Ireland's West Coast: 5-Star Castle and Bed & Breakfasts
Explore Ireland's rugged west coast
Enjoy 5 or 7 nights exploring Ireland from behind the wheel with stays at classic Irish Bed & Breakfasts and a 5-star castle hotel in Donegal!
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Shannon (SNN)
- Manual shift economy car rental for the duration – automatic available for upgrade
- 3 nights with open Bed and Breakfast vouchers (breakfast included)
- 1 night in Donegal at the Lough Eske Castle (without breakfast)
- 1 night in Clare at the Inn at Dromoland (without breakfast)
- Admissions to the Cliffs of Moher
- Tour of the House of Waterford Crystal
Great Ways to Explore
- Shannon Airport is the most ideal hub for exploring the west coast.
- The Lough Eske Castle is one of Donegal's finest, set on a secluded lakeside estate.
- The rugged and dramatic coastline in Clare offers travelers the best viewpoints.
- Tour the House of Waterford Crystal and bring home a sparkly souvenir!
- Enjoy warm Irish breakfasts at your chosen Bed & Breakfasts.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Enhance your vacation with:
Add the following to your vacation:
- Breakfast Daily
- Tour of the Guinness Storehouse
- Admissions to the Bunratty Folk Park
- Admissions to the Blarney Castle
- Admission to Kilkenny Castle
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Shannon (SNN)
- Manual shift economy car rental for the duration – automatic available for upgrade
- 3 nights with open Bed and Breakfast vouchers (breakfast included)
- 1 night in Donegal at the Lough Eske Castle (without breakfast)
- 1 night in Clare at the Inn at Dromoland (without breakfast)
- Admissions to the Cliffs of Moher
- Tour of the House of Waterford Crystal
- Shannon Airport is the most ideal hub for exploring the west coast.
- The Lough Eske Castle is one of Donegal's finest, set on a secluded lakeside estate.
- The rugged and dramatic coastline in Clare offers travelers the best viewpoints.
- Tour the House of Waterford Crystal and bring home a sparkly souvenir!
- Enjoy warm Irish breakfasts at your chosen Bed & Breakfasts.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Enhance your vacation with:
Add the following to your vacation:
- Breakfast Daily
- Tour of the Guinness Storehouse
- Admissions to the Bunratty Folk Park
- Admissions to the Blarney Castle
- Admission to Kilkenny Castle
Day 1. Welcome to Ireland!
Upon arrival at Shannon you’ll collect your rental car and drive to the Irish Bed & Breakfast of your choice! Bed & Breakfasts in Ireland are known for being extremely welcoming and accommodating. You’ll have hundreds of B&B’s to choose from. It is highly recommended that you book a stay before your trip so that you are guaranteed the location and property you want.Â
From Shannon you will be less than an hour from the Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher. We've included admission to the Cliffs of Moher- a once in a lifetime experience. You’ll have the most spectacular views of the Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.Â
Check-in - Ireland Bed and Breakfast
Staying in an Ireland Bed and Breakfast offers travelers the complete flexibility of creating their own itinerary. You must select your accommodations ahead of time. To ensure the best availability, it's recommended that you pre-book your B&Bs as far in advance as possible. Enjoy your choice of accommodations from small towns to quaint villages to countryside manors.
All Irish B&B's pride themselves on providing their guests with a fresh, home-cooked breakfast each morning and quality accommodations that cater to every need. Draw on the local knowledge, personal touch and warm welcome of your Irish hosts. Learn about all the best local restaurants, pubs, shops, attractions and activities. Your hosts specialize in the best services available from golf to walking tours of the area, to adventure breaks and much more.
Why Stay in a B&B?
- Most bed and breakfasts are owned by the B&B operators themselves, who usually live on the premises. It's natural to expect that B&B operators who live in their own B&B's will bring a different perspective to the job.
- At B&B's, "customers" are truly guests, and it shows. The B&B owners will gladly help you find the best restaurant in town, the best pubs, point you to the best tourist attractions and local amenities and much much more. Many B&B's depend on word-of-mouth recommendations.
Combine those two factors and it's easy to see why B&B owners go out of their way to make sure your stay provides some great memories of Ireland.
*B&B check-in is between 3:00pm and 6:00pm..
Day 2. Ireland Bed & Breakfast
Some popular destinations along the Wild Atlantic Way include Limerick, Galway and Dingle. Galway is an interesting city because it has a spirited atmosphere with a bustling city, but is also home to Connemara Park, one of the most scenic parks in Ireland.
Day 3. Ireland Bed & Breakfast
The Crystal County is another fantastic destination in the southeast. Founded by Vikings, Waterford has a lovingly-preserved heritage coupled with a modern flair. The pedestrian-friendly streets offer shopping, restaurants, traditional Irish pubs and more.
Day 4. Ireland Bed & Breakfast - Donegal
You'll spend the next night at the 5-star Lough Eske Castle. You’ll have luxurious accommodations on a secluded and peaceful lakeside property. This castle hotel is the only Irish hotel to claim a World Luxury Hotel Award, so you know you will be in good hands here. During your stay, take a drive to the Slieve League or Sliabh Liag for some fresh air and the most beautiful Irish landscapes.You'll be a short drive from the Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre which is a unique way to spend your afternoon. Or, you could take the drive to the walled city of Derry and do a little sightseeing.Â
Check-in - Lough Eske Castle Hotel and Spa
A truly unique luxury castle hotel in Ireland, the Lough Eske Castle, a hotel and spa, sits within 43 acres of forest woodland, hugging the shores of Lough Eske, with the Blue Stack Mountains in the background. Lough Eske Castle Hotel is the only 5-star hotel in Donegal. This lovingly restored castle hotel in Ireland blends its historic past with a dash of contemporary elegance.
Escape into a luxurious world of relaxed grandeur and extraordinary personal service. From the spa to the dining table to your beautifully appointed guest room, Lough Eske Castle provides a truly accommodating environment where the dedication to the guest is thoughtful, reliable, consistent and complete. Superb service and superior amenities make every day here a perfect day.
The Lough Eske Castle Hotel and Spa has been awarded the best luxury hotel in Ireland by The Times in the UK, Conde Nast's Top Ten Luxury Hotels in Ireland for five consecutive years including 2022, Ireland's Castle Wedding Venue of the Year 2022, two AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence in Cedars Restaurant, Ulster Spa of the Year 2019 by Irish Tatler Magazine, and more!
Day 5. Donegal - Clare
The perfect location to spend your final night in Ireland is County Clare. You'll have such beautiful views surrounding you and an abundance of activities to take advantage of! Visit the Burren or the Cliffs of Moher if you haven't already.Â
Check-in - The Inn at Dromoland
Located in the beautiful County Clare countryside, The Inn at Dromoland commands panoramic views across the Clare Hills and Shannon Estuary - and is ideally situated just eight miles from Shannon Airport, a 15-minute drive from Ennis and a 20-minute drive from Limerick.
The Inn at Dromoland features 181 guestrooms, each individually designed and decorated with guests' comfort and relaxation in mind. Its health and leisure club boasts a large swimming pool and children's pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and plunge pool, plus fully equipped fitness center. The hotel is renowned for its seasonal and fully supervised Blue Dolphin Kids Club, as well as other family friendly activities.
Day 6. Depart Ireland
Depart Ireland from Shannon Airport today.
Where available, the Flexible Change Plan allows you to change your travel date for ANY reason (between 30 days and 14 days before planned departure). You will receive a Future Travel Credit for the entire amount you paid. Please note that prepaid instant purchase airfares and group airfare are not eligible for the Flexible Change Plan and are subject to airline-imposed change or cancellation fees based on airline rules at the time that the change is requested. You must rebook using the original air carrier at least 14 days prior to your originally scheduled departure and complete travel at least 1 year from original booking date. Additional fees may apply. Future travel credit is non-transferable, non-refundable, and may not be redeemed for cash.