Gardens, Golf & History

An Irish History tour with Something for everyone in 6 Days

This group had toured Ireland with us before and seen the major sights of the South and West. This time they wanted a more leisurely experience through a less well known Ireland with a minimum of hotel changes and a focus on ancient sites and Irish History. They were also keen to visit some of Ireland’s great gardens and the golfers wanted a round or two worked in.

On our second visit to Ireland we wanted to focus less on scenery and more on Irish history, visiting a broad range of sites and buildings. Our itinerary was spot on, everyone’s interests were accommocated and we couldn’t have asked for a more knowledgeable guide. We not only “saw” Ireland this time but were better able to really see it culturally, politically and historically.

Trim Castle

@William Murphy

Day 1

Dublin – Monasterboice – Bru Na Boinne – Trim

  • Pick up from Dublin hotel in the morning.
  • Our first stop is Monasterboice, an early Christian monastic settlement founded in the late 5th century, famous for its spectacular high crosses.
  • Forward in history, the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre tells the story of the pivotal battle in 1690, which had a huge effect not just in Ireland but throughout Europe. There are beautiful gardens too, including a large Victorian walled garden.
  • At Brú an Boinne the 5000 year old passage tombs of Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth contain the largest collection of megalithic art in Western Europe.
  • Monumental Trim Castle is the largest Anglo-Norman fortification in Ireland with a massive 20-sided tower at its centre.

Overnight in Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort

Day 2

Kilbeggan – Athlone – Shannon Cruise – Clonmacnoise – Birr Castle

  • On a tour of Kilbeggan Distillary, the world’s oldest whiskey distillery dating back to 1757, you’ll get up close and see how their Whiskey is produced using traditional methods.
  • After a visit to 12th century Athlone Castle you’ll abandon the car and cruise down the River Shannon on a ‘Viking ship’ to our next stop.
  • Clonmacnoise, built in the 6th century on a bend in the river, was a university of its time attracting students from all over Europe. The ruins include a Cathedral, two round Towers, three high crosses, nine Churches and hundreds of grave headstones and flags.
  • At Birr Castle, occupied by the same family for over 400 years, explore the stunning gardens with roses, wisteria, magnolias and towering box hedges. We’ll see the still working Great Telescope, the largest telescope on Earth when completed in 1845.

Overnight in Mount Juliet

Clonmacnoise

Millford Mill

Day 3

Jerpoint – Leighlinbridge – Altamont – Mt Leinster – Kilkenny

  • The golfers can start their day on the parkland course at Mount Juliet, twice host of the Irish Open, before we meet up with them later in Kilkenny.
  • The rest of the group will head to Jerpoint Abbey, a 12th century medieval Cistercian Abbey renowned for its detailed stone sculptures.
  • Dating from the same period St Laserian’s Cathedral has a history of Viking raids, murder and religious turbulence. There is a wonderful 20th century stained glass window in the East gable.
  • A brief stop at nearby Millford Mill, an 18th-century watermill beautifully located near a weir on the banks of the River Barrow.
  • Altamont Gardens has sweeping lawns, herbaceus borders, a lake surrounded by rare trees and a gorgeous walk though a bog garden and ice age glen to the banks of the Slaney River.
  • We’ll head back to Kilkenny, driving across Mount Leinster, to meet with the golfers. A stroll through the city, with stops at Kilkenny Castle, St Canices Cathedral and other medieval buildings, finishes the day.

Overnight in Mount Juliet

Day 4

Mount Congreve – Dunmore East – Dunganstown – Inistioge

  • The finest garden in Ireland and one of the great gardens of the world, Mount Congreve has a massive collection of thousands different trees, plants and shrubs spread over its 70 acres. Highlights include the magnificent walled garden, the fragrant walk, wildflower gardens and woodland walks – but there is much more.
  • Dunmore East is a seaside village with thatched houses and interesting shops leading to a sheltered harbour that’s home to a fishing fleet. A walk around the harbour with its lovely views is recommended.
  • From Passage East we’ll catch a ferry across the River Suir to Ballyhack and on to Dunganstown and the Kennedy Homestead. The first of the dynasty may have left this small farm for Boston during the famine but the house is still lived in by members of the family today.
  • You might find that pretty Inistioge looks familiar, it was a location for ‘Circle of Friends‘ and ‘The Secret Scripture‘ among other movies. A drive up a steep hill brings us to Woodstock, a mix of formal and informal gardens including a rose garden, a walled garden laid out with fruit trees, and walks through the arboretum.

Overnight in Mount Juliet

Mount Congreve

Dunbrody Famine Ship

@suckindiesel

Day 5

New Ross -Enniscorthy – Arklow – Kilruddery

  • The Dunbrody Famine Ship is a replica of a ship that carried thousands of Irish people on an arduous and sometimes deadly voyage to America at the time of the famine. A good tour brings the experiences of these people into sharp focus.
  • Created over a 20 year period by local artists and stitchers, the Ros Tapestry illustrates the history of New Ross in a series of stunning, colourful and beautifully embroided panels.
  • In Enniscorthy the National 1798 Rebellion Centre tells the story of a famous rebellion, partly inspired by news of revolution in America and France.
  • Fishing has been a tradition in Arklow since pre-Norman times and perhaps as far back as the 2nd century. The Arklow Maritime Museum tells the story of the town’s boat building, life boat and fishing traditions, with thousands of historic artifacts. photographs and models.
  • Kilruddery House is an 800-acre estate farmed and gardened with a sustainable, bio-diverse approach. 3.5 miles of hedges, long flowering borders, ancient trees, a walled garden and a sunken parterre are among the highlights of a visit.

Overnight in Druids Glen

Day 6

Glendalough – Kildare – Powerscourt – Mount Usher

  • The golfers can again break off this morning and enjoy one of the two courses at Druid’s Glen.
  • In Glendalough the others can explore the church ruins and decorative crosses of the monastic settlement founded by St Kevin in the 6th century.
  • Kildare is horse country and the Irish National Stud has been home to many Irish racing legends. There is a good museum telling the story of Irish people’s long relationship with the horse.
  • In the Japanese Garden in the stud grounds take the the Life of Man path, which traces the passage of a soul from birth to death and beyond.
  • Back to Wicklow and Powerscount House & Garden, with sweeping terraces, statues, fountains, ornamental lakes, rambling woodland walks and beautiful walled gardens.
  • Time to pick up the golfers and head to Mount Usher Gardens, a Robinsonian garden known for its many rare and exotic species. Set on the the River Vartry, there are meandering walks along the river bank.
  • Back to our hotel from where we will arrange transport to take you to Dublin Airport for your flight tomorrow.

Overnight in Druids Glen

Japanese Gardens

Map of the Places we Visited

This tour isn’t quite off the beaten track, but it visits some undeservedly less well-known parts of Ireland. It takes a leisurely pace with plenty of opportunity to linger at the various stops.

If you’d like to talk to us about doing this trip with our experienced driver/guides we’d be happy to help.

Dunbrody Famine Ship
Rós Tapestry

1798 Rebellion Centre

Arklow Maritime Museum

Hotel and golf courses

Lakeside Monastic Settlement

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