Exploring nature and wildlife on the island of Ireland
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Phoenix Park
Dublin Bay
Morning Arrive in Dublin Airport and head straight for the city to check into the Morrison Hotel. Get ready to do some walking in the Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed public park in any capital city in Europe. The cycling and walking routes that criss-cross the park offer the perfect opportunity to get up close to the park's wildlife, including its sizeable herd of fallow deer – best spotted around the Papal Cross and the American Ambassador’s residence. Lunch Book a table at The Woollen Mills in Dublin’s city centre, overlooking the iconic Ha’penny Bridge. Afternoon You’re in a city framed by mountains and the UNESCO Dublin Bay Biosphere, so of course you’ll need to explore what lies beyond the city streets. Head to Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, directly in front of The Ferryman Pub, for a Dublin Bay Cruise to the pretty coastal towns of Howth and Dún Laoghaire. Overnight Dine out in Delahunt before heading back to the Morrison Hotel for the night.
Saltee Islands
Morning Leave Dublin and head south to the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve. Here, you can enjoy the interactive exhibition centre, which explains how this site is dedicated in part to the 10,000 white-fronted geese from Greenland that traverse the Atlantic to settle here each winter. Lunch Enjoy seafood fresh from the boat at the Silver Fox Seafood Restaurant. Afternoon Take a trip on the water in the company of Kilmore Quay Angling or embark on an eco-tour around the Saltee Islands. In 1956, aviator, nature enthusiast and Wexford native Michael Neale crowned himself Prince Michael the First... 13 years after buying the islands. Overnight Reserve tables at the Lobster Pot Seafood & Steak Bar, before overnighting in the Ferrycarrig Hotel. Don’t forget to confirm quantities for packed lunches to be picked up prior to departure the following morning.
Copper Coast
Hayfield Manor
Morning Stretching across the southern coast of Ireland’s Ancient East is County Waterford’s Copper Coast UNESCO Geopark. Taking its name from its 18th century lead, silver and copper mining heritage, this is a beautifully diverse area that contains remains from the last Ice Age. For the chance to get closer to the native dolphins, waterbirds and seals, book a sea-kayak tour with Pure Adventure. Lunch The sea-kayak tour lasts a day, so you can tuck into your packed lunch whenever your group gets hungry enough! Afternoon When everyone’s warm and dry again, drive onto Cork city for the evening. Overnight Reserve a table at one of the best-loved vegetarian restaurants on the island of Ireland: the award-winning Paradiso, then overnight in Hayfield Manor. Confirm quantities for packed lunches to be picked up prior to your departure the following morning, as we have another boat trip planned. Packed lunches usually contain homemade sandwiches, crisps, fruit and mineral water, and cost €15 per person.
Whale watching in West Cork
Common dolphin in West Cork
Morning Leave the city behind for a boat trip around the biologically diverse waters of West Cork, declared a whale and dolphin sanctuary by the Irish government during the early 1990s. Book a tour on board the Holly Jo with Cork Whale Watch, which departs from Reen Pier, just outside Union Hall village. Or head to Baltimore for a sea adventure with Whale Watch West Cork. These waters are a feeding ground for whales right up to December, while dolphins, seals, harbour porpoises and basking sharks make an appearance from spring onwards. Lunch The whale watching boat trip lasts around 4-5 hours, so you can eat your packed lunch on board. Afternoon Back on dry land, it’s time to head to Dingle for the evening. Overnight Reserve tables at Doyle’s Seafood Restaurant, and overnight in Milltown House Guesthouse (for a small group) or the Dingle Skellig Hotel for larger groups.
Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours
Morning Ready to enjoy a morning on the water? Since 1983, the seaside town of Dingle in County Kerry has been home to Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours provideing trips to get close to wild dolphins in their natural habitat. Lunch Enjoy a hearty lunch at The Chart House in Dingle. Afternoon Depart Dingle for Lisdoonvarna, County Clare. Overnight Check into the Wild Honey Inn, a guesthouse that also has a Michelin star for its fine food.
The Burren
Ballynahinch Castle
Morning Explore The Burren National Park in County Clare with an experienced guide, who will take you around this fascinating ecosystem: 23 of Ireland’s orchid species flourish in this rocky limestone landscape, and it is home to hares, foxes and pygmy shrews, as well as the elusive pine marten. Lunch Reserve tables at Gregan’s Castle – lunch is served daily in the Corkscrew Bar from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. Afternoon Leave Clare behind and head for Connemara in County Galway where you’ll be checking into Ballynahinch Castle, for the night. Overnight Enjoy dinner in Ballynahinch Castle – reserve tables in either the Owenmore Restaurant for silver service fine dining, or enjoy the relaxed ambiance of the Fisherman’s Pub & Ranji Room.
Connemara donkey
Connemara
Morning Connemara is a place of tradition, where people hold fast to the old ways and sheep farmers still walk the hills and valleys to tend to their flocks. You can do more than just imagine the work of a rural farmer at Killary Sheep Farm, where you can watch sheep being sheared, enjoy sheepdog training and even try a bit of turf cutting, if you want to get your hands dirty! Lunch Dine al fresco at The Misunderstood Heron, a super cool food truck on the shores of Killary Fjord. Afternoon Set off to the Marble Arch Caves on the border between counties Cavan and Fermanagh. Overnight Check into MacNean House & Restaurant for dinner and overnight accommodation.
Causeway Coast
Marble Arch Caves
Morning Enter a subterranean world on a tour of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. Stretching from the northern shores of Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh to the southern shores of Lough Oughter in County Cavan, this is an underworld warren of waterfalls, rivers and airy chambers. Above ground, the Geopark offers a safe haven to groups of endangered red squirrels and pine martens. The underground guided tour through the vast caverns lasts 75 minutes and offers a fascinating glimpse into a mysterious otherworld. As there are 150 steps to exit the cave, those with limited mobility are advised against taking the caves tour, but there’s plenty to enjoy in the grounds and the visitor centre. Lunch Enjoy lunch at Lough Erne Resort, where the best of local produce is served up with style and creativity. Afternoon Drive onto the north Antrim coast, where you can rest for the evening before a day trip to Rathlin Island the next day. Overnight Book rooms at the Bushmills Inn in Bushmills, County Antrim – home of the world-famous whiskey distillery. Dine at Tartine at the Distillers Arms.
Puffin on Rathlin Island
Rathlin Island
Morning Leave the coach behind and take the ferry from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island just six miles from the Antrim shoreline. Look to the skies and you’ll see hundreds of guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills and fulmars, not to mention the island’s resident puffins. Arrive in spring, and you may see chicks hatching – especially if you head for the Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre. All the action isn’t in the air, though. Deep in the sea are reefs and sea caves that make the perfect habitat for sponges, soft corals, anemones and hydroids, many of which can be found nowhere else in the world. Lunch Enjoy lunch at the Lighthouse Café in The Manor House on Rathlin Island. Evening and overnight Drive straight to Belfast and stay in Malmaison Belfast and enjoy dinner at EIPIC.
Dun na Rí Forest Park
Morning You can head for home via Belfast’s two airports, or continue your journey back down to Dublin, with a stop at County Cavan's Dun na Rí Forest Park. Wandering amongst the park’s towering spruce and oak trees, you could chance upon a plethora of native creatures – stoats, hares, pygmy shrews, otters and red squirrels flourish along the river Cabra, which is lined with snowdrops, bluebells, foxgloves and ferns, depending on the time of year you visit. Lunch Enjoy lunch at the onsite café overlooking Loch an Dochais. Afternoon Journey back to Dublin airport for evening flights home.
This is a sample itinerary to offer suggestions and ideas for planning trips. You can contact your local Tourism Ireland representative here for further information. Please note, any mention of specific product on this itinerary is meant to be used only as an example and does not represent an endorsement of that product by Tourism Ireland.