West Cork and the Ring of Kerry

Regional departure by coach or Home Connect service, then to Holyhead for the ferry to Ireland, and onward to our overnight hotel.

We leave our hotel after breakfast and head south to Ireland’s second-largest city after Dublin, Cork. Located on the banks of the River Lee, Cork is home to some beautiful sights. Be sure to see the Saint Fin Barres Cathedral which was built by Victorian architect William Burges in the 1800s.

There will be free time in Cork for you to explore at your leisure before we travel the short distance to Blarney, with its famous castle (entrance not included). Built during the 15th and 16th century, a must for any visitor to the castle is to kiss the Blarney Stone. It is a tradition that has been around for several centuries, and is said to give a person the gift of eloquence and persuasiveness. In the past, visitors were required to be lowered over the battlements by their ankles in order to kiss the stone. Nowadays, the stone is set in a wall below the battlements, although anyone wishing to partake is still required to lean backwards from the parapet walk.

From Blarney, we continue to our hotel in West Cork for a three-night stay.

Today, we see breathtaking views on our included excursion as we tour the Beara Peninsula, a bygone haunt of smugglers.

We set out after breakfast for a scenic drive around Ireland’s third major ‘ring’ after Kerry and Dingle. During the day, we pause at the fishing port of Castletownbere, located on the southern coast of the peninsula.

We then continue to Glengarriff where you may wish to take a boat trip to the magnificent Garnish Island (extra cost payable locally), with its famous collection of plants and Italian landscaping.

Today’s included excursion takes in more dramatic scenery and picturesque fishing villages on part of the Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry, or Iveragh Peninsula as it is also known, has attracted visitors for hundreds of years on account of its outstanding natural beauty.

During the day, we visit the town of Killarney where there will be the opportunity to join an optional jaunting car ride. The Tangney family, whose jaunting business has been in operation for over 220 years, will welcome you on board their pony and trap rides and take you on an exciting tour of the area.

We travel back across Ireland and head to Dublin where our optional sightseeing tour will introduce you to this fascinating city. Our informative guide will show you the main sights such as the Trinity College, St Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Art Gallery and the Four Courts.

There will then be free time for you to explore all Dublin has to offer. Perhaps visit to the Guinness Storehouse should you wish to pay homage to Dublin’s most famous drink (entrance not included) – sit back, relax and enjoy a panoramic view of Dublin from its glassed Gravity Bar.

We continue to our overnight hotel on the outskirts of the city.

To Holyhead, then home.