This morning, all guests arriving today will be met and transferred via a private meet-and-greet car service from Dublin Airport to the hotel (approximately a 45-minute drive).

Today, enjoy a leisurely morning with lunch at your own pace. Liam Finnegan will provide guidance for afternoon activities and explorations, such as the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street, where visitors are magically transported back in time to see famous Celtic artifacts. The St Patrick's Bell, the Tara Brooch, the Ardagh Chalice, ancient Gold, Viking and Medieval items, and The Clonycavan Man are waiting for you to discover.

Returning to the hotel, we allowed time to rest before gathering for a welcome dinner.

Overnight at the The Gresham Dublin.
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This morning, we begin our day with a full Irish breakfast at the hotel, featuring a selection of freshly prepared Irish specialties and international favorites. Then, embark on a private journey through Dublin's rich history.

St. Patrick's Cathedral was founded in 1191. It stands on a site with a long spiritual history, believed to be where Saint Patrick himself baptized early converts. The Cathedral is a significant example of Gothic architecture. It is a popular tourist destination and holds the tombs of famous figures like Jonathan Swift, the author of Gulliver's Travels.

We then continue to Glasnevin Cemetery, which was established by the legendary Irish statesman Daniel O'Connell in 1832. Key figures from Irish history and culture have been laid to rest within these grounds, including Michael Collins, Charles Stewart Parnell, Éamon de Valera, Countess Markievicz, Maud Gonne, Luke Kelly, and Brendan Behan, to name a few. The site spans 124 acres, boasting a vast array of ornate sculptures, Celtic crosses, and stunning flowers & trees.

After lunch, we continue to The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland, which are an oasis of calm and beauty. A premier scientific institution, the Gardens contain essential collections of plant species and cultivars from around the world and are renowned for their exquisitely restored historic glasshouses.

This evening we experience a traditional evening of Irish Music and Dance at Taylor's Three Rock. The rural setting of this farmhouse pub is renowned for its largest thatched roof in Ireland, which rises well over 50 feet. We will sit back, have fun, and enjoy award-winning Irish dancers, splendid musicians, and delicious traditional Irish food.

Overnight at the The Gresham Dublin.
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After a leisurely breakfast, we will discover Dublin's hidden gems and iconic landmarks.

This morning, we’ll celebrate The Eucharist at Christ Church Anglican Cathedral, a celebrated and remarkable “Thin Place.” The church and its Crypt are one of Dublin's most historically significant structures. Christ Church Cathedral is located on the original Viking settlement in Dublin with an original copy of the Irish version of the Magna Carta. We will have a private tour of the Cathedral and its Crypt.

After Christ Church, we will savor lunch at the House Restaurant, known for its innovative Irish cuisine and stylish ambiance.

This afternoon, we will depart with our guide for a visit to Trinity College Dublin. The Book of Kells is at the Old Library in Trinity College Dublin. The Book of Kells is a precious 9th-century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of ornate Latin text and intricate illuminations. The Old Library of Trinity College also houses the Brian Boru Harp, Ireland’s oldest surviving harp.

Time permitting, we will continue to Dublin Castle. The history of this city centre site dates back to the Viking Age, and the castle itself was built in the 13th century. The building served as a military fortress, a prison, a treasury, and the courts of law. For 700 years, from 1204 until independence, it was the seat of English (and then British) rule in Ireland.

This evening, you are free for dinner to explore one of Dublin's many fantastic restaurants.

Overnight at the The Gresham Dublin.
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This morning, we depart Dublin for Glendalough and Kilkenny.

In a stunning glaciated valley in County Wicklow during the sixth century, one of Ireland’s most revered saints founded a monastery. The foundation of St Kevin at Glendalough became one of the most famous religious centres in Europe.

The remains of this ‘Monastic City’, which are dotted across the glen, include a superb round tower, numerous medieval stone churches and some decorated crosses. Of particular note is St Kevin’s Bed, a small man-made cave in the cliff face above the Upper Lake. It is said that St Kevin lived and prayed there, but it may actually be a prehistoric burial place that far predates him. We will learn all about this hallowed place in the fine interpretive centre before exploring the site with spectacular views of the two lakes and a uniquely spiritual atmosphere.

After lunch we will continue to Kilkenny, known for its Medieval beauty, a 12th century castle, a bustling crafts and design scene, time-honoured traditional pubs, cobbled lanes, and secret alleys. Kilkenny is often referred to as the "Marble City" (so known for the many buildings built with local Kilkenny marble) and is packed with colorful characters, amazing music, and an electric atmosphere.

We will tour Kilkenny Castle which for over 800 years, has dominated Kilkenny city from the banks of the River Nore. Its massive towers loom above the city, lending it a storybook air, and its formidable façade hides a surprisingly luxurious interior filled with treasures collected over centuries.

Built for the Earl of Pembroke in the late 12th century as a symbol of Norman control, the castle was the seat of power for the influential Butler family for more than 600 years. Extensive remodeling in the 19th century transformed it into a grand country house.

After our time in Kilkenny Castle we will proceed to Lyrath Estate Hotel, our home for the next two nights. This evening we will savor a delicious dinner at the hotel's award-winning restaurant, featuring a menu of contemporary Irish cuisine with a focus on seasonal ingredients.

Overnight at the Lyrath Estate Hotel.
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After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we venture to Curraghmore House, where we will be guests of the Marquis and Marchioness of Waterford for a private tour of the estate and lunch with the Marquis and Marchioness. Curraghmore, the historic seat of the marquises of Waterford, is Ireland’s greatest surviving estate. The house sits in a wide valley under the Comeragh Mountains in County Waterford, surrounded by Ireland’s finest landscaped park. In addition to their beautiful Estate, we will be privileged to see the family’s private Chapel, which lies deep within 110 feet of the megalithic “Mother Brown” standing stones - this “Thin Place” has been at the heart of worship for thousands of years.

We will return to Kilkenny for personal exploration this evening and we will once again dine at the Lyrath Estate.

Overnight at the Lyrath Estate.
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Today we will visit Rock of Cashel, a remarkable collection of medieval and Celtic ruins, where we will delve into the history of Irish leadership spanning almost a millennium. This was the seat of kings and medieval bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. Brian Ború was crowned King of Munster in 977 and became High King of Ireland in 1002. The Rock of Cashel is where St Patrick introduced the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity of Christianity.

In the afternoon we will visit the extraordinary and stunning Cliffs of Moher. The Cliffs of Moher tower over the rugged West Clare coast. We’ll walk the safe, paved pathways and view the incredible cliffs that sit on Europe’s most westerly tip, and enjoy the spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. Their natural beauty has inspired artists, musicians, and poets for generations, as well as absorbing scientists and geologists drawn by the unique landscape in which they sit.

We end our day with dinner and overnight in the beautiful Park Hotel Galway, our home for the next two nights.

Overnight at Park House Hotel Galway.
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After breakfast today, we’ll explore Connemara, which has inspired film crews, writers, and maharajahs with its wild mountains and endless expanses of sky and sea. Along Ireland’s west coast, we will experience the “wild mountainous country” of west Galway - beloved of Oscar Wilde and countless other artists and untamed spirits and a region renowned for its rugged landscapes, picturesque villages, and stunning coastline.

In Connemara, we will visit another “Thin Place,” Kylemore Abbey. Initially a castle built for Mitchell Henry and his wife Margaret, it was transformed into a Benedictine monastery in 1920, serving as a home for nuns who fled Belgium during World War I. The abbey has since played a significant role in education, hospitality, and the preservation of a beautiful estate.

Kylemore is steeped in history and tales of tragedy, romance, engineering initiatives, model farms, royal visits, spirituality, and education. The Victorian atmosphere of the restored Abbey and neo-Gothic church rooms is magical, and our guide will reveal the ancient stories within. Kylemore Abbey's history is a story of grand beginnings, tragedy, and enduring monastic life.

In the afternoon, we return to Galway where you are free to explore Galway's traditional music and pubs.

Overnight at Park House Hotel Galway.
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We depart Galway for Ireland’s most famous monastery, Clonmacnoise. Dating from 545AD, the extensive remains of a cathedral, round tower, high crosses and no fewer than seven churches belie their boggy remoteness. Truth be told, Clonmacnoise was once a leading center of religion and learning in Europe.

Established by St Ciarán Mac a tSaeir (“son of the carpenter”), Clonmacnoise was situated at the intersection of the River Shannon and Ireland’s major east-west road at the time, a strategic location that proved crucial to its growth.

By the 9th century, it was Ireland’s most famous monastery along with Clonard, and was visited by scholars from all over Europe. Between the 9th and 11th centuries, it even became a burial site for the High Kings of Tara.

We will then take a ferry ride from Clonmacnoise to Althone for lunch at a charming riverside restaurant with panoramic views. Our day continues at the lovely Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links enjoying the exclusive amenities and stunning view of the course and coastline.

Tonight, we celebrate our time together with a farewell dinner.

Overnight at Portmarnock Hotel And Golf Links.
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