Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1
Sunday: Arrival
On arrival at Dublin Airport, a private transfer will take you to the Dylan Hotel, where we stay overnight. In the evening, join the group for a welcome drink and canapés, followed by dinner.
Meals: Dinner
DAY 2
Monday: Guided City Tour, Titanic Belfast & Hillsborough Castle
This morning we cross the border into Northern Ireland and head straight to the vibrant capital of Belfast. Northern Ireland’s best-known city has undergone a striking transformation, and our guided city tour illuminates its fascinating history as an industrial dynamo, from tobacco and linen to, of course, ship building.
Next, we visit Titanic Belfast, a fantastic interactive exhibition located on the site of the original shipyard where the famous liner was built. We hear heart-breaking tales about the vessel’s passengers, discover the detail behind the mammoth task of building the ill-fated ship and dive into the depths with an immersive video exploring the wreckage on the ocean floor.
We are then treated to a private evening guided tour of Hillsborough Castle, a beautiful late Georgian mansion created in the 1770s by Wills Hill, the first Marquis of Downshire. Surrounded by 100 acres of glorious gardens, Hillsborough boasts elegant State Rooms filled with wonderful paintings, furnishings and curiosities. Generations of the Hill family lived at Hillsborough until the early 20th century when the castle began to develop the political and royal associations for which it is famous today. Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret spent many holidays at Hillsborough and since the 1970s, it has been the official residence of both the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the British monarch.
Later we check into the Fitzwilliam Hotel, our base for the next three nights, and enjoy dinner at the Cloth Ear, nestled in the oldest quarter of Belfast.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3
Tuesday: Castle Ward, Strangford Lough & Mount Stewart House & Garden
We head to Castle Ward, an eccentric 18th-century house that features a curious mixture of architectural styles, including classical Palladian and elaborate Gothic. Set in 820 picturesque acres of demesne with superb views over Strangford Lough, the estate also has a stable yard that houses a tea room and second-hand bookshop.
To get to our next stop, we take the picturesque Strangford Lough ferry before continuing to the magnificent Mount Stewart House and Garden, located on the shores of the lough. This recently restored and much-loved family home offers a wealth of treasures, which we discover on our intriguing guided tour. The wonderfully atmospheric garden, with its series of formal-themed garden compartments full of rare and tender plants from across the globe, has been voted as one of the top ten gardens in the world.
This evening, we sample a delicious Irish strew at the traditional Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast, one of North Ireland’s best-known pubs.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4
Wednesday: North Coast Scenic Drive, Dunluce Castle, Mussenden Temple & the Giant’s Causeway
Today we head out on a scenic drive along the north coast, known as the Causeway Coastal Route, winding between picturesque villages and admiring the spectacular sea and cliff views. Dunluce Castle is our first stop, a ruined medieval fortress which sits atop a striking basalt outcrop. Once home to both the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans, we find out more with the exhibits on display here.
Next is the Italian-inspired Mussenden Temple, built in 1785 as a summer library and precariously poised above the Atlantic. Make sure your camera is on hand, as it’s now one of the most photographed spots in the country.
We meander along to the Giant’s Causeway, so-named for the enormous basalt columns produced by volcanic eruptions some sixty million years ago, and now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interactive displays, exhibitions and audio guides in the state-of-the-art visitor center unveil the stories and science that surround this natural phenomenon.
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 5
Thursday: Castle Coole & Florence Court
After checking out of our hotel, we make our way to Castle Coole, one of Ireland’s first Neo-classical houses where the grandeur of its sumptuous Regency interior is matched by the stunning wooded landscape park. There is plenty to discover during our visit, including a state bedroom fit for royalty and the vast servants’ quarters below stairs, one of the most impressive in the entire National Trust collection.
We continue to 18th-century Florence Court, an idyllic Irish mansion featuring exquisite Rococo decoration and fine furniture, surrounded by lush parkland, peaceful woodland, stunning gardens and an apple orchard. It’s even home to one of Ireland’s most famous trees, the 250-year-old mother plant of every Irish yew tree across the globe.
Later, we check into the Delphi Hotel in Galway, where we stay for the next three nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6
Friday: Achill Island
Today we enjoy a scenic drive around the enchanting Achill Island, the largest of Ireland’s offshore isles. The island’s striking natural beauty and rugged landscapes has it all; spectacular mountains, remote lakes, soaring cliffs and secluded beaches. First inhabited 5,000 years ago, the island is peppered with ancient forts, historic churches and megalithic tombs, and was used as a filming location for the award-winning 2022 period tragicomedy, The Banshees of Inisherin.
The rest of the day is left free to relax at the hotel or to perhaps enjoy a treatment at the luxurious spa.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7
Saturday: Glen Keen Farm & Kylemore Abbey
This morning we get an authentic taste of rural life with a visit to Glen Keen Sheep Farm, one of Ireland’s largest sheep farms located on the Wild Atlantic Way and with a spectacular backdrop of picture-perfect mountains. Here we enjoy a sheep herding and wood spinning demonstrations plus delicious homemade Irish scones.
We take a drive past the stunning Killary Fjord en-route to our next destination, Kylemore Abbey, where we can wander through the restored rooms of the beautiful Gothic Abbey, home to a monastic community of nuns since 1920. Outside, the six-acre Victorian Walled Garden is a delight to explore, where only flower and vegetable varieties from that era are grown.
This was one of the last walled gardens built in Ireland during the Victorian period, and its magnificence at the time was compared to London’s Kew Gardens.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8
Sunday: Quiet Man Museum, Dungaire Castle and Cliffs of Moher
We head to The Quiet Man Museum after checking out of our hotel this morning. Perfect for fans of the 1952 American classic, the museum is an exact replica of White O’Morn cottage from the movie. Complete with all of the iconic furnishings and artifacts, you can just imagine John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara on set here! We find out more during our introductory talk.
The next stop is Dungaire Castle, an atmospheric 16th-century town house nestled on the shores of Galway Bay. Legend has it, if you stand at the front gate and ask a question, you will be given an answer by the end of the day. Steeped in folklore, it was built by descendants of Guaire, the ancient king of Connacht, and was later a meeting place for literary giants such as George Bernard Shaw, Lady Gregory and W.B. Yeats.
We continue to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, stretching for eight miles along County Clare’s Atlantic Coast and 214m at their highest. The cliffs offer stunning views towards the Aran Islands and Galway Bay from three different viewing platforms, while the fascinating visitor center brings the different aspects of the cliffs to life. They are also home to one of the major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds in Ireland.
Later, we check into the Muckross Park Hotel & Spa in Killarney, our base for the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9
Monday: Ross Castle, Jaunting Car & the Ring of Kerry
Located on the shores of Lough Leane, Ross Castle is a 15th-century tower house built by Irish chieftain O’Donoghue Mór (who still slumbers under the gentle waters according to local legend)! It was one of the last strongholds to surrender to Oliver Cromwell’s army during the Irish Confederate Wars and is shrouded in folklore today. Here we enjoy a jaunting car ride, which are horse-drawn carts operated by the local jarvies, as well as a tranquil boat trip on the lake.
We then take a scenic drive through the Ring of Kerry, journeying across an untouched landscape of peaceful lakes and a skyline of dozing mountainous peaks.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10
Tuesday: Blarney Castle & Rock of Cashel
The medieval Blarney Castle awaits, built nearly 600 years ago by a powerful Irish magnate and now one of the country’s most famous visitor attractions. Millions have flocked here to kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence and never again be lost for words, but there is so much more to see, including the atmospheric dungeons, a poison garden and the lovely countryside views from the battlements.
The iconic sites continue with a trip to the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s top archaeological spots, set on a rocky outcrop. The prominent hill is dotted with a range of ancient fortifications, including a storied 12th-century round tower, 13th-century Gothic cathedral and 15th-century castle.
This afternoon we check into the Minella Hotel in Tipperary, where we stay overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 11
Wednesday: Kennedy Homestead and Dunbrody Famine Ship
We explore America’s connections with Ireland today, beginning with The Kennedy Homestead in Dunganstown, the birthplace of John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather, Patrick Kennedy. Through a state-of-the-art exhibition, memorabilia and more, the unique museum celebrates the tale of this famous Irish-American family, from Patrick leaving as a famine emigrant to his great grandson’s homecoming as President of the United States.
Ireland’s history is brought to life at the Dunbrody Famine Ship, our next stop. We learn about the bravery of Irish people onboard an authentic replica of an 1840s emigrant boat, complete with costumed performers, insightful displays and details of their harrowing journey. After weeks spent dangerously crossing the Atlantic, the emigrants who arrived in North America made up a quarter of the population in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore by 1850.
This evening we stay overnight at the Faithlegg Hotel in Waterford.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 12
Thursday: Abbey Theatre and Guinness Storehouse
Today we take a backstage tour of the Abbey Theatre, also known as the National Theatre of Ireland, where Irish creativity is celebrated. We discover behind-the-scenes secrets and learn about the history of this cultural institution, founded in 1904 by W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, who wanted ‘to bring upon the stage the deeper emotions of Ireland.’
We continue our dive into Irish heritage with a visit to Guinness Storehouse, where we uncover the history of the world-famous drink through a seven-storey interactive experience. There’s also a chance to sample the ‘Black Stuff’ in the rooftop Gravity Bar, complete with panoramic views over Dublin.
Later, we check back into the Dylan Hotel in Dublin, where we stay for the remaining two nights of our tour. There’s time to freshen up before we are treated to dinner at Celtic Nights, a traditional Irish Dance show known for its great craic!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 13
Friday: Trinity College, Book of Kells & The Old Library
We start the day with a guided tour of Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, founded in 1592. The college’s magnificent Old Library displays Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure, the Book of Kells. Written around 800AD and celebrated for its lavish decoration, the manuscript contains the four Gospels in Latin based on a Vulgate text, written on vellum (prepared calfskin).
There is then some free time in Dublin, with its historic attractions, shopping streets, abundance of convivial pubs and fascinating landmarks, from the ancient Dublin Castle to the modern Spire of Dublin.
This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 14
Saturday: Departure
A private transfer will take you back to Dublin Airport for your return flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Please note: the order of excursions is subject to change and guided tours are subject to restrictions.
Email us today to reserve at BKennedy@Royal-oak.org or call 212-480-2889 ext. 203
