Northern discovery: Luxury

Day One: Galway

 

Morning

Galway Food Tours

Location: Galway City Centre
Duration: 2 hours

Winner of Best Food & Tourism Experience in Ireland 2019, Galway Food Tours is a 2 hour culinary walking tour of the city that introduces visitors to our passionate people and our beautiful produce which combine to make Galway one of Ireland's gourmet jewels. Experience a taste from artisan producers, cheese makers, creative beer projects, artisan chocolatiers, traditional family run businesses to young entrepreneurs. Experienced local guides sharing our favourite places and treasured ingredients.

Lunch

Kai Restaurant

Location: Sea Road, Galway City

Afternoon

Micil Distillery Tour

Location: Salthill, Galway City
Duration: 1 hour

Experience six generations of Micil family heritage - the tastes, smells and sights of Galway’s only working distillery.  An engaging, educational and entertaining guided experience of the history and craft of poitín and gin. The poitín and gin are both tasted on the tour. The drinks are served with premium mixers and garnish in branded glasses.

Dinner and accommodation

Ballynahinch Castle (4*)

Location: Connemara, Co. Galway


Day Two: Mayo

Morning

The Lost Valley

Location: Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
Duration: 3 hours

The Bourke family, who have farmed livestock in this valley for over 7 generations, conduct guided tours highlighting the unique natural and cultural heritage within this majestic valley. Its woodlands, lakes, waterfalls, pristine sandy beaches and spectacular views of Killary Fjord, combine with its deserted famine village to provide a unique window into the west of Ireland as it used to be. Visitors also get to experience life on the farm with pet lamb feeding and a working sheepdog demonstration ensuring an unforgettable immersive experience.

Lunch

Cian’s on Bridge Street

Location: Bridge Street, Westport

Afternoon 

Irish Soda Bread Way

Location: Westport, Co. Mayo
Duration: 2 hours

An immersive bread making experience in the beautiful heritage town of Westport. Your chatty local hosts Mary and Carmel will introduce you to fascinating aspects of Irish food culture and heritage. Discover how Irish country butter is made and all the piseogs (superstitions!) surrounding it. Guests make their own traditional Irish soda scones and Irish brown soda bread and while in the oven, it’s time for a sit-down together and a chat over a cup of tea.

Dinner and accommodation 

Ashford Castle 5*

Location: Cong, Co. Mayo

Day Three: Mayo - Sligo

Morning

Ballinglen Museum of Art & Downpatrick Head

Location: Ballycastle, Co. Mayo
Duration: 2.5 hours

The Ballinglen Arts Foundation have welcomed world renowned artists on retreat to this quiet coastal location in north Mayo for almost 30 years. Leaving behind incredible works of art, much of which captures the wild beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way, the foundation have accrued an incredible collection which is now on display in a beautiful and tranquil new museum. Explore the collection, meet the curator, reflect on a landscape and people carved out over millennia – this is a true gem of Ireland’s west coast. Then travel the short distance to Downpatrick Head and look out over the cliffs to the sea-stack reaching up from the ocean below.

Lunch

Luskins Bistro

Location: Ballina, Co. Mayo

Afternoon 

Sligo Oyster Tasting Experience

Location: WB’s Coffee House, Sligo Town
Duration: 1 hour

Indulge in Sligo Bay Oysters at WB’S Coffee House while you are guided by owner Aisling through the history and current farming methods of harvesting oysters on the Wild Atlantic Way. You will be taught how oysters are harvested and learn the tricks of the trade with an oyster shucking demonstration. Then it’s time to relax with a selection of naked and dressed Oysters with a glass of carefully selection wine to compliment the oysters. They also have a selection of Sligo Craft Beer and a full cafe menu available.

Dinner

Coopershill House

Location: Riverstown, Co. Sligo

Accommodation

Markree Castle (4*)

Location: Collooney, Co. Sligo

Day Four: Donegal

Morning

Magee of Donegal followed by guided walk at Slieve League Cliffs

Location: Magee of Donegal, The Diamond, Donegal Town & Teelin, Carrick, Co. Donegal
Duration: 1 hour per experience

‘Suit in Suite’ at Magee of Donegal. Let a professional tailor at Magee of Donegal make the suit of your dreams with a made to measure fitting. Magee have been specialising in exquisite tailoring for over 150 years. Their Made to Measure service combines their expert tailoring with their love of luxury fabrics. Then, take a guided walk-up Pilgrim’s Path at Slieve League Cliffs. Wild, dramatic, majestic, the towering Slieve League Cliffs are among the highest and finest marine cliffs in Europe.

Lunch

The Rusty Mackerel

Location: Teelin, Carrick, Co. Donegal

Afternoon 

Sliabh Liag Distillers

Location: Carrick, Co Donegal
Duration: 45 mins - 1 hour

A visit to the only operational distillery in Donegal and the first in 175 years. Sliabh Liag Distillers is a family owned artisan distillery making a unique Irish Maritime Gin and a botanical vodka in a hand-made copper pot still using seaweed and other botanicals foraged locally. Visitors will get to see a working gin distillery and the bigger plans for Sliabh Liag Distillers whiskey distillery in Ardara. Tours are complete with a tasting of An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin and Silkie Irish Whiskey on request.

Dinner

Harvey’s Point Hotel

Location: Lough Eske, Donegal Town

Accommodation 

Solis Lough Eske Castle Hotel (4*)

Location: Lough Eske, Donegal Town

Day Five: Donegal

Morning

Oakfield Park

Location: Raphoe, Co. Donegal
Duration: 2.5 hours

Take a private history tour of this eighteenth century Georgian deanery, which has won several national awards for the restoration of its gardens and buildings. The beautiful 100-acre gardens include a host of attractions including walled gardens, sculptures, a hedge maze, lakes, woodlands, and a narrow-gauge railway operating daily.

Lunch

Donegal Food Tours

Location: Various locations around North Donegal

Afternoon 

Amazing Grace Yacht Charters

Location: Inishowen Peninsula
Duration: 4 hours

Jump on board 'The Amazing Grace’ cruising yacht and explore all the magic that Donegal has to offer. Glide blissfully along the water through the striking landscape of the Inishowen Peninsula. Along the way, embrace nature and awaken your senses as you discover birdlife, wildlife and uninhabited islands. Get up close and personal to the resident dolphin pod on this truly memorable guided cruise.

Dinner

The Cook & Gardener restaurant 

Location: Rathmullan House Hotel, Co. Donegal

Accommodation  

Rathmullan House Hotel (4*)

Location: Rathmullan, Co. Donegal

Day Six: Depart for Dublin

Morning

Depart for Dublin