I enjoyed my recent experience in Ireland with CIE Tours!
Day 1: Neary’s on Chatham St. Serves local cuisine and smoked salmon is a favorite here. Later, we did a tour of Trinity College/Book of Kells. Dinner was on our own at The Bank College Green. Great fish and chips. Traditional dishes. Great atmosphere.
Day 2: Tour of the Jamieson Storehouse with 2 whiskey tastings. One private. Also included in admission was a Jamieson, Ginger and lime drink. We had the afternoon free so we chose to go to Guiness Storehouse. Tour is self guided and includes a pint of Guiness with your admission. It’s best to advise clients to start at the Gravity Bar (top floor), which gives you a full 360 view of the city. Then make way through the rest of the storehouse tour. Cost is 22 euro and best to book in advance for peak travel for a timed entrance. Dinner at Roley’s with preset menu.
Day 3: Drive to Killarney. We made a photo stop at Rock of Cashell and then toured Blarney Castle. We arrived at Killarney Plaza Hotel. Spent 2 nights here. Lobby is pleasant and rooms with very simple furnishings and understated. Lounge areas have couches that look very worn on arm rests. Buffet breakfast included but can order off a la carte menu. Full restaurant and bar. Private dinner arranged for us. We checked out a local tavern next to property, Paddy Sheehan’s for local music.
Day 4: Ring of Kerry. Coaches always travel in a counterclockwise direction. Irish coffee stop at The Red Fox Inn. Also on site is a replicated Bog Farm with Irish Wolfhounds, goats and a Bog Pony. For lunch we stopped at Dooley’s in Waterville. Sheepdog demonstration at Kissane Sheep Farm. This is a locally owned, working farm. Photo stop at Ladies View. Dinner, with a whiskey and chocolate tasting at Celtic Whiskey Bar & Larder. 1600 different types of whiskey’s offered onsite. We checked out a local whiskey bar called Pig’s Lane. Uniquely crafted cocktails and light snacks.
Day 5: Took ferry to Shannon. Runs every hour during peak season. Cliffs of Mohr stop. Walking trail was currently closed. Great visitor’s centre with history and insights of the Cliffs of Mohr. Shopping and café style food. Quick photo stop at the Burren and drove through Spanish Point. Great seaside retreat for locals. Lots of surfers. Arrived in Galway for 1 night. Stayed at Galmont Hotel. This is a business style property and rooms are very simple. Restaurant on site. We had a local guide meet us for a walking tour of Galway. College town feel. Great for millennials. We ate on site. Only stayed 1 night. Clients need at least 2 full days here to really appreciate Galway.
Day 6: Left Galway and made a stop at Irish National Stud Farm and Japanese Gardens. Great history of the Stud farm community. Many prized horses are bread and born here. We met 3 foals born within 48 hours of our arrival. Japanese Gardens allow you to walk through on your own. I’m sure it’s beautiful in summer months. Ate lunch in café. Limited items offered. Last day back in Dublin. Stayed at the Clontarf Castle Hotel. All rooms are decorated to reflect a “castle stay” type of experience. Dinner with entertainment at The Abbey Tavern in Howth.
Facts:
Ireland does a superior job with offering clients many different allergy related options for meals. All menus have numbers listed at the bottom of menu. Numbers are listed next to each item on menu indicating the potential allergens of the dish. We had 2 agents with Gluten allergies and were easily accommodated with all meals. Salads are rarely seen on any menu.
Gaelic is called “Irish” and is a dying language. Only Catholic schools teach students Gaelic. It has 18 letters to the alphabet so hard to translate to English. All signage is in Gaelic (first) and English (second).
Hurling and Rugby are most popular sports in Ireland.
Irish love Americans, but there are some highly offensive things we do that your clients need to be aware of: ordering an Irish car bomb or a Black and Tan (offensive historical references). Not being patient when ordering a Guiness, you must wait at least 5 minutes for it to settle and be drunk properly.
Shamrocks are not a thing. 3 leaf clover is most common.
Saying Happy St Patty’s Day. Its Happy St Paddy’s Day. Bono/U2 are not revered at all to majority of Irish. Never greet an Irish person in the morning by saying “top of the morning to you”. It’s not a thing or a greeting used by Irish.
I would be happy to assist you with your next Ireland adventure!
