Irish Romance 6 Nights

Day 1: Shannon to Kerry

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 artefacts 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. You will then be travelling onward towards Kerry where your next stop is the cute little town of Adare. The town has for many years been a favourite spot for couples to stop for a romantic walk, either through the town park or through the village itself passing by its charming thatched cottages or maybe paying a visit to the 13th-century feudal castle, built by the Desmonds and set on the banks of the River Maigue.

Day 2: 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 breathtaking 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 3: 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 on both sides with a mix of restaurants, cafés, and both traditional and modern shops. During the summer months, 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 on a 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 4: 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 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 5: 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 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 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 cosy 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.