Featuring Back-Roads Touring and Luxury Hotel Barge Shannon Princess
From north to south, this is one Irish journey that delves into the Emerald Isle’s fascinating history, rich traditions and cultural heritage like no other. Starting with the legendary Giant’s Causeway, our road will lead us to Ireland’s rugged peninsulas, quaint villages and ancient landmarks – all while drawing on local knowledge to transport you to the heart of this captivating country.
And after 14 days of sightseeing on your own, private tour, it will be time to board your exclusive Luxury Hotel Barge for a magical 7-day cruise along the River Shannon, the longest river in the Republic of Ireland and, along with its lakes, represents Ireland at its finest. The river flows down the middle of the country and divides east and west. During your cruise, you will experience true immersion into the heritage and traditions of this part of Ireland.
Tour Highlights:
- Discover Northern Ireland’s history on a Black Cab Tour of Belfast’s street art and political murals
- Set foot on the basalt columns of the legendary Giant’s Causeway
- Be blessed with the ‘gift of the gab’ while visiting the iconic Blarney Castle
- Uncover the magnificent Cliffs of Moher – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS:
Tour the legendary 6thC Clonmacnoise ruins | Full day excursion to Portumna Castle and Galway | Traditional Guinness and oyster lunch | Visit the unusual haunted Leap Castle | Tour Birr Castle’s Gardens and Science Centre | Birds of prey demonstration at Adare Manor | Tour of the Kilbeggan Whiskey Distillery with a private tasting | Visit a traditional Irish hand-weaving workshop | Hear traditional Irish music | Excellent walking and fishing opportunities
CRUISE INCLUDES:
- 6 Nights’ accommodation in airconditioned, en suite cabins
- All gourmet meals aboard and ashore
- Selected regional wines
- Champagne welcome
- Open bar
- All excursions and admittance fees
- Use of bicycles
ITINERARY
Sunday, Day 1: Dublin
Historic and full of character, Dublin is where we’ll meet the group and begin our adventure. This evening is an opportunity to get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner. Accommodation: Iveagh Garden Hotel (or similar) D
Monday, Day 2: Dublin to Belfast
After breakfast, we’ll make tracks to the fascinating Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre. Then, a visit to the Titanic Museum to discover the personal stories surrounding the infamous ship’s fateful journey. After a history-filled day (a taste of what’s to come), the evening will be yours to explore Belfast at your leisure. Accommodation: Malone Lodge (or similar) B
Tuesday, Day 3: Belfast to Londonderry
You don’t have to delve deep into Northern Ireland’s past to see its influences on contemporary culture – and this morning’s Black Cab tour of Belfast’s street art and political murals will serve as proof. After an included lunch, it’s time to explore Ireland’s natural geological wonder – the Giant’s Causeway, before arriving in Londonderry for the night. Accommodation: Bishop’s Gate (or similar) B,L
Wednesday, Day 4: Londonderry to North Irish Coast to Londonderry
After a morning spent exploring Londonderry’s old city walls with a local guide, we’ll board the mini-coach and head to the North Irish Coast for the day. At the Isle of Doagh, we’ll pay a visit to the Famine Village and Visitor Centre to gain an insight into Irish life during the time of the Great Famine. We’ll round off the day with some free time to relax back in Londonderry. Accommodation: Bishop’s Gate (or similar) B
Thursday, Day 5: Londonderry to Roscommon
More fascinating history is on the cards today! Kick things off with a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park, where we’ll learn why two million Irish people sailed away to start a life in the New World. A visit to the Belleek Pottery Centre (the home of Ireland’s oldest working fine china pottery) is on this afternoon’s agenda, before moving on to Roscommon, where we’ll regroup for an included dinner. Accommodation: Kilronan Castle (or similar) B, D
Friday, Day 6: Roscommon to Galway
After breakfast, we’ll pay a visit to the homestead of Dan O’Hara (he of the famous ballad), where we’ll gain a unique insight into prefamine life and culture. Then, it’s time to turn our attention to the harbour city of Galway where we’ll enjoy an evening of leisure. Accommodation: The Hardiman (or similar) B
Saturday, Day 7: Galway
Today we’ll see the likes of the Spanish Arch, Galway Cathedral and Eyre Square on an orientation tour of the city. Then: the afternoon will be yours to spend exploring brightly coloured pubs, tasting local seafood and listening to the ever-present assembly of tuneful street performers. Buzzing, bohemian and utterly charismatic, you’re sure to fall for Galway’s many charms! Accommodation: The Hardiman (or similar) B
Sunday, Day 8: Galway to Cliffs Of Moher to Dingle Peninsula
Out of Galway and onwards to the karst landscapes of the Burren. Before we reach our accommodation in the Dingle Peninsula, we’ll round off the day with a visit to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is bound to take your breath away. Tonight, share stories with your travel companions over an included dinner. Accommodation: Dingle Benners Hotel (or similar) B, D
Monday, Day 9: Dingle Peninsula
Today will begin at one of the Dingle Peninsula’s most famous landmarks: the Gallarus Oratory, a unique stone chapel that resembles an upturned boat. After that, there’s one more stop in store – the fascinating Blasket Centre, which celebrates the history of the beautiful Great Blasket Island. Upon our return to Dingle, we’ll have plenty of free time to explore the quaint fishing port and dine at one of the many local restaurants at our leisure. Accommodation: Dingle Benners Hotel (or similar) B
Tuesday, Day 10: Dingle Peninsula to Kenmare to Cork
Peaks and lakes are on the menu today! First, we’ll take in the views across the stunning Lakes of Killarney as we travel to pretty Kenmare, the ‘head of the sea’. Then, we have an appointment to keep with a true Irish icon: Blarney Castle. Legend has it that you’ll be blessed with the ‘gift of the gab’ if you kiss the famous Blarney Stone – a block of limestone built into the castle’s battlements. Tonight, we’ll make the most of our new-found eloquence over dinner in Cork. Accommodation: Vienna Woods (or similar) B, D
Wednesday, Day 11: Cork to Kinsale to Cork
After boarding the mini-coach in Cork, the port town of Kinsale will be our first stop of the day where we’ll have some time to soak up fishing town’s laid-back atmosphere. Then, it’s time to turn our attention toward the world-renowned Jameson Distillery. After an afternoon tour and whiskey tasting, we’ll return to Cork to enjoy the evening at our leisure. Accommodation: Vienna Woods (or similar) B
Thursday, Day 12: Cork to Kilkenny
As we approach the final few chapters of the tour, we’ll stop in to admire the delicate detailing of a traditional cottage orné. After that, it’s time to spend the afternoon acquainting ourselves with Kilkenny – Ireland’s ‘most perfect’ medieval city. Our Tour Leader will take us for a leisurely walk around town before we come together for our last hurrah: a delicious farewell dinner. What an adventure it’s been! Accommodation: Kilkenny Hibernian Hotel (or similar) B, D
Friday, Day 13: Kilkenny to Dublin
After breakfast, we’ll return to cosmopolitan Dublin where you will have time at leisure. Accommodation: Iveagh Garden Hotel (or similar) B
Saturday, Day 14: Dublin
Free day to explore Dublin at your leisure. Accommodation: Iveagh Garden Hotel (or similar) B
Sunday, Day 15: Dublin to Shannon Princess
Enjoy your free morning in Dublin before being transferred to your Luxury Hotel Barge, the Shannon Princess. Your Captain and crew welcome you on board with champagne, Black Velvets or Irish coffees. Time perhaps for a gentle stroll before your first dinner on board.
MONDAY, DAY 16: GLASSON TO ATHLONE
This morning we begin our cruise around the beautiful “Inner Lakes” of Lough Ree and then continue north as we explore some of the 365 islands on the lake. We then circle back to the River Shannon and onto our mooring in Athlone Town. After lunch we visit the Kilbeggan Whiskey Distillery, dating from 1757 and the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. On the return journey there is time for a visit to Ballinahown, an artisan craft village. Dinner on board.
TUESDAY, DAY 17: ATHLONE TO SHANNONBRIDGE
Today we negotiate Athlone Lock and head south through Europe’s richest example of “Callow” landscape. We moor at Clonmacnoise ruins, a famed 6th century university and an early monastic settlement. Following a tour, we cruise on to our mooring at Shannonbridge. Then, after lunch we visit Leap Castle, reputed to be Ireland’s most haunted house. You will be given a personal tour by the eccentric owner Sean Ryan, whom with traditional Irish musicians, will relate to you the fascinating history of the castle and its part in founding the American Constitution. After dinner on board, perhaps join the captain for a pint in Killeen’s pub and an evening with the locals.
WEDNESDAY, DAY 18: SHANNONBRIDGE TO TERRYGLASS
This morning, we cruise a very pretty stretch of the River Shannon through Meelick lock, pausing as Portumna swing bridge is opened to allow us passage onto idyllic Lough Derg and then moor at Terryglass Harbour. This afternoon we visit Birr Castle, still resided in by the Earl of Rosse and family, to see the magnificent gardens, the fascinating Science Centre and admire the historic Great Telescope. Dinner on board.
THURSDAY, DAY 19: TERRYGLASS TO MOUNTSHANNON
Today, our tour is firstly, to the walled gardens of Portumna Castle, then on to Galway, a lively University City and cultural centre for Irish-speaking regions in Western Ireland. Visit the Galway crystal, craft and linen shops and then lunch at a traditional Guinness & Oyster pub. We return to Shannon Princess and set sail across beautiful Lough Derg, passing Forrest Park and ancient mountains as we enjoy our dinner and sunset cruise to Mountshannon – a lovely lakeside village perched above the Lough.
FRIDAY, DAY 20: MOUNTSHANNON TO KILLALOE
Today we set sail across south Lough Derg, re-joining the River Shannon to moor at Killaloe, once home to the court of the greatest High King of Ireland, Brian Boru. After exploring this elegant little town, we lunch on board, then set off to Adare Manor, a magnificent estate located on the banks of the River Maigue. Here, in the setting of the Walled Garden, we gain a real insight into the history and tradition of falconry and have the opportunity to ‘get up close and personal’ with birds of prey such as owls, falcons and eagles – a magical experience. We end the afternoon by visiting a traditional Irish hand-weaving workshop. ‘Sláinte’ cocktail reception and Captain’s Farewell Dinner on board.
SATURDAY, DAY 21: KILLALOE
After breakfast, guests are transferred by private chauffeured minibus to Dublin.
Note: This is a sample itinerary and is subject to change.
Please contact us for more information, dates and pricing
