
Highlights
- Country lanes, heather covered hills and sweeping ocean vistas
- Killarney, Kenmare, Caragh Lake
- Celtic traditions and folklore, megalithic stones
- Working farms, local cheeses, herding sheepdogs
- Traditional Irish music and dancing
The mystical Ring of Kerry, with its emerald hills and clear blue waters, provides us with an insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland.
Meeting in Killarney, we discover a land of forests and lakes, of Franciscan abbeys and Druidic stone circles. We visit the Torc waterfalls and examine Celtic writings on an ancient Ogham stone, before sampling the famous Irish craic in traditional lakeside inns.
Highlights of our trip include traditional Irish music and dancing, local folklore, and meeting a local farmer on the hills above Caragh Lake who explains the traditional methods for cutting turf.
Sunday Overnight: Great Southern Killarney
Monday Overnight: Sheen Falls Lodge
Tuesday Overnight: Sheen Falls Lodge
Wednesday Overnight: Butler Arms Hotel
Thursday Overnight: Ard-Na-Sidhe Hotel
Friday Overnight: Ard-Na-Sidhe Hotel
Saturday

TRIP DETAILS
(Single Supplement $825.00)
Dates

Departure: Killarney Rail Station

Hotels - Where we stay

Great Southern Killarney
Spectacular architecture melded with effortless service and genuine hospitality has made The Malton Killarney an iconic retreat for over 160 years. Originally opened in 1854 The Great Southern Killarney stands proudly as Killarneys Premier Historic Hotel in Killarney town centre. The hotel has an impressive history, throughout which it has fortunately retained its striking original Victorian features. The Great Southern Killarney enjoys developing a deluxe guest experience with beautifully appointed accommodation & guest facilities including The Garden Room Restaurant, The Punchbowl Bar, The Killarney Wine Rooms, Afternoon Tea in The Grand Foyer & the beautifully restful, Reading Room Residents Lounge. Surrounded by 6 acres of beautiful gardens right in the centre of bustling Killarney town, within a moments walking distance of the sublime Killarney National Park. There is complimentary WIFI throughout the hotel.
Website: https://www.greatsouthernkillarney.com

Park Hotel
The Park Hotel is a Victorian landmark dating from 1897, boasting splendid views overlooking Kenmare Bay. Thoughtfully and painstakingly updated to create one of Ireland's finest hotels, tradition is an important part of the Park Hotel's appeal alongside its superb modern facilities which include a spa, lap-pool and cinema. Each of the 46 bedrooms is furnished with rich fabrics, original antiques and collectable art. Each ensuite room has free WiFi, flat-screen TV, DVD player, CD player, MP3/iPod connector, sitting area, telephones, hairdryer, bathrobe and slippers and Floris toiletries. The dining room has lovely views over Kenmare Bay and promises an ever-changing menu and impeccable service from Chef James Coffey and his team. Local produce is sourced for all dishes from quality producers in the surrounding countryside.
Website: http://www.parkkenmare.com

Sheen Falls
Website: https://www.sheenfallslodge.ie/

Butler Arms Hotel
The warmest of Irish hospitality welcomes you at this hotel. The well-known Butler Arms, run by the same family for four generations, is treasured for its air of luxury combined with a homely, intimate atmosphere. The unique climate of Waterville is aided by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and this enables visitors to enjoy the region all year round. Bedooms are impeccably furnished to be a comfortable home from home with full ensuite facilities. The restaurant offers a varied menu, specialising in a variety of fresh seafood & local meats and all of the seafood is caught daily by local fishermen in the waters of the south-west coast.
Website: http://www.butlerarms.com

Ard-Na-Sidhe Hotel
Ard-na-Sidhe Country House Hotel is a charming 18 bedroom lake hotel built in 1913. It is situated on the wooded shores of Caragh Lake, on the scenic Ring of Kerry, nestled between 32 acres of spectacular gardens. It's name means "Hill of the Fairies" and refers to the tree covered knoll close by the hotel. The house is long, low and gabled, with casement windows set in stone mullions. Hidden pathways and secret glades give way to the lake & mountains beyond. The gardens were originally designed by Lady Edith Gordon, a keen gardener, traveler and writer. As the original owner of the house Lady Gordon planted many trees and laid out a number of garden features and her spectacular rock garden remains an integral feature of the gardens. The perfect place to while away an afternoon, playing croquet, enjoying afternoon tea on the terrace or simply exploring the gardens.
Website: http://www.ardnasidhe.com
Start planning your trip
What Is Included in the Price of My Vacation
- Full-time services of two staff - a Walk Leader and Walk Manager
- A backup vehicle for resting walkers and moving luggage
- Comprehensive Travel Information Package and Reading List
- Diverse itineraries with an emphasis on history, geography, culture, peoples, flora and fauna
- Demonstrations, wine tasting, admissions to museums and historic sites
- All ground transfers (ferries, cable cars, trains, etc.)
- Maps and unique souvenirs to commemorate your trip
- First-class accommodations with cultural and historical interest
- All meals - with choices - (Special dietary requirements? No problem!)
- Wine with dinner
- On-trail snacks and refreshments
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants