The most charming corners, at your own pace
Ireland is a country to visit without haste, with a trip made at your own pace. This proposal allows you to discover the most charming corners of the southwest of Ireland, enjoying the unparalleled views, film landscapes, historical trails, wild vegetation and picturesque villages. You will not want to finish the journey through the ring of Kerry and, when discovering the islands of the same name, you will feel that you have travelled to a multicolored paradise on the sea. You can get lost in the impressive Killarney National Park, with three spectacular lakes, a waterfall and a multitude of wild animals. Relax and enjoy the trip.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Dublin. THE ADVENTURE, IN PROGRESS
8 exciting days await you. When you arrive at the airport in the Irish capital, collect your car at the rental agency. Remember that in Ireland they drive on the left (be careful of roundabouts) and the car controls are also on the opposite side. Head to the hotel, but do not unpack. You have one night to discover wonderful Dublin and, the next day, you will begin this exciting journey. Accommodation.
Day 2: Dublin – Cork- ARCHITECTURAL MAJESTY
After breakfast, it is time to take the rental car to Cork, a rich pastureland in the south of Ireland. We recommend a stop in Cashel, to visit its famous and magnificent castle “The Rock of Cashel”, an ancient fortress of throne of the Kings of Ireland dating from the XII and XIII centuries, before the arrival of the Normans. The castle stands majestically on a hill and represents one of the best Celtic and medieval architectural examples. It is also said that it was here that the King of Munster was converted to Christianity by St. Patrick in the 5th century. Before arriving at the hotel, you may have time to visit the old Midleton Distillery where you can learn how to make famous Irish whiskey. Accommodation.
Day 3: Cork – County Kerry. A CAPITAL FOR CUISINE
After the first contact with the lands of southwest Ireland, a day full of surprises awaits you. Depart in your rental car to one of the most beautiful and at the same time inhospitable regions of Ireland. One of the must-see stops along the way will be Kinsale, known as the “Food Capital” of Ireland, with one of the largest concentrations of restaurants in Ireland. Without a doubt, it is a great place to taste typical local dishes. The next recommended stop along the way is at Glengariff, from where we recommend you take a boat to the island of Garnish to visit its beautiful multicolored gardens. Along the way, you will discover the charm of coastal towns and villages. On the way the road will lead you through the Healy Pass, on the Caha Mountain (a natural border between Cork and County Kerry). Accommodation in guest house.
Day 4: County Kerry. TO ENJOY THE STEERING WHEEL
After breakfast, a proposal awaits you with which you will enjoy some beautiful views from your car. We recommend you discover one of the most charming districts, the Ring of Kerry, a route of 170 kilometers of length through which you will go through film landscapes, historical trails, wild vegetation, picturesque towns and coastal cities. Enjoy the road and its color. Take your time to drive along the coastline until you reach the Iveragh Peninsula, passing by lovely towns such as Killorglin, Cahirciveen, Waterville and Sneem. Accommodation in guest house.
Day 5: County Kerry – Dingle Peninsula – County Kerry -LIFE ON THE KERRY ISLANDS
The fifth day goes by, once you have gotten your strength from a good breakfast, in the county of Kerry, this time, our suggestion is to travel to Dunquin, at the westernmost tip of the Dingle Peninsula, where the Blasket Visitor Center (Great Blasket Centre) is located, which invites you to get to know the inhabitants of the Blasket Islands, and how they managed to survive on the land and sea. If you have time, be sure to visit Tralee, the main town of County Kerry. Accommodation in guest house.
Day 6: County Kerry – Shannon Area. MEDIEVAL TRIP
After breakfast, take the rental car to the medieval city of Limerick, the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, located in a wonderful location on the banks of the picturesque River Shannon. Conquered by the Vikings in the 9th century, this modern and lively city boasts an important medieval past. Enjoy a relaxing day strolling its streets in which you can soak up its history and culture. Accommodation
Day 7: Shannon Area – Dublin. ARCHAEOLOGICAL TREASURES
On your penultimate day on the island, you still have time to be surprised by the treasures that the city of Limerick hides. Today we suggest you discover the Hunt Museum, which preserves art and antiques with pieces from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. It also includes medieval artefacts that invite you to take a trip back in time. After eating, you can get back on the road, this time, on the way to Dublin to rest on your last night before leaving.
Day 8: Dublin – HAPPY RETURN!
Last day in Ireland. It is time to close the suitcase, full of memories and gifts and undertake the journey home. Take your rental car and head to the airport. The road is surely different, after several days of green landscapes, impressive castles and wonderful coasts. Return the car and embark on the flight that will take you home.
EXPERIENCES
RELAX IN THE CITY’S BEAUTIFUL GREEN SPACE
Walk the Phoenix Park or go by bike
Get to know the largest urban park in Europe
With more than 700 hectares of extension, the Phoenix Park is the largest urban park in Europe. Created in 1662 as a deer reserve, in 1745 it was remodeled and opened to the public. Located just a few miles from Dublin city centre, the Phoenix Park is an important green space for the city, as well as a pleasant place to bike.
We recommend you visit the following points:
1. Phoenix Monument. It is a small column crowned by a sculpture of the mythical bird, a Phoenix, that gives name to the park
2. Dublin Zoo. Visiting the zoo, one of the oldest in the world, is always a good option to enjoy nature in the middle of the city. Frequented by locals and tourists from all over the world, it was inaugurated in 1830 with a single resident: a wild boar.
3. Papal Cross. Discover this cross located in the place where in 1979 the Pope celebrated a mass before a million followers.
4. Wellington Monument. Take a picture of yourself in front of this obelisk which is 63 meters in height, erected in honor to the Duke of Wellington. It took more than 40 years to build.
5. Áras an Uachtaráin. The official residence of the President of Ireland.
6. People’s Garden is the only gardened and cultivated part of the park. You will find it next to the Park Gate entrance
USEFUL INFORMATION
- The park is open all day. You will need between three and four hours to visit it.
GET TO KNOW ALL THE DETAILS OF HIS HISTORY AND PRODUCTION
Visit the iconic Guinness Storehouse
From the Gravity Bar you can savour Dublin while tasting one of the best beers in the world
If you are a beer lover, you can not leave Dublin without visiting the Guinness Storehouse, one of the most authentic places in the city. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to find out informaiton about the history and production of the most favoured drink in these lands. Its reddish color, its characteristic smell and its intense flavor have made of the pint one of the preferred pleasures of Dubliners. The visit to the Guinness Storehouse begins on the ground floor of the main building, which you will recognise for its curious form of enormous pint of beer. Here you can see the copy of the brewery lease signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759 for 9,000 years and an interesting exhibition where you will know all the secrets surrounding the four ingredients that make up the beer: water, hops, barley and yeast.
On the first floor, the process of brewing is explained. A large room contains the old machinery used in the factory: a mill, a toaster, a alembic and giant wooden barrels. For its part, the second floor offers the visitor an interesting tour through the history of this emblematic beer that you will know thanks to the advertising campaigns developed by Guinness throughout history. On the third floor visitors are offered the possibility to test their knowledge about alcohol through different interactive games. On the fourth floor an exhibition tells the history of the building, from 1904 until its conversion in 2000 into a visitor center.
At end of this excursion on the fifth floor, visitors are offered the chance to pull their own pint, giving them a diploma that credits their skills. The tour finishes on the roof of the building, known as Gravity Bar, a pleasant place from which you can admire the views of the city while tasting a pint on the house. A unique experience.
USEFUL INFORMATION
- Open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (July and August from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.).
- Admission costs € 20.
VISITING ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD
Discover the lively student atmosphere of Trinity College Dublin
Personalities such as Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde
Did you know that Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland and one of the most prestigious in the world? Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, international personalities such as Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift and Samuel Beckett passed through their classrooms.
Its rich library condenses the cultural wealth of the city, whose crown jewel is the “Book of Kells”. Trinity also owns the largest collection of manuscripts and printed books in Ireland. Since 1801, it has received a copy of all the works published in Ireland and Great Britain, thanks to which it currently has almost three million books distributed in eight buildings.
TRADITIONAL AND MODERN FEATURES IN AN ATTRACTIVE UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT
During your visit we recommend that you get lost in all its corners, relax in its small parks, admire its elegant buildings of the XVIII and XIX centuries that contrast with contemporary sculptures such as Henry Moore and soak up the university atmosphere.
As soon as you enter the main door you will find the bell tower, about 30 meters long, designed by Edward Lanyon and erected in 1853 at the place believed to be the center of the old monastery. On the north side of the square stands the chapel, designed by William Chambers and finished in 1799. You can only see its interior by previously arranging a guided tour.
The Dining Hall, the Library Square, the Douglas Hyde Gallery, the Science Gallery and the Samuel Beckett Theater are just some of the attractions on this campus which offers the visitor a traditional and modern experience.
USEFUL INFORMATION
- The visit to Trinity College is a must-see during your trip to Dublin. It is wonderful to walk around the campus admiring the buildings, as well as revisiting the past with the books of the Old Library, or to see the magnificent work of art of the Book of Kells.
- The price of entry for the Old Library and Book of Kells is approximately 11 euros.
ENJOY ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING SCENES IN IRELAND
Discover all the secrets of Dublin aboard a boat
River excursions along the River Liffey, a new and fun way to see the sights
Embark on a leisurely cruise and discover all the secrets of the River Liffey and the charming city of Dublin. While you enjoy some of the country’s most beautiful scenery, you will learn from an expert guide the history of this city, since the arrival of the Vikings, 1000 years ago, the apogee and development of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the rehabilitation of the Dublin quays and the many attractions that have turned this city into one of the main European capitals.
During the crossing, you will cross the symbolic Ha’penny Bridge, the majestic Custom House, the Royal Canal and the Grand Canal, as well as discovering that much of modern Dublin sits on land reclaimed from the sea, which includes Trinity College and The Spire on O’Connell Street.
USEFUL INFORMATION
- Approximately 45 minutes.
- The ship has the capacity to accommodate 48 passengers and offers all the facilities and services that guarantee a comfortable and safe voyage. The boat is ready for rain.
THE ISLAND OF GARNISH, A MICROCLIMATE IN THE SEA
The floral park on the water
An exotic paradise of botanical gardens
The island of Garnish is one of those magical places that by their microclimate and peat surface have made an exotic botanical garden in Ireland possible. The only way to get there is by boat, from the town of Glengarrif.
Once there, let your senses be wowed with the wonderful scent of vegetation. In the gardens next to the so-called Italian house, overlooking a beautiful lake in which the surrounding mountains are reflected, you can find all kinds of local species united exotic ones from, for example, Japan and other overseas regions. Do not miss the bonsai which is more than 300 years old!
In addition to the beauty of the gardens, you can stroll around the island to the highest point, The Martello Tower, with incredible views over Bantry Bay. The wonderful aroma of the island will remain impregnated in your memory and you will carry it with you forever.
USEFUL INFORMATION
- Duration: about 2 hours
- Gardens open from March to October.
- If you are travelling with a family, it is a great option that will delight the little ones. They will have fun learning all about plants and they can let their imagination fly among the enchanted forests.
IN THE HEART OF KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK
The unique beauty of lakes
An unrivaled natural experience
Situated in County Kerry is Killarney National Park, which is very close to the town of the same name. Confluent lakes, beautiful waterfalls, a castle from the Middle Ages, natural forests and wild animals. The extensive Killarney National Park has all the ingredients to satisfy any visitor. That is why it is one of the destinations with the highest influx of tourists in summer.
Inside the park, three stunning lakes – Leane Lough, Muchross lake and Upper Lake – converge at Meeting of the Waters, a unique and awe-inspiring place. For lovers of nature and hiking, touring this park will be an unforgettable experience.
South of the lakes, you can find huge natural forests. Do not be surprised if you walk through them and you come across wild animals like deer, goats or birds of all kinds. The park is also home to one of the most beautiful castles in Ireland, Ross Castle on the banks of Muckross Lake, dating from the Middle Ages. And, finally, you can not miss the Torc waterfall, which descends from the mountain of the same name and whose beauty will leave you speechless.
USEFUL INFORMATION
- It has an area of about 103 square kilometers
- Walking the park can take several days. Ross Castle can be visited. Duration of the visit: 1 hour. Taking photographs inside is not permitted at Ross Castle.
- You can rent a bicycle in Killarney to tour the park in a more efficient way. There are quite a fewplaces in the city to rent bikes and the average price is about 5-7 euros.
DISCOVERING THE RIVER SHANNON
Limerick, the canoe view
An adventure for the daring and adventurous
The River Shannon runs through 11 counties, including the beautiful city of Limerick. We we recommend a not-so-usual way to disover the medieval wonders of this historic city.
For those looking for a different way of touring and prefer adventure activities, the River Shannon offers an exciting activity: What better way to navigate the river than aboard a kayak? Go to one of the water sports centres you will find in Limerick. There you will be offered routes to navigate the heart of the city under the oldest and most famous bridges.
A different perspective is to discover the famous King John Castle or the monumental ‘Treaty Stone’ on which was signed a historic peace treaty, among other historic áreas that will inform you about 800 years of dynastic battles. In the sports centre you will be provided with all necessary information so that you can recognize the points of interest. Get ready for a unique adventure!
INFORMATION OF INTEREST
- Duration of the canoe trip: two and a half hours
- Price of travel in canoe: 35 euros per person
- Suitable for all levels
- They provide you with all the material (from helmet to life jacket)
- Bring a pair of old sneakers that you do not mind getting wet
KING’S JOHN CASTLE, 800 YEARS OF HISTORY
THE ISLAND OF THE KING
A medieval fortress on the banks of Limerick
King’s John Castle is a spectacular fortress that has remained in good repair despite the city’s numerous sieges. Located on King’s Island and bathed by the waters of the Shannon, it is an excellent example of medieval style.
The fortress has five facades, with high walls surrounding a rectangular courtyard. Two large towers flank the main gate, and two more towers rise in the corners, from where the silhouette that the river the city skyline can be glimpsed. One of the best views in town that you cannot miss. Initially the castle was surrounded by a moat and drawbridge that today are not preserved.
In the castles interpretive center you will be able to experience first hand the future of this famous fortress. In addition, you can attend performances that recreate how life and traditions were in the sixteenth century. Welcome to the castle!
USEFUL INFORMATION
- Time: One hour and a half
- Adult access: 10 euros
- Open all year (except 24, 25 and 26 December)