Killybegs

Enjoy the definitive exploration of Ireland complete with an overnight stay at a private castle, enlightening tours of a whiskey distillery and a thoroughbred horse-breeding farm, and a stop in Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

This is a small-group program limited to 10 participants.

DAY 1

Disembark the ship in Killybegs, where you will meet your guide and set off on a journey through the heartland of Ireland. Throughout the day you will be surrounded by magnificent views, charming towns and beautiful scenery.

Travel to the magnificent Crom Castle, located in the beautiful Fermanagh Lakelands district. Embark on this once-in-a-lifetime unique opportunity for a “Downton Abbey”-style experience where you will be hosted by Irish aristocracy – the Earl and Countess of Erne, the castle’s seventh-generation private owners and residents.

Arriving at Crom Castle, seat of the Earls of Erne for over 350 years, you will be greeted by Lord and Lady Erne and shown to your rooms. For the duration of your stay, you will have the opportunity to tour the castle and explore the estate. Afternoon tea will be served and there will be an evening champagne reception and dinner in the dining room.

Lord Erne will personally guide guests around the castle explaining the history of the castle, estate and his family. Experience the warmth and graciousness of Irish hospitality during your stay as guests of the Earl and Countess.

DAY 2

After a leisurely breakfast, depart and travel south into Ireland’s “hidden heartlands” and discover the historic Kilbeggan Distillery. As the oldest licensed distillery of its kind in Ireland, the Kilbeggan Distilling Company has seen its share of trials and triumphs. Founded in 1757, the distillery spent the next 200 years making a whiskey beloved the world over. So, when tough times ground its gears to a halt, the town came together to save the whiskey that built the town. Today, every bottle produced stands as proof that the spirit of Kilbeggan never wavered.

Words and pictures can attempt to do it justice, but there is no substitute for visiting Kilbeggan and experiencing the relationship between the distillery and the town firsthand. During your visit, you will tour the distillery and see how it has married the whiskey-making traditions of yesteryear with the innovative spirit of today.

Lunch will be enjoyed in a local venue before travelling on to Clonmacnoise, one of the most famous and ancient monastic sites in Ireland. Located along the River Shannon near the village of Shannonbridge, Clonmacnoise was founded by Saint Ciaran in the mid-sixth century and became a great center of religion and learning, visited by scholars from all over the world.

After visiting, you will travel on to your hotel, Glasson Lakehouse, which is located along the serene shores of Lough Ree. Check in and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

DAY 3

This morning, after breakfast and check out, travel into heart of Ireland’s thoroughbred county, County Kildare. Here, the Irish National Stud & Gardens is one of Ireland’s true treasures and your first stop for today.

Beginning in the early 1900s, it has produced some of the finest racehorses in Europe and it is still one of the top breeding farms. The Irish National Stud & Gardens is one of the only thoroughbred breeding farms open to the public and is the home of equine royalty. Its unique history and beauty are admired by visitors from around the globe. Visitors can view immaculately bred stallions and admire protective mares alongside their frolicking foals.

There is also an opportunity to meet retired equine racing stars like Faugheen, Hurricane Fly and Beef or Salmon on the stud’s Living Legend's team. The Irish National Stud and Gardens is also home to two remarkable gardens, the Japanese Gardens and St Fiachra’s Garden.

At the Japanese gardens, enter an oasis of calm as you walk along the Life of Man path, which traces the passage of a soul from birth to death and beyond. By comparison, St Fiachra's Garden is an inherently Irish garden that symbolizes the power of the Irish landscape. Predominantly planted with native specimens, St Fiachra’s Garden is home to an array of Irish wildlife.

You will next travel into Dublin, passing the Georgian squares of Merrion and Fitzwilliam, National Gallery of Ireland, Government Buildings and St. Stephen’s Green. You will also see Dublin Castle, City Hall and Christchurch Cathedral en route to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Founded in 1190, St. Patrick’s is perhaps best known for its association with Jonathan Swift, who was Dean there from 1713 to 1745. The pulpit from which he preached is still there.

Continue your drive passing the renowned Guinness Brewery and on the north side of Dublin’s River Liffey the Four Courts, Ireland’s courts of justice. This side of Dublin boasts the wide boulevard O’Connell Street, where you will see the General Post Office, scene of the 1916 rising and birthplace of the Irish nation. The Customs House is another landmark nearby. It was designed by James Gandon and completed in 1791.

Crossing the River Liffey to Dublin’s south side, you will soon pass The Old Parliament House, now the Bank of Ireland and Trinity College. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1, it is Ireland’s oldest college.

Following your exploration of Dublin, re-join your ship at Dun Laoghaire harbour.

NOTE: Order of sights may vary.

Land Program Step by Step

The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

DAY 1

10:00am Depart ship in Killybegs for a scenic drive to Crom Castle

12:15pm Arrive at Crom Castle and enjoy lunch before touring the estate with Lord Erne

4:00pm Afternoon tea

6:30pm Cocktail reception before dinner

7:30pm Dinner

Overnight at Crom Castle

DAY 2

9:00am Full English breakfast and departure for Kilbeggan

11:00am Arrive at Kilbeggan Distillery for guided tour

12:30pm Depart for local lunch venue

1:00pm Enjoy lunch in a restaurant

2:00pm Depart for Clonmacnoise

2:30pm Arrive at Clonmacnoise for guided visit

3:30pm Depart Clonmacnoise for hotel

4:15pm Arrive at Glasson Lakehouse for dinner and overnight

Overnight at Glasson Lakehouse

DAY 3

AM Breakfast at the hotel

9:00am Depart hotel and travel to Kildare

11:00am Arrive at the Irish National Stud & Gardens for private tour

1:00pm Lunch in a local restaurant

2:00pm Depart for a panoramic tour of Dublin

3:30pm Visit St Patrick’s Cathedral

4:15pm Continue the panoramic tour of the city

5:30pm Rejoin the cruise ship in Dun Laoghaire port

Expected Weather

Weather in Ireland is very unpredictable. The average high from June through August is approximately 18°C (65°F) and the average low is approximately 12°C (51°F).

What to Bring

Prepare for moderately mild weather at all times and be able to supplement basic dress with a warm sweater and/or a rainproof top. Pack sensible footwear, as most rural attractions and even some urban areas are best described as “rugged terrain” and the ground is wet occasionally. Also bring hats and sunglasses.

Local Currency

British Pounds. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Electricity

230v / 50hz (plugs are 3 square pins). An adjacent switch typically controls outlets. Some hotels will have adaptors available, although this cannot be guaranteed.

Documents and Visa Requirements

A passport that is valid at least 6 months after travel is required.

Please check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality for Ireland.

If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/ or connecting through may have different document requirements and as such we encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.

Hotels

Crom Castle

Lough Erne, Co.Fermanagh

Phone: 0044 28 6773 8118

Glasson Lakehouse (Lakeview Deluxe Rooms)

Killinure, Glasson, Co.Westmeath

Phone: +353 090 648 5120

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards, and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotels listed in this program.

Program Includes for guests:

One night at Crom Castle including afternoon tea and dinner

One night at Glasson Lakehouse (Lakeview Deluxe Room) including dinner and breakfast

Private vehicle for travel as per itinerary

Professional English-speaking tour guide

2 x 2-course lunches (main + dessert) plus tea or coffee and 1 drink of choice

Guided tour of Kilbeggan Distillery and souvenir glass

Visit Clonmacnoise monastic site

Private guided tour of the Irish National Stud & Gardens and free time to explore gardens

Visit Kildare Village with free time to explore

Program Excludes for guests:

Gratuities for drivers and guides

Personal expenses

Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.

Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.