DREAM ESCAPE A FAMILY ADVENTURE IN IRELAND

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1 DREAM ESCAPE A FAMILY ADVENTURE IN IRELAND Ha Penny Bridge Symbol of Dublin Day One: Arrival into Dublin Cead Mile Failte! Welcome to the Emerald Isle for an unforgettable experience for the whole family. You will be met at Dublin Airport by your chauffeur who will take you through the Dublin Bay Tunnel that leads swiftly into the centre of the Irish capital city. Check in to your 5 star hotel which occupies four meticulously restored Georgian townhouses and is one of the premier addresses in the city. As well as its own restaurant and Cellar Bar, the hotel is home to the highest rated restaurant in Ireland with two Michelin stars. Take time to relax in the indoor swimming pool; parents will also enjoy some quiet relaxation in the spa. This afternoon take a panoramic tour of the city on a WWII amphibious landing craft known affectionately as a Duck. On this tour you will get a fun overview of the main landmarks of Dublin. Alternatively, you may prefer to walk around nearby Merrion Square, the most fashionable address in the city during Georgian period of the 18 th Century

2 Colourful Dublin Day Two: History and Entertainment in the Irish Capital Your second day in Dublin is spent with an expert local guide who will outline the history of Dublin and Ireland. Start by visiting Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1 and one of Dublin s must-sees. Among the many famous students to attend were playwrights Oliver Goldsmith, Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde. It houses the Book of Kells, certainly the most richly decorated and historically important of Ireland s medieval manuscripts. The historical theme continues at Dublinia, an interactive museum where you can experience life on a Viking long ship and walk along a cramped street that would have typified Dublin in the Middle Ages. This evening you will have the opportunity to experience the side of Ireland that is popular the world over. The Irish love to get together for an evening of food, drink, music and dance and at an informal Irish Night, traditional music and jigs are laid on for your entertainment - you will even have the chance to participate in the performance if you would like. Before the show, enjoy a traditional meal of the dishes that have come to symbolise the real taste of rural Ireland. All in all, the hosts are sure you will enjoy good craic.

3 Day Three: Dublin and Co. Wicklow See some of the city including Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, which lists Samuel Beckett and Oscar Wilde amongst its students. It houses the Book of Kells, one of the most priceless, and the most richly decorated, of Ireland s medieval manuscripts. Thereafter travel south and explore Wicklow Mountains National Park. Covering some 20,000 hectares of spectacular scenery the highlight is Glendalough, an area renowned for its scenic, historic and archaeological significance. Accompanied by a local guide, enjoy a walk on one of the many way-marked trails followed by a gourmet picnic. Check into your accommodation for two nights. It is best described as classical Georgian in style with fine furniture, architecture and art evident throughout, reflecting this elegant period in history. Spend the third day either playing a round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course or trying a range of country pursuits such as archery, target- or clay-pigeon shooting. Perhaps visit the Equestrian Centre or, alternatively, fish for either salmon or trout. Complete the day with dinner served in the property s signature restaurant, Lady Helen s.

4 Aillwee Cave under the Burren Day Four: Across the Midlands to the Atlantic Coast Begin your journey to the West of Ireland by crossing the country. You might decide to pause for lunch in the city of Limerick and enjoy the many interesting places and sights on the way. Visit the Burren, one of the largest exposed limestone pavements in Europe which has a network of caves running beneath it. Aillwee Cave is Ireland s premier show cave. Explore the caverns accompanied by a member of the conservation team who will show you the frozen waterfall among other features. Outside the cave, the Birds of Prey Centre is home to falcons, owls, eagles and other raptors. Take time to meet the birds and enjoy a lively flying demonstration. Your accommodation for the next two nights will be in County Clare at a luxurious five-star property with stunning views over the ocean. The resort is home to a magnificent links golf course designed by Greg Norman, a delightful spa and a wide range of dining options.

5 The Cliffs of Moher Day Five: Stunning Coastal Scenery: the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands A short drive to the north are the Cliffs of Moher which reach up to 660 ft at the highest point and range for 5 miles over the Atlantic Ocean coast of Co Clare. Features include O'Brien's Tower which stands proudly on a headland and from where, on a clear day, it is possible to see the mountains of Connemara in the north and County Kerry in the south. Further along the coast is Doolin, the small port where you will join your private cruise to the Aran Islands. To begin with, journey beneath the Cliffs of Moher and then cross to Inisheer, the smallest of the islands. Inisheer is a haven for botanists and nature lovers and it boasts one of the most beautiful beaches on the western seaboard. The everyday language of the islanders is Irish Gaelic and their songs and stories enshrine much of Ireland's folklore and ancient culture. At the end of your cruise, the captain will return you to Doolin where your driver-guide will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel.

6 Killarney National Park Day Six: From County Clare to County Kerry This morning drive across County Clare to the Shannon Estuary for an exhilarating highspeed boat ride around this impressive waterway. Pass the famous Glin Castle and Tarbert Lighthouse then head for the monastic settlement of Scattery Island which has been inhabited since pre-christian times. The Shannon Estuary is home to the largest concentration of wintering waterfowl in Ireland as the tidal mudflats and large shallow inlets are a haven for feeding waders and seabirds. It is also home to the only resident population of bottle nosed dolphins. At the end of your journey, visit the Flying Boat Museum at Foynes to learn about the early days of aviation. Later, arrive in Killarney, referred to as the Home of Beauty where Ireland s highest mountain range meets the shores of the famous Lakes of Killarney and the 25,000 acre Killarney National Park. This is a wonderful area of mountains, woods, waterfalls and wildlife where red deer roam freely and white tailed sea eagles have recently been re-introduced. Thereafter, check into your home for three evenings which is part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection. Situated in its own private grounds, this family owned luxury property is committed to ensuring that every moment will be memorable, relaxing and enjoyable.

7 Day Seven: The Gap of Dunloe and the Lakes of Killarney The Gap of Dunloe This morning drive from your hotel around the north of the Lakes of Killarney, until you reach Kate Kearney s Cottage situated just at the foot of the mountains. From here begin to traverse the world-famous Gap of Dunloe. Formed during the ice age it has some of the finest views in Ireland. You may choose to hike the seven miles through the valley, stopping to admire the scenery as you walk. Alternatively you could ride through on horseback, or take a more leisurely option a trip on a traditional jaunting cart pulled by a pony. The majority of travellers return to Killarney by open-topped boats which can navigate all the Lakes of Killarney and the rivers that connect them. You pass through the Meeting of the Waters and into the Lower Lake before your voyage ends at Ross Castle. Alternatively, ride back to Killarney by bike and enjoy the views of the mountains and lakes from the car-free road. Pass by the Torc Waterfall, one of Ireland s most impressive cascades.

8 The Enchanting Ladies View on the Ring of Kerry Day Eight: Vistas of Kerry from the air and the land Today board a privately-chartered helicopter at Kerry Airport to experience a 'Bird's Eye view' of the Lakes of Killarney with views of Ireland's highest mountain, Carrauntoohil. Then fly onward to the fabled Ring of Kerry with panoramic views of the wild Atlantic Ocean, and the rugged coastline of this world famous route around the Iveragh Peninsula. In the afternoon enjoy a private guided tour of Muckross House where the elegantly furnished rooms portray the lifestyles of the landed gentry, while downstairs in the basement one can experience the working conditions of the servants employed in the house. To finish, sit back and relax in a Jaunting Car, reserved privately, and see the Estate from a different viewpoint. Jaunting Cars at Muckross Estate

9 Iconic Blarney Castle Day Nine: Kiss the Blarney Stone on the way to your own castle Drive east over the Derrynasaggart mountains, crossing into County Cork and head to Cobh (pronounced cove ) on Great Island. Cobh was the main departure point for emigrants to America and was a stopping place for transatlantic liners. It was also the last port of call for the RMS Titanic and the RMS Lusitania. Travel the short distance north to Blarney. One of the most famous sites in Ireland, this small town is the location of Blarney Castle a ruined fifteenth-century tower house which would be unremarkable if not for the Blarney Stone. Located in the parapet, this stone is said to give anyone who kisses it the Gift of the Gab The final leg of your tour takes you back over the River Shannon to your home for the next two evenings. This is one of the top hotels in Ireland, a splendid property that has been sympathetically refurbished to a very high standard of luxury, comfort and service. It has a spa and leisure club, and offers a choice of dining options and a wide range of activities to delight the whole family.

10 Your home for the final two nights Day Ten: And finally...test your culinary skills! After a leisurely breakfast, drive to nearby Bunratty Castle. In the grounds of the largest tower house ever built in Ireland, a series of reconstructions of traditional cottages from the West of Ireland form the Folk Park which shows how people lived in earlier times. Overlooking the Folk Park is the Bunratty Cookery School. One of the chefs will welcome you to a class where you might learn how to make traditional Irish soda bread or other favourites that might include a warming Irish stew. After a demonstration of the techniques, it is your turn to try your hand. You will of course have the chance to taste the creations afterwards. You will have the opportunity to make the most of the facilities at your hotel for the remainder of the day. Explore the grounds on foot, on horseback or on bicycles, or use the swimming pool and tennis courts. The grounds are also home to a lake for fishing, and an 18-hole golf course. Day Eleven: Homeward bound Departure from Shannon Airport