After breakfast we depart our hotel and make our way to Youghal – the filming location for the film -Moby Dicks here we will have a chance to enjoy an Irish Coffee or maybe try a Guiness in the local pub – Moby Dick’s before exploring one of Ireland’s Hidden Gems. After our time in Youghal we continue our journey to Middleton Distillery for our guided tour around the distillery which brings the stories of Jameson’s rich heritage to life and a chance to taste three famous whiskey’s one being Jameson. After our guided tour we then continue our journey to our main stay hotel – The Lakeside Hotel arriving in time to refresh before enjoying our evening meal.

After breakfast we depart our hotel and make our way to Foynes Flying Boat Museum where we will travel back to the 1930’s and 40’s when Foynes played a major role in establishing commercial transatlantic passenger flights. Here we will learn about the history of the Flying Boats, board the only B314 flying replica in the world and learn about the close connection of the Flying Boats and the Irish coffee and of course finishing the tour with your own tipple of the famous Irish Coffee. After our visit to the Museum we make our way to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park where we will have time to explore the most complete and authentic castle in Ireland along with its Living Folk Village with its brightly coloured shops, Bunratty House – a fine example of a Georgian residence built in 1804 as well as a fully licensed working pub in the style of an old fashioned hotel bar! After our fun packed day we return back to our hotel arriving in time to refresh before our evening meal.

After breakfast we depart our hotel and make our way to the ancient city of Limerick where the River Shannon meets the Wild Atlantic Way. Here we will have some free time to explore the history from the brutal sieges in the 17th century to the grand Georgian era of the 18th century. Walk through the streets and you will find history everywhere including St Mary’s Cathedral, Limericks oldest building still in continuous use and full of surprises. After our time exploring we return back to our hotel and take a short walk to Ballina Quay to board our boat for a 1 hour tranquil tour of Lough Derg and journey through the heritage and history whilst enjoying the stunning views and enjoying an alcohol Beveridge purchased from the onboard bar. After our relaxing cruise we return back to our hotel in time to refresh before our evening meal.

After breakfast we make our way to Athlone to step back 1200 years and board our replica Viking ship for a cruise along Ireland’s longest river – River Shannon where we will enjoy a live commentary on the local history, the religious settlements on the islands and tales of Viking treasure whilst enjoying a complimentary Irish or Baileys Coffee. After our cruise we will then have some free time in Athlone “the small town with a big heart” to enjoy a spot of lunch in the array of great restaurants or meander around the quirky shops set amongst the ancient streets and alleys. After our time exploring we depart Athlone and make our way back to our hotel to refresh before our evening meal.

After breakfast we sadly say goodbye to The Lakeside Hotel with fond memories of our time exploring Western Ireland and make our way to our overnight hotel stopping at the cosmopolitan city of Kilkenny and home to one of the most recognizable landmarks in Ireland, the 12th century Kilkenny Castle. Here we will have some free time to explore and have a spot of lunch before continuing our journey to Waterford Crystal – home to some of the most stunning crystal ranges where we will have time to admire the crystal before arriving at our overnight hotel in time for our evening meal.

Today we sadly say goodbye to Southern Ireland with our magical memories and board our early ferry back to Fishguard whilst enjoying our onboard breakfast. Once we arrive in Fishguard we continue our journey back to our local area stopping enroute for comfort and refreshment stops.