Irish Romance 14 Nights

Included in your price:

• Free calls to your personal Ireland vacation specialist
• 14 nights accommodation on a B&B basis 
• Road map of Ireland
• Discounted admission to attractions throughout Ireland

Car Rental:

Rental of a economy-size car. Included with your car is all compulsory insurances - Collision Damage Waiver insurance (CDW with an excess/deductible), theft protection insurance, location fee of €30, Road fund tax, sales tax at 13.5%, unlimited free mileage, third party liability insurance, 24 hour peace of mind breakdown cover.

Occupancy:

Prices are per person based on 2 persons in each room with full Irish breakfast and taxes included. A single supplement will apply to rooms and car rental in the case of single occupancy.

Currency:

Please note that we charge in Euros (€). Prices in other currencies are for indication only and subject to fluctuation.

Day 1 and 2: 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 centre 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 3: 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, colourful buildings and lively pubs all with a great atmosphere. Sky road, with its breath taking 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 4: 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 metres 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 5 and 6: 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 night life 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 cosy pub in which you can spend this evening soaking up the lively atmosphere. For 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.

Day 7: Travel to Waterford

Today you have a choice of two interesting routes you may take on your way to Waterford; the first of which bring you through the Viking city that is Limerick and via Cahir castle which has been a featured location in several movies including ‘Excalibur’. Should you choose the slightly longer route you will travel via Kilkenny, the medieval capital of Ireland. Historic buildings in this region portray the county’s past and Kilkenny Castle which was built in the 1100’s and the remarkable Saint Canice Cathedral where one can look from the top of its adjacent round tower to catch a bird’s eye view over the city.

Day 8: Discovering Waterford

Waterford City itself has many attractions and spectacles worth a visit. You can see the Waterford Crystal factory which exhibits one of Ireland’s most famous exports, visit the newly renovated Bishops Palace where the history of 1700 to 1970 is detailed for you or perhaps visit Reginald’s Tower, the oldest urban building in Ireland that is now home to an informative exhibition.  Of course you may simply decide you’d rather explore the shops, bars and cafés of this compact city or even spend some tie on the water on a romantic boat cruise along the River Suir. Also in the area is the heritage town of Lismore. Here you can find many interesting old buildings including St. Carthages Cathedral and  Lismore Castle and Gardens or go and appreciate nature  on the Towers Woodland Trail outside Waterford town and take a look at the unusual gate lodge and bridge constructed by landlord Arthur Kiely Ussher to impress his demanding wife. As it turned out his eyes were bigger than his wallet and the cost of building the elaborate Gothic entrance proved so great that the planned manor house was never constructed! Also to be explored in the area is Dunmore East; here you’ll find a quaint and picturesque little town with a number of nice places to eat and a lovely beach where you and your spouse may take an evening stroll.

Day 9, 10 and 11: 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 that you want visit.  A popular place to visit while in Cork is Kinsale which is a honeymoon favourite. This is largely due to its huge range of romantic harbour front restaurants, cosy 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 travelling 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 its 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 12: 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 13 and 14: 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 traveller 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.