Ireland Castles Experience with 5-Star Castle Extension Upgrade
Cities, castles, and the Irish countryside
Experience the Emerald Isle in splendor with this 8-night castle experience through Ireland! Make your way through the Irish countryside exploring cities, castles ruins, and breathtaking parks, before ending the night at your incredible castle accommodations.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Dublin (DUB)
- Manual shift rental car for the duration - automatic available for upgrade for additional fee
- 2 nights in Cavan at Cabra Castle Hotel
- 2 nights in Roscommon at Kilronan Castle
- 1 night in Donegal at the 5-star Lough Eske Castle, without breakfast
- 1 night in Clare at the Dromoland Castle or similar, with breakfast
- 2 nights in Meath at the Dunboyne Castle and Spa or similar, without breakfast
Plus!
- Afternoon Tea at the 5-star Lough Eske Castle
- Kildare Village 10% Discount Voucher
- Kilmainham Gaol Admission & Tour
- Guided Tour of Trim Castle
- Bru Na Boinne Visitor Centre - Newgrange & Knowth Joint Ticket*
*Bru Na Boinne may be switched for Glasnevin Cemetery Admission depending on availability
Great Ways to Explore
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Experience the breathtaking Irish countryside as you make your way from destination to destination.
Pay a visit to an ancient burial mound dating back over 3,000 years at Newgrange.
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There are over 30,000 castles and castle ruins dotting the Irish landscape - how many will you visit?
-
Live like a king during your stay in each of the castles!
-
Treat yourself to a pint at Ireland's oldest pub, the Brazen Head in Dublin!
Experience the Emerald Isle in luxury! You'll start your adventure in Cabra Castle, where you'll be surrounded by some of the country's most magical scenery. From the lovely accommodations and wonderful service, you will be in a scenic wonderland known as Cavan.
The next leg of your journey is in breathtaking Roscommon, where you'll enjoy luxurious stays in a 5-star castle hotel. Spend your day exploring the nearby castles, or enjoying a hike through the picturesque parks and forests.
It's then on to Donegal, where you'll stay in the 5-star Lough Eske Castle. Relax on the serene beaches, spend the afternoon in your hotel’s spa, or take a drive over to the Fanad Lighthouse. You'll then spend the next night in Clare! Revel in the warm comfort and ask for recommendations on what to see and do.
Your final nights are spent in County Meath, in an elegant accommodation boasting a 3-floor spa! You'll be just a short drive away from vibrant Dublin or prehistoric Newgrange - it's time for your Ireland adventure!
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.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Dublin (DUB)
- Manual shift rental car for the duration - automatic available for upgrade for additional fee
- 2 nights in Cavan at Cabra Castle Hotel
- 2 nights in Roscommon at Kilronan Castle
- 1 night in Donegal at the 5-star Lough Eske Castle, without breakfast
- 1 night in Clare at the Dromoland Castle or similar, with breakfast
- 2 nights in Meath at the Dunboyne Castle and Spa or similar, without breakfast
Plus!
- Afternoon Tea at the 5-star Lough Eske Castle
- Kildare Village 10% Discount Voucher
- Kilmainham Gaol Admission & Tour
- Guided Tour of Trim Castle
- Bru Na Boinne Visitor Centre - Newgrange & Knowth Joint Ticket*
*Bru Na Boinne may be switched for Glasnevin Cemetery Admission depending on availability
-
Experience the breathtaking Irish countryside as you make your way from destination to destination.
Pay a visit to an ancient burial mound dating back over 3,000 years at Newgrange.
-
There are over 30,000 castles and castle ruins dotting the Irish landscape - how many will you visit?
-
Live like a king during your stay in each of the castles!
-
Treat yourself to a pint at Ireland's oldest pub, the Brazen Head in Dublin!
Experience the Emerald Isle in luxury! You'll start your adventure in Cabra Castle, where you'll be surrounded by some of the country's most magical scenery. From the lovely accommodations and wonderful service, you will be in a scenic wonderland known as Cavan.
The next leg of your journey is in breathtaking Roscommon, where you'll enjoy luxurious stays in a 5-star castle hotel. Spend your day exploring the nearby castles, or enjoying a hike through the picturesque parks and forests.
It's then on to Donegal, where you'll stay in the 5-star Lough Eske Castle. Relax on the serene beaches, spend the afternoon in your hotel’s spa, or take a drive over to the Fanad Lighthouse. You'll then spend the next night in Clare! Revel in the warm comfort and ask for recommendations on what to see and do.
Your final nights are spent in County Meath, in an elegant accommodation boasting a 3-floor spa! You'll be just a short drive away from vibrant Dublin or prehistoric Newgrange - it's time for your Ireland adventure!
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.
Day 1. Welcome to Dublin!
Arrive in Dublin and pick up your car at the rental area. Today you will make your way to Cavan, just an hour drive from the airport.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, or explore the historic (and pre-historic) highlights near Cavan today! You can pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Knowth and Dowth, then head to Newgrange, an ancient burial tomb older than Stonehenge.
Check-in - Cabra Castle Hotel
From the moment you arrive through the acres of beautifully manicured gardens to this magnificent 19th century 4-star castle hotel in the Cavan countryside, you will feel welcomed and thoroughly spoiled. Set on 100 acres of parklands and gardens, with the magnificent backdrop of Dún a' Rí Forest Park, there is much to explore both indoors and out. Cabra Castle is one of the most unique luxury hotels in Ireland and is also one of the best-known castle wedding venues in Ireland. (Please note: Cabra Castle accommodations are not located within the main castle building).
Built in 1760, this upscale hotel is lavishly decorated with tall ceilings and grand staircases. Guest rooms are designed in a historic fashion with all the modern amenities a traveler needs to stay comfortable including a satellite TV, tea/coffee maker, and more. The Cabra Castle Hotel also has an on-site restaurant serving delicious local cuisine, as well as a bar perfect for relaxing with a drink.
Day 2. Cavan
Wake up in Cavan, home of Killykeen Forest Park! Stretch out your legs on the various nature trails winding through the woods and explore the natural beauty the region is known for!
Make a stop at Clough Oughter Castle, a 13th-century circular tower, isolated on a lonely speck of land. It used to be a remote prison, but now it can be visited as part of your day trip!
Day 3. Cavan - Roscommon
Today, make the approximately 2-hour drive west to your next destination: Roscommon. Unwind at your accommodation, then why not head to the nearby Lough Key Forest Park for some more of the Emerald Isle's spectacular scenery.
Check-in - Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa
Day 4. Roscommon
From your location in the beautiful west of Ireland, you'll be situated close to countless incredible attractions nearby. See the sights along the famous Wild Atlantic Way like Downpatrick Head and the small fishing village of Mullaghmore.
History buffs will want to check out King Boyle House, a magnificent restored Georgian mansion in Boyle.
Day 5. Roscommon - Donegal
Make your way to your next accommodation, the 5-star Lough Eske Castle Hotel in Donegal. You'll have luxurious stays on a secluded and peaceful lakeside property.
If you're looking for an adventure in the great outdoors, visit the neighboring Glenveagh National Park, a 170 square kilometer park. Here you'll enjoy scenic views of mountains, waterfalls and even castles secluded from the rest of the world.
A Tip For Your Trip: Enjoy your included afternoon tea today!
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 6. Donegal - Clare
After breakfast, you'll pack up and move on to Clare, where you'll check into the 5-star Dromoland Castle. Explore the 450-acre estate, take afternoon tea by a crackling fire, treat yourself to an indulgent spa day, or tee off on the world-class golf course!
The Adare Manor estate offers world-class facilities and a variety of accommodations at the gateway to southwest Ireland. Adare Manor is a neo-Gothic architectural masterpiece of towers, turrets, and stonework ornamentation surrounded by breathtaking gardens, majestic trees, and fascinating ruins dating back over 800 years. The 19th-century Manor is perched along the River Maigue and has been transformed from a private home into one of the world's premier luxury resorts.
A 5-star hotel and a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World organization, this castle hotel provides you with an elegant yet relaxing atmosphere. While staying in one of the Manor's 104 luxurious guest rooms, you are certain to enjoy every possible comfort. Each room is lavishly appointed with original art, Georgian-style furnishings, luscious textiles and marble bathrooms. The hallways are made of stone and wood and the ceilings soar high above you as you wander to your historic bedroom. Enjoy a candlelit dinner for two in the romantic Oak Room restaurant or casual dining in the Carriage House restaurant. Activities at the hotel include falconry, fishing, archery, cycling and more! Golfers will be tempted by the prospect of a perfect round on the resort’s Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course, poised to become one of the continent's finest courses.
Adare Manor is your ideal base from which to explore some of Ireland's most notable visitor attractions and the world’s most beautiful sights such as breathtaking Cliffs of Moher (an hour and a half drive), the stunning Dingle Penninsula (a two hour drive), the 15th-century Bunratty Castle & Folk Park (a 20 minute drive) and the unmissable Killarney town (an hour and fifteen minutes drive).
Day 7. Clare - Meath
Leave Clare and drive to the luxurious Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa! You'll be about a 30-minute drive from Dublin, making it the perfect day to explore the vibrant capital city. You can stop in the village of Kildare where you can use your included discount to pick up a few souvenirs.
A Tip For Your Trip: Enjoy your included afternoon tea today!
With a sophisticated combination of traditional old-world opulence and contemporary design, Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa sets a new precedent and fresh interpretation for hotels around Ireland. As one of the leading 4-star hotels in Ireland, Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa features unique attributes that emphasize the beauty of its estate. Standing on 21 acres of mature manicured lawns and gardens, the hotel's most unique attribute is the peaceful oasis it offers guests, while also being located in such close proximity to Dublin's city center and surrounding golf courses.
The hotel is situated on the grounds of a former castle; the original castle was destroyed during the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland. The 18th-century Georgian house that we see today is at the heart of the hotel, blending seamlessly with the stylish, modern bedrooms and restaurant in the contemporary wing. The historic mansion, once home to the Lord of Dunboyne, today serves as one of Ireland's foremost exclusive hotels on Dublin's doorstep.
Its 145 large, comfortable rooms boast free WiFi, air-conditioning, HD TV, and much more. Relax at Seoid, meaning jewel in Irish, the decadent on-site spa. Unwind in the crystal steam room, enjoy an herbal sauna, pamper yourself with a mud treatment, and more. Take a stroll through the lavish garden, then indulge in a delicious meal at the Ivy Restaurant. Feast your eyes on its carefully prepared seasonal menu, then taste the award-winning flavors of the in-house chefs, who've earned 2 AA Rosettes from 2013 to date.
Kildare Village Discount Voucher
Nestled within landscaped grounds and presented in an authentic village environment, Kildare Village is the perfect luxury shopping destination! You will find it difficult to resist temptation with over 90 brands such as Louise Kennedy, Gucci, Armani, Brooks Brothers, Anya Hindmarch and Hugo Boss offering up to 60% off all year around.
After a long day of shopping, unwind at one of the upscale eateries, such as L'Officina, Dunne & Crescenzi’s, an ultra-modern Italian restaurant offering breakfast, mid-morning snacks, lunch, and wonderful wines.
The Village is located at exit 13 off the M7 less than an hour's drive from Dublin Airport and Dublin city center.
Kilmainham Gaol
Kilmainham Gaol opened in 1796 as the new County Gaol for Dublin, and closed its doors in 1924. Today, it is one of the largest unoccupied jails in Europe, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland's emergence as a modern nation from 1780s to the 1920s.
In addition to a guided tour, you can visit the permanent exhibition detailing the social and political history of the prison, as well as any of the other exhibitions on display.
Trim Castle (including Keep)
Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, was constructed over a thirty-year period by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter. Hugh de Lacy was granted the Liberty of Meath by King Henry II in 1172 in an attempt to curb the expansionist policies of Richard de Clare, (Strongbow). Construction of the massive three-storied Keep, the central stronghold of the castle, was begun in 1176 on the site of an earlier wooden fortress. This massive twenty-sided tower, which is cruciform in shape, was protected by a ditch, curtain wall and moat.
Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre - Newgrange & Knowth Joint Ticket
Brú na Bóinne, which means the ‘palace’ or the ‘mansion’ of the Boyne, refers to the area within the bend of the River Boyne which contains one of the world’s most important prehistoric landscapes. The archaeological landscape within Brú na Bóinne is dominated by the three well-known large passage tombs, Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth, built some 5,000 years ago in the Neolithic or Late Stone Age. An additional ninety monuments have been recorded in the area giving rise to one of the most significant archaeological complexes in terms of scale and density of monuments and the material evidence that accompanies them.
The Brú na Bóinne tombs, in particular Knowth, contain the largest assemblage of megalithic art in Western Europe. All admission to Newgrange and Knowth is through the Visitor Centre, there is no direct access to these monuments. Visitors are brought from the Visitor Centre to the monuments by shuttle bus.
Glasnevin Cemetery Museum Admission & Tour
Embark upon an intriguing journey through Ireland's past at Glasnevin Museum, the world's first cemetery museum. Visitors can explore the history and the lives of more than 1.5 million people that are buried there, greater than the population of Dublin.
The Museum is open to explore at your leisure, then after or before visiting the museum, join one of the famous guided tours. Led by a team of experienced guides, the historical tour gives a valuable insight into this unique Victorian burial place and into the final resting place of the men and women who have helped shape Ireland’s past and present including its founder Daniel O'Connell. Glasnevin is listed at number 1 on TripAdvisor and was awarded Best Cultural Experience in Ireland at the Irish Tourism Industry Awards.
Day 8. Meath
Today, take a drive over to Dublin! With this upgrade, you'll also have the opportunity to experience Ireland's famous Guinness.
Day 9. Depart Ireland
In accordance with your departure flight, make your way back to Dublin Airport. Be sure to leave enough time to drop off your car at the rental area.
Fly home!
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.