Highlights

• Trinity College Dublin
• The Book of Kells
• Oscar Wilde Statue
• St. Stephen’s Green
• Temple Bar
• Whitefriar Street Church

Dublin is the perfect example of a city proud of its heritage and history yet one that has moved with the times and is modern, vibrant and fun. A constant hive of activity, should one take a moment to pause and allow the sometimes overlooked beauty of the City to sink in, it is hard to resist falling in love with Ireland’s Capital. The friendly Dublin natives will make you feel right at home.

After dropping your bags and checking in at your hotel, start your first day with a visit to Trinity College, an incredible piece of Gregorian architecture. Admire its impressive 500 year old facade before entering to see the most important book of Ireland, The Book of Kells.

Just a few blocks away you can admire Oscar Wilde’s Statue in Merrion Square. This charming statue is full of little presents and letters that people have left to honour the man who propelled love to a different level with his poetry.

A short walk will take you to St. Stephen’s Green. The park has evolved in many ways over the years. It was not always available to the public and was once only open to the Wealthy members of the community who had plots surrounding it. Today, access restrictions have been lifted and the park is widely enjoyed by locals and visitors to the City alike. The Green is home to a wonderful tribute to the great Irish poet W.B Yeats with a memorial garden dedicated to him. The bust of James Joyce is also located in the Park facing his former university at Newman House. On a sunny day, grab some take out lunch and enjoy a romantic picnic by the lake in the Park.

What is the most romantic day of the year? Valentine’s Day you say! In 1836, relics were exhumed from the tombs of Saint Hippolytus on the ancient road – Via Tiburtina, Rome. These relics were those of St Valentines and during a special Mass dedicated to young people and all those in love, the relics, placed in a casket were part of the procession to the high alter. Later this same year, Fr. John Spratt, an Irish priest and well-known preacher, was gifted tokens of honour following a sermon he lead in Rome. One such gift from Pope Gregory XVI were the remains of St. Valentine and “a small vessel tinged with his blood.” A shrine to Saint Valentine was erected in Whitefriar Street Church and has remained there undisturbed and on display to the public to this day. What better way to end your day of romantic ramblings in the Capital City than with a visit to the church to pay tribute to the Patron Saint of love and lovers, engaged couples and happy marriages.

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Highlights

• Kilkenny Castle
• St. Canice Cathedral
• Rothe House
• Kilkenny tourist train
• Pat Tynan Walking Tour

Arriving at this medieval city is like entering a fairy tale with its beautiful castle and stone alleys. Ramble through the city with no specific destination, just absorb the atmosphere and let yourself be carried away by it. Should you wish to dig a little deeper and explore the City further, you have the option of taking a light-hearted ride through the City in the Kilkenny tourist train. This 25 minute ride will give you a complete overview of the City and will help you decide which things you want to see in more detail.

Alternatively, Pat Tynan offers wonderful tours of the City which last one hour and cover some of the best known attractions in this medieval City.

Kilkenny’s main attraction has to be the towering castle. Take a guided 40 minute tour to make the most of your visit. Even though the castle dates back to approx. the 1200′s, it has been modified many times throughout the centuries. Observe and enjoy its spacious rooms and try to picture what it would it been like to live there at that time. Imagine if you were King and Queen of the Castle!

Savour an intimate moment at the top of the Round Tower at St. Canice’s Cathedral –the setting for many a wedding proposal, the beautiful scenery of the City beneath will take your breath away.  That evening, take a stroll hand in hand down the main street of colourful, antique looking shops. After dinner, dance the night away to the fantastic Traditional Irish Music in one of Kilkenny’s quirky and cosy little pubs.

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Highlights

• Shandon Bells
• Cork Butter Museum
• English Market, Cork City
• Cobh

Many locals refer to Cork as the true capital of Ireland. As far as they are concerned, it might as well be, since this vibrant, energetic city has everything a big city could offer and more. Aside from the typical tourist attractions such as Blarney Castle and Stone and Woollen Mills in Blarney, Co. Cork, why not try something a little different? St. Anne’s Church in Shandon is a 6 minute drive from Cork City Centre and it offers the most breath-taking views of the City. While you’re there; have some fun ringing the Shandon bells.

Take a stroll around the antique shops and grab some lunch in one of the fantastic little cafes that line the streets of the City. Check out the Butter Museum if you two are foodies.  How interesting can a Butter Museum be you ask? Well, butter and Cork have come a long way and have an entangled history together. Do not miss the English market for wonderful little regional products that are sure to delight you. Stroll from stall to stall, sit and sip a coffee and enjoy the unique trading experience of the Market that has survived since the 18th Century.

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Highlights

• The Ring of Kerry
• Killarney
• Killarney National Park
• Ring of Kerry
• River Laune
• Killorglin
• Staigue Fort

If you thought your trip couldn’t get more romantic, the Ring of Kerry will prove you wrong. The natural beauty of this region is truly amazing. An alternative and adventurous way to see this region is to rent some bikes. There is nothing more refreshing for the soul and mind than to inhale the fresh Kerry air as you cycle your way through the rugged and majestic landscapes.

Find a remote spot in Killarney National Park and spend a quiet afternoon with your loved one soaking up the beautiful scenery. We can arrange for a picnic basket to be prepared for you to share.  Killarney is the combination of two worlds as you are never far from nature but you also have a lively town with a vast range of gourmet restaurants and classy bars.

Fancy a romantic horse drawn ride in a jaunting Car?  Experience the most traditional mode of transport in olden Ireland with a horse drawn trip through Killarney’s Parks. The Cars operate in areas where no motor traffic is permitted so you will feel wonderfully secluded as you tour with your Jarvey (driver).

Discover the stunning Dingle Peninsula on your second day in Kerry. Green landscapes as far as the eye can see, rocky hills, long sandy beaches and staggering cliff edges make this rugged region overwhelmingly alluring. A suggestion would be to take a trip to the Blasket Islands which are just a 40 minute ferry trip away. Who knows, you might even spot the world renowned native dolphin Funghi on your trip over! These stunning, uninhibited Islands were the setting for the Blasket Island writers to produce classic books in the world of literature. In these books, the Island people were described as ‘living on the very edge of Europe’. The islands were abandoned in the 1950’s and have remained so ever since. There is something quite hauntingly beautiful about them.

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Highlights

• The Prom
• Salthill
• Connemara
• Kylemore Abbey

Pay visit to the home of the Claddagh Ring – Thomas Dillon’s Jewellers at No. 1, Quay Street. The Claddagh Ring shows two hands holding a heart which wears a crown. This motif is explained in the phrase: “Let Love and Friendship reign”. It was used as a wedding ring for the small fishing community of Claddagh for over four hundred years. There is a wonderful little Museum which documents not only the history of the Claddagh Ring but also houses artefacts depicting the city’s history including stone axe heads from the stone age and relics from the penal times when the Irish were prohibited from celebrating their religion.

The true romance of Galway lies outside the City in the Connemara Region. Kylemore Abbey is thought to be one of Ireland’s most romantic buildings. Originally built In 1867 as a romantic gift, the Abbey and the surrounding mountains and lakes tell a story of romance, tragedy, royal visits, gambling debts and a refuge during Ireland’s troubled history.

Alternatively, you could take a day trip out to one of the Aran Islands. The Islands are a venue for many traditional Celtic Weddings and it is obvious why. Taking a trip to the Islands is like travelling back in time to dear old Ireland. Inis Mor is the largest Island and the one that most people visit but we recommend travelling to Inir Oirr, a more intimate and quaint little island with a vibrant Traditional Irish Music scene. The Islands are authentic. Natives are proud of their culture and heritage with many still speaking the Irish language.

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Highlights

• Guinness Storehouse
• Temple Bar

It’s time to return to Dublin and finish your trip. You have the option of returning via Westmeath or travelling direct. Speak to your Travel Advisor about the best route for your specific needs.

You have the option of taking this day at a leisurely pace as it is your last day in Dublin or you can use it to do some touring. No trip to Ireland would be complete without a pint (or several pints!) of Guinness. We’re sure you’ll have sampled it by this stage but why not visit the place where it all began; The Guinness Storehouse. Three million pints of Guinness are brewed every day at the St James’ Gate Brewery. The tour is really informative and interesting and it’s a tour that many Irish people take – the sign of a good attraction!

After a ramble around the Temple Bar area to pick up some last minute souvenirs for loved ones at home, head back to your hotel to freshen up for your final special dinner in Dublin City. We can arrange for a horse drawn carriage to collect you from your hotel that evening for a final tour around the City before dropping you to your dinner destination.

Take with you the images of this beautiful City and your dream romantic trip. You’re sure to leave Ireland more in love than when you arrived.

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