McKenna Family Tour of Ireland Itinerary

Arrive Dublin Airport. Meet and Greet by Driver/Guide.
Make your way to Kilkenny City and check into the Mount Juliet Manor House Estate, loacated just outside the town.
Located on a 1500 acre estate, you can enjoy the history of Mount Juliet, woodland walks, fishing, golf, spa, luxury hotel and much more. The finest sporting estate in Ireland, Mount Juliet estate, located in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny
The best place to relax and unwind after a long trip over the Atlantic. A visit to Kilkenny City can be arranged for later in the day.
Great food at Mount Juliet and a world renowned golf course is on site also.

Depart for County Cork. Recommend that you visit The Rock of Cashel, the seat of the Kings of Munster from the 4th century before being handed over to the church in the 12th century. It remained the seat of the local Bishop until 1647 when it fell to the Cromwellian army.
You may want to stop by the village of Blarney and kiss the Blarney Stone and receive 'the gift of the gab'. Other sops can include Waterford City, Cobh and Cork City.
Travel onto Kinsale Town and check into the Trident Hotel in the center of the town, overlooking the bay.
Kinsale is known as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland so enjoy the fine food.

Late Breakfast. Walk through Kinsale Town before departing.
We will be heading to West Cork to visit the Michael Collins Museum, located in the pretty town of Clonakilty.
You will have time to walk through the town after the museum visit. Continue our tour of West Cork with many stops before heading north to County Kerry.
We will be staying two nights at The Malton Hotel in Killarney Town.
if time permits, a visit to The Muckross House and Gardens Estate, located just outside the town would be desired.

Late Breakfast. Depart on a day tour of The Ring of Kerry.
Your journey will take you through the villages of Cahirciveen, Waterville and Sneem, before you return to Killarney Town.
Lots of stops along the way to see Kerry Bog Village, Beehive Cells and Skellig Michael, to name but a few.
Overnight in Killarney Park House Hotel. There are plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from and lots of shops.

Travel north to Galway City. On the way take a Tour of the Burren Region, which covers 100 sq miles of lunar like rock with underground rivers, caves, turloughs and ancient burial places, some dating back more than 3000 years.
At 800 feet above the Atlantic Ocean a walk along the Cliffs of Moher is a bracing experience and will certainly give you an appetite for lunch!
Galway is a great city for small shops, traditional music in the pubs and streets.
Overnight in the Meryrick Hotel located in the city center (formerly known as the Galway Great Southern Hotel).

After a lazy morning in Galway, you will begin your Tour of Connemara, an area of rugged landscape, bogs and mountains is known for its clear light and unspoilt beauty, characteristics that make it specially loved by artists and photographers.
A must see is Kylemore Abbey, built by Mitchell Henry as a gift for his wife and is now a select private boarding school for girls. Visitors are restricted to the gardens and lakeside walks. On the return trip through the Maam valley you are likely to see locals harvesting turf, used as fuel, from the bog still using tools and methods a thousand years old.
Make a stop at the village of Leenane.
Transfer to Dublin City in the afternoon. You will be staying at the famous Shelbourne Hotel on Saint Stephen's Green.
Enjoy a walk through Temple Bar and visit the pubs for some great music.

Breakfast. Take the Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tour of Dublin City.
Visit Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Cathedrals, Jameson Distillery, Viking City, Museums at your own leisure. This is the best way to see Dublin and learn about it's history.
Enjoy dinner at the The Saddle Room restaurant at the Shelbourne - recommend the oysters!!
Return to the Temple Bar Area for dinner and listen to the many buskers playing music on the streets. This is the main socializing area in Dublin City.

Today's activities will be determined by departure times.
Your hotel is approximately 30 minutes drive to Dublin airport. Coach will collect and drop you off.
Return home with some wonderful memories. Come back soon!

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