8 Night Irish Castles and Manors Platinum Tour

Upon your arrival into Dublin Airport it’s time collect your Hertz Car Rental and start your Deluxe Castle’s and Manor Tour of Ireland. Taking into account your long overnight flight, your first day’s drive is a short one, bringing you south of Dublin City to Wicklow, the Garden County of Ireland. 

Wicklow is home to many of Ireland’s most historic and majestic attractions. Take time today to visit Powerscourt House and Gardens  

First stop will be Powerscourt House & Gardens situated just beyond your hotel, an 18th Century Palladian House in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, you will find a sublime blend of formal gardens and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling walks and over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs. On to the ancient monastic settlement at Glendalough. Glendalough is a truly spellbinding place - an ancient monastic settlement and two clear water lakes beneath the sheer cliffs of a deep valley, which was carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age. The monastic settlement was established  by St. Kevin in the 6th century. From here, follow the signs for Avondale House. Built in 1779 Avondale House is set in the spectacular surroundings of Avondale Forest Park, now a museum to the memory of one of the greatest political leaders of modern Irish history, Charles Stewart Parnell, who was born in Avondale on 27th June, 1846. On to Avoca where you can take the Avoca Handweavers factory tour, famed worldwide for the quality of its woven fabrics. 

What a day in store! Travel down to Waterford today. En-route you will have a number of sightseeing opportunites. Continue to Wexford where you can visit the Irish National Heritage Park. The Park, which is one of the country’s top attractions, features replications of Irish homesteads, burial and worship sites, and takes the visitor on tour through 9,000 years of Irish history. Further down towards Waterford visit The Kennedy Homestead. The Kennedy Homestead, birthplace of President John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather Patrick Kennedy, celebrates the story of five generations of the Kennedy dynasty and is still farmed today by his descendants. Joining the multitudes of Irish fleeing the Great Famine, Patrick Kennedy departed from this homestead for the port of New Ross on a wet day in 1848 to set sail for the United States where his descendants were to become one of the world’s most famous families.

On to the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross. The Visitor Experience provides a unique, authentic re-creation from a period in history which shaped modern day America and Ireland. Visitors climb the gangplank to the main deck of the Dunbrody and descend a companionway to enter the quarters of the captain and mate and the stateroom assigned to important passengers. These quarters are fitted out exactly as they were for a voyage. From here to Waterford where you will have the chance to join a tour of the Waterford Crystal Facility. On to Ardmore and the stunningly located Cliff House Hotel where you will enjoy a gourmet meal in the Michelin Star restaurant of Chef Martijn Kajuiter.

The following route includes visits to Midleton, Cobh and Blarney Castle. Cobh, situated on one of the world’s largest natural harbours, was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic in 1912 and was the closest port to the site of the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. The heritage centre sympathetically recounts these events and tells the story of emigration from Ireland to the United States and Australia from the time of the famine in 1847 up to the 1950s. A stop to climb to the Blarney Castleramparts to ‘Kiss the Blarney Stone’, said to bestow the gift of eloquence, and is a must for those who dare. On to Killarneywith its three famous lakes and majestic mountain ranges. Killarney has been the inspiration of poets and painters over many centuries & the Killarney National Park is internationally renowned both for its scenic beauty and scientific interest. Other major visitor attractions in Killarney include the 19th Century Muckross House & Gardens & their Traditional Farms, the Torc Waterfall & Ross Castle overlooking the Lakes of Killarney and of course the Black Valley and the Gap of Dunloe. You will be staying at the Europe hotel on the shores of Loch Lein. If you arrive in time, why not take your complimentary short riding session on the hotels Austrian Halflinger ponies around the hotel grounds.

Today you may choose to simply relax in your hotel and the nearby town of Killarney or take on a days touring of either the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula to the west. While the Dingle Peninsula is the shorter drive and is graced with more interesting antiquities, historic sites and varied mountain scenery than any other part of Ireland, the Ring of Kerry includes the stunning views over the lakes of Killarney from Moll’s Gap as well as numerous colourful villages on this route. Not for the faint-hearted, you will remember this mountain pass drive forever.

The Dingle route includes visits to the lovely fishing town of Dingle and beyond to Dunbeag Promontory Fort, an archaeological site on the from the late Bronze Age, 800 BC. Continue on to Slea Head and here you will see Dun An Oir(Fort of Gold). Here in 1580, after three days siege, over 600 Irish and Spanish soldiers surrendered to Lord Grey only to be massacred by his troops. Nearby is the Gallarus Oratory, one of the best preserved early Christian church buildings in Ireland.

First stop will be the Village of Adare in County Limerick. Adare is regarded by many a seasoned traveller as Ireland’s prettiest village with its charming thatched cottages, manicured public park and ancient church. From Adare continue towards Limerick City of ‘Angela’s Ashes’ fame and home to King Johns Castle. Shortly after this, you arrive at Bunratty Castle. Built in 1425, this majestic castle was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour. Within the grounds of the Castle is Bunratty Folk Park where 19th century Irish life is vividly recreated.

Just north of Bunratty lies the majestic Dromoland Castle. Enjoy the castle grounds on arrival and following a private falconry session, enjoy a sumptuous meal in the Earl of Thomond restaurant.

There is no better place to start your honeymoon tour of Ireland, than in our capital city, Dublin! Honeymooners who love theatre, art and music will appreciate their time in Dublin. Stroll around Trinity College, one of Dublin’s most famous buildings which educated the likes of Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. Catch a show in Dublin’s famous Abbey theatre or soak up the atmosphere in one of Dublin’s famous music pubs such as the Cobblestone and the Auld Dubliner. These are just some of the many things to do in Dublin city, your Irish Tourism detailed itinerary will provide you with many more options. This evening check into Brooks hotel, a contemporary but luxurious four star hotel, close to Dublin’s many touring attractions.

There is no better place to start your honeymoon tour of Ireland, than in our capital city, Dublin! Honeymooners who love theatre, art and music will appreciate their time in Dublin. Stroll around Trinity College, one of Dublin’s most famous buildings which educated the likes of Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. Catch a show in Dublin’s famous Abbey theatre or soak up the atmosphere in one of Dublin’s famous music pubs such as the Cobblestone and the Auld Dubliner. These are just some of the many things to do in Dublin city, your Irish Tourism detailed itinerary will provide you with many more options. This evening check into Brooks hotel, a contemporary but luxurious four star hotel, close to Dublin’s many touring attractions.

There is no better place to start your honeymoon tour of Ireland, than in our capital city, Dublin! Honeymooners who love theatre, art and music will appreciate their time in Dublin. Stroll around Trinity College, one of Dublin’s most famous buildings which educated the likes of Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. Catch a show in Dublin’s famous Abbey theatre or soak up the atmosphere in one of Dublin’s famous music pubs such as the Cobblestone and the Auld Dubliner. These are just some of the many things to do in Dublin city, your Irish Tourism detailed itinerary will provide you with many more options. This evening check into Brooks hotel, a contemporary but luxurious four star hotel, close to Dublin’s many touring attractions.

There is no better place to start your honeymoon tour of Ireland, than in our capital city, Dublin! Honeymooners who love theatre, art and music will appreciate their time in Dublin. Stroll around Trinity College, one of Dublin’s most famous buildings which educated the likes of Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett. Catch a show in Dublin’s famous Abbey theatre or soak up the atmosphere in one of Dublin’s famous music pubs such as the Cobblestone and the Auld Dubliner. These are just some of the many things to do in Dublin city, your Irish Tourism detailed itinerary will provide you with many more options. This evening check into Brooks hotel, a contemporary but luxurious four star hotel, close to Dublin’s many touring attractions.