Irelands Ring of Kerry

Southwest Ireland is a land of magnificent and varied landscapes, rugged mountains, imposing valleys and lush green fields. Full of folklore and legend, the warmth and friendliness of the local people are sure to leave an everlasting impression.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner
• 2 overnight hotels with breakfast & dinner
• Included excursion touring the Dingle Peninsula
• Included excursion around the Ring of Kerry
• Optional Jaunting Car ride and boat cruise through Killarney National ParkDAY 1 Departure: A morning departure stopping for lunch and refreshments en-route to our overnight hotel.

DAY 2 Travel to Killarney: After breakfast we travel to Holyhead for the ferry crossing to Dublin. Travel through the central plains of Ireland to Castleisland for our 4 night stay.

DAYS 3-5 At leisure in Killarney with two included excursions & two optional* experiences.

Dingle Peninsula: Visit the remote Dingle Peninsula, made famous in the film ‘Ryan’s Daughter’ and offering some of the wildest natural scenic beauty in Ireland.We travel over the mountains to Castlemaine, home of the ‘Wild Colonial Boy’ before continuing via Inch to the cosmopolitan fishing village of Dingle. Enjoy a circular tour around the most westerly tip of the peninsula, actually also Europe’s westernmost point, and watch the dramatic Blasket Islands come into view from the promontory of Slea Head.We return to the Gaelic-speaking town of Dingle before continuing to Tralee for a visit to the Kerry County Museum, which has excellent displays about ‘Kerry The Kingdom’.

Ring of Kerry: We travel around the Ring of Kerry, dominated by the mountain range known as Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. Savour 100 miles of spectacular scenery as you travel along the narrow coastal road around the Iveragh Peninsula. The journey begins at Killorglin, home of the famous Puck Fair (the world’s oldest market), before we stop at the Kerry Bog Village, which portrays the tough existence of Irish life in a typical 19th Century peat-cutting settlement. Travel through Glenbeigh, Rossbeigh and Kells, with their beautiful golden beaches, to Cahersiveen for lunch. This afternoon, continue along the shores of Ballinskelligs Bay through Waterville and Derrynane to Caherdaniel. At Sneem, we head inland onto the Moll’s Gap, a dramatic cutting between the peat bog and the Mountains. The winding road passes Ladies View and then into Killarney National Park, as we journey back to our hotel.

Optional* Jaunting Car ride through Killarney National Park & Optional* cruise on Lough Leane: The popular resort of Killarney is set in the heart of the Irish Lake District, and offers no shortage of activities and attractions should you wish to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, the most popular way to learn about the town and its lakes is to take an optional* jaunting car ride through the wonderful Killarney National Park and along the edge of Loch Leane to Ross Castle. From here, hop aboard the ‘Lily of Killarney’ for an optional* cruise across the lake, described in the popular folk song ‘If You’re Irish’ as “Killarney’s Lake So Blue.” It’s a memorable and relaxing way to view the surrounding mountains. Other optional* activities available today include the magnificent Muckross House & Gardens, whose 19th Century mansion is elegantly furnished and fully befitting one of its most famous guests, Queen Victoria.

DAY 6 & LAST DAY Travel to overnight hotel & travel home: Following breakfast we make our way to Dublin for the late afternoon ferry to Holyhead. Arriving back in Wales mid evening, we drive directly to our overnight hotel. Next morning we depart for home arriving during the evening.Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney