Ireland: Legends of the Emerald Isle

Fronting the River Liffey on Ireland’s eastern coast, the cosmopolitan capital of Dublin complements its wealth of history with an unabashed wit and verve that define its irresistible personality. Stately public buildings, grand scholarly enclaves, cobbled boulevards and spacious squares teem with a diversity that proudly heralds Dublin’s status as a bustling global sophisticate. Tonight, gather for a welcome dinner.

Immerse yourself in Dublin’s literary heritage, viewing Oscar Wilde’s Statue and visiting the Museum of Literature, where you learn the stories of great Irish writers, including James Joyce. Continue to Marsh’s Library, which has remained unchanged for three centuries, its original oak shelves housing more than 25,000 books. Then walk by the childhood home of Oscar Wilde, the modern-day location of American College Dublin. Tour nearby St. Patrick’s Cathedral with an expert guide before enjoying some free time.

Travel south to the heart of County Kilkenny, a living, breathing time capsule of rolling green pastures, winding rivers, medieval towns, Norman castles and meandering back roads flanked by mossy stone walls. Visit a family-owned country pub, meet the owner and his family, and receive a hands-on introduction to the national Irish sport of hurling. Listen to a seannachi (traditional storyteller) spin tales and play music, eat a hearty lunch and learn how to pull a pint of Guinness for a full-on classic Irish pub experience.

Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, followed by a tour and tasting at Jameson’s Old Midleton Distillery. Your afternoon is free before you gather for a gourmet dinner at Ballymaloe House, one of Ireland’s culinary treasures, that features a delectable chef-led experience.

Drive Ireland’s wild southern shore through rugged West Cork to meet a sixth-generation Irish storyteller. Join this colorful raconteur for a ferry ride to Whiddy Island and listen as he leads you on a personally narrated tour of the island and its history, and then stop at a pub for lunch and a pint. Ferry back to the mainland and proceed to your hotel in Kenmare.

Cross through postcard-perfect Killarney National Park and ride in a traditional jaunting car for a closer look at the park’s natural beauty. Pause to peruse local handicrafts in the Gap of Dunloe, a lovely valley formed by glaciers. Then set out on the famed Ring of Kerry for a breathtaking coastal drive, where every turn in the road reveals new and ever-more-stunning vistas. Set atop cliffs that overlook the Atlantic, the ring circuits the Iveragh Peninsula from Killarney to Dingle Bay and beyond.

Make a personal connection to Ireland when you visit a traditional family farm. Hear about rural life here from family members, and then join them for a homecooked farm lunch, on this A&K-exclusive experience. Afterward, in the heart of County Limerick, stop in Adare, often voted Ireland’s most beautiful village for its charming thatched-roof cottages and quintessentially Irish atmosphere. Then proceed to your historic countryside hotel outside Galway.

Head out this morning for an unforgettable drive along the Cliffs of Moher, gazing out across the verdant cliff tops, down sheer rock walls and out to the glittering Atlantic. Stop at a local farm for an expert herding demonstration by resident sheep dogs. Later, sample oysters freshly caught from Galway Bay for a taste — literally and figuratively — of daily life along western Ireland’s rocky shores.

Visit the Clonmacnoise Monastic Site to walk the ruins of a spectacular monastery on the banks of the River Shannon, its tall Celtic crosses and stone towers an austere testament to medieval religious life. Follow the Shannon to Athlone, a picturesque town of brightly-painted houses and ancient pubs, where you stop for lunch. Continue to majestic Carton House in County Kildare.

Visit the Irish National Stud, a fixture of horse racing in Ireland, for a tour and time to wander through its Japanese Gardens. Return to Carton House, gathering this evening for a magnificent farewell dinner.

After breakfast, take your private transfer to the airport for your departing flight.