Scottish & Irish Gold - 16 Days/15 Nights

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.

You have a number of choices for your route to Waterford and your Irish Tourism itinerary will help you to decide which one to take. The most direct route takes you by historic Kilkenny which is considered by many to be Ireland’s loveliest inland city, due to its cobbled stone streets and authentic medieval buildings such as Kilkenny Castle.  The Castle is well worth a visit and is open to visitors throughout the year. You may instead decide to travel to Waterford via what is commonly referred to as the Garden of Ireland, Wicklow. Taking this route you could spend a few hours in Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains where there are a number of romantic woodland walks to be taken or stop at the Vale of Avoca which is famous for its hand weavers and its scenic countryside. It was here that Thomas Moore penned the Irish Song, The Meeting of the Waters – ‘There is not in this wide world a valley so sweet, as that vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet’. When you arrive in Waterford, check into the Waterford Castle Hotel. Siting prettily on its own private Island, the castle provides a luxury setting for your stay in Waterford.

Waterford is Ireland’s oldest City, dating back to the Viking period of 914, parts of the old city walls remain. Although its roots are set firmly in the Viking period, many of the buildings that remain are from the Georgian period notably Christchurch Cathedral and the lovely Cathedral Square. Other sites of interest include the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Reginald’s Tower and the House of Waterford Crystal which tracks the history of one of Ireland’s most famous exports. When you return to Waterford Castle, why not enjoy the delights of Afternoon Tea in the Castle’s Conservatory while overlooking the formal gardens and the Islands grounds.  You might instead prefer to take a walk around the three hundred Acre estate where walking trails have been developed to allow you appreciate the array of Wild Life and Fauna that have taken up residence on the Island.

Waterford to Cork is not a long journey however there are a few places you can visit en-route. You can take the coast road and pass through Dunmore East with its lovely white sandy beach and the colourful town of Youghal where there are many historic buildings still on view such as the Clock Gate Tower, Tynte’s Castle and the Alms Houses. A slightly longer route will take you inland to the pretty heritage town of Lismore. Founded by Saint Carthage the town is renowned for its early ecclesiastical history and the scholarship of Lismore Abbey. The impressive Lismore Castle, located on the site of an old monastery lies on a steep hill overlooking the town and the Blackwater valley. On arrival in Cork check into the five star luxury Hayfield Manor Hotel.

Cork City has many fascinating visitor attractions and your Irish Tourism itinerary will help you discover them including for instance the English Market which was visited by the Queen of England recently in 2010, Cork City Gaol and Shandon Church. You may prefer to travel to the town of Cobh, originally known as Queenstown, Cobh was the departure point for millions of Irish immigrants in the 19th & early 20th century. Cobh was also the final port of call for the ill-fated Titanic. Two great museums pay tribute to these events; The Titanic Experience & Cobh Heritage Centre – both are worth a visit! Kinsale is also a good town to visit, especially for honeymoon couples due to its many romantic restaurants and picturesque harbour front view. Return to Hayfield Manor for one more night in Cork.

Your journey to Kerry will take you by the famous Blarney Castle with all its historic charm and romance. Kissing the stone at the top of the castle is a long standing tradition and those that kiss it are said to then magically gain the ‘gift of the gab’! If you do visit Blarney, be sure to wander into the Rock Close, part of the gorgeous but often ignored gardens. On arrival in Kerry check into Carrig House, a wonderful stop on your honeymoon in Ireland due to its picturesque lakeside position and luxury accommodations. Carrig House was built originally as a hunting lodge for visiting British Aristocracy in the 1800’s and remarkably restored to its former glory by the Slattery Family in 1996. Your tour includes a stay in Carrig House’s amazing Presidential Suite.

The highlight of your honeymoon in Ireland may well be your journey around the spectacular Ring of Kerry. You will pass captivating mountains and stunningly beautiful coastal scenery, dotted with villages and towns that have retained much of their unique Irish culture. Stops we recommend include Glenbeigh and Rossbeigh Strand which is arguably the best beach in Kerry, perfect for long romantic walks! Visit Cahersiveen, the principle town of the peninsula and from here take the ferry across to Valentia Island, where you will find a striking mix of period buildings & houses most notably The Royal Hotel and the former Transatlantic Cable Buildings on the waterfront. Drive to the top of Geokaun Mountain and Learn about the social and cultural history of the island while enjoying the spectacular views. Continuing around the ring, the next town you come to is Ballinskelligs which has another beautiful sandy beach and on from there, Waterville, a favourite holiday spot of Charlie Chaplin who visited frequently with his family. 

You have got a number of touring options for your journey to Clare from Kerry. The longest but most scenic route includes a short but lovely car ferry trip from Kerry to Clare. This route takes you first through Tralee which is home to the annual ‘Rose of Tralee’ festival and Listowel which has famous literary connections, evident in the Seanchaí Literary centre. You will then travel by ferry across to Clare and drive the coast road passing Milltown Malbay and the magnificent Cliffs of Moher. The more direct route will take you through the town of Adare which has several sites of religious importance and rows of pretty thatched houses and craft shops and the Viking City of Limerick. When you arrive in Clare, check in to the beautiful Cregans Castle Hotel, the perfect honeymoon getaway. From here discover the sights and sounds of the Burren area including the magnificent Cliffs of Moher.

From traditional music festivals to open air food markets and walking or cycling alongside wonderful scenery, Clare offers the perfect honeymoon getaway! Some of our favourite attractions in Clare include Bunratty Castle & Folk Village, the magnificent Cliffs of Moher and the hundreds of Neolithic and Megalithic structures to be found in the Burren area. The Burren is one of the largest Karst landscapes in Europe, measuring 250 square kilometres. The Burren national park has some great walking paths that you can take by yourself or ask your tour representative about us booking a walking tour for you with a registered guide. This is truly the best way to experience the Burren because the guide can tell about the local history and culture surrounding the areas you visit. This evening why not spend a few hours in Doolin, a town famous for its wealth of traditional Irish music. You are sure to locate a cosy pub to soak up the lively atmosphere. On a fine evening, head down to Doolin Pier which has become well-known for its stunningly romantic sunsets.

The most pleasant way to go to Connemara from Clare is via the coast, travelling through the small harbour village of Ballyvaughan and the picturesque harbour town of Kinvara. A popular destination for both Irish and international Tourists, Kinvara is known for its 16th century Castle and two festivals, Fleadh na gCuach (the cuckoo festival) an Irish music festival and the Cruinniú na mBád (gathering of the boats)  which celebrates the traditional sailing craft  of the ‘Galway Hookers’. Next travel onward to Galway city, often referred to as Ireland’s festival capital, there is always something going on in Galway. Almost hidden on the calm shores of Ballinakill Bay, and stunningly secluded on thirty acres of its own private woodland, Rosleague Manor in Connemara is one of Ireland’s finest manor hotels and an ideal stopover on your Romantic Ireland Getaway!

The wild region of Connemara encompasses barren bogland, majestic mountains and a spectacular rugged coastline, it is certainly one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas of Ireland.  The villages of Connemara are hidden gems, waiting to be explored, each one having its own distinct culture.  We recommend a visit to Kylemore Abbey which was built for Mitchell Henry after he and his wife fell in love with the area when they visited on honeymoon! Other areas of interest include Clifden, Connemara’s principle town and remarkable Sky Road.

You may decide to travel directly to Dublin in order to get some more Dublin sightseeing in before you leave as the journey from Galway to Dublin is not a long one. However stops we recommend include Clonmacnoise which was founded in 546 by Saint Ciarán, Tullamore Dew Visitor Centre and Kilbeggan, Ireland’s oldest Whiskey Distillery.  On arrival in Dublin check into Brook’s Hotel and spend your final night of your honeymoon in Ireland in luxury surroundings.