Touring Ireland: Celtic Wanderings from £1145pp for 12nts

Our unique tour of some of the contrasting of two neighbouring countries with many historical links. We have designed the route and the schedule to allow for a relaxing tour, and to cover plenty of interest, on and off the beaten track. 

Day One & Two -Dublin

You start the tour crossing from Holyhead in Anglesey to Dublin, your base for the first nights. You will stay in a comfortable guesthouse just to the south of the city centre, perfectly located to explore this modern European capital. The city boasts an abundance of Georgian architecture, as well as cosy bars and lots of great restaurants. Enjoy them all by walking in the area around Merrion Square and St Stephens Green, wander into Trinity College, with the famous Book of Kells on display, head to the Guinness Storehouse to sample this most famous of drinks in its historic homeland, pay a visit to one or both of the city cathedrals, cross the Liffey on the Ha'penny bridge and visit the GPO, site of the famous 1916 Easter Rising, and take in the Dublin Writers Museum, or catch an Irish play at the Abbey Theatre.

Day Three & Four - the Fermanagh lakelands

Leave the city behind and soon you will be exploring rural Ireland, with quaint villages and colourful towns, with your next destination the lakelands of County Fermanagh.

With 365 islands - one for every day of the year - there is really no shortage of places to visit today. Several of the islands have historic connections - the mysterious White Island figures are a personal favourite since childhood and there is the wonderful Round Tower on Devenish Island. Take time to visit the remarkable Marble Arch caves or Florencecourt House too.

Day Five & Six - the Causeway Coast

A shorter drive today brings you to the famous north coast of Antrim, home to more natural wonders, numerous long sandy beaches, and the Bushmills distillery. Your hotel is a landmark inn. At its heart is the gaslit sixteenth century snug, with soot-stained walls and ceilings and a pulley suspended above the fireplace. The snug is encased by a mere two-hundred year old inn, with an even more modern, yet sympathetically designed, outer shell. Guest rooms are spacious and atmospheric, with individual character and attention to detail to keep design in-keeping with the building's charm.  The outdoor courtyard and terrace come into their own in the summer months, while open peat fires provide the perfect ambience in other seasons.

Day Six - Exploring the North Coast

The famous sights of the Northern Coast, including the geological phenomenon of the Giants' Causeway, and the much-photographed clifftop ruins of haunting Dunluce Castle, are just a short drive away. For the more adventurous, test your nerve and head for heights by venturing across the suspended rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede.

Day Seven & Eight -to Scotland and the Kyles of Bute

Today you leave Ireland by ferry, reaching Scotland in less than two hours then drive north through Ayrshire and catch a second short ferry to find a romantic hotel, renowned for its cuisine, especially its seafood tucked away in a lochside village.  Attention is paid to the tiniest of details here, from the whisky liqueur from a secret family recipe in your room to the dramatic display of local art in the public areas. During your stay you will learn all about the local lady who dives for the scallops, the seasoned stalker who sources the venison and the rugged fisherman who lands the langoustines – you may even get a chance to meet them. For more casual dining, the popular Shinty Bar offers simpler snacks and is crammed with memorabilia, aptly enough, from the local shinty team – if you’re lucky you might even catch a game during your stay!

The village is perfectly placed to explore the many treasures of the Cowal peninsula, from the nearby white sands of Kilbride Bay to the tranquil shores of Loch Fyne and the myriad rhododendron species of the Benmore Botanic Garden. Or take a ferry to Bute and soak up the Victorian splendour of Rothesay and Mount Stuart’s Gothic masterpiece.

Day Nine & Ten - the West Highlands

Continue your wandering through the West Highlands of Scotland, passing the village of Inveraray and the bustling harbour town of Oban, before reaching your next lochside base.
Originally the home of Loch Linnhe's Pier Master, this historic and now award-winning restaurant, with its adjacent modern residence, really is a special place to contemplate the dramatic beauty of the west coast. The views are stunning and the once prolific steam traffic has given way to the blissful sound of silence. Mouthwatering langoustines and lobster are kept fresh off the end of the pier, before being served to you by candlelight in the cosy conviviality of one of Argyll's finest restaurants. As you contemplate the sunset over the distant Morvern hills, you may be lucky enough to glimpse otters and seals. Later in the bar, the local ferryman might tempt you to board the morning boat to Lismore - an island well worth a day's exploration either on foot or bike (available for hire locally). Also nearby, Castle Stalker, ancient seat of the Stewarts, stands at the mouth of Loch Laich, only minutes away, whilst Oban is convenient for a seafood lunch on the pier, or a day trip to the islands of Mull or Iona.

Day Eleven & Twelve -to Edinburgh

Now make your way east to your final top, the second capital city in your tour, Edinburgh, with its historic centre a favoured destination for travellers for over many years, drawn here by the wealth of historic sites, galleries and museums, shops, restaurants and bars - not to mention the spectacular sight of Princes Street and the castle rock. Yet it's still perfectly possible to avoid most of the crowds and find quiet cobbled streets, peaceful cafes and bars and, above all, to enjoy this most scenic of British cities.

Your friendly hotel offers the warmth and serenity of a country house hotel and enjoys a secluded setting overlooking attractive private gardens on a cobbled Edwardian street. However this is no country retreat, for within a mere ten minutes’ walk you will find the west end of Princes Street, the castle and all that the capital has to offer. After a day’s sightseeing, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind in one of the fire-lit lounges, or in the privacy of your comfortable bedroom. All rooms are handsomely appointed in classic style, using rich colours and exquisitely decadent soft fabrics such as linen, silk, suede and velvet. Downstairs, award-winning fine dining features contemporary French cuisine in a choice of settings – the elegant main restaurant or the informal conservatory.

Day Thirteen

Return Home.

Prices & Dates

This holiday can be arranged from March to November 2012.

The price is £1145 per person for March & November, £1195 per person for April & October, £1235 per person for May, June & September, £1295 per person for July and August. These are for 12 nights on a bed & breakfast basis in ensuite double or twin rooms throughout and includes ferry travel for car and passengers from Holyhead to Dublin and from Larne to Cairnryan, as well as the short ferry from Dunoon to Gourock.                               

 

All our holidays include a map of Ireland with recommended routes from your specified starting point, suggestions on places to see and visit depending on your personal interests and our expertise to help you get the most from your holiday.

All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.

The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee

All our holiday prices include a service charge of £8 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday.

We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.

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