2027 - Ireland's Hidden Heartlands

Itinerary

Your Holiday Includes

• Hotel for 4 nights in Ballina/Killaloe with breakfast & dinner 
• Porterage 
• Welcome tea / coffee on arrival 
• 1 overnight hotel with dinner (breakfast on the ferry)
• 1 overnight hotel with breakfast
• Entertainment in the hotel (not nightly)
• Historical Killaloe Talk & Irish Coffee / bread making class
• 3 included excursions as stated
• Killaloe Circular River Cruise with Irish Coffee
• Scenic Lough Derg Drive
• Country pub lunch at Larkins
• Tour & tasting at Wilde Irish Chocolates Factory 
• Visit & entrance to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
• Visit to Limerick

Itinerary

Day 1 - After joining your luxury coach, journey westwards to Wales with ample stops for refreshments before arriving at your overnight hotel, 3* Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis in the heart of Snowdonia where welcome tea / coffee and an evening meal is included. Dinner & overnight (NB porterage on arrival only)

Day 2 - An early start today as you head to Holyhead for the morning crossing to Dublin with breakfast aboard the ferry.  After disembarkation, head west across Ireland to Ballina on the River Shannon. Check in to the 4* Lakeside Hotel this afternoon for your 4-night stay with tea/coffee and smoked salmon sandwiches awaiting you on arrival. DBB 

Day 3 - 5 - At leisure in Ireland with 3 included excursions

The hotel enjoys a wonderfully scenic location on the banks of the River Shannon, proudly overlooking the twin towns of Ballina in Co. Tipperary and Killaloe in Co. Clare across the water. Cross over the famous 13 arch bridge to Killaloe to visit the 13th century St. Flannan's Cathedral with its unique stone carving inscriptions. Killaloe marks the spot where the River Shannon meets Lough Derg and is steeped in history from its medieval churches and early Christian saints to its quaint narrow streets and sheltering hills. During your stay, there will be a talk in the hotel about the history of Killaloe as well as an Irish night with an Irish themed dinner and traditional entertainment. The hotel also runs an Irish coffee / bread making class

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
KILLALOE & RIVER CRUISE
Enjoy a leisurely day relaxing and enjoying the facilities of the hotel as well as exploring scenic Killaloe. A short stroll from the hotel takes you to Killaloe River Cruises, where you embark on a 1-hour circular river cruise along the picturesque River Shannon to Lough Derg. With on-board commentary, spectacular scenery and a comfortable boat, take in the views as you gently cruise along the calm, sheltered waters of Ireland's finest waterway. Enjoying an Irish coffee as you sail and appreciate the magnificent scenery from the open deck or get comfy on the enclosed lower deck. The remainder of the day is for you to explore at leisure

LOUGH DERG SCENIC DRIVE WITH LUNCH & WILDE IRISH CHOCOLATES
Take a scenic drive around Lough Derg, one of the most beautiful lakes on the River Shannon. It is also the largest and most southerly, touching the counties of Clare, Galway and Tipperary.  The enchanting journey hugs the picturesque shoreline as you drive along country roads and through pretty villages, taking in the lovely scenery and panoramic lake views. Make a stop in Tipperary's county town of Nenagh, with its 13th century castle and striking cylindrical keep, before continuing to the quaint Garrykennedy and its lovely country pub, Larkins, located on the banks of the lough. Enjoy a traditional taste of Ireland with a tasty lunch of beef and Guinness casserole served with mash and tea/coffee. Continue on the scenic circular Lough Derg drive, via the beautiful villages of Portroe and Terryglass, and finish the day with a visit to the small artisan chocolate factory of Wilde Irish Chocolates on the banks of Lough Derg for a guided tour and tasting.

BUNRATTY CASTLE & LIMERICK
Head to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park for a glimpse into Ireland's medieval and early 20th century past. Farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated as they would have appeared back in the early 1900's. A costumed guide welcomes you on arrival and then you can wander along an old-fashioned Irish village street, and meet a host of colourful village characters, eager to tell a tale, teach you some Gaelic language or play a tune or two. The castle itself at Bunratty is one of Ireland's best-preserved and most beloved medieval strongholds, whose walls have witnessed centuries of drama, ambition, and reinvention (NB there are 19 timber steps at the entrance to the castle. The Folk Park is generally accessible with some uneven paths in places).

Next stop is Limerick, birthplace of Terry Wogan, straddling the tidal reaches of Ireland's longest river, the Shannon. Investment has seen a rejuvenated waterfront with a stylish boardwalk, and you may like to explore the compact old town, well known for the medieval St Mary's Cathedral and St John's Square lined with Georgian townhouses. The 13th century castle of King John, right on the riverbanks, is a city landmark and the superb Hunt Museum houses the Republic's richest art and antiquities collection outside the capital (entrance not included). The foodie scene is rapidly growing, and you will experience a warm and heart felt welcome in its many traditional pubs

Day 6 - Enjoy a last look around Ballina / Killaloe before heading to Dublin for the afternoon crossing to Holyhead. It is recommended to have a meal on board as it will be mid-evening before you arrive at your last overnight stop at the 4* DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester. BB

Day 7 - Head home today with ample stops for refreshments. Continue back to your local joining points arriving back mid/late evening. Back to top

Accommodation

On the banks of the River Shannon

LAKESIDE HOTEL & LEISURE CENTRE, BALLINA

The 4-star Lakeside Hotel & Leisure Centre occupies a scenic spot on the banks of the River Shannon, with views of Ballina, County Tipperary, and Killaloe, County Clare.

All guestrooms are equipped with TV, hairdryer, in room safe, iron / ironing board and tea/coffee making facilities and many have lake views or mountain views (supplements may apply). Single rooms are double for sole occupancy.

The hotel offers excellent leisure facilities including an 18-metre swimming pool, 40-metre water slide, Jacuzzi, and a fully equipped gym.

The elegant lakeside restaurant makes use of local ingredients and there is also a popular bar, O'Hara's, named after Hollywood legend Maureen O'Hara.

There is no lift in the hotel and there are some internal steps to reach rooms and the leisure centre. There are some ground floor rooms (on request) Back to top