Luxury Ireland Castle Experience
This is one for the history lovers: an experience created specifically around some of Irelands finest castles. There are an estimated 30,000 castles in Ireland and we have created this experience to incorporate some of these wonderful structures which have been coupled with some beautiful scenery on route.
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Recuperation Day | Reside in The Shelbourne Hotel. Dublin
- Slane Castle | Trim Castle |Reside in The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin
- Day Tour of Dublin | Reside in The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin
- Cu Chulainn’s Castle | Belfast Castle | Carrickfergus Castle | Reside in The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
- Giant’s Causeway | Dunluce Castle | Kinbane Castle | Reside in The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
- Enniskillen Castle | Tully Castle | Reside in the Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Derry
- Glenveagh Castle | Donegal Castle | Reside in the Lough Eske Castle, Lough Eske
- Classiebawn Castle | McDermott’s Castle | Reside in Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo
- Charleville Castle | Leap Castle | Birr Castle | Reside in Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo
Day One
You will be welcomed into Ireland by a Lang Atholl Experience representative who will be there to assist you with your luggage before transferring you to your accommodation for the evening.
You will reside in the luxurious Shelbourne Hotel overlooking St Stephen’s Green in the heart of Dublin.
The rest of your day will be spent recuperating from your travels.
Day Two
You will visit a 1500 acre estate in the Boyne Valley where you will find Slane Castle.
Following this, you will visit Trim castle. The castle is often called King John’s Castle although when he visited the town he preferred to stay in his tent on the other side of the river.
Day Three
You will explore the city of Dublin beginning with a visit to the famous Guinness Storehouse located in the heart of St. James’s Gate Brewery. It is one of Irelands most visited tourist attractions and will be an experience which you will not forget.
From the Guinness Storehouse, you will travel through Dublin learning about the history of this medieval city. Stops will include Dublin Castle, Trinity College, St Patrick’s Cathedral and Kilmainham Gaol. You will also be taken to experience the buzz of Temple Bar which is a busy neighbourhood crowded with traditional pubs, various outstanding restaurants and quirky shops.
Day Four
On this day, you will continue exploring Irish Castles, your first stop being Cu Chullainn’s Castle, shortly followed by Belfast Castle and Carrickfergus Castle.
Your accommodation for the evening will be The Merchant Hotel which could not be more perfectly situated in the heart of the city centre. It includes their luxurious spa facilities along with stylish bars where you can relax and take in the views of the city. The Great Room Restaurant within The Merchant offers guests with a 5 star dining experience where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. You will have the opportunity to explore the city in the evening and take in the Northern Irish culture.
Day Five
You will travel north from Belfast where you will visit Giants causeway, one of the world’s most famed natural sites. This landmark of hexagonal basalt rock is estimated to be around 50-60 million years old. From The Giant’s Causeway, you will make the short journey to Dunluce Castle. Dunluce was first constructed in the 13th century by the 2nd Earl of Ulster. Now a ruin, the castle makes for a fantastic photo opportunity.
You will return to the Merchant Hotel for a further night.
Day Six
You will travel west where you will visit two castles: Enniskillen and Tully.
Enniskillen Castle, situated beside the River Erne in County Fermanagh, was built almost 600 years ago by Gaelic Maguires. In the 17th century, it became an English garrison fort and later served as part of a military barracks.
From Enniskillen, you will venture to Tully Castle, also located in County Fermanagh, this ruined castle on the banks of Lough Eske has a very dark history and was constructed for Scottish Planter Sir John Hume.
In the evening, you will travel to the walled city of Derry on the Northern Irish/ Republic of Irish Border. You will reside in the 5 star Bishop’s Gate Hotel.
Day Seven
Next, you will visit Glenveagh which is one of the largest national parks in Ireland. It boasts beautiful wilderness, rugged mountains and pristine lakes for you to explore. Within the National Park is Glenveagh Castle, where you can tour the 19th century castle in depth. You will make your way around the coast of Donegal and visit Donegal Castle. The castle provides some of the most stunning views which are truly unforgettable.
From Donegal Castle, you will have the chance to visit the towering Slieve League Cliffs which are some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Here you can take in the magnificent views out onto the Atlantic Ocean below.
Your accommodation for the evening will be the impressive Lough Eske Castle, offering some of the most magnificent rooms and suites. It is nestled amid all the dramatic scenery of Co. Donegal which has been beautifully restored to provide guests with glamour and style. You will enjoy an evening in the stunning castle and relax from your day exploring Donegal.
Day Eight
Day eight will see you venture towards a former 4,000 hectare estate, Classiebawn Castle. Following this, you will visit McDermott’s Castle where you will discover its tragic love story between chief McDermott’s daughter and a lower class boy.
You will reside for the evening in Ashford Castle. Often regarded as Ireland’s premier hotel, this luxury five star castle hotel was once home to the Guinness Family and is set on the banks of Lough Corrib.
Day Nine
On your final full day in Ireland, you will travel to Charleville Castle which is situated in Ireland’s most ancient primordial oak woods, the haunting grounds of Ireland’s druids.
You will then travel south to visit Leap Castle before reaching your final destination in Ireland, Birr Castle. From here you will once more travel to Ashford Castle.
Day Ten
Sadly, your trip back through the history of Ireland’s castles must come to an end and we must say farewell.
