DAY 01: DUBLIN

On arrival at Dublin airport, we will have a panoramic City Tour. Dublin is situated on, and divided by, the River Liffey. The north side offers great monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office), O'Connell street, the Custom House along the Quays, as well as the Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares characterised by colorful doors, along with Grafton street and its luxurious shops. This part of the city is also dominated by Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland, where the famous book of Kells is permanently exhibited in the Library. The university is facing the medieval district where Ireland's most important cathedral, St Patrick's, can be found.

For lunch you will enjoy a Dublin speciality called CODDLE, it is a semi-thick stew made with sausages, bacon and potatoes.

Visit the Guinness Storehouse. This Museum, located in the old hop depot, will illustrate the history of this delicious beer and how it has become the biggest and most famous brewery in Europe. An interesting exhibition covering Guinness's advertising campaigns throughout the times is followed by a visit to the bar for tasting which ends the tour. Overnight in Dublin at Westbury Hotel

DAY 02: DUBLIN / KIKENNY

This morning we will depart for Kilkenny and onwards for a special round of golf at Mount Juliet. Designed by Jack Nicklaus this is a superb parkland course which hosted the Irish Open in previous years. This is a true test of golf with some fantastic holes and is home to the world renowned Leadbetter Golf Academy.

This afternoon visit Kilkenny Castle, built on the site of a fort founded by Strongbow. It has been the principal residence of the Butler Family for 600 years. Rebuilt and modified throughout the centuries, you will visit the superb Victorian style apartments. The Long Gallery shows an interesting collection of paintings. All around the castle is a park of 50 hectares. Across the road from the castle, stop at the Kilkenny Design Centre, established in the old stables. This center promotes Irish Art & Craft shops and is subsidised by the State. You will be able to see and buy quality Irish products and taste delicious home-made cakes. Overnight in Kilkenny at Mount Juliet Hotel.

DAY 03: KILKENNY / CORK

In the morning, visit the Rock of Cashel, which is perched on a rocky mount. These religious buildings, dating from the 12th century, form the most spectacular medieval treasures in Ireland. The vestiges of the Cathedral, the Round Tower and the Cormac Chapel, the first and most elaborate of the Irish Romanesque churches, testify to the importance of the site.

Lunch today will be in Midleton Distillery where you will savour IRISH SMOKED SALMON with home-made brown bread.

After lunch, you can visit the distillery. Founded by the Murphy Brothers in 1825, the old building holds the Jameson Heritage Center where the history and process of Irish whiskey making is explained. You will also see the largest alembic in the world. 

Before returning to your hotel, you will greatly enjoy this visit to Hederman Smoke House in Cobh. Frank Hederman has created the most delicious smoked mussels as well as salmon, eels and mackerel. The visit is quite unique and takes you through the different stages of production. You are invited to taste this wonderful product!

Overnight in Cork at Maryborough House Hotel.

DAY 04: CORK

Today, you will enjoy a round of golf today at the world renowned Old Head Kinsale Golf Course. 

In the afternoon, take your time to venture around Kinsale, which is a lovely picturesque little town, considered the gourmet capital of Ireland. Visit the International Museum of Wine, this museum is housed in Desmond Castle, a 16th century house. 

This interesting exhibition traces the history of Irish families who left for France or Australia to become wine makers as well as the wine connections between Ireland and Spain, France over the centuries. Walk around this picturesque town and browse in the many gourmet stores. Overnight in Cork at Maryborough House Hotel.

DAY 05: CORK / CLARE

Today, you will leave Cork and visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Here you will see how soda bread, apple pie and scones are made. Morning tea and scones in the tea-room or in Mac’s pub. Bunratty Castle, dated from the 15th century, was restored in the sixties with furniture dating from the same period. All around it is a folk park, where 19th century rural life in Ireland has been recreated. Fishermen and craftsmen’s thatched cottages from Clare or Limerick were reconstructed in their smallest details in order to preserve them. Actors in costumes play different characters that help to animate village life (the schoolteacher or the doctor...).

Have lunch in Bunratty, in Mac’s pub, where you will enjoy the Irish Traditional meal: IRISH STEW. The tea-room in the park makes the best apple pie of the whole country. 

Continue on to Milltown Malbay, where you will attend a cooking demonstration in Berry Lodge not available in July / August). Enjoy a real Irish cooking class in the lovely home of Mrs. Meade. She will teach you how to make traditional meals (with fish) or desserts using local products such as carrageen and sea grass. Overnight in Clare at Sheedys Country House Hotel.

DAY 06: CLARE / GALWAY

Today, you will play at Lahinch Golf Club, the Old Course & Castle Course is by far the more famous. It is not as tough as the famous Waterville or Portmarnock Golf courses nor does it have the length, however, it is far from straightforward. 

You are not far from the Cliffs of Moher, the most majestic cliffs in Ireland. They rise 215 metres from the Atlantic Ocean and extend for over seven kilometers along the coastline. From this height, you can admire the Aran Islands, the Connemara mountains and the many sea birds that colonise this place from Spring. Overnight at Sheedys County House Hotel.

DAY 07: CLARE / DUBLIN

Return back to Dublin. In the afternoon, you will play Portmarnock Links, Ireland’s newest Championship course and its most striking attribute is its natural appearance. This course is truly excellent and with over 100 bunkers in total it provides a tough challenge. Overnight: Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

Day 08: DEPARTURE

Depart from Dublin Airport. End of our services.