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Adams & Butler's Unique Spring Madness Seven Day Taste of Ireland Tour

Special price - *from €499*  per person land only
To book email ireland@irishluxury.com
or call 1-800-8945712 or +353 1 2889355

 Departures March 1st - July 22nd   2010 
– book by April 19th 2010.  After April 19th Prices revert to €650 per person

Explore The Highlights of Dublin & Cork - Kiss The Blarney Stone, Visit The Lakes of Killarney, Enjoy a traditional Irish show, and have a GREAT time!

Pick up your car from the Car Hire desk is in the Arrivals Hall at Dublin Airport - from the airport it is a 30 minute drive to your hotel.  Check in and then let the fun begin!  Your concierge will have details on everything from local casinos to the theatre programmes, concerts, night clubs, entertainment, and shopping discounts.

You will be staying in a top range  4* hotel in the Dublin 4 area of the town.  This is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute bus or taxi ride from Temple Bar and Trinity, but is quieter and more elegant than the city center.  Your neigbours are embassies and billionaires, but there is still a lovely neighbourhood feel, with bars galore (and great music), restaurants, street cafes and shops.  We can also offer city center accommodation, but it will not suit those who prefer a quiet bedroom! 

Dublin has long been a centre of art and culture. Stroll through the elegant Georgian streets of Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares, shop in the elegant emporiums of Grafton Street and Powerscourt Townhouse, explore the collections of the National Museum and National Gallery, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and many fine small private collections. The range of art and artefacts is enormous, and you will have no problem spending many hours enthralled. The city is over a thousand years old, and many of the towns and settlements that surround it are equally ancient. Successive centuries have left their distinctive overlays of character and architecture which means that Dublin has a wealth of historically significant and fascinating sights to explore such as Dublin Castle, where the Normans ruled from the 12th Century, St Patrick's Cathedral, of which Jonathan Swift was Dean, and Trinity College, famous for The Book of Kells and for its alumni who include Oscar Wilde and Oliver Goldsmith.  Hidden Sites that even most Dubliners have never visited include  The Botanic Gardens, St Michans Church and The U2 wall. 

Day 1 Transfer from the airport to the city centre. 
Start the day with a 2 hour walking tour of the historic centre of the city (departs10 am, Noon & 2 pm).  Then wander up to the Chester Beatty Library, a museum behind Dublin Castle which houses the great collection of manuscripts, miniature paintings, prints, drawings, rare books and some decorative arts. The Library's exhibitions open a window on the artistic treasures of the great  cultures and religions of the world. Its rich collection from countries across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Lunch here - the cafe is excellent.  For the rest of the afternoon shop, or visit the parks, gardens museums, and galleries of the city. Tonight you can enjoy traditional Irish Cabaret – a night of music and dance (book seperately in advance).  

  We think the top hidden delights of Dublin are:- 

1. The Iveagh Gardens (aka The Secret Garden) hidden behind the National Concert Hall on Earlsfort Terrace off St Stephen's Green. 

2. The prehistoric gold at The National Museum in Kildare Street. 

3. The Chester Beatty Library, hidden behind Dublin Castle - great cafe here as well. 

4. The Francis Bacon Studio at The Hugh Lane Gallery in Parnell Square 

5. The Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin (the 13 bus from Merrion Square or a 10 minute taxi ride from the city centre) 

6. To get the flavour of the real city get up early and go the the Cafe on Little Mary Street, off Capel Street, a greasy spoon frequented by the porters from the Fruit and Vegetable market. 

7. Take the Spirit of the Liffey cruise along the River from near O'Connell Bridge 

8. Lord Newton's 1730 charity - bread for the needy, even today to be seen at St Anne's Church on Dawson Street. 

9. Louise Kennedy's Salon - a meticulously restored house at 56 Merrion Square, with stunning clothes and home decorating.

Our top children's attractions are

1. The Viking Splash Tour - a  fun and completely unique tour of Dublin by land and water in a World War II vintage amphibious militaryvehicles called "Ducks". Costumed and colourful Viking Captains will tell you all about the most exciting sights in Dublin: how the Vikings first settled the City over 1000 years ago and how Dublin has become a thriving, cosmopolitan European city. Finally, you’ll experience a real thrill as your Tour Captain drives the Duck into the waters of the historic Grand Canal Basin for the water portion of the tour. You may even be asked to give a Viking roar at passers by!

2. Malahide Castle - The Fry Model Railway exhibit, and Tara's Palace, filled with antique dollhouses and toys.

3. Airfield, Dublin's only urban farm is set in an oasis of ornate gardens and stunning grounds only a few minutes from Dundrum Shopping Centre. Explore the  walled gardens with many rare and unusual plants, and pet the farm animals.

4. Kilmainham Gaol is one of the largest unoccupied gaols in Europe, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Irelands emergence as a modern nation from 1780s to the 1920s.

5. Dublinia which illustrates Dublin from the earliest times to the 1600s. Lots of exhibits which include videos, models and reconstructions. The ground floor houses a large-scale model of Dublin around 1500 and reconstructions.

6. Hamleys At Dundrum - The world's most famous toy shop brings its 248-year-old magic to Dublin, with it's wonderful store at Dundrum Town Centre. 37,000 square feet over three floors, it replicates all the magical and experiential elements of the London branch.

7. National Aquatic Centre –  wave pool, water slides, surfing machine, giant flume, water coaster and lazy river.

 Day 2   Explore the countryside around Dublin. 
Consider exploring the treasures of the Boyne Valley. The Boyne Valley is Irelands "Valley of the Kings". Visit the new Brú na Boinne Visitor Centre which allows you to explore the history and monuments of one of the most historic areas in Ireland , which is one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites.  Over 5000 years old, it is older than Stonehenge by about 1000 years and the Egyptian Pyramids by nearly 500 years. Return to Dublin. 

Alternatively a  favourite  tour is South into the Wicklow Mountains to visit one of Ireland’s great stately mansions, surrounded by stunning gardens.  This is an unforgettable tour which takes you along the south coast of Dublin, past Dublin’s “Beverly Hills” where the likes of Bono, Neil Jordan and Enya live, and on to Powerscourt Gardens, situated in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains.  

Powerscourt Gardens were begun in the 1740’s and stretch out over 45 acres including a blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. Powerscourt has been described as One of Europe's Greatest Gardens and One of Ireland's Greatest Treasures. The tour includes entry into the gardens for one of the mapped walks and a short time for the really special Powerscourt shops and tearooms. A wonderful experience.

A longer tour is possible travelling onwards through the picturesque countryside of Roundwood (home of Daniel Day Lews) and Laragh, to another highlight  – Glendalough. The Celtic Monastic System derived from the early monasteries of Egypt, and Glendalough was one of the oldest and most important of the early Irish monasteries. Situated in an idyllic valley with two lakes, hence the name. Founded by St Kevin in the 6th century, it has a High Tower which is one of the most famous images of Ireland, that was used by the monks to store and protect precious manuscripts and artefacts, and also some of the finest architecture of the early church. It is a magical, beautiful and spiritual place. Return to Dublin.

This evening you might enjoy an evening for a night at the Races – greyhound racing is one of the most popular sports in Dublin with five or six meetings a week. No prebooking is necessary, and the restaurant serves a delightful dinner whilst you try and win a fortune and wathch the dogs positively flying around the track.  This is a great place to meet the people of Dublin.

Day 3 

Set off for Cork. The first 60 miles are all on highways.  A good place to stop for coffee and a stretch on this first part of the road would be Kildare Village, a luxury retail outlet village, just beside Ireland’s National Stud, home of the racehorse industry.

You could also divert to see Emo Court, one of the finest neo-classical mansions in Ireland.  The rugged outline of the 13th C Rock of Dunamase Castle is visible to the South of the Motorway. It was here that McMurrough, the King of Leinster, seduced Dervla, the wife of the Prince of Breffni, an action that lead to 800 years of British misrule!  You will pass through the village of Abbeyleix, famed for Morrisey’s bar, whose interior has not changed for over 100 years.  Abbeyleix is also the village in which the carpets for the Titanic were manufactured. The gardens of the nearby Heywood House were designed by Luteyns, who also designed New Delhi.  

Follow the main road to Cashel, a limestone outcrop rising from the plain and crowned by the cathedral and round tower.  Sheltering at its foot is Bru Boru, a entertainment of Irish music and dance.  The back road to Cahir, through Golden, will bring you past the riverside ruins of Athassel Abbey and the legendary Motte of Knockgraffon.  Cahir has a huge castle in a fine state of repair and a wonderful "Swiss Cottage" built as a folly in the Regency period.  It is also a centre of antique shopping.  From Cahir the main road will bring you by way of Michelstown  and Fermoy to Cork,  but depending on time and weather you might prefer to follow the beautiful road over the Vee, climbing high up into the Knockmealdown mountains (watch out for the sheep & the monster of Bay Lough!) and coming down into Lismore whose castle was for many years home to Fred Astaire's sister Adele.  From Lismore follow the Blackwater to Fermoy pausing to visit the Barry mausoleum at Castlelyons on the way into Cork.  If you drove without stopping you could complete the journey in 3 hours and have time to enjoy  a visit to Blarney Castle where you might earn the "gift of Blarney" - verbal persuasiveness (or "gift of the gab") - by kissing the famous Blarney Stone (not so easy).  At the Cork roundabout at the end of the N8 take the tunnel under Cork Harbour and at the Kinsale Road Roundabout turn left towards Kinsale.  Your hotel is at the top of the hill, beside Cork Airport.

Day 4 and 5

You could spend a week exploring the Cork area and still not have seen all the highlights. The bells of Shandon, The English Market, St Finbarre's Cathedral, The  new Gluckmann Gallery, The Crawford Gallery are a few of the highlights of the city. Blarney Castle, with its eloquent stone is a short drive to the north. The town of Kinsale, gourmet capital of Ireland, is a place to spend a day.  Once a sleepy fishing village, it is now referred to as the gourmet capital of Ireland, so you can imagine the assortment of fine restaurants here.  The  17th-century courthouse is now home to the Kinsale Regional Museum includes an exhibit on the Lusitania , which was torpeoded just off the Kinsale coast. It was this tragedy that drew the United States into World War I. Other 17th and 18th-century treasures are worth a visit, among them Desmond Castle , St. Multrose Church, and Charles Fort.   The adveturous could take the high road along the valley of the River Lee to Killarney, just over 1 hour from Cork, and spend the day exploring the lovely Lakes and the National Park.

 The Old Head golf course, south of Kinsale, is uniquely challenging being surrounded by cliffs that fall steeply down to the sea. Touring to the west you will find brightly painted villages, mad folk museums, amazing sub tropical gardens and host of craft workers, farmhouse cheese producers and enchanting cafes, bars and restaurants. As you carry on down the coast the golden beaches begin to disappear. By the time you reach Mizen Head the seascape is as wild as anywhere in the world with the Fastnet light flashing its warning in the distance. To the North are Mallow Castle, the gardens of Annesgrove, the forest park of Doneraile, and the remote Boggeragh Mountains.    At the Cobh Heritage Centre, housed in the restored Victorian Railway station,  you can retrace the steps of the 2.5 million adults and children who emigrated from Ireland via Cobh on coffin ships, early steamers and finally on the great ocean liners. Explore the conditions on board the early emigrant vessels, including the dreaded coffin ship. Experience life on board a convict ship leaving Cobh for Australia in 1801.  Discover Cobh's special connections with the ill fated Titanic which sank on her maiden voyage - Cobh was her last port of call.  Fota Arboretum contains an extensive collection of trees and shrubs extending over an area of approximately 11 hectares and includes features such as an ornamental pond, Italian and walled gardens.  Barryscourt Castles is the 16th century seat of the Barry family. The present castle, with its largely intact bawn wall and corner towers, is a fine example of an Irish tower house.  On Saturdays you can discover the fun, thrills and spills of rowing a canvas currach on the River Lee.  

Top Children's attractions in Cork include:-

1. Ring the bells of Shandon Church

2. Kissing The Blarney Stone

3. Cruising Kinsale Harbour

4. Fota Wildlife Park

5. The West Cork Model Railway Village in Clonakilty

6. Cork City Jail

Day 6 

Tour back to Dublin by way of Waterford and Kilkenny.

See the church in Youghal, where Sir Walter Raleigh worshipped, the church and holy well at Ardmore, the scenic road follows "The Gold Coast" from Dungarvan through  Annestown and Tramore to  Waterford. Follow the valley of the River Nore to Thomastown with the Cistercian abbey of Jerpoint and the Jack Niclaus golf course on the rolling estate of the Earl of Carrick's mansion, Mount Juliet and Bennetsbridge, with its many craft workers studios,   In Kilkenny you should first explore the city, full of medieval laneways, inns with tales of witches, a great castle and of course lots of shops.  Then head on back to Dublin.  Overnight Dublin

Day 7
On your last day you could visit Dublin 's northern coastline. See the exquisite 18th century Casino at Marino, before visiting stately Malahide Castle , dating from the 12th century, and set amid 250 acres of parkland and gardens. Continuing through the heritage town of Malahide , the tour will take you past magnificent coastal scenery to the picturesque fishing village of Howth . Crossing the nearby summit of Howth Head you will have a panoramic view of the huge expanse of Dublin Bay . Set against a backdrop of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, the view is renowned as one of the world's great seascapes.

Return to Dublin via Dollymount Strand home of the Royal Dublin Golf Club and the North Bull Island bird sanctuary. 
 
Depart for Dublin Airport.  If your flight departs before 3 pm, you may have to miss the last morning's tour.

Your Irish break includes 6 nights hotel (click here for details) accommodation with breakfast, tax, service, a walking tour of Dublin, a traditional Irish show, map, discount vouchers, a self drive car and 24/7 telephone support from our on site staff in Dublin.  Free tee time booking service availbable for golfers

For an upgrade to 5* accommodation in the amazing Dylan Hotel in Dublin and Hayfield Manor in Cork  the supplement per person sharing is €399    An upgrade from a self drive car to a  private driver guide would be €1,600   per person sharing.