Spring Sojourn 2025
May 12 - 25, 2025
Day 1 / May 12 - Overnight flight
Day 2 / May 13 - Make your way via taxi to your Dublin Hotel. The rest of the day you are on your own and free to explore on your own.
Overnight Camden Court Hotel.
Day 3 / May 14 - Dublin-Cashel-Cork. After breakfast we meet our Driver Guide in the lobby and depart Dublin. Our first stop is Cashel with its imposing “Rock”. Legend has it St Patrick crowned the High Kings of Ireland here in the 5 th century. We then enjoy a panoramic tour of Cork City, home to several magnificent churches including St. Ann’s and St. Finbar’s cathedral. Cork City is the second largest city in Ireland and takes its name from the Irish word Corcaigh meaning “marshy place”.
Dinner and overnight Imperial Hotel Cork.
Day 4 / May 15 - Cork. After breakfast we depart Cork. Arrive at Midleton Distillery, which is about a 30-minute drive from Cork. Enjoy a guided tour of the distillery, where you can learn about the whiskey-making process and sample some of their renowned Irish whiskey. Drive from Midleton to the Choctaw Memorial, located in Bailick Park in Midleton. Spend some time at the memorial, reflecting on the connection between the Choctaw Nation and Ireland, particularly during the Great Famine.
Overnight Imperial Hotel Cork.
Day 5 / May 16 - Cork-Kinsale-Cork. Morning departure from Cork. It is onto Kinsale. Kinsale in County Cork is one of the most picturesque, popular, and fashionable resorts of the south-west coast of Ireland. Famous for its beautiful yachting, sea angling, gourmet restaurants and golf. Charles Fort, a popular attraction was constructed in the late 17th century on the site of an earlier coastal fortification. Charles Fort is a classic example of a star-shaped fort and has five bastions. We return to Cork. (Music at The Crane Lane Theatre or similar this evening)
Overnight Imperial Hotel.
Photos: Killarney - Ross Castle, Mick McCarty and me. Dublin flower vendor on Grafton Street. Dingle: Dingle Crystal and Rick & Melissa, who became engaged on the tour, walking on Inch Strand.
Day 6 - May 17 - Cork-Blarney-Killarney. Morning departure from Cork. Our next stop, Blarney Castle is home to the Blarney Stone, which legend has it bequeaths the “gift of eloquence” to all who kiss it. Time to shop at the woolen mills or stop in Christy’s Pub for a Pint! Our journey takes us east over the Kerry and Cork Mountains to Macroom where we pause for a short visit. This is the main market town for the Gaelic speaking region to the west. Macroom Castle dates from the 13 th century and was the seat of the McCarthy’s of Muskerry. Oliver Cromwell granted it to Admiral Sir William Penn whose namesake son spent much of his childhood here and later founded the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is onto Killarney. Sites of interest in the town reflect its strong religious and educational history. Killarney was a monastic settlement from the 5th or 6th Century and house settlement began here from around 1500. Explore colorful laneways, a fine cathedral and experience the ambience of busy streets in the town centre. Nestled amidst deep, lake filled valleys with astounding sights such as the famous Ladie’s View (Named after Queen Victoria’s Ladies in Waiting) and the MacGillicuddy Reeks - Ireland’s largest mountain range, home of Carrauntoohil the country’s largest peak.
Overnight at The Killarney International Hotel.
Day 7 - May 18 - Killarney - Dingle - Killarney - We will travel to the village of Dingle via Slea Head and the Blasket Island Heritage Center. Free time for lunch on your own in the village.
Overnight at The Killarney International Hotel.
Day 8 - May 19 - Killarney. Free Day in Killarney.
Overnight at The Killarney International Hotel.
Day 9 - May 20 - Killarney-Ennis. After breakfast we make our way to Ennis. On the way, we stop at Killarney National Park foa visit. Explore the beautiful garden surrounding Muckross House. This 19 th century Victorian mansion is set against the stunning beauty of the National Park. Admission to the mansion is included. We continue north with a stop at the Grange Stone Circle, which is a Place of Ritual Gatherings, Sacrifice and Worship from Prehistoric Times to the Modern Day. Then onto Ennis, situated at the heart of the county on a bend in the River Fergus, Ennis is the capital of County Clare. It’s an historic town and is certainly one of Clare’s most colorful and picturesque centers – with its narrow, winding streets, historical buildings, and busy market town atmosphere. At the same time, the town has many modern influences – making Ennis a town that is very much about ‘then and now’.
Dinner and overnight at the Old Ground Hotel Ennis.
Day 10 - May 21 - Ennis- Doolin– Ennis. This afternoon we journey to the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs are astonishingly impressive and staggeringly beautiful. The entirely vertical cliffs rise to a height of 700 feet, their edge falling away abruptly into a ceaselessly churning Atlantic. A progression of vast heads, the dark limestone marches in a rigid formation that’s gob smacking, no matter how many times you look at it. As you leave the cliffs, you will travel through the little village of Liscannor and just across the bay, you will see the beautiful seaside village and golfers’ mecca, Lahinch. Continue to Doolin, the music capital of Ireland. We enjoy a relaxed couple of hours of music and stories with canapes and a glass of wine or sparkling water at the Doolin Music House.
Overnight Old Ground Hotel.
Day 11 - May 22 - Ennis -Dublin. Morning departure from Ennis has us traveling through the Irish Midlands and Athlone to Dublin City. Upon arrival in Dublin, we have a full panoramic tour of this fascinating port city. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to explore Dublin. This evening, enjoy Dinner and Entertainment at Irish House Party.
Overnight Camden Court Hotel Dublin.
Day 12 - May 23 - Dublin. Today we visit the National Museum. This afternoon we enjoy Art Tea’ at The Merrion 5-star hotel is the most lavish afternoon tea in Dublin. Treat yourself to a slice of 19th- or 20th-century art served on fine China with miniature sweet creations inspired by the work of J.B Yeats, William Scott, Louis Le Brocquy, andothers.
Overnight Camden Court Hotel.
Day 13 - May 24 - Dublin Free Day!
Overnight Camden Court Hotel. (NO DRIVER GUIDE)
Day 14 - May 25 - Transfer to the airport
