House of travel UK & Ireland Brochure 2017 | Page 45

A Taste of the South
Come face to face with some of Ireland’s Wild
Altantic Way for a spectacular road trip made up
of cliffs, castles and characters. There are many
culinary delights to discover and friendly locals to
meet on this journey as you wind your way through
ancient villages and countryside.
Wicklow Mountains National Park
Tuam
8 days/7 nights Suggested Self-Drive
Doolin
Cliffs of Moher
Day 1-2: Dublin – Wicklow (64km)
Explore the Wicklow Mountains National Park bursting with beauty. Visit
the 6th century Glendalough Monastic Site and walk a trail through this
spectacular site, carved out in an Ice Age.
Day 3: Wicklow – Wexford – Waterford (146km)
Travel down the coast and see where Vikings made their mark in Ireland –
looting monasteries, fighting kings for treasures and taking Irish people as
slaves. But they also laid the foundations of Ireland’s oldest city Waterford,
and Wexford, and there a many medieval artefacts to discover.
Day 4: Waterford – Kilkenny – Cahir (113km)
Kilkenny is the 3rd point of the Viking triangle, medieval and modern,
wander down a laneway and you never know what century you’ll end up
in. Enjoy tucking into cutting-edge Irish cooking or watching a hurling game
at Nowlan Park. After exploring Cashel rest your head in historic Cahir.
DUBLIN
Galway
IRELAND
The Burren
Limerick
Blasket
Islands
Dingle
Wicklow
Kilkenny
Adare
Cahir
Dunquin
Wicklow Mt
National Park
Glendalough
Tralee
Killarney
Cashel
Waterford
Wexford
Blarney Castle
Cork
Highlights worth seeing along the way
Day 5: Cahir – Cork – Killarney (186km)
From Cork visit Blarney Castle and the legendary Blarney Stone. Fairbrook House Gardens – 3.5 acre romantic walled artist’s garden and
3 acre woodland garden on the River Dawn.
Day 6: Killarney – Dingle Peninsula – Dingle (65km)
Pass through the rugged countryside with beautiful lakes and mountain
scenery on your way to Dingle Peninsula. Dingle is a charming town with
brightly painted pubs and shops. Waterford Crystal – See the magic of a molten blob crafted to a
twinkling masterpiece.
Day 7: Dingle – Limerick – Doolin – Galway (152km)
Drive through The Burren to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, 230 metres
at their highest point.
Day 8: Galway
Explore the city and the many nearby smaller towns and villages.
Head north or continue back to Dublin.
Rental car: Hertz (Group B) from $39 per day
Eat your way around a Blasta food trail – Follow the streets of
Kilkenny mixing music, food, Norman castles, ancient monasteries,
farmers markets, and chat with food producers, chefs and traditional
musicians.
Butter Slip, Kilkenny – This gorgeous narrow stone alley was built in
1616 and was once flanked with the stalls of butter vendors on market day.
Blasket Islands – Hop on a 20 minute ferry ride from tiny Dunquin
Harbour to Great Blasket. See the wildlife on a boat trip around the island.
Cloghar Headland – Venture off the main route, stop for a slice of lemon
drizzle cake or a goat’s cheese salad in the café at Cloghar.
Milk Market in Limerick – Such a lot of fun, it’s colourful, energetic,
with artisan foods, antiques, music and art.
Burren Smokehouse – At the visitors’ centre you can taste Burren
smoked salmon and learn about the history and smoking process.
Our favourite places to stay:
•
River Lodge B&B, Wicklow
•
Cahir House Hotel, Cahir
•
Quayside B&B, Dingle
•
Jury’s Inn Galway City Hotel
Venture to smaller villages – Like the ancient Tuam with its cathedrals
or Abbeyknockmoy with ruins of a 13th century Cistercian Abbey.
Blarney Castle
Cliffs of Moher sunset
Glendalough River
The price guide shown is per car hire based on 7+ day hire rate. Price shown does not include Earlybird or other discounted offers. Specials and surcharges may apply depending on travel date
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