Discovering the Hidden Gems of Ireland

Overview:

• Dublin
• Kilkenny
• Cork to Killarney National Park
• Limerick
• Galway

Dublin

On our Bunnik Tour we view the General Post Office, the stronghold of the 1916 Rising against British Rule and explore the grounds of the 16th century Trinity College. Ireland’s oldest university has an extensive list of alumni, including the likes of Oscar Wilde and is home to one of Dublin’s most prized possessions, ‘the Book of Kells’. We explore both exhibits of the book on our sightseeing of the college, the first to view the pages on display and the second a more modern experience which delves into the history of the monks which first penned the text back in the 6th and 8th centuries. We also spend time walking through the ‘Long Room’, the main chamber of the Old Library which houses a collection of 200,000 books and is one of the most impressive libraries in the world.

Trinity College, Dublin by Jeremy van Heerde

Our other sightseeing of the city includes a guided tour of Dublin Castle, we’ll see The Chapel Royal and the beautiful State Apartments, the venue for presidential inaugurations and official state visits. We gain insight into the building’s extensive history from its 13th century Tower to famous ex-employees, such as Bram Stoker. Working as a civil servant, Stoker’s duties included salary and managing fines, perhaps as a nineteenth-century tax collector this is where the those first ‘bloodsucking’ tendencies were formed!

Dublin Castle, Dublin by Jeremy van Heerde

Dublin is also a great place to arrive a little earlier and further explore, for those with Irish ancestry the EPIC Museum is a must to retrace the family history. On the other hand, walks along the Grand Canal or through Phoenix Park, which is twice as big as Central Park, are great for some time outdoors. We couldn’t leave Dublin without mentioning a very worthy visit right in its heart, the Guiness Storehouse, originally the brewery occupied a four-acre site, now its constant expansion sees it occupy what feels like most of the city, you can’t miss it and it’s a great experience for drinkers and non-drinkers alike.

Kilkenny

The home of hurling and the origin of the limerick ‘The Two Cats of Kilkenny’, the people of Kilkenny are known as The Cats, and you’ll hear the call of ‘Come on the Cats’ from the crowd during a local game. During our visit, we tour the stunning Kilkenny Castle built in the 13th century. It was continuously occupied by the Butler Family until 1967, when it was sold to the council of Kilkenny for a staggering £50! Our guide takes us through all the different rooms which have been transferred back to their former glory with extra time to explore the estate’s rose garden and stables area. Often a popular spot for a small market too, Kilkenny is a great location to try some local produce for lunch and enjoy a Smithwick’s Red Ale.

Kilkenny Castle, Killkenny by Jeremy van Heerde

Cork to Killarney National Park

With the River Lee running through the city, Cork is divided by waterways and offers so much to see, from the delicacies on offer at the English Market and the historic Imperial Hotel, our location for a spot of high tea, to the fascinating Saint Fin Barres Cathedral, built in 607 by William Burges, the Jester! Though it is the day we spend out of Cork which is really quite special. Leaving Cork and heading west, we navigate the small winding roads and are treated to constantly changing scenery at every turn. Arriving in the small town of Glengarriff, we take a short boat trip to the island of Garnish. During the ride, we stop to view the local seals sunning themselves along the way and if we’re very lucky, we might get to see the couple of resident 8-foot White Tailed Sea Eagles circling above. Once we arrive, Garnish Island is a magical garden paradise for us to freely explore at our leisure. What’s impressive is that 100 years ago none of the gardens existed! It wasn’t until the island was purchased in 1910 by the Brice Family, the visionary creators of this unique place, who created and designed what remains today.

Garnish Island, Ireland by Jeremy van Heerde

Back on the coach, our scenic drive continues as we travel to County Kerry and cross over the Cork and Kerry Mountains (yes this is the moment to start playing Thin Lizzy and blasting ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ through the speakers!). We continue through Kenmare, a great stop for lunch and I recommend trying the local chowder if you have the time. The beautiful scenery continues all the way to Killarney National Park as we travel past Black Valley, the town only got electricity in 1985, and Molls Gap, with a number of photo stops and lookout points along the way. You’ll also notice that all the vehicles are travelling in the same direction for this part of the journey, anticlockwise, as the roads are not wide enough for ongoing traffic. It’s a bit of local unwritten law, so you’ll be able to pick the tourists in the hire car pretty easily, as they go against the flow!

Muckross House, Killarney National Park by Jeremy van Heerde

Limerick

Nestled along the banks of the River Shannon, Limerick has a rich history dating back to the first Viking settlement as early as 922 AD and the magnificent 800-year-old King John's Castle with its imposing location overlooking the river. However, in modern times, it is more famously recognised as the backdrop for Frank McCourt's acclaimed book, "Angela's Ashes", and of course where on Tuesday 31 October 1978 at Thomond Park, Munster became the first Irish team to beat the All Blacks. The 12–0 victory took place in front of a crowd of 12,000! Our on Bunnik Tour we take to the water to enjoy a cruise on Lough Derg, located in Tipperary, it turns out the lake is not too far from our hotel in County Clare, ‘not that long at all’!

Lough Derg, Limerick by Jeremy van Heerde

Galway

Making our way to Galway, we take the coastal route with the Atlantic Ocean on our right travelling through The Burren, translating from boíreann in Gaelic, to rocky place. The national park is made up of a unique moon-like landscape. The dramatic limestone rock formations mixed with an array of flowers and endemic plants, makes for such a special site. Our group was incredibly lucky, the weather gods certainly looked after us, with the best day one could hope for, even giving us clear views of the 3 Aran Islands. We got into Galway a little later than planned but had to ensure we made continuous stops at every turn, all to try and delay the day from ending.

In Galway, we enjoy a walking tour through the town to see the main sights. Don’t forget a visit to the 700-year-old St Nicholas Collegiate Church, the largest medieval parish church in Ireland, and a former place of worship for Christopher Columbus and used as stables by Cromwell’s troops. We then have the afternoon free to enjoy our coastal settling. The Latin Quarter is great for people watching and grabbing a few more souvenirs, and as our location suggests, this the perfect spot for seafood, perhaps fish & chips for lunch!

Galway, Ireland by Jeremy van Heerde

Visit Ireland today with Bunnik Tours

Piqued your interest? These sights have just sratched the surface of the amazing places we visit on our small group tour to both Northern Ireland & the Republic of Ireland! Start planning your Irish adventure with our Tale of Two Irelands short tour, or discover more of the UK on our England, Scotland & Wales small group tour. Contact our friendly Travel Specialists today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month to visit Ireland?

The best time to visit Ireland is from May until September. These months are the peak season, as from the start of spring to the beginning of autumn the weather is warm and sunny - perfect for a range of outdoor activities. 

Is it worth seeing Northern Ireland?

Yes, absolutely! From stunning, rugged landscapes to cosy towns to the famous and mythical basalt columns of UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, the natural beauty of Northern Ireland is unsurpassable.

How much is it to eat out in Ireland?

On average across both the Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland:

The price of a cappuccino is approximately €3.50
The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately €15 - 20
The price of dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately €25 - 40
The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately €5.50 - 6
 

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