Dublin (Dún Laoghaire)

Explore many of Ireland’s most extraordinary attractions, including Castletown House, Kylemore Abbey and Sligo as well as the sites of Dublin with both evenings spent in the grandeur of Ashford Castle.

DAY 1

Join your local guide aboard your private luxury coach and travel to the Irish capital - Dublin. Dublin Bay, with its great sweep of coast from the rocky brow of Howth in the north to the headland of Dalkey in the south, is a fitting introduction to the city. In addition to its splendid public buildings such as the Customs House, Dublin is particularly rich in 18th-century architecture. Fine Georgian mansions, many of them with historical associations, lend sober beauty to the city’s wide streets and spacious squares.

Crossing the River Liffey to Dublin’s south side, you will pass the Old Parliament House, now the Bank of Ireland and Trinity College. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, it is Ireland’s oldest college. The extraordinary Book of Kells, a hand-illuminated manuscript of the Gospels, is in the library there. Note: this is not an inside visit.

Your tour of the city will continue passing the Georgian squares of Merrion and Fitzwilliam, National Gallery of Ireland, Government Buildings and St. Stephen’s Green.Next, pass Dublin Castle, City Hall and Christchurch Cathedral en-route to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Founded in 1190, St. Patrick’s is perhaps best known for its association with Jonathan Swift, who was Dean here from 1713 to 1745. The pulpit from which he preached is still to be seen. Enjoy a guided tour of the Cathedral before continuing to the neighbouring county of Kildare where the magnificent Castletown House is located.

Castletown is the largest and earliest Palladian-style house in Ireland. It was built between 1722 and 1729 for William Conolly, Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and the wealthiest commoner in Ireland. The façade was almost certainly designed by the Italian architect Alessandro Galilei, while the Irish architect Sir Edward Lovett Pearce added the wings.

The house remained in the hands of the speaker’s descendants until 1965, when property developer Major Wilson purchased the house. In 1994 Castletown House, with the exception of the contents, was transferred to state care and it is now managed by the Office of Public Works. After a guided tour, you will enjoy a private lunch in one of the house’s beautiful rooms.

Following your visit, continue your drive to Ashford Castle. Founded in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family, the castle remained a principal stronghold within Ireland for centuries. Today Ashford Castle is considered one of the most magnificent, exquisite and exclusive hotels in Ireland. It holds an abundance of awards and accolades for comfort and sustainability. The local piper will welcome you inside, where you can freshen up before dinner at Cullen’s at the Cottage restaurant.

DAY 2

Following breakfast at your leisure, you will begin the journey to Kylemore Abbey. It was originally built in 1868 and is now home to the Irish Benedictine nuns. Nestled at the base of Duchruach Mountain on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul, in the heart of the Connemara Mountains, the abbey is regarded as one of Ireland’s most romantic buildings. The Benedictine nuns at Kylemore have always used the flower and kitchen gardens, which have been restored to their former Victorian glory. You will enjoy free time to explore the grounds as you wish.

Afterwards, you will return to Ashford Castle for an afternoon at your leisure. You might stroll the grounds or the local village of Cong, which is known for its abbey and being the setting for the 1952 movie “The Quiet Man,” which starred John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Be sure to see the statue of the stars in town. Lunch is on your own today.

This evening enjoy dinner at George V, another restaurant in the castle.

Note that after 7:00pm, a jacket and tie are required for gentlemen.

DAY 3

Enjoy breakfast at your leisure before checking out. Travel the short distance to the town of Foxford, home of the Foxford Woollen Mill, a historical building on the salmon-rich waters of the River Moy. Foxford nestles beside the beautiful Ox Mountain range, and the landscape’s natural hues inspired the colors of the woollen goods, as you will discover while touring the mill. There is plenty for the history buff to enjoy in Foxford, not only with the extraordinary story of the founder, Sister Agnes, but also the Admiral Brown museum adjacent to the mill, which charts the tale of a Foxford native and his rise to form the Argentina’s navy. Enjoy a guided tour of the mill followed by tea/coffee and scones before re-joining your coach.

Departing the county of Mayo you will travel to the neighboring County of Sligo. It is known as Yeats Country as William Butler Yeats spent quite some time in Sligo penning poetry after seeing the beauty of the land. In Sligo, you will begin a walking tour through a vibrant, architecturally rich neighborhood. Along the way, you will sample culinary delights from Sligo’s award-winning chefs, including local desserts, craft beers and dishes.

The final part of your journey will bring you to County Donegal, where your ship will be waiting in the quaint fishing village of Killybegs.

Land Program Step by Step

The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details and timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. The Destination Services team will provide you with a final itinerary with up-to-date details once you board the ship. Please review the final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

Day 1 –

8:30am Depart the pier for panoramic of Dublin City

Guided tour of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral

Continue to Castletown House

12:00pm Guided tour of Castletown House followed by private lunch

3:00pm Depart and travel to Ashford Castle (emergency restroom en route)

5:45pm Check in at Ashford Castle

(Piper to welcome guests)

TBA Dinner in Cullen’s at the Cottage and overnight

Day 2 –

Breakfast at leisure

09:00am Depart Ashford Castle and travel to Kylemore Abbey

10:00am Visit to Kylemore Abbey

12:00pm Return to Ashford Castle

1:00pm Afternoon at leisure

TBA Dinner in George V restaurant and overnight

Day 3 –

Breakfast at leisure

09:00am Depart Ashford Castle and travel to Foxford Woollen Mills

10:15am Guided tour of Foxford Woollen Mills

11:30am Continue the drive to Sligo Town

1:00pm Walking tour - Sligo Town Food Trail

Tasting along route

3:00pm Continue to Killybegs to your awaiting ship

4:45pm Arrive at the port and re-embark the ship

Weather

Expect an average high temperature of 20.2°C (68.4°F) and an average low temperature of 13.5°C (56.3°F).

What to Bring

An overnight bag to include a photo ID, toiletries, any medicines, comfortable non-slip shoes, a waterproof coat, comfortable clothing for daytime wear and evening attire for two nights.

A jacket and tie are required dress for gentlemen after 7pm in the George V dining room at Ashford Castle.

Local Currency

Euro

Electricity

UK and Ireland pin plug. Bring a universal travel adapter for electric devices.

Luggage

One small hand luggage (max 20KG) and one handbag per guest that can be stored overhead in the coach.

Hotel address

Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle Drive, Leaf Island, Cong, Co. Galway, Ireland

Phone: +353 94 954 6003

Program Includes for guests

•Professional English-speaking guide for touring as per the itinerary

•2 nights bed and breakfast in Ashford Castle (Corrib Room)

•Dinner on 2 evenings in Ashford Castle (not exclusive)to include a starter, middle course, main course, dessert, tea, coffee and a half bottle of house wine per person

•Private lunch in Castletown House to include a starter, main course, dessert, tea, coffee and a glass of house wine

•Guided tour of Castletown House

•Guided tour of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin

•Guided tour of Foxford Woollen Mills

•Admission to Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian-walled gardens

•Sligo Town Food Trail including tastings

•Porterage in and out of the hotel

•All taxes and surcharges as per current VAT rates

Program Excludes for guests

•Gratuities

•Additional drinks with meals

•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.

All land programs are capacity-controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.

Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.