Gerry Timlin Tours
West of Ireland Ireland
05 – 12 July 2019
Day 1 – Friday 5 July – Dublin to Westport
Pick up at your Dublin Hotel.
Travel to Westport via the Irish National Stud in County Kildare, the beating heart of Ireland’s thoroughbred horse industry. It is the home of equine royalty, immaculately-bred stallions who can be seen and admired alongside protective mares, frolicking foals and athletic yearlings.
Proceed to The Japanese Gardens, these gardens were laid out by the celebrated gardener Eida in 1906. Through the use of trees, shrubs, rock and water it tells the story of man’s progress through life.
Continue to Westport. Possible visit to Matt Malloy’s Pub following dinner.
Overnight at Castle Court Hotel or similar (D&B&B Basis)
Day 2 – Saturday 6 July – Achill Island
Full Irish Breakfast at your hotel.
Today you travel to Achill Island. The blessing of this Island is that you can drive onto Ireland’s largest island. The island has a long history of human settlement with megalithic tombs and promontory forts dating back 5000 years. The Achill landscape is also a major draw with picture postcard Blue Flag beaches, some of Europe’s highest cliffs and large tracts of blanket bog sweeping over the island’s two peaks down to the shores. Enjoy hill walking, bird watching, painting or whatever takes your fancy.
Return to Westport. Dinner on own arrangements.
Overnight at Castle Court Hotel or similar (B&B Basis)
Day 3 – Sunday 7 July – Westport – Galway
Full Irish Breakfast at your hotel.
Today you will leave Westport and travel to Galway stopping in the picturesque town of Cong where the Quiet Man starring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara and Barry Fitzgerald was made. Enjoy a tour of the ‘Quiet Man’ visiting locations from the film such as the dying man’s house, Innisfree, Castletown, the river fight scene, ‘hats in the air’ scene, Rev. Playfair’s house, Pat Cohan’s Bar and many more.
Following your tour continue to Galway “City of the Tribes” where you will enjoy free time to explore at leisure.
Overnight at The Ardilaun Hotel or similar (D&B&B Basis)
Day 4 – Monday 8 July – Galway – Kinsale
Full Irish Breakfast at your hotel.
Travel to Kinsale today via the Burren Region and Cliffs of Moher.
“The Burren is a limestone plateau occupying an area of over one hundred square miles in North Clare. It is an area of scenic attractions where the clear light, reflected from the stone-grey hills, seems to radiate an air of timelessness, which is made more realistic by the presence of the many prehistoric remains that dot the fields and the valleys beneath. Here the unfolding layers of limestone form terraces on the slopes of the hills – a limestone desert but with a quick-changing landscape.”
Visit the Cliffs of Moher, the entirely vertical cliffs rise to a height of 214m, their edge abruptly falling away into a ceaselessly churning Atlantic. A progression of vast heads, the dark limestone marches in a
rigid formation. Views stretch to the Aran Islands and the hills of Connemara. Sunsets here see the sky turn a kaleidoscope of amber, amethyst, rose-pink and deep garnet-red.
Continue to Kinsale known as “Ireland’s Fine Food Capital”.
Overnight at Actons Hotel or similar (D&B&B Basis)
Day 5 – Tuesday 9 July – Kinsale
Full Irish Breakfast at your hotel.
This morning enjoy a short walking tour of Kinsale with your local tour guide.
Visit Charles Fort, one of the largest military forts in the country, built between 1677 and 1682, during the reign of King Charles II, to protect the town and harbour. It is associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. These include the Williamite War in 1690 and the Irish Civil War of 1922-23. Charles Fort remained garrisoned by the British army until 1922.
Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy Kinsale as you please.
Dinner on own arrangement.
Overnight at Actons Hotel or similar (B&B Basis)
Day 6 – Wednesday 10 July – Kinsale – Midleton – Cobh – Dungarvan
Full Irish Breakfast at your hotel.
Leaving Kinsale travel to another small fishing village in county Cork Cobh. In the 1800s up to 300 ships could be seen at anchor in the waters off Cobh! By the time of Queen Victoria’s visit in 1849, when Cobh was renamed Queenstown, the village had grown to a busy town. It became a hive of naval and commercial activity as Cork Harbour’s important strategic position in the North Atlantic was recognized. Tall ships called to transport convicts to Australia and to carry Irish emigrants to North America.
Visit Cobh Heritage Centre. From 1848 – 1950 over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland – about 2.5 million left Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration. Now Cobh’s unique origins, its history and the legacy are dramatically recalled at the Queenstown Story – a multimedia exhibition at Cobh’s Victorian Station.
Next we travel to Midleton to visit Old Midleton Distillery.
Continue to Dungarvan.
Possible visit to The Local – Donnchadh Gough’s Pub.
Overnight at Lawlor’s Hotel or similar (D&B&B Basis)
Day 7 – Thursday 11 July – Dungarvan – Ennis
Full Irish Breakfast at your hotel.
Travel to Ennis today for your final overnight. Stopping en-route in the town of Cashel.
Visit the Rock of Cashel: A spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral.
Continue to Ennis. Enjoy free time in Ennis.
Overnight at Old Ground hotel or similar (D&B&B Basis)
Day 8 – Friday 12 July – Ennis
Early morning breakfast at the hotel.
Private transfer to Shannon Airport and bid farewell to the Emerald Isle.
Safe journey home! 