Irish Tourism
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A journey through history and luxury
Our 11-day trip to Ireland arranged by IrishTourism.com was wonderful. My feedback includes nothing but kudos, both for Stephanie, our consultant, and for the agency she represents. We experienced the warmth of the Irish people and exceptional lodgings throughout the entire trip. A few highlights include: - The Lyrath Estate Hotel, an over-the-top fabulous start to the trip with beautiful rooms and public areas throughout. Nearby Kilkenny was abuzz with hen parties and rugby club celebrations. We toured the castle, Smithwicks Brewery, and the Waterford Factory. Leaving Kilkenny, we stopped for a visit to the very mystical Rock of Cashel. - In Cork the Hayfield Manor was lovely and we found it an easy walk to the pedestrian street to enjoy the goings on there. A visit in Cobh to the Titanic Experience, then Blarney Castle and Charles Fort. - Near Tralee we stopped at Muckross House and the Torc Waterfall. We then drove the Dingle Peninsula and stopped at the Great Blasket Center, a museum centered around the important but now-deserted Blasket Islands and the people who lived there. Our stay at Ballyseede Castle Hotel, a real castle, made us feel like we were living in the era of the Muckross House and Downton Abbey. Next was an enjoyable drive along the Ring of Kerry and a visit to the Staigue Ring Fort. - Throughout our trip we enjoyed talking with and learning from the local people. In conversation with a gentleman in the Ballyseede Hotel we mentioned that our next stop was Limerick. He suggested we take the ferry from Tarbert to Kilmer, which we did cutting our driving time in half and enjoying a fun, 20-minute ferry ride. - Gregan’s Castle, our final stop, was a beautiful, small boutique country hotel. Driving through The Burrens was like driving through a moonscape with small roads winding here and there. We were very thankful throughout our trip that a standalone GPS had been included with our car rental as there were many times that cellular service was spotty and many of the roads we drove were “L” or “Link” roads connecting the more traveled routes. - From Gregan’s Castle we visited Poulnabrone Dolmen a large portal tomb said to date back to the Neolithic Period between 4200 and 2900 BC. Next was Catherconnell Ring Fort, a family owned ring fort built during Medieval times. Included was a very entertaining sheep dog demonstration. The Cliffs of Moher was beautiful and worth seeing but very commercial and crowded. Luckily, good weather accompanied the Aran Island trip to Inishmore where there was a minibus tour and lunch. - Back in Dublin, we arrived at the Alex Hotel, dropped our luggage and returned the car. The rental drop was an easy 20-minute walk to the to the hotel which is in a central location near Trinity College and close to Hop On Hop Off bus stops. We visited the Book of Kells Exhibition, enjoyed a Dublin walking tour, and a tour of the college. The House Party on our last night was a wonderful end to a perfect trip with good food, music and Irish dancing.