Detailed Daily Itinerary

DAY 0
Depart home on the airline of your choice to Dublin, Ireland

DAY 1
Arrive from your hometown in Dublin this morning. After going to our well-located, 4-star, historic hotel, we'll meet in the lobby at 1:00 pm. Then we'll head to the private city garden of lecturer, writer, and gardening television host Helen Dillon. Guarded by two Sphinxes, we'll approach the focal point of her garden, a 33 foot water canal of sleek polished limestone. There we'll enjoy her style of using vivid color ranges of scarlet, vermilion, orange & yellow in her mixed borders. As we relish the heavenly scents wafting their way around the garden, we may even encounter Mr. Reginald, her miniature dachshund.  Tonight, we will meet for our get-acquainted dinner at our lovely hotel.     Overnight/Dublin (D) 

DAY 2
After a nice breakfast, our first morning stop will be the perfectly preserved, Palladian-styled, Russborough House.  It is nestled in the magnificent setting of the Blessington Lakes in County Wicklow, the "Garden of Ireland."   Designed by Richard Cassels in the mid 18th century, it was built for Joseph Leeson, the First Earl of Milltown.  The ornate stucco plasterwork, inlaid floors, and the San Domingo mahogany are features prominent in the interior design. Some of the fine family art collection include:  The Letter Writer by Vermeer, and Madame Bacelli by Gainsborough. After lunch, we’ll coach to the incredible garden of Mount Congreve.  It’s been created by Mr. Congreve over the last eight decades of his life with the help of twenty-five full-time gardeners; more than the Queen of England employed at any of her palaces.  Extensive greenhouses greet us with an abundance of rare fuchsias, orchids, bromeliads, cyclamen, begonias, clivia, datura, streptocarpus, regal pelargoniums, hibiscus, and other exotic plants too numerous to mention.  Reputed to be the world’s largest plant collection, he has 350 species of rhododendron, 650 of camellia, 350 cultivars of Japanese maple, tree peonies, and the list goes on!  This garden is a true Irish treasure.  After our glorious day of lovely houses and gardens, we will relax in our 4-star hotel for dinner and lodging.  Overnight/Waterford (B, D)

DAY 3
The morning will bring a visit to the Dunbrody Visitor Center. Originally, this three- masted sailing vessel was built in 1845 in Quebec for the Graves family of New Ross and set up to become a cargo ship.  However, due to the desperate conditions of the Great Famine, it soon became an emigrant ship. An interactive exhibit will transport us through history as the Dunbrody sails its way across the Atlantic 150 years ago.  We may even get a peek at her while she is docked in New Ross.  After lunch, we're off to the fairy tale 12th C. Lismore Castle that sets high on a bluff overlooking the Black Water Valley where we'll visit their Castle Gardens. The two distinct gardens are divided into the upper and lower garden.  The upper is one of the oldest walled gardens in the country and has been in continuous use for around four centuries. Box hedges protect Lathyrus odoratus, delphiniums, dahlias, day lilies and fruit trees in the walled garden while the lower garden or pleasure grounds are dotted with lovely Eucryphia & Myrtus luma trees, native to Chile. With our guide, we will take a glimpse down the English Yew walk that dates back to the early 1700’s.  Finally, we will peek at the powerful contemporary sculptures that can be seen throughout the garden. Next, we will travel to our final destination of the lovely seaside village of Kinsale. Considered the gourmet capital of Ireland, we will enjoy our sumptuous dinner together here at one of the splendid restaurants that we know.    Overnight /Kinsale (B, D)

DAY 4
High on the bluff overlooking the Kinsale Harbor, sits the formidable, star-shaped, Charles' Fort. William Robinson, architect of the Royal Hospital in Dublin designed this coastal fortification in the 17th century.   Today we'll be introduced by our guide to the fort, considered to be the finest of its kind in Europe.  Be sure to ask him about the five bastions and which ones proved to be the fort’s strength.  He'll recount the monumental events in Irish history which took place here-- the Williamite War in 1690 and the Irish Civil War of 1922-23.  The afternoon & evening will be free to stroll the lanes of this charming seacoast town.     Overnight/Kinsale (B)

DAY 5
After we finish our breakfast, we are off to enjoy a personally- guided visit to Brian Cross’ famous garden at Lakemount.  It has been gardened for over 50 years and sits on a former fruit & chicken farm.  The private garden of two acres is an impeccable creative space.  Brian is a master of combining colors with his incredible specimens of plants, shrubs & trees from all over the world.  No wonder his garden is featured in so many international gardening magazines.  Next, we head South to the crystal clear, aquamarine Bantry Bay.   Perched on the shore with the Caha mountains in the background, Bantry House sits in a picture perfect spot. (  See the picture above)  It was built in the early 1700’s and is the ancestral house of the White Family.  Richard White became famous for disclosing to the British that the Irish Nationalists and French were about to invade in 1796.  Here we'll learn more about Lord Bantry and the acquisition of his title as we explore the House and the French Armada Exhibition Centre, located in the former stables.   We’ll then take our coach to our boutique hotel in the pretty town of Kenmare.      Overnight/Kenmare (B,L)

DAY 6
After breakfast we'll coach to Killarney and Kate Kearney’s Cottage where we pick up our “jaunting cars” (horse-drawn carts) and "jarveys" (drivers) for an unforgettable journey through the Gap of Dunloe, high in the Macgillycully Reeks (mountains) past the Wishing Bridge and up the Black Valley.  After a lunch opportunity at Lord Brandon’s Cottage, we’ll join our boats and slowly cruise across the three Lakes of Killarney, with views of the Macgillycuddy Reeks, the Meeting of the Waters, and Ladies’ View, ending at the

14th C. Ross Castle, the last place to succumb to Oliver Cromwell’s forces in Munster. After our marvelous day, we'll dine at another outstanding restaurant we know in Kenmare –the Lime Tree.    Overnight/Kenmare (B, D)

DAY 7
Rather than the bus-crowded and touristy Ring of Kerry, we'll take you on our favorite tour, the even more beautiful and archaeologically significant Dingle Peninsula. We'll stop in Dingle town and maybe catch a glimpse of their resident bottle-nosed dolphin, Fungie.  We'll then leave to visit the greatest concentrationof ancient sites (reputed to be over 15,000) in all of County Kerry, if not all of Ireland. As we travel west, around Slea Head, past the sites for the films “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far and Away”, we arrive at the magnificent Blasket Centre, the impressive $5 million heritage center where Ireland's ancient language and culture are celebrated.    We’re deep in a Gaeltacht, an area where Irish is the first -spoken language, and it's here where we'll take a short lunch.  We continue our journey to visit the 1300-year old, perfectly intact Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian stone church with a uniquely corbelled stone roof. Incredibly, it remains watertight to this day.  We'll see some Beehive Huts along the way, as well as a few special surprises.  Are you beginning to see some history here?  We’ll head to our lovely inn in Dingle, have dinner together, and relax the evening away.   Overnight/Dingle (B, D)

DAY 8
After our savory breakfast, we'll travel through the verdant Irish countryside to Galway, the "City of the Tribes".  Our first stop will be one of the geologic wonders of Ireland, the breathtaking 600-ft-high Cliffs of Moher and further on through The Burren, a most unique, extraordinary limestone moonscape.  We'll stop to see the 6,000-yr-old Poulnabourne Dolmen, one of the best preserved ancient burial sites in Ireland.  Then we’ll continue on by the shores of Galway Bay for a lunch stop we know, renowned for its superb seafood.  After good “craic” & delectable food, we will head to Galway and our comfy hotel.  Maybe you will want to walk the footpaths looking for that icon, the “Claddagh”, or maybe just enjoy some of the Irish music sessions in one of Galway's famous musical pubs.  Overnight/Galway (B, L)

DAY 9
Today after a tasty breakfast we'll take our roomy coach to the wild, windblown, Irish-speaking region known as the Connemara.  This is home to the Twelve Bens (mountains), the “central glory of the Connemara” as author Brendan Lehan has written; an area of spectacular myth-making geography of glacial lakes, magnificent mountains, lonely lanes, and silent bog lands, where the sheep easily outnumber the people.  Our first stop will be a visit to a mountain sheep farmer, Tom Joyce, who will tell us of his families’ generations on his land, and the tragedy and triumph of human events that colored this most difficult country.  He'll show and describe the famine graves, megalithic tombs, and his visit by the President of Ireland and the Queen of the Netherlands.  Ask him nicely and he’s sure to tell a Fairy story or two.  We'll then head into Clifden, the capital of the Connemara for a memorable lunch with Tom.  We'll have time to roam about this interesting town. Tonight, you may dream about banshees, or the “little people".     Overnight/Galway (B, L)

DAY 10
Our first stop today will be the tour de force garden, Ardcarraig.  Here we'll meet the petite Lorna MacMahon, who single- handedly designed and maintains her five acres of awe-inspiring gardens.  She'll walk us through her leafy labyrinth stopping at the Japanese Garden with its stone snow-viewing lamp tucked into the showy Japanese Maples; then through the woodlands viewing the eight pools along the way. Little wonder that her “grand space"

is one of the favorites of amateurs & professionals alike.   After a relaxing morning in the garden, we believe an Afternoon Tea at Ashford Castle, the former Guinness family home and wedding sites for notables, is fitting.  Pierce Brosnan, of James Bond movie fame was married here.  After our infusion of tea, sandwiches, & sweets, we'll head to the picture-postcard-perfect village of Westport with its scores of musical pubs.  But first, we'll tour one of Ireland’s most historic homes, The Westport House.  Designed by the famous architects, Richard Cassels (does this name sound familiar?) & James Wyatt in the 18th century, the home sits on a gorgeous setting of terraces, lake & gardens. Don’t forget to ask about Grace O’Malley, the famous Pirate and “Queen of Connaught” and her connections with the family while we are on tour.  Then from here, we'll journey to rarely-visited Achill Island where we’ll have dinner and lodging at a quaint guesthouse we know, and watch the sun dip into the Atlantic. Elizabeth always makes us feel so welcome.     Overnight/Achill Island (B, Afternoon Tea, D)

DAY 11
After enjoying Elizabeth's sumptuous breakfast we'll take a journey to ancient sites that date back nearly 6000 years. Our first destination will take us to a stone-age settlement, known as The Ceide Fields, with its award winning interpretive center.  Along with our guide, we will learn the interesting story about the local school teacher who discovered this area in the 1930’s & his findings under the blanket bogs of stone walled fields, houses, and megalithic tombs.  We will grab a bite of lunch here and then travel through Ballina, and Templeboy onto Carrowmore, the Megalithic Cemetery, the largest & oldest tomb,even predating ancient Newgrange by some 700 years.  We’ll meander north to scenic Donegal and our new hotel located just above the harbor fleet, in the quaint fishing village of Killybegs.  We’ll enjoy our dinner here tonight.    Overnight/Killybegs (B, D) 

DAY 12
After breakfast, we’ll follow the coast road around Donegal Bay and pay a visit to the little factory which makes the world-famous Belleek Pottery.  We’re sure that you’ve seen their lovely shamrock-adorned Parian China, as well as their intricately-formed, internationally award-winning, woven china baskets.  After a lunch opportunity we’ll take the scenic road along Lough Erne, through the lovely town of Enniskillen to the finest Palladian home in Northern Ireland, the 18th C. Castle Coole for a guided tour.  It’s built totally of silvery-white Portland stone, imported from England at great expense.  From here, we’ll end our day at our famous country hotel, the main lodging of former President Bill Clinton when he’s here.  You’ll enjoy all the pictures of him, Hillary and Chelsea. Be sure and ask Patsy about their visits, as well the Kennedys .  We’ll enjoy dinner together tonite in their Ardmore Restaurant, overlooking the waterwheel; and two restful nights sleep.   Overnight/near Derry (B, D)

DAY 13
After our yummy breakfast, served in the scenic dining room, we’ll have a local guide to show us around Derry/Londonderry. We’ll walk the well-preserved, circumferential, medieval City Wall, the Tower Museum, the Peace Murals of the Bogside, and much more.  After lunch together, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon and evening to yourselves.  You might continue touring Derry, have a nice dinner, enjoy the great shopping, or simply come back on the coach to our restful retreat for the evening, sitting by the fireplace in the cozy pub.  Overnight/near Derry (B, L)

DAY 14
After breakfast, we are off towards the spectacular Dunluce Castle sitting precariously on the craggy limestone cliffs of the famous North Antrim coast. Many men have been drawn to this romantic place beginning with the Nomadic Scottish boatmen as early as 7,000 BC.  Our guide will tell us about Richard de Burgh, who first built this Castle; and the famous Sorley Boy MacDonnell a Scottish chieftain, who captured it from the English. Next we head to the 17th century, Old Bushmills Distillery for a tour and a “wee drop” of this magical elixir.  We will all have lunch together at the delightful Bushmills Inn for a “Taste of Ulster”.   A short distance away, we'll visit another geologic marvel, The Giant’s Causeway.  This mythologized grouping of thousands of hexagonal basalt columns never fails to inspire. We'll continue past the fascinating Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, the wee villages of Ballycastle, Cushendum, and Cushendall, and along the impressive 9 Glens of Antrim. For the next two nights we'll stay in a small town outside of Belfast, in unconventional surroundings of wooded parkland within a Castle Estate.  Overnight/Templepatrick (B, L)

DAY 15
As we did in Derry, we’ll tour Belfast with our terrific local guide.  We’ll see the beautiful Victorian City Hall, Grand Opera House and Crown Liquor Saloon; the murals of West Belfast and reminders of Belfast’s turbulent past, Shankill and the Falls Road. You’ll be surprised at the monstrous sky-silhouette of the working cranes of the Harland and Wolff Shipyards where the Titanic was built. We’ll head NE and visit the Lovely little seaside village of Bangor before stopping for a luncheon at our very special Restaurant: The 17th C. Old Inn at Crawfordsburn.  After lunch, we’ll have the afternoon and evening free.  You may want to take a lap in the hotel pool or hike around the grounds, or just maybe...write the postcards you've been meaning to send.

Overnight/Templepatrick (B, L)

DAY 16
After breakfast we'll begin our day here in Templepatrick with a visit to the last working water-driven Spade Mill in daily use in the British Isles – Patterson’s Spade Mill.  Here our guide will help us capture the life during the Industrial Revolution and talk about the history and culture behind this useful tool.  Our coach will whisk us away to the 52-acre garden jewel, Rowallane, which sits in the heart of County Down.  This inspirational space of walled & rock gardens, rare specimen trees and shrubs, and an outstanding rhododendron collection is set against a background of woodlands. This garden of all seasons has been in existence since the 1860’s when Rev. Moore put in the first plantings. He would be proud of his successors, who have carefully maintained his “work of art” in its lovely natural setting. We’ll have a lunch opportunity here where we'll sit and take in this relaxing atmosphere, or maybe have a sip of tea and a sweet. Tonite, we'll have dinner and spend the evening in Newcastle, where the Mourne Mountains sweep down to the sea.  As Newcastle boasts about its famous beaches, you just might like to find out for yourself.  Overnight/Newcastle (B, D)

DAY 17
After a hearty breakfast, we'll head south for a visit to Bru na Boinne where we visit the megalithic tombs of the first settlers of Ireland at Newgrange.  It dates from 3200 BC, making it older than both Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids. After a lunch opportunity there we'll travel to Dublin, where you can finish your shopping, take in a museum, or just rest until our “farewell” dinner.  Overnight/Dublin (B, D)

DAY 18
After breakfast, the tour has ended.