Land of Legends

Ireland’s stunning landscapes and rich history give this spectacular country a magical air. Visit ancient remains in secluded valleys, ruined castles on rugged hilltops and step into Ireland’s legendary past. Discover the stories that have been passed down from generation to generation and be enchanted by Ireland’s magic.

Tour highlights can include:

A day in Dublin
Breath-taking coastal scenery
Explore Ireland’s Ancient East
Captivating castles and grand houses
Luxury accommodation and fine dining

What's included...

Day 1 - Dublin

We’ll start our adventure with a guided tour of the legendary Trinity College Dublin: our tour will take us to the magnificent Old Library where we will see the famous Book of Kells, a masterwork of Western calligraphy. One of the greatest Irish legends is that of St. Patrick who is said to have driven all of the snakes from Ireland, in honour of this fantastic myth we will visit the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Day 2 - Glendalough

The sheltered valley of Glendalough has a particularly mystical feel and at the bottom of the valley lies the Monastic City, one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. Wandering around the remains of this historic religious settlement, it is easy to feel that there is some spell of peace over the remains. If we can drag ourselves away from this magical place, we will spend the night at the equally magical Ballyfin Demesne Hotel. Located in the most lavish Regency mansion in Ireland with beautiful natural surroundings, this five-star luxury hotel will transport you to another time.

Day 3 - Rock of Cashel

According to local mythology, the Rock of Cashel came from Devil’s Bit, a mountain to the North of Cashel: it is said that when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave in the Devil’s Bit, a fragment of rock flew into the air and landed in Cashel. The atmospheric castle complex has a long history and a unique character, and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe. After fully exploring Cashel’s monument we retire to the Mount Juliet Estate, a glorious Georgian manor hotel with a Michelin Starred restaurant.

Day 4 - Kinsale

Kinsale is a charming harbour town which is renowned for its colourful independent shops. After a browse in the town centre we will visit the remarkable star-shaped Charles Fort which lies on the waterfront at Kinsale Harbour’s edge. The fort, which has a turbulent history, was named a National Monument of Ireland in 1971. This evening we will dine out in Kinsale which is known as ‘the Gourmet Capital of Ireland’ and has a selection of fantastic restaurants.

Day 5 - Dingle Peninsula

This area on the Wild Atlantic Coast provides some of the most dramatic and awe-inspiring views in all of Ireland. As well as the natural attractions of the caves and coastline, the Dingle Peninsula is full of ancient sites. There is no other landscape in western Europe with the density and variety of archaeological monuments as the Dingle Peninsula. This mountainous finger of land which juts into the Atlantic Ocean has supported various tribes and populations for almost 6,000 years and because of the peninsula's remote location there is a remarkable preservation of over 2,000 monuments. We will spend the day exploring these ancient sites and losing ourselves in the folklore and mythology of the land.

Day 6 - The Burren Day 1

This incredible region of Ireland has so much to offer that we will spend not one but two days here. While exploring the Burren we will be staying in ultimate luxury at the incomparable Powerscourt Hotel. It is fitting, then, that on our first day we will take time to relax and enjoy the magnificent historic house and superb gardens of Powerscourt Estate. The estate includes 47 acres of perfectly maintained gardens (voted No. 3 Garden in the World by National Geographic) as well as Ireland’s highest waterfall. Spending time on this magical estate will make you feel like you have stepped into the pages of a fairy tale.

Day 7 - The Burren Day 2

Replenished by our dreamy day in Powerscourt, today we will pursue a slightly more adventurous trail. The landscape of the Burren is littered with ancient tombs, forts and caves which are steeped in rich folklore. We will visit the region’s most impressive sites and immerse ourselves in adventure with the legends of this outstanding landscape.

Day 8 - Newgrange

The final stop on our journey through the legendary sites of Ireland is world-famous Newgrange in the Boyne Valley. Newgrange is a 5000-year-old passage tomb and is surrounded by 97 large stones, several of which are engraved with megalithic art. Newgrange, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, was constructed around 3000 BC making it older than Stonehenge and the Ancient Pyramids of Giza. Archaeologists classified Newgrange as a passage tomb, however Newgrange is now recognised to be much more than that and is more like an ancient temple: a place of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, much as present day cathedrals are places of prestige and worship where dignitaries may be laid to rest. This astonishing mystical site, the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s Ancient East, is the perfect way to end our Irish adventure into history and myth.