4-Day Tour of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands & Wild Atlantic Way

Itinerary

Day 1: Dublin-Highlights of Lough Ree

Stop At: Derryglad Folk & Heritage Museum, Curraghboy, Athlone Ireland
The open air museum houses a collection of Farm & Folk life memorabilia in Ireland from the 18th century to the recent past, with a warm welcome from owner. Tripadvisor's Number 1 attraction in Athlone!
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Rindoon Medieval Town, Lecarrow Ireland
A 4.5km loop walk around Rindoon peninsula gives unspoiled access to the beautiful shoreline of one of Ireland's largest lakes. Guests will visit the breathtaking abandoned medieval town of Rindoon, which was only inhabited for just over a century and abandoned in the 1300s.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: The Claypipe Visitor Centre, Main Street Knockcroghery Village, Roscommon Ireland
Discover the fascinating history of pipe making in Knockcroghery. Enjoy a demonstration using traditional tools.Browse the interesting photographs and memorabilia. Beautiful local crafts.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, Corlea Trackway Centre Longford, Keenagh Ireland
One of Ireland's best-kept secrets, discover the ancient iron age bog trackway and the bog itself, how it is used and why it is so important.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner: Three course meal overlooking majestic Lough Ree followed by an evening of traditional storytelling, song, music & dance
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4* Glasson Golf Hotel - ranked number 1 on Tripadvisor in the region

Day 2: Wild Atlantic Way - Galway, The Burren, Cliffs of Moher

Stop At: Galway's Latin Quarter, 21 High Street, Galway Ireland
Meander through the medieval city of Galway at your leisure - explore the Spanish Arch, St Nicholas's Collegiate Church where Christopher Columbus prayed the night before he left to discover America, visit the city museum and pause to admire the many wonderful shops, cafes, pubs and street entertainers that make the city so unforgettable.
Duration: 4 hours

Pass By: The Burren House Farm County Clare, Ireland Ireland
Visitors will have the opportunity to see the magnificent karst landscape of County Clare

Stop At: Cliffs of Moher, Lislorkan North Latitude: 52.9714578 Longitude: -9.4247540, Liscannor Ireland
Marvel at Ireland's iconic 8km-long Cliffs of Moher along the Atlantic coast, and take the walkway along the coastline and keep an eye out for puffins!
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Set yourself up for the day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel overlooking Lough Ree
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Return to your hotel at the Heart of Ireland overlooking Lough Ree

Day 3: Love Roscommon

Stop At: Roscommon Castle, Castle Ln, Roscommon Ireland
Roscommon Castle was built in the 13th century by Robert de Ufford, Justiciar of Ireland in an attempt to expand Anglo-Norman power into the west of Ireland. It became the prototype for the large Welsh Norman castles which are now a World Heritage Site.

Visitors can explore the imposing ruins and discover its turbulent past, while soaking up the atmosphere in a tranquil rural setting.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Rathcroghan Royal Site & Visitor Centre, Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre, Tulsk Ireland
Rathcroghan (Cruachan Aí), is the oldest and largest unexcavated Royal Site in Europe. It is known as the Sacred Capital of Connacht, and is the location where the festival of Samhain (Halloween) is said to originate.

The Rathcroghan landscape boasts over 240 identified archaeological sites, contained within an area of 6.5km², which range in date from the Neolithic Period or New Stone Age (c. 3500 BC), through to the late Medieval period, spanning a staggering period of over 5,500 years. It is the location of some 28 identified burial mounds from the Bronze and Iron Age, numerous ringforts (settlement sites) of early Medieval date, standing stones, linear earthworks, stone forts, a great Iron Age ritual sanctuary, and even a Gate to Hell!

Visitors will experience Rathcroghan's rich archaeology, mythology and history through the interpretive rooms and expertly guided tours of this majestic landscape.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Strokestown Park & National Famine Museum, Strokestown Park Bawn Street Vesnoy, Strokestown F42 H282 Ireland
Strokestown Park is a unique historic property in Co. Roscommon in the west of Ireland with many layers of history. This evocative estate is a capsule in time with many features: an uncommon galleried kitchen; elegant vaulted stables; a six-acre walled garden; mausoleum; bridge; gates; and lodge.

The Palladian House was the family home of the Pakenham Mahon family and is built on the site of the 16th-century castle, home of the O Conor-Roe Gaelic Chieftains. The Landlord Major Denis Mahon was assassinated in November 1847 at the height of the Great Famine of Ireland and it is fitting that the National Famine Museum was established at Strokestown Park in 1994 using the unique Archive of original documents which came to light during the restoration of the House.

Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the National Famine Museum and magnificent walled gardens as well as enjoying a guided tour of the house.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at 4* Glasson Golf Hotel overlooking Lough Ree

Day 4: Clonmacnoise and Farewell to Ireland's Hidden Heartlands

Stop At: Shannonbridge Marina, Irland, Raghra, Shannonbridge, Co. Offaly, Ireland
Cruise along the River Shannon to Clonmacnoise and arrive in style in the same way as pilgrims have been arriving for over a thousand years. Be thoroughly entertained by the two captains who will provide you with a commentary and maybe even let you steer the boat!
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Clonmacnoise, Shannonbridge Ireland
Clonmacnoise is a 6th century monastic settlement founded by St Ciaran at the centre of Ireland on the banks of the River Shannon. The monastery quickly became one of the most important sites of pilgrimage and learning in Europe.

Visitors will be able to soak in the atmosphere of centuries of history, explore the ruins of the eight churches and two round towers and marvel at the three carved stone high crosses, including the much celebrated 10th century Cross of the Scriptures.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy a breakfast to set you up for the day while admiring the magnificent views of Lough Ree at 4* Glasson Golf Hotel
• Lunch: Enjoy a hearty meal in a traditional Irish pub on your way back to Dublin
No accommodation included on this day.