The Emerald Isles
We spend the first two days exploring the capital Dublin and its stunning
surroundings. From a guided historical tour of Trinity College with the
famous books of Kells to elegant Georgian Square and O'Connell Street,
St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin and Galahad Castle, Powerscourt Country
Estate and its magnificent gardens to evenings filled with Irish Music
in the pubs of Dublin this is the essential Dublin.
The further south from Dublin we travel to the counties Wexford,
Carlow and Waterford, the more the landscape changes. The gently rolling
hills and valleys built a patchwork of fertile greens. Along the
way we visit the Irish national Heritage Park and Blarney Castle to kiss
Blarney Stone. The city of Cork, situated on the banks of the River Lee
and known for its beautiful natural harbor is the perfect place to
overnight.
The stunning scenery of the Iveragh Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry is next
on our journey to Dingle, the lively fishing town where we stop on the
evening of day five.
Traveling northbound we stop along the way to visit Desmond
castle and the town of Limerick. Continuing to Lahinch, famous for its
Links golf course you'll savor the breathtaking panorama the Cliffs of
Moher have to offer.
We enter Connemara National Park, felt by most visitors as the best of the
county's scenery, a real painter's landscape of impressive mountains, beaches
and bleak lake lands populated by sheep rather than humans. We overnight
in the "capital of Connemara" Clifden, situated high above the
Atlantic Ocean.
Far removed from bustling Dublin the quiet Counties of Mayo and Sligo offer
scenic beauty galore. " Mayo is Magic' declared an impressed Tony Blair on
his visit and he definitely was right there.
Along the Antrim coastline with the natural wonder of the Giant's Causeway
we travel to Coleraine our stop for the night.
Last stop before we return to Dublin is the Capital of Northern Ireland,
Belfast. We take a guided city tour visit Belfast Castle, City hall and the
botanical gardens and enjoy an evening filled with traditional music in one
of belfast's fabulous pubs. Leaving Belfast early next morning along Irelands
sunny east coat brings us back to Dublin for our flight back home.
