Southwest Ireland’s

Wild Atlantic Way + Dublin

May 16 – 26, 2018

County Cork: Home to gardens, famous throughout the world

Itinerary and Highlights

Wednesday, May 16

We board our overnight flight for Ireland (Dublin Airport).

Thursday, May 17

After landing in Dublin, we shuttle to the train station, and enjoy a relaxing two-and-a-

half hour ride via Irish Rail to the city of Cork in Ireland’s southwest.

We transfer to our comfortable van and make the short drive to Kinsale – one of

Ireland’s most beautiful small towns. We’ll drop our bags at the hotel, then enjoy a

harborside tea.

The day is for easing into our new digs. We’ll check into the hotel as early as possible.

Those who wish can walk to the Desmond Castle – home of an international wine

museum – a sign of Kinsale’s place in the grand order of all things culinary. You may

also want to join an excursion around the harbor to star-shaped Charles Fort – offering

great views of our new geography.

Dinner (on your own) and overnight at the Old Bank House, Kinsale.

Kinsale’s sporty harbor nestles into the estuary of the River Bandon

Fresh bounty from farm and sea: Kinsale is known as the culinary capital of Ireland

Friday, May 18

This morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast, then we’ll make the short drive to the Old

Head of Kinsale. There we’ll see the museum and memorial to the luxury liner,

Lusitania, which sank just south of the Old Head in 1915. We’ll continue our drive to

Timoleague (dominated by an ancient abbey) and the Seven Heads Peninsula –

exploring small lanes and villages, and meeting up with lovely beaches and the sea,

around many a corner.

In the afternoon, we’ll return to Kinsale for exploring or unwinding on your own.

Overnight, the Old Bank House, Kinsale.

Saturday, May 19

This morning, we’ll drive to Cobh – one of Ireland’s most famous port-cities. Enjoy the

waterfront area, and also pay a visit to The Queenstown Story – a lovely new museum

that chronicles Irish emigration during the hardships (famine, etc.) of the mid- and late-

19th century. We’ll also visit the nearby Fota House and Garden, before we return to

Kinsale. Enjoy our last overnight in lovely Kinsale.

You may never leave your room! [Though there will be plenty of incentive to draw you out.]

This photo features one of the bedrooms at the acclaimed Old Bank House (hotel), Kinsale.

Sunday, May 20

After breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to our hosts at the Old Bank House . . . and drive west

along the Wild Atlantic Way!

Noteworthy features before lunch will include the village of Rosscarbery (often pictured

as a “most beautiful village” in Ireland), and the Drombeg Stone Circle – considered one

of the best Celtic stone remains in County Cork.

We’ll arrive at the unique Liss Ard Estate in the late morning, where we’ll visit the

gardens, including the one-of-a-kind Crater (explanation on location). We’ll follow our

inspiring encounters with a proper Afternoon Tea on the property.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue our drive along the Wild Atlantic Way to the village of

Bantry – at the head of Bantry Bay.

Dinner and overnight at the Seaview House, Bantry.

Monday, May 21

Today, we’ll enjoy a

driving tour of the

Beara Peninsula.

Highlights will include

brightly painted

villages, the rugged

scenic beauty of the

high Caha mountains,

and the other-

worldly exotic

gardens and follies of

Garinish Island.

Overnight at the Seaview House (pictured, above and below).

Tuesday, May 22

This morning, we’ll stay relatively “close to home,” visiting the exquisite Bantry House

and Gardens. Afterwards, we’ll explore the Mizen Peninsula – driving to Mizen Head for

stunning views of the cliffs and ocean (and an interesting visitors center).

Return to the Seaview House for dinner and our last overnight in Cork.

Wednesday, May 23

We’ll enjoy breakfast, then depart along bucolic backroads toward Cork City. We’ll

board our comfortable train for Dublin in the early afternoon, then taxi to Staunton’s on

the Green – our home for the next three nights.

Enjoy the sublime Georgian

quarter around the hotel (which

is located with its back to St.

Stephen’s Green). This evening,

we’ll get a greater orientation to

pretty Dublin, and enjoy a dinner

together.

Overnight, Staunton’s on the

Green (pictured at right).

Thursday, May 24

Today, we’ll visit several top-shelf sites, close to our hotel. These will include lovely

Trinity College, which houses the ancient Book of Kells (early illuminated Bible

manuscript), and the National Museum of Archaeology – featuring Celtic treasures, and

“secrets” from the Irish bogs.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit Grafton Street and the River Liffey. Enjoy a narrated river

cruise . . . and enjoy some of Dublin’s best sights, from one or more of the lovely bridges

across the Liffey.

In the mid-afternoon, enjoy down time at or near the hotel. Nearby we have Iveagh

Gardens, St. Stephen’s Church, and the buildings of the Irish government.

Overnight, Staunton’s on the Green.

Friday, May 25

Today, we’ll explore the riveting story of “Irish Home Rule” as we make visits to the

General Post Office (scene of the Easter Rising of 1916), and to the Kilmainham Gaol.

In the afternoon, choose to spend “free time” as you wish, or to visit one of the lovely

galleries – the Chester Beatty Library, or the Douglas Hyde Gallery, or the National

Gallery.

We’ll enjoy our final dinner and overnight in fair Dublin.

Saturday, May 26

This morning, we’ll shuttle to the airport for our direct flight home.

__________

Trip Price:

$3879 / person (double occupancy; single supplement, $900). Price includes all land

transportation in Ireland (comfortable van, train, taxi), 9 nights accommodation with

breakfast in superior 4-star hotels and inns, all touring, entrances, activities per the

itinerary, 4 lunches and 4 dinners. Price does not include other meals, alcohol, optional

activities.

Our hotels:

The Old Bank House, Kinsale (3 nights): http://www.oldbankhousekinsale.com/

The Seaview House Hotel, Bantry Bay (3 nights): http://www.seaviewhousehotel.com/

Staunton’s On the Green, Dublin (3 nights): https://www.stauntonsonthegreen.ie/

Additional Photos / Trip Registration Form (registration form is the last

page – p. 11 – of this pdf document)

The Old Head of Kinsale – home of the Lusitania Memorial and Museum

the lovely Liss Ard Estate – home of the evocative Irish Sky Garden ( . . . not pictured!)

Baking . . . Cakes . . . Teas: Never too far away.

Traveling in Style: Up and Over the Healy Pass, Beara Peninsula; Irish Rail (below)

Eye-catching contrasts: the Beara Peninsula in its wild and tamer moods.

Trip Registration – Southwest Ireland + Dublin, May 16 – 26, 2018

Please print and mail this registration form, along with your $750 / person deposit (check, payable to Explore Up Close), to:

Explore Up Close, LLC 613 Poplar St. Spartanburg, SC 29302

Your Name: _______________________________________

Mailing Address: _______________________________________________________________

Telephone: _________________________ Email: ____________________________________

Name of person(s) traveling with you (if applicable):

________________________________ ; __________________________________

Contact information (if different from yours):

Telephone: __________________________ Email: ___________________________________

Lodging specifics (requests will be honored to the degree possible):

_____ room with two (2) beds _____ room with one (1) bed

Enclosed is my check, payable to “Explore Up Close,” in the amount of ___________.

_______________

Final trip payment is due on March 28, 2018. Refunds can be granted prior to that date, minus

a $100 service fee and any non-refundable vendor monies (hotel and guide bookings, etc.).

www.exploreupclose.com • (864) 431-7567 • chumley@exploreupclose.com