US Presidential Tour of Ireland

Presidential Dublin

Arrive Dublin. Enjoy a VIP meet and greet at the airport upon arrival followed by a private transfer to your hotel. Explore Dublin with your guide on a private half day walking tour. You may visit sites where Ulysses Grant visited, such as Trinity College, the Royal Irish Academy and the Bank of Ireland. Speaking to a crowd outside of City Hall, Grant said: “I am by birth a citizen of a country where there are more Irishmen, either native born or the descendants of Irishmen, than there are in all of Ireland.”

Take the afternoon at leisure. Perhaps, shop the stores that line Grafton Street and Dawson Street, as Bill Clinton did in one of his post-presidential visits. Conclude your day at the Merrion Hotel, where both President Clinton and President Obama stayed during their presidential visits.

Presidential Dublin

Tour the city today with your guide; see the American Embassy in Ballsbridge, the American Ambassador’s residence in Phoenix Park, and some of the more traditional highlights of Dublin such as Epic Museum, The Georgian Squares and Dublin Castle. In fact, the Reagans attended a State Banquet at Dublin Castle hosted by the Prime Minister of Ireland. In the afternoon, meet with a genealogist over lunch to trace your own Irish roots and see whether you possess any blood lines in the same locales as the US presidents. In the evening, opt to enjoy a dinner at Shanahan’s On The Green overlooking St. Stephen’s Green. The restaurant boasts an Oval Office Bar, which exhibits original memorabilia commemorating the U.S. Presidents with Irish Ancestry. Following dinner, enjoy a private presidential pub tour of Dublin, where you will immerse yourself in the true Irish spirit. Perhaps, visit Ryans of Parkgate, which was visited by George HW and George W Bush as well as JFK. You may also visit McGrattan’s bar on Baggot Street, a favorite of Jimmy Carter’s, and then hop over to O’Donoghue’s Pub for traditional Irish music. For the good “craic” or fun, pay a stop to The Church on Jervis Street and Cassidys Pub on Camden Street, where Bill Clinton enjoyed a pint or two.

Kennedy's Waterford

Depart Dublin in the early morning with your driver guide. Tour south with a first stop to JFK’s ancestral home of Dunganstown, Co. Wexford. Visit the Kennedy Homestead, birthplace of President John F. Kennedy’s great-grandfather Patrick Kennedy. The site celebrates the story of five generations of the Kennedy dynasty and is still today farmed by his descendants. From

there, make your way to Waterford where you will enjoy lunch and a private tour of the iconic House of the Waterford Crystal. Your experience there will include access to the blowing room where you can see red-hot molten crystal take shape. Learn of how the crystal and factory originated and the people who make it today. Watch the techniques that are almost 200 years old and you will see why this crystal are most sought-after pieces. Make your way to Cliff House Hotel for the evening.

Reagan's Ancestral Home & Cashel

Today, venture to Cashel. There, you will visit the famous Rock of Cashel. You will also enjoy a true, authentic Irish Farm experience. Learn about the how the farm works and even taste sheep milk ice cream. There, you will also enjoy a sheep dog demonstration. This experience allows you to understand the importance of land to the Irish culture and heritage. You will now make your way to Cork with stops to Ballyporeen and Blarney Castle. Ballyporeen is the ancestral home to Ronald Reagan. Blarney Castle,

home to the infamous Blarney Stone, was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftans, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. The place has an aura of magic and mystique with Wishing Steps, Witch’s Kitchen, Druid’s Cave and many other delights telling a story of centuries past. Blarney Castle, set in acres of parkland filled with rare and unusual trees and plants, offers visitors the chance to stroll in one of the country’s most spectacular gardens.

Cork

Explore Cork City in the morning with your driver guide. JFK delivered an iconic speech in Cork City Hall in 1963. In the afternoon, venture to the quaint seaside town of Kinsale, where you will enjoy a food trail and foraging experience. Learn about the importance of seafood to the history of Ireland and how it shapes the modern culinary realm of the nation. Return to Cork for the evening.

Clinton & George W Bush at Dromoland Castle

Make your way to Dromoland Castle via Adare. Countless individuals regard Adare as Ireland’s most picturesque village with its thatched cottages, beautiful stone buildings and picturesque ruins. In Adare, visit Adare Manor for Afternoon Tea. President Bill Clinton lodged at the manor during his time in office and refers to it as one of the most stunning, charming locales on earth. Following tea, you will continue to Dromoland Castle. In 2004, Dromoland Castle hosted the EU-US summit, which President George W Bush attended. You will receive a true presidential welcome upon arrival to the hotel, as you will be greeted by a parade of horses and hounds.

Trump's Doonbeg

Today, enjoy a day of leisurely activities. Commence with a private falconry demonstration. Falconry is regarded as a quintessential Irish pursuit. You will then venture to President Trump’s property, Trump Doonbeg, for lunch and a round of golf.

Doonbeg offers some of the best golfing in the world and the course is set against a spectacular backdrop of rugged landscape and shimmering sea waves. Return to Dromoland Castle for the evening.

Presidential Galway

Depart Dromoland Castle with your driver guide and make your way to Galway via the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. 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. 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. Following your visit to the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, you will make your way to Galway.

Several US Presidents have visited this Irish city, including Presidents Clinton, JFK, and Ronald Reagan. In the evening, enjoy a traditional music pub tour of the city given that Galway is regarded by locals as the cultural capital of Ireland.

Biden & Reagan at Ashford Castle

Depart Galway in the morning and make your way to Ashford Castle. Ashford Castle is regarded as one of the most iconic, high-end hotels of the world. There, take the day to enjoy the grounds or partake in one of the many activities that the hotel offers. Perhaps, opt to go for a boat ride in the Lough like President Reagan and the then First Lady did when they stayed at Ashford in 1984.

Vice President Joe Biden too lodged at the property in 2016 during a holiday with his family. Biden also possesses Irish ancestors who are from the towns of Mayo surrounding Ashford Castle.

Nixon's Laois & Obama's Offaly

Depart Ashford Castle in the early morning and tour to Ballyfin Demense in Co. Laois where President Richard Nixon has traced pieces of his ancestry too. Along the way, partake in a true Secret Ireland experience. Get to see the parts of Ireland many rarely do and enjoy a diverse range of experiences combined with a burst of genuine Irish hospitality as you meet the locals. A true taste of Ireland like never before. Following your Secret Ireland experience, drive through President Barack Obama’s ancestral town of Moneygall in County Offaly. Be sure to grab a pint at Ollie Hayes Pub just as he did during his presidential visit in 2011. While there, Obama teased the barman for a while on whether he was properly qualified to pour his pint, took a sip, and then called for another one for the ambassador.

You will then conclude the day as you arrive to Ballyfin Demense. Today is an action-packed day where you will leave Ashford Castle at 9:00 am and arrive to Ballyfin around 7:00 pm.

Ballyfin Demense

After days of touring, enjoy a relaxing day of leisure. You will first enjoy a private clay pigeon shooting experience in the morning. Then enjoy a picnic lunch in a location of your choice. In the afternoon, choose to relax or enjoy the grounds of the hotel. Ballyfin Demense offers a plethora of activities for you to partake in including archery, boating, fishing, and air rifle target shooting. Please note that some of these activities do require advanced booking. In the evening, enjoy a private whiskey tasting.

Presidential Kildare

Depart Ballyfin Demense in the late morning and make your way to Kildare. In October 1970, US President Richard Nixon and his wife Pat made an official visit to this town. The highlight of the trip was the President’s visit to the Quaker Burial Ground at Hodgestown, near Timahoe in County Kildare. This is where his mother, Hannah Milhouse’s ancestors were buried.

Enjoy lunch in Kildare. You will then enjoy a private tour of the National Stud and Japanese Gardens with David Wardell. Born in 1963, David ran a successful restaurant in Kildare for many years. He is married to a member of Ireland’s Three Day Event team and a hopeful for the Irish horse riding Olympic Team. His uncle is the Earl of Erne and he is closely connected to the aristocracy of Britain and Ireland – his great-grandfather was the Duke of Westminister. Following this experience, you will make your way to the K Club for your final evening in Ireland. Presidents George HW and George W Bush as well as President Clinton have all lodged at this iconic property.

Departure

Enjoy a private transfer from the K Club to Dublin airport. Upon arrival, enjoy a VIP meet and greet – a service that will assist you through the immigration and check-in processes.