Emerald Isle Ancestry Adventure

Early Sept 2027 Itinerary

    • Aer Lingus First Class

    • 7 hours direct to Dublin

    • Arrive Dublin Airport 8:40am

    • Drive 20 min north to your ancestral village of Naul

    • Relax for the day @ Bellinter House Hotel, an 18th Century Georgian Manner

    • Road to Dublin stops:

      • Blarney Castle

      • Cork city

      • Cahir Castle and Rock of Cashel

    • Return the rental car

    • Stay 3 Nights @ The Grafton Hotel

    • Trinity College & the Book of Kells

    • EPIC Immigration Museum

    • Have some pints exploring the local streets and Grafton Street shopping

    • Visit St. Stephen's Green

    • Afternoon Tea at the Shelborne Lord Mayors Lounge

    • St. Patrick's Cathedral (Evensong every day at 5:30pm)

    • Relax, enjoy breakfasst

    • Last minute shopping and Dublin sites

    • Arrive Pittsburgh 7:10pm

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Co. Meath

DAY 2

  • Take advantage of the Aer Lingus Revival Lounge to get refreshed, have some breakfast and coffee.

  • Pass through the tiny village of Naul just twenty minutes north of Dublin and reconnect with your roots.

  • Spend the day relaxing at an 18th Century Georgian manor turned hotel and spa. Get a massage, take a nap, enjoy the hot tub, drink some wine and enjoy dinner.

  • Watch the sun set from the Hill of Tara, Ireland’s sacred site and ancient capitol, just ten minutes from the hotel.

Co. Clare

DAY 3

  • Arrive at Dromoland Caslte and relax on 450 acres of landscaped gardens, ancient woodlands, and lush countryside. Dromoland has hosted some of the world’s most famous people including Nelson Mandela, John Lennon, and President George W. Bush.

  • Enjoy a Falconry experience on the castle grounds.

  • This evening, party like a Lord (or Lady) at the Bunratty Castle Medieval Dinner Banquet.

Co. Clare

DAY 4

  • Visit O'Briens Tower and the Cliffs of Moher, 1 hour drive from your hotel.

  • Visit the village and Cathedral of Kilfenora, gateway to the Burren, home of the famed seven High Crosses and Shelley’s ancestral roots.

  • Evening of shopping and traditional pub music in the famous music town of Ennis, just 15 min from the hotel.

Co. Kerry

DAY 5 - 6

    • 3 nights

    • Junior Suite Mountain View with King Bed, Breakfast Included

    • United MileagePlus Points

    https://www.randleshotel.com

DAY 5

  • Arrive in Killarney and check into your hotel.

  • Step back in time with a horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Muckross Abbey, where 100+ year old elm trees rise from the monastic ruins.

  • Relax for the evening, enjoying shopping downtown or simply take in the view—with some wine of course—from the hotel.

DAY 6

  • Explore Killarney National Park on horseback and visit Torq waterfall.

  • OR

  • Explore the famed Ring of Kerry, stopping in the waterside village of Kenmare, taking a leisurely walk along the Fairy Trail of Derrynane, and visiting an ancient ring fort and Ogham stone.

  • On either itinerary, get a breathtaking view of Killarney National Park at Ladies View, named for Queen Anne’s ladies in waiting who marveled here long ago.

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Co. Cork

DAY 7

  • Depart Killarney for Dublin, visiting scenic locations across Cork on the way.

    • Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famed stone for good luck.

    • Stop in the picturesque city of Cork for lunch and visit the exquisite Cork Cathedral.

    • Walk in Saint Patrick’s footsteps at the hilltop fortress of the Rock of Cashel.

  • Arrive Dublin and check into your hotel.

  • Return the rental car and relax for the evening.

Dublin

DAY 8 - 9

  • Spend two days being captivated by Dublin’s charming cobblestone streets, lively pubs, and welcoming locals.

  • Explore iconic landmarks like Trinity College and the Book of Kells.

  • Lose yourself in the pubs and boutiques of Temple Bar.

  • Imagine the paths of your ancestors at EPIC Emigration Museum.

  • Afternoon Tea at the Shelborne Lord Mayors Lounge.

  • For your final evening, attend the choral majesty of Evensong at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.

Independent Land Cost
$3,500 (pp double occupancy)

Includes:

  • 8 nights of Four Star hotels plus a Five Star castle stay
    (Randles Hotel, Killarney purchased using Mileage+ Points)

  • Spa treatments, jaunting car tour, horseback ride, and medieval castle dinner show

  • Dublin Hop On Bus Tour, EPIC Emmigration Museum and Trinity Book of Kells admission

  • Automatic Crossover SUV rental car for 6 days

Aer Lingus Direct to Dublin
First Class
$4,500 (each May or June) / $3,200 (each early Sept)

  • PIT flights depart Wednesday and return following Friday OR depart Monday and return following Wednesday (10 Day Trip)

DOWNLOAD DETAILED ITINERARY

Timing Considerations

Mid-May

59° High | 48° Low

Shoulder season lower flight prices and less crowds.

Mild, with the potential for quick changes from sun to rain.

June

63° High | 51° Low

Beginning of touring season, higher flight prices but warmer weather.

Generally good sunshine, but it's still Ireland, so be ready for clouds and quick showers. 

Early Sept

65° High | 52° Low

Shoulder season lower flight prices and less crowds.

Rain is always a possibility, but it's usually not heavy or prolonged; light showers are more likely.

PACKING NOTES:

No matter when we go, packing layers, rain jackets, umbrellas, etc. will be esssential.