Halloween originated in Ireland!

Dublin

Welcome to Ireland, we hope you had a safe flight. Your driver will meet at the arrivals hall and take you to your centrally located hotel. As you room may not be ready, drop off your bags and go to a Private Walking Tour of Dublin City Centre.  After check in relax or explore on own.

Your walking tour will take in the beauties of this fine Georgian city as well as exploring some of the more haunted sites. Explore a spooky house in Henrietta Street; check out the gruesome history of the elegant Dublin Castle; survey the tombs of St Patrick’s Cathedral; spot Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, amongst the bookstacks of Marsh’s Library. Visit St Michan’s Church where Handel first performed the Messiah & the bodies of people who died in the 15th century are perfectly preserved for all to see. Take in Kildare Street, where Bram Stoker, author of Dracula lived. Opt to stay at the Shelbourne Hotel. The Shelbourne is said to be haunted by a young girl by the name of Mary Masters. Mary passed away from cholera in the hotel in the nineteenth century. Ever since then countless people all through the years have seen the ghost or experienced something that they can’t explain.
In Dublin (where author of Dracula, Bram Stoker, was born), visit St Michan’s Church where the bodies of people who died in the 15th century are perfectly preserved for all to see.

Wicklow

Today, meet your driver guide in the lobby of your hotel. He will be with you for the remainder of your time in Ireland. Spend the day exploring County Wicklow, Powerscourt House and the sacred valley of Glendalough. This region hosts an abundance of folklore. Not only does the ghost of Kathleen float beneath the choppy waters of the lake beside St Kevin’s 6th Century monastery, but also hangman, Hempenstall roams the fog-filled Wicklow mountains at dusk and dawn. Be sure to also visit Wicklow Gaol, which housed prisoners for decades; some of whom allegedly continue to meander through the corridors today.Wicklow Gaol, which has a reputation of being one of the most haunted places in Ireland and as it housed prisoners from Ireland’s various rebellions against British rule, it’s not surprising. There have been sightings of a woman in 19th-century dress and a little girl who appears in the schoolroom.

Louth & Meath

The Boyne Valley, located in the northeast of Ireland and encompassing counties Louth and Meath, holds a UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is the largest and one of the most important prehistoric megalithic sites in Europe. From the summit of the Hill of Tara 16 of Ireland’s 32 counties can be seen. Tara is one of the largest complexes of Celtic monuments in Europe and in reading its landscape, you are transported back in time to when the first settlers came 6000 years ago. The Tara spiral is taken from a carving within the 5000-year-old Mound of the Hostages and is said to have reference to a life force pattern that reflects Tara’s significance within Irish history.Newgrange was built during the Neolithic or New Stone Age by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. Built as a place of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, Newgrange is best known for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun on the shortest day of the year, December 21.

Leap Castle

Today, leave the Irish capital behind and make your way to County Offaly to visit Ireland’s most haunted castle, Leap Castle. Leap Castle is regarded as one of the most haunted places in Europe and has been the subject of various research projects and has featured on a number of television programmes. When there, partake a private tour and learn about the castle’s eerie history and spine-chilling hauntings. Some say the Red Wedding episode of Game Of Thrones is based on a real event that happened at the Castle. Continue to County Clare where you will stay for 03 nights.

Cliffs of Moher

Today explore the Burren, Ballyportry Castle and Cliffs of Moher with special storyteller guide.

Words simply cannot do justice to The Burren, an eerie area of ancient seabed that suffered glacial activity during its long history. The word ‘Burren’ comes from the Irish word ‘Boíreann’ meaning a rocky place. However, don’t let its bare Lunar-like landscape fool you. In the narrow crevices that criss-cross this limestone plateau flourish orchids, gentians and other rare flora. In other words, it’s a stunning wild garden. The Burren is home to 1,100 species of plants and is the only place in Europe where Mediterranean and Arctic Alpine plants grow together in harmony. Twenty-two varieties of orchids thrive here, nourished by underground rivers and rich soil. In terms of fauna, feral goats, foxes and hares are the most common mammals encountered when walking in the Burren. South of the Burren is another of Ireland’s natural wonders. The Cliffs of Moher is a sheer precipice 8km, rising to a height of 214m and is one of the most impressive stretches of coast in the West of Ireland. It’s especially impressive during the nesting season for the quantity and variety of seabirds who gather there. O’Briens Tower stands near the highest point and has served as a viewing point for visitors for hundreds of years. Walking along the cliffs will provide you with some great photos and on a clear day, you can see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay.

Aran Islands

Explore the Aran Islands. Pick the Ferry from Doolin and spend the day in one of the Islands.

The Aran Islands are located just off Galway and Doolin. A true Irish experience awaits, locals speak Irish as well as English in a setting of Celtic churches of historical significance including World Heritage site Dun Aonghasa which is set on dramatic 300 ft cliff edge. The Aran Islands are a great choice for special experience.
Your day will include unique Cultural experiences, local food producers and pubs and restaurants that ooze character and personality. The emphasis will be on providing a local experience and frequenting areas not widely known to mass tourism. Genuine local people who will share their experience in a very personal and up front manor is what we believe in.

Sligo

Tour to Sligo via Galway City where you will enjoy a food tour, before continuing your trip. You will be staying at Coopershill House, a grand 18th century country mansion in immaculate condition set in a private 500 acre estate – a river runs through the property and the wildlife is prolific. Exclusively for your use, it has 8 bedrooms, including 7 suites where 3 can be twinned. Super King size beds, log fires, luxurious modern bathrooms. It’s the perfect base to explore the Sligo landscape.

Galway Food Tour is a culinary walking food tour of Galway City. The tour itself takes approx. 2.5 hours.
It gives a great overview of the passionate people and beautiful produce that combine to make Galway one of Ireland’s gourmet jewels. During the tour you will meet artisan producers and sample their products with experience local guides, giving you insights to local and treasured ingredients.
Galway’s famed food culture is explored over a morning and takes in some of the city’s best known and secret food haunts; trying produce from Oysters to Cheese; Sushi to Crab and ‘Bean to Bar’ chocolate to Craft whiskeys, Artisan bread and Beer Tasting.

Celtic Locations at Sligo

Explore Bronze Age and Celtic locations at Sligo. Sligo’s archaeological and mythological heritage is incredibly rich, with one of the highest concentrations of prehistoric and later monuments in Western Europe.

Walled city of Derry

Today head to Northern Ireland to take part of Europe’s LARGEST Halloween Festival as the Walled City of Derry welcomes the spirit of Samhain through its historic gates for a festival like no other! Follow the Awakening the Walled City Trail and find out more about the folklore, history and heritage that makes this place so special. The story of Halloween is brought to life through illumination, aerial performance, pyrotechnics and music, as the spirits cross over to join the festivities, bringing magic and mischief to the streets.

Northern Ireland’s second largest city continues to flourish as an artistic and cultural hub. Derry’s city centre was given a striking makeover for its year as the UK City of Culture in 2013, with the new Peace Bridge, Ebrington Square and the redevelopment of the waterfront and Guildhall area making the most of the city’s splendid riverside setting. There’s lots of history to absorb here, from the Siege of Derry to the Battle of the Bogside and Bloody Sunday. A stroll around the 17th-century city walls that encircle the city is a must, as is a tour of the Bogside murals, along with taking in the burgeoning live music scene in the city’s lively pubs.

Kildare

Depart Sligo and head to County Kildare which will be your location for the next 03 days.

Puca Festival

Today is Halloween Day, enjoy Puca Festivities. Festival details to be confirmed.

Departure Day

Time to say good bye to Ireland, please you meet your driver at the lobby to take you to the airport. Have a lovely flight and I hope you enjoyed your time with us.