Fish Lovers Tour of Ireland

Arrive at Dublin’s airport this morning and your friendly driver guide will be waiting for you in arrivals, he will settle you and your luggage comfortably in the town car. Hit the ground running and get some fresh air this morning in the delicious little town of Malahide, north of Dublin near the airport. This is where much of Dublin’s jet set resides, there is a castle, marina and nice jumble of cafes, high-end boutiques, antiques, collectibles, and jewelry shops. Stretch your legs after the flight, grab a cup of coffee and explore a little before lunch. read more

The beautiful garden county of Wicklow awaits today and en route you have some enchanting seaside panoramas. Head south of Dublin along the coast, taking in delightful Sandycove. Pass by James Joyce’s Martello Tower where it’s said he wrote the first chapter of his tome Ulysses. Take in the views and keep driving into Dalkey, a darling heritage village where you will stop for a visit. This adorable hamlet has a little castle, a row of charming restaurants and some famous pubs where you can have an aperitif and early light lunch at somewhere casual like Finnegans (where U2 hang out) or The Queen’s, with a lovely al fresco terrace. read more

This morning you will make for the west of Ireland and over the next few days you will take in some amazing scenery! Your destination is Leenane, at the mythical Delphi Lodge, Ireland’s best-loved fishing lodge set in an elegant country house dating to the 1830s that was once the retreat for the Marquis of Sligo. This is an extraordinary place of natural beauty where you can really disconnect. There are no TVs or room service, and after spending most of your time outdoors in the evenings you can relax in the library, shoot pool in the billiards room, enjoy some Irish whiskey by the roaring fire, or explore the stunning grounds- the lodge is set on 1,000 acres! read more

Learn about the area’s local seafood traditions today on a fascinating excursion through Killary Harbour, which is actually a Fjord that cuts 7 ½ miles inland from the mighty Atlantic into the Delphi’s clean and pure waterways. The shellfish here is some of the best in Ireland, and certainly some of the best in Europe. Today you are going to taste it! Your day begins when the speedboat picks you up at Delphi pier. Visit a mussel farm first where you will learn all about how the mussel beds work on a guided tour, followed by a sampling of local oysters and mussels served with Guinness, what else? After the tour, you can enjoy a cruise of the harbor, or a lovely walk up to a local sheep farmer who will show you how to cut the famous turf (Irish firewood). read more

Tonight you will dine at Galway’s newly minted Michelin restaurant Aniar, but first, a full day of breathtaking countryside and dramatic coastlines. From Delphi, travel through uplifting and invigorating scenery to Kylemore Abbey, about 20 minutes away. This historic estate houses a beautiful Victorian walled garden, and a little boutique where you can pick up local pottery. We suggest a short visit here, taking a walk along the ethereal lake and Gothic church. Carry on then to Clifden, another quick spin. Clifden is a lively little town tucked in between the Atlantic and the Twelve Bens Mountains, with great shops and restaurants. It’s the perfect spot for lunch and attracts gourmets for the local gastropubs. A good choice for lunch is Mitchell’s; their creamy fish pie is divine, served with Irish soda bread. read more

This morning you will visit the wondrous Burren (which comes from the Gaelic term “Boíreann” which means “rocky place”). This national park has landscapes as you have never seen before, basically, hundreds of square miles of porous limestone pavement bursting with local flora and home to over 200 species of wild birds. The first visit this morning is at the Burren Perfumery, an artisan perfumery who have created the sweetest little tea shop cum perfumery, where you can pick up fantastic balms, perfumes, and creams inspired by their natural surroundings. read more

Enjoy a later start today to enjoy your hotel’s picturesque grounds and facilities and in the late morning, you will head to the absolutely gorgeous lakes of Killarney and Killarney national park. Your driver guide will drive you through the most scenic areas along the lakes and mountains and you can enjoy gentle walks up to Muckross House, to Ross castle and to the Torc waterfall. If you would like a more vigorous walk today we can make suggestions for the route. And on the day, we can also organize boat trips on the lakes. Lunch will be a relaxed picnic affair or casual pub depending on the weather, the theme of the day is lush scenery and clean air. In the early evening, head to your beautiful, luxurious country house right on the shore of Caragh Lake, and freshen up. read more

It’s a beautiful one hour drive to Caherdaniel where you will head this morning for another memorable fishing experience. Your own private ghillie and local guide Vincent Appleby will be your host today, and with his 30 years ghillie experience on Lough Currane, it suffices to say you are in able hands! You will go fly fishing for lake salmon and sea trout. This is Ireland’s best sea trout lake in fact, which is especially rich in summer. Explore the Waterville area on a small fishing boat with your ghillie with equipment and tackle provided, taking on board new tricks and techniques whilst having fun! read more

From Kenmare, it’s a bewitching drive from County Kerry into West Cork this morning passing purple mountains, Lusitanian flora like strawberry trees and the glistening sea. Travel to Timoleague first via quaint Glengarrif and stop in Ummera, our absolute favorite smokehouse in Ireland. Your host is proprietor Anthony Creswell, a super charming chap who will give you a little tour of the smokery and then sit down with you to chat over a tasting platter of his mega high-quality products like smoked chicken and smoked duck (to die for), and of course smoked organic salmon and gravadlax. You will also taste a range of excellent artisan ciders from Stonewell, made in the nearby gorgeous Nohoval Cove. read more

The Queen of England recently put Cork city on the map when she had an official visit to the wonderful English Market, Cork’s pride and joy. This covered 18th-century food market is an epicure’s dream. You can find everything from quality meats (like Cork’s famous spiced beef), seafood, fresh fruit and veg, a mind-boggling array of cheeses, olives, cured meats, gourmet dips, and exotic food imports. This morning you will have free time to pop in for a stroll and perhaps a coffee or food sampling in the market, before carrying on to scenic Myrtleville. Adored by locals and a best-kept secret, Bunnyconnellan (nicknamed Bunny’s) serves great fish and chips and the bar cum restaurant has spectacular views over Roches Point and Myrtleville Bay. While they serve good wines, if you are a beer lover try Murphy’s (the local stout, Cork’s version of Guinness). read more

This morning you have a few free hours to enjoy the superb spa facilities. There is a 45-foot infinity indoor swimming pool with sea views, a natural outdoor rock pool, an outdoor jacuzzi, a sauna, steam room, spa, and little gym. You might like to spoil yourself with one of their treatments like their deep marine purifying facials or a black sand body ritual. Have a light early lunch at the hotel’s bar and around half 12 you will head to nearby Youghal where you will board the Sea Hunter, a charter boat specialized in wreck fishing (there are 38 wrecks within a 30 mile radius, most from WWI and WWII) as this area was one of the Western approaches for the U-boats. You will have some great mixed fishing which depending on the month can include Gurnard, Dogfish, Pollack, Ling, and Conger and based on the weather your journey will include trips from Ballycotton Island to Mine Head. Great way to blow away the cobwebs! This afternoon you will visit the Jameson Distillery in Midleton, a close half hour drive. This famous Irish distillery is located on the grounds of the original John Jameson distillery dating back to 1780 and they produce one of the most appreciated whiskeys in the world. You will tour the old warehouses and kilns, see the water wheel and copper stills and enjoy a tasting of connoisseur whiskeys. Then head back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner, which is at Aherne’s tonight, the South East’s most famous seafood restaurant. The tasting menu with wine pairing will be served. Relish this last night of your fish lover’s tour of Ireland!read more

After a fantastic breakfast, at your preferred time, you will depart for Dublin a 2-hour 45-minute drive and your driver will drop you off at your desired location. We hope you enjoyed this amazing taste of Ireland.read more