Beautiful Bantry & Irelands West Coast

Itinerary:

Tuesday
Depart Leyland at 10.00hrs for our journey to Holyhead to board the mid-afternoon Stena Line ferry to Dublin. Disembark and re-join the coach as we head to our overnight hotel in the Dublin/Portlaoise area (at least 3 star - hotel tbc). As this is an overnight hotel we have no porterage, customers may prefer to take an overnight bag for today and the return stay, please ensure you have all your essentials in your bag, e.g. medication, phone, ID etc as access to the coach once we have checked in will not be possible.

Wednesday
Check out of our overnight hotel following breakfast as we travel across Ireland to the maritime Hotel, Bantry, our home for the next 4 nights. With a suitable lunch stop en-route, enjoy a warm Irish welcome with tea/coffee on arrival at the fabulous Maritime Hotel while your case is taken to your room.

Thursday
This morning, we head to Baltimore in County Cork to take a 40-minute ferry journey to Cape Clear Island, Ireland's southernmost inhabited island with a population of just 130. The journey over offers splendid views and the chance to see any passings seals and dolphins in the wildlife-rich waters. Arriving at the island we enjoy a 1-hour minibus tour of the 3 mile long by 1-mile-wide rustic island, taking in its rich history and points of interest, before we begin our return ferry journey back to the stunning fishing village of Baltimore. Back on land in Baltimore take time to explore allowing time to obtain lunch before we head to the Skibbereen Heritage Centre to enjoy a 1-hour guided tour of the Famine Exhibition, learn the significance of Skibbereen in terms of Famine heritage.

Friday
Today starts with a scenic drive along the Atlantic Ocean through the rugged and spectacular Beara Peninsula, Ireland's best kept secret. Less well known than the Ring of Kerry, the Ring of Beara is full of lush natural beauty, wild landscapes, unspoilt seascapes and friendly locals. Starting from the town of Kenmare, we take in historic and colourful villages, including Adrigole and Castletownbere where we have free time to obtain lunch, travel the Healey Pass which offers spectacular views of Kenmare Bay to the north and Bantry Bay to the south. This afternoon we visit Molly Gallivan's Cottage and Traditional Farm where we enjoy a guided tour with tea/coffee and scones and a Poitin demonstration.

Saturday
This morning's visit takes us to Bantry House and Garden, a family home for the last 300 years this stunning stately home overlooks Bantry Bay, enjoy free time to explore the house and wander the formal gardens. This afternoon head back to Bantry to spend free time in the resort with its semi-tropical flowers, palm trees, high mountain ridges and cascading mountain streams leading to an azure, blue sea.

Sunday
Check out of our hotel following breakfast to begin our return journey to Dublin/Portlaoise area and our overnight hotel (at least a 3-star, hotel TBC) with a suitable lunch stop en-route. As this is an overnight hotel we have no porterage, customers may prefer to take an overnight bag, please ensure you have all your essentials in your bag, e.g. medication, phone ID etc as access to the coach once we have checked in will not be possible

Monday
Check out of our hotel following breakfast to begin our return journey home, head to the port to board the late morning Stena line Ferry back to Holyhead. Disembark and re-join the coach to continue our journey home with a suitable comfort stop en-route.
Please note tours are booked at least 12 months in advance days may change around due to availability of attractions.