick up your rental car in Dublin City today, and drive south towards Kilkenny. before you depart Dublin, make sure to visit the National botanic Gardens; founded in 1795 it is one of the loveliest botanic Gardens in the world. En route to Kilkenny, stop in Kildare to visit the Irish National Stud’s Japanese Gardens & St Fiachra’s Garden, renowned throughout the world and the finest of their kind in Europe, are far more than simply a treat for the eye. They also provide comfort to the soul, achieving exactly the objective that was set out when the gardens were created between 1906 and 1910.
Continue south, and arrive in Kilkenny where you’ll stay for 1 night at the Kilkenny Pembroke Hotel. Kilkenny is Ireland’s best example of a medieval town, and rich in history. Tour Kilkenny Castle and gardens this afternoon, and enjoy a good dinner and restful evening.
Day 5: Kilfane Glen & waterfall. Rock of Cashel. Stay 2 nights Cork.
After breakfast, tour the beautiful Kilfane Glen and waterfall; A pristine example of a romantic era garden dating from the 1790s. Untouched for 200 years, it is a picturesque paradise with a waterfall tumbling its way to a rushing stream and woodland paths leading to a cottage orné. Tiny bridges sit among ancient trees, wild fox-gloves, ferns and other historically correct 18th century planting. Continue south towards Cork.
En route you have the option to stop in Cashel, and tour the Rock of Cashel. The Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phádraig), more formally St. Patrick’s Rock, it is also known as Cashel of the Kings. Most of the buildings on the site date from the 12th and 13th centuries. It’s a magnificent sight. Upon arrival in Cork, you’ll stay 2 nights at Hayfield Manor.
Day 6: Cork City, Kinsale, & Lisselan Estate Gardens.
Options today include, exploring Cork City; The Shandon bells, the gothic style University College, St Finbarr’s Cathedral, City Market and the Crawford Art Gallery. Visit Cobh harbor, last port of call for the Titanic. Drive to Clonakilty and tour the Lisselan Estate Gardens; these gardens are among the most peaceful, romantic, and handsome gardens in Ireland. Take a little drive to the picturesque fishing town of Kinsale; famous for its outstanding seafood. Enjoy an evening meal and a stroll through the picturesque cobble stoned streets.
Day 7: Cork City, Kinsale, & Lisselan Estate Gardens.
Depart Cork today and drive to Kerry. En route, stop in Kenmare and bantry. Tour bantry House and Gardens; this imaginative garden is one of the finer gardens in the country, and in one of the most extraordinary settings in the world. It is impossible not to be charmed by this place. Travel onwards to Killarney, County Kerry, where you’ll stay for 2 nights at the Carrig House. Enjoy an evening of relaxation by the roaring fireside, Irish Coffee in hand.
Day 8: Kenmare & Bantry House and Gardens. Stay 2 nights Kerry.
This morning take a horse and carriage ride to Muckross House on the Killarney Lakes. Set among the Lakes of Killarney in Killarney National Park, Muckross house Gardens are truly lovely. With spectacular views, woods, walled gardens, Torc waterfall and much more, the possibilities here are endless. See the Gap of Dunloe and Kate Kearney’s Cottage. Take a tour of the Dingle Peninsula featuring some of Ireland’s most spectacular coastal scenery, including Slea Head and the Connor Pass. Dingle town is well known for hiking, fishing and sailing by day and by night for lively restaurants, pubs and a traditional music scene.
Day 9: Ring of Kerry. Knockpatrick Gardens. Stay 2 nights Co. Clare.
Drive north to Foynes Co. Limerick, and tour Knockpatrick Gardens. Located overlooking the Shannon River estuary; this extravagant garden has been in existence for over 70 years. Continue, by taking the car ferry boat over the Shannon Estuary, and drive north into County Clare. Stay 2 nights at Sheedy’s Country House Hotel.
Day 10: Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, & Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.
Visit the majestic Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 ft above the Atlantic Ocean, and enjoy a stop at Ailwee Cave to see the underground river and waterfall with their dramatic stalagmites and stalactites. Explore the lunar like landscape of the burren region, famous for its unique flora and fauna and views of the Aran Islands. This limestone landscape is dotted with druidic altars, Stone Age fireplaces and 22 different kinds of orchid. Visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park; charming flower gardens, vegetable gardens, farm animals, and old fashioned gardening methods and implements are all a part of this recreation of life in an old Irish Village.
Day 11: Drive to Airport & prepare to return home.
After a good breakfast, drive to Shannon Airport, return your rental car, and prepare for your return flight home.
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Inclusions
Price: Please contact our travel experts for current pricing 1800-832-1848
- Deluxe accommodations for 10 nights
- Private Car transfer to your hotel on arrival
- Full Irish Breakfast every day
- Self-Drive rental vehicle OR Upgrade to services of a driver guide
- All taxes & service charges
- 24 / 7 Concierge service in Ireland while travelling
- Touring Map of Ireland & List of recommended pubs, restaurants & places of interest
- Deluxe portfolio of travel Documents & Personalized Itinerary
- Prices based on per person sharing. Single supplement will be additional. Call for details.
Airfare is additional:
Take the hassle out of booking flights. Ask about our best available Economy Fares as well as our Preferred Business and First Class Offers. Our air department experts can help with competitive rates. Just let us know your preferred dates and U.S. Departure City. We will do the rest.
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Hotels
Brooks Hotel
The Pembroke Hotel, Kilkenny
The Pembroke Hotel Kilkenny is a relaxing 4 star boutique hotel in the heart of the old city quarter.
Hayfield Manor, Cork
Hayfield Manor, an Experience beyond the Best. At the 5 Star Hayfield Manor Hotel Cork, a family owned boutique luxury hotel, a visit is an experience in itself.
Carrig House, Kerry
This charming and meticulously restored Victorian residence has a sense of timelessness about it that has captured the imagination of poets and adventurers alike.
Sheedy’s Country House, Lisdoonvarna
Sheedy’s Country House Hotel and Restaurant is a small family owned and managed 4 star hotel and award winning restaurant, situated in the village of Lisdoonvarna, on the edge of The Burren.
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Sightseeing Gallery
- Itineraries
- Around Ireland in 14 days – Including Northern Ireland
- Elegant Ireland
- Luxury Country House Adventure
- Emerald Ireland Experience
- Royal Scotland
- Deluxe Crafting Tour of Ireland
- Ireland for the Connoisseur
- An Irish Christmas
- London & Cotwolds Deluxe Tour
- Luxury Castles & Manors Driving Tour – 10 Days / 9 Nights
- Haunted Ireland Adventure
- Haunted Scotland Adventure
- Irish Equestrian Adventure
- Gardens of Ireland Tour
- ‘Game of Thrones’ Ireland Adventure Tour – 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Northern Ireland Discovery
- Irish Honeymoon Dream
- Wild Atlantic Way Tours
- Chauffeured Tours
- Destination Dublin
- Exclusive Rentals
- Testimonials
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