Irish Romance 12 Nights

Day 1: Shannon to Cork

For convenience, we recommend Shannon airport as the arrival airport for this tour. If you choose to travel from Shannon, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is a relatively short drive away and always a pleasant stop to get your honeymoon in Ireland off to a great start. The castle at Bunratty was built in the 15th Century by the McNamara Clan and is well renowned for being one of Ireland’s best-furnished Castles, complete with authentic artifacts throughout the castle grounds. Right next to the Castle is Bunratty Folk Park. This realistic recreation of a country village gives a sense of what Ireland was like for its citizens in the early 19th-century. In the park is a selection of dwellings and businesses with each building representing a different element of Irish life from the humblest one-roomed abode, to Bunratty House, an exquisite example of a fine Georgian residence.  Following this, you have two options for your journey to Cork, you can take the direct route which will take you very close to Blarney Castle, famous for its stone of eloquence which is said to grant the ‘Gift of the Gab’ to all those that kiss it! If you don’t mind a slight detour you can journey to explore Tipperary and visit its famous Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle. While in Cork some places you may want to visit include Kinsale which is especially suited for couples due to its range of romantic restaurants and cozy pubs and its overall picturesque setting, Cobh which during the 1800s was the final port of call for millions of Irish people fleeing Ireland during the harsh famine period and Cork City itself which is fast achieving a reputation as one of Europe's trendiest cities.

Day 2 and 3: Discovering Cork

As it is Ireland’s largest county there are of course lots of things to see and do. Unfortunately, you can’t explore the whole county in a day, but your Irish Tourism itinerary will hopefully make it easy for you to decide which places you want to visit.  A popular place to visit while in Cork is Kinsale which is a honeymoon favorite. This is largely due to its huge range of romantic harbor front restaurants, cozy pubs, and general charming marina setting. Cork city itself has also become a popular destination in recent years with some notable city attractions including the Church of Saint Anne Shandon which from the top gives guests the opportunity to get a panoramic view of the city, Cork City Gaol, and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. The city is renowned for its chic bars, ethnic restaurants, and trendy boutiques. Upon traveling east of the city you will find the town of Cobh which also is well worth a visit. Cobh was the final port of call for the ill-fated Titanic before its untimely destruction and two museums in the town pay tribute to that. During nice weather, it's highly recommendable that you pay a visit to Fota House & Gardens and Fota Wildlife Park where a few hours can be spent strolling around. 

Day 4: Cork to Kerry

Your Irish Tourism itinerary provides a number of route options for you to choose from on your way to Kerry. You might choose to travel the most direct route, giving you more time to explore Kerry or perhaps take the scenic coastal route and see such places as Bantry, Mizen Head, Garnish Island or the Beara Peninsula.  Mizen Head, which is Ireland’s most southerly point, is cut off by a deep chasm, now spanned by a large bridge, which for those with a head for heights, makes for an amazing walk. The bridge gives access to a weather station, an old signal station, and a lighthouse museum, all of which are set against a backdrop of stunning sea cliffs. Nearby you can take a romantic stroll if you so choose on the sandy beach at Barley Cove or even take a picnic if the weather is fine. Garnish Island, with its remote location, is an ideal attraction to visit for honeymoon couples and can only be accessed by passenger ferry. Here on the secluded island, you will find exotic gardens to admire amidst romantic island walks. The whole Beara Peninsula is surrounded by bleak but beautiful mountains and spectacular scenery. If you’re looking for another romantic escape, a cable car can be taken across to Dursday Island from the tip of the peninsula. Here you’ll discover a ruined castle and colonies of beautiful sea birds and other wildlife. 

Day 5 and 6: Romantic Kerry

The coastal county of Kerry, with its romantic sweeping sea views and its long and curious history, is a must-see on any Ireland Honeymoon. For the budget-conscious traveler, Kerry is also an ideal location as with its many free touring attractions it can make for an affordable trip. These attractions, while free, are most certainly worth taking the time to see and include the breath-taking Ring of Kerry and the remarkable Dingle. Due to the Peninsula's isolated position beside the North Atlantic Ocean, the more than 2,000 monuments located there have been exceptionally preserved. Killarney, known as the gateway to the Ring of Kerry is well renowned for its silently beautiful lakes which are of course all free for people to visit. While in the area some stops we recommend include Torc Waterfall, where the clear fresh Owengariff River cascades through breath-taking wooded glens and the Gap of Dunloe where, millions of years ago, massive Ice Age glaciers carved a dramatic mountain pass through which the ‘gap’ offers mesmerizing views of three small lakes. 

Day 7 and 8: Galway

Galway city, with its relatively compact size, is easily explored on foot or by bicycle. The recently redeveloped Eyre Square area encloses a relaxing courtyard and park, nearby also is a new shopping center which leads out onto Shop Street; a bustling area lined both sides with a mix of restaurants, cafés, and both traditional and modern shops. During the summer month, the city is at its busiest as it comes alive with tourists from not only overseas but also from every part of Ireland. For guests, there are many sites which may be of interest including the old Spanish Arch, the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and the Claddagh, which the famous Claddagh ring is named after. While in the city why not enjoy some of the traditional Irish music the region is well known for. Many of the local pubs and bars have some form of traditional entertainment on a weekly and some daily basis. You will also find many lovely restaurants throughout the city at which you and your new spouse can enjoy a romantic meal; Galway has a range of places broad enough to suit every visitor’s taste buds and pocket! If you are looking for a reasonably priced meal, our main advice is to go for a pub lunch in the afternoons between 12:00 and 15:00. During this period most pubs do a main course for €10-12, but if you prefer to eat later, you should expect to pay a little bit more.

Day 9: Connemara

Connemara will perhaps be the most romantic and memorable part of your honeymoon in Ireland! With its rugged coastlines, magnificent mountains and serene landscapes, this wild region of Galway is sure to make your tour unforgettable. While in the area why not visit Kylemore Abbey, often referred to as Ireland’s most romantic Castle, as it was built by Mitchell Henry after his wife fell in love with the area whilst they visited on their honeymoon!  A little further west you can visit the town of Clifden with its craft shops, colorful buildings and lively pubs all with a great atmosphere. Sky road, with its breathtaking views, is the perfect route as you leave Clifden passing through desolate scenery and the narrow inlet at Clifden Bay; from here you have the option to take the coastal route to the nearby village of Roundstone. Your Irish Tourism itinerary will guide you with all the route options that you could possibly take. 

Day 10: Travel to Clare

No journey along the coast between Galway and Clare would be complete without a visit to the Burren, where beautiful natural formations create a truly romantic atmosphere. Here the Karst limestone landscape stretches for miles. With its combination of the beautifully desolate landscape and a host of unusual plants and flowers, the region has an almost otherworldly feel to it. In the Southern area of the Burren, the limestone rock gives way to the black shale and sandstone that form the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs are one of Ireland’s most popular attractions offering outstanding views over the Atlantic Ocean which lies some 214 meters below the clifftop paths. Well-worn visitor walkways lead along the cliffs in both directions, with plenty of spots to stop for a photo or simply to take in the view. With tickets costing less than €7 per person, the Cliffs of Moher are an essential and highly recommendable stop on any affordable honeymoon in Ireland. 

Day 11 and 12: Exploring Clare

Clare is well known for having lots of scenic and peaceful beaches to explore including Bishop’s Quarter in Ballyvaughan which has fabulous views across Galway Bay and over the Burren. Kilkee beach is also nearby and while quite small it has a lovely village beside it with a few tasty spots to eat. Lahinch is a hot spot for surfing and other water sports and is widely considered to be one of Ireland’s finest beaches. As for nightlife we recommend spending a couple of hours in Doolin, which with live music locally year-round, is often considered the traditional music capital of Ireland. You are sure to find a cozy pub in which you can spend the final evening of your honeymoon soaking up the lively atmosphere. On a sunny evening, we recommend you join the crowds at Doolin Pier which has become renowned for its stunning sunsets that somehow give the watcher a great appreciation for life and nature.