Wild Atlantic Experience

We leave Dublin this morning and begin our journey west through the midlands towards the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland – Kilbeggan. Here we will learn everything about making Irish Whiskey, uisce beatha – the water of life, from the bog to the bottle. Continuing westward we head towards the River Shannon and the town of Athlone where we’ll stop for lunch. There’s many choices in town, but we recommend a visit to the oldest pub in Ireland, Sean’s Bar. From Athlone we head directly to the seaside city of Galway where we will be staying this evening. The rest of your day is free to explore Galway as you see fit, you can catch some buskers on William Street or find yourself nestled in a cozy pub enjoying dinner, a pint of plain, and some traditional Irish music. Overnight—Hardiman Hotel, Galway

This morning we leave Galway and make our way to the seaside town of Doolin, along the Wild Atlantic Way. Here we will board a ferry to Inis Oírr the most easterly of the Aran Islands, with the name reflecting that, Inis Oírr translates to East Island! While on the island you are free to explore and see what traditional Irish life entailed, the islands 260 permanent residents still converse in Irish!   After some free time on the island we get back on the ferry to experience the scale and majestic beauty of the Cliffs of Moher with a view that is truly breath-taking.  From the Cliffs we make our way to Lahinch for dinner at the hotel with stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.  Dinner / Overnight – Lahinch Coast Hotel, Lahinch

After breakfast with views of the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop we continue our journey through the Wild Atlantic Way and make our way down to the Kingdom of Kerry. With its craggy coastline, striking scenery and rich historical sites you are spoiled for choice in this beautiful county. Enroute we pass through Limerick where you will view the Treaty Stone and 13th century King John’s Castle on a panoramic tour of the city’s heritage precinct. From Limerick we make our way to the lovely village of Adare, where thatched cottages line the broad main street, here you can enjoy a coffee or a stroll through the quaint village. We then continue on to Killarney where you will step back in time and experience Ireland’s most traditional mode of transport with a jaunting car tour. Learn about the history, folklore and the beauty of Killarney National Park and the majestic 15th century Ross Castle on the shores of Lough Leane. After checking into the hotel your evening is at leisure, so make sure you explore the town after dinner to catch some live traditional music at the many pubs lining the streets. One we recommend is J. M. Reidys, while it looks small from the outside, the pub has a sprawling interior with loads of cozy nooks that make it feel endless, and with live music almost every night of the year, you’re sure to enjoy a drink or two here. Overnight – Killarney Plaza Hotel, Killarney