Southern discovery: Luxury [6 days]

Day one: Cork

Morning

Gin School at Clonakilty Distillery

Location: Clonakilty 
Duration: 2.5 hours

Join Clonakilty Distillery for a unique and fully interactive experience! Create your very own custom bottle of Gin to take home! Become a botanical expert and distil your recipe on our miniature stills in our fully working distillery. They use the same Whey alcohol in the Gin School that they use for their award winning Minke Gin. A great experience for all gin lovers! 

Lunch

Dede at The Customs House (recent Michelin Star)

Location: Baltimore

Afternoon

Cape Clear Ferry Fastnet Tour

Location: Baltimore or Schull
Duration: 3 hours 

Set sail to the “Tear drop of Ireland” to see this truly magnificent and world famous rock lighthouse. For generations, the majestic and isolated Fastnet Rock has fired the imaginations of onlookers; known as Ireland’s Teardrop, as it was, for many thousands of emigrants, the last Irish soil seen as their ships carried them away to America. First stop Cape Clear – Ireland’s most southerly Gaeltacht Island – learn more about the famous lighthouse, pick up a ‘Cupla Focal’ of Irish, spotting for dolphins with the stunning Roaring water Bay as your backdrop. Back on board the ferry, you’ll circumnavigate the rock at close quarters - perfect for that once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. 

Dinner and accommodation

Berehaven Lodge

Location: Castletownbere

Day two: Kerry

Morning

Catch and Cook Dingle Cookery School

Location: Dingle
Duration: 5 hours approx.

Dingle Cookery School’s Catch and Cook experience combines the thrill of Atlantic Ocean fishing with their expert cookery class to provide you with an authentic taste from our seas. Your experience will be led by their experienced skipper who will bring you out to the stunning & plentiful fishing grounds of Dingle Bay and give you expert advice in the art of line fishing where you will work first hand at landing your own fresh fish such as Mackerel, Pollack, Cod & other wonderful fish species, (later to be your lunch!!!).

Lunch

Once you come back in from your fishing expedition you will go directly to the Cookery School kitchens where you will learn how to identify, prepare and fillet your catch followed by an interactive cooking lesson where you will also learn and prepare delicious accompaniments. You will be rewarded with an amazing seafood meal to sit down and enjoy together. 

Afternoon 

Personalised Photography Tour with Dingle Darkroom

Location: Dingle Peninsula
Duration: 3.5 hours

Dingle Darkroom tours will carry you along the backroads and small lanes that meander along the hillsides, through the farmlands, past ancient churches, castles, standing stones and even farm tracks, that just end abruptly on the wild Atlantic coastline. Whatever camera, device or phone you are using during your visit, you will experience and capture a different side to the Dingle Peninsula on their photography and sightseeing tours. Taking in Slea Head, Blasket Viewing Platform, Dunquin Harbour, etc.

Dinner 

The Chart House

Location: The Mall, Dingle

Evening

Traditional music session at Dick Mack’s

Location: Dingle
Duration:1.5 hours 

Dick Mack’s is a place where people go for the craic, and to fill themselves on local beer, fine whiskey and live music. Try some locally brewed beer or a whiskey from Dingle Distillery. Explore the bar and adjoining rooms where the Mac Donnell family lived until recent times or just get tucked into one of the snugs in the bar and absorb the atmosphere of this unchanged Irish pub.

Accommodation

Castlewood House

Location: The Wood, Dingle

Day three: Limerick

 

Morning

Saint Mary's Cathedral

Location: Bridge Street Limerick
Duration: 2 hours 

Experience a behind the scenes tour of St. Mary’s Cathedral with the Dean Niall J Sloane, who is the 63rd Dean of Limerick and of the 12th-century Saint Mary’s Cathedral. This is truly a compelling visit that provides insights into a 900-year old history through which this building has witnessed invasions, sieges, battles, wars, famine, unrest and times of great peace. Afterward enjoy afternoon tea in the historic Chapter Room. 

Lunch

Freddy's Bistro

Location: Theatre Lane, Lower Glentwith Street, Limerick

Afternoon 

Lough Gur Heritage Centre

Location: Bruff, Co. Limerick
Duration: 40 minutes

Dating back to Neolithic times, with over 6,000 years of history, Lough Gur is a prehistoric site of renowned international importance. It is the only site in Ireland where the unbroken history of humankind-from the very beginning to the modern day-can be experienced. Home to over 1,000 ancient monuments, Lough Gur spans a five-kilometre radius and is home to Ireland’s oldest and largest stone circle. Moreover, Lough Gur is also a protected sanctuary for wildlife, located amidst the sheer beauty of the Lough Gur lake waters. 

Dinner

1826 Adare

Location: Adare, Co. Limerick

Evening

Adare Manor Whiskey Experience

Location: Adare, Limerick
Duration: 1.5 hours

The Adare Manor whiskey collection includes more than 160 rare quality bottles sourced from the best producers internationally. The very finest Scotch, Bourbon, Canadian and Japanese bottles are represented here, but the focus, of course, is on the legendary Irish whiskeys. There are some very recognisable names as part of the collection, and many more exclusive releases for the connoisseur to discover. 

Accomodation

Adare Manor (5*)

Location: Adare, Limerick


Day four: Clare

Morning

Loop Head Lighthouse

Location: Kilbaha, Co. Clare
Duration: 45 minutes

Situated on the scenic Loop Head peninsula in County Clare with panoramic views of the dramatic rugged coastline, wild seas and big sky awaits. Take a guided tour of the Lighthouse – climbing up the tower and step onto the balcony where views reach south as far as the Blasket Islands, and north to the Twelve Pins in Connemara, along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Lunch

The Long Dock

Location: Carrigaholt

Afternoon

J.J Corry Irish Whiskey

Location: Cooraclare, Co. Clare
Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes

Breathe in the scent of wooden casks full of maturing whiskey while hearing about the namesake, JJ Corry, whose whiskey bonding business thrived in the county during the 18th century, gain insights into blending and maturation techniques, along with the history of whiskey bonding. Learn about pairing whiskey with selected flavours to create a delicious cocktail before enjoying a light lunch served at the farmhouse kitchen table.

Dinner

Morrissey's Seafood Bar & Grill

Location: Doonbeg

Evening

Sionnan Luxury Cruises sunset cruise

Location: Kilrush
Duration: 2.5 hours

Golden skies and warm breezes will greet you as you relax with friends and family. Discover the beauty of the rugged Clare coastline on a relaxing cruise westerly along the picturesque Clare coastline. Cruise along Scattery Islands shoreline and take it the sights of its churches, Lighthouse and Artillery Battery from the comfort of the cruiser.

Accommodation

Trump International Golf Links & Hotel (5*) 

Location: Doonbeg, Co. Clare

Day five: Clare - Galway

 

Morning

Wild Kitchen

Location: Lahinch
Duration: 1.5 Hours

Oonagh O’Dwyer, showcases her local knowledge leading to adventures down quiet laneways and on deserted beaches. Fully engage with nature and learn how to harvest sustainably, many varieties of nutritious seaweed. Learn about slow, local, seasonal eating, connected to a sense of place and discover your fifth taste Umami and get to see amazing wildlife, seals, many seabirds, and sea creatures. 


Lunch

Burren Fine Wine & Food

Location: Ballyvaughan

Or

The Corkscrew Bar at Gregans Castle

Location: Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Afternoon 

Kelly Oysters

Location: Kilcolgan, Co. Galway
Duration: 1 hour

Take a guided walk down the rugged seashore where you will hear how the oyster has played a pivotal role in the lives of the local community in Galway Bay. Enjoy the taste of this wonderful mollusc right on the shore with oysters plucked straight from the waters of the Wild Atlantic and savour the delights of their wonderful flavour while listening to the sounds of this unique environment. 

Dinner

Aniar

Location: Galway City

Evening

Galway Bay Boat Tours

Location: The Claddagh, Galway City

Experience this completely unique boat tour of Galway Bay with Skipper Ciaran  Oliver who will share his family's history of the 7th Century Claddagh fishing community and the heritage associated with the iconic Galway Hooker Boats. With  this historical backdrop you will experience Galway from a unique sea perspective,  including the distant limestone landscape of the Burren. Take in seascapes that  have inspired generations of poets, artists & musicians. Duration  1 hour

Accomodation  

Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate (5*) 

Location: Galway City

Day six: Depart for Dublin

Morning

Galway Food Tours

Location: Galway City
Duration: 2 hours

Giving you an overview of our passionate people and our beautiful produce, which makes Galway one of Ireland's gourmet jewels. During the tour you will experience a taste from artisan producers, cheese makers, creative beer projects, artisan chocolatiers, traditional family run businesses to young entrepreneurs with devotion to showcasing the best of Irish produce. With experienced & local guides, giving you the insights to our favourite places and treasured ingredients.