SELF DRIVE TOUR: IRELAND
Self Drive Tour: Ireland - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Emerald Isle | |||||
| By: Danika Houghton, Issue 43 – Winter 2010 | |||||
| (Driving tour of Ireland) | |||||
| DISCOVER A WORLD OF CASTLES, ROLLING GREEN COUNTRYSIDE, ENCHANTING SEASIDE VILLAGES AND CULINARY DELIGHTS. DANIKA HOUGHTON TAKES YOU ON A DRIVING TOUR OF IRELAND. | |||||
| The advantage of driving tours is that they allow you to take things at your own pace and get a real feel for a country and its people. While there are hundreds of things to see and do in Ireland, any guide book will give you plenty of ideas, this driving tour allows you to take your time, enjoy the country side and relax in sumptuous hotels. But don’t worry there’ll still be the drinking of Guinness and Irish whiskey. The tour starts off in Dublin and depending on what time your flight arrives you may decide to overnight there before embarking on your journey down the east cost through County Wicklow and Waterford. Driving through County Wicklow you’ll see why it’s known as the Garden of Ireland. The beautiful scenery is at times so captivating that it’s hard to keep your eyes on the road. The journey from Dublin directly to the next stop, The Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, takes about three and a half hours, but it’s well worth stopping at Powerscourt House & Gardens to enjoy spending time in one of Irelands most beautiful country estates, see Avondale House, which was the birthplace and home of Charles Stewart Parnell, one of Ireland’s greatest political leaders, stop at The Vale of Avoca made famous by Thomas Moore’s 1808 poem of the same name, revel in the Monastic ruins at Glendalough or learn how the world famous Irish crystal is made at the Waterford Crystal Factory. The easiest way to fit a few places in is to stop at Powerscourt House & Gardens, Avondale House or The Vale of Avoca on your way down the coast. This will add a few hours to your trip. Then do a day trip to Glendalough or the Waterford Crystal Factory from Ardmore, as both of these are about an hour drive from the hotel. After a full day of travelling, arriving at The Cliff House Hotel signals time to relax and unwind. The hotel sits on a cliff overlooking Ardmore Bay; the design of the hotel creates a sense of space and light by drawing your eye to the spectacular bay views. During your stay ensure you dine one evening at the House Restaurant Ireland’s only One-Star Michelin Hotel Restaurant. After a couple of days on the east coast it’s time to head west to the Park Hotel in Kenmare, County Kerry. The driving time is about two and a half hours with a stop at Blarney Castle near Cork to kiss the Blarney Stone adding a few more. Blarney Castle was originally built some time before AD 1200. It was destroyed in 1446, before being rebuilt by the King of Munster. Today the castle is a partial ruin and only a few rooms and battlements are accessible to the public. The grounds, however, are magnificent and are well worth spending some time in. Though the grounds and castle ruins are glorious the main reason to visit the castle is to kiss the Blarney Stone. There are many legends about the stone, but the most enduring legend is that kissing it endows the kisser with “the gift of gab”. After kissing the stone the rest of the drive takes you through rich green farmlands that contrast against glimpses of sand stone hills. Driving up to the Park Hotel you feel as though you are entering a film set, it’s a grand old manor. You can now end the day with a drink in the bar that opens out onto the terrace. The hotel is also in the perfect location from which to start to drive the famous Ring of Kerry drive. This 175 kilometre drive, famous for its picturesque scenery and towns, takes you around the Ivergah Peninsula passing through Kenmare, Sneem, Waterville (Charlie Chaplin’s favourite holiday spot), Cahersiveen and Killorglin. A stop in any of these towns will be memorable, however, at just under three hours travel time, there’s no need to stop, you could just drive and gaze out the window as you pass breathtaking mountains vistas, cliffs and beaches. The next day it is time to set course for County Clare. From Kanmare to Dromoland Castle Hotel in Newmarket-on-Fergus (where you’ll stay), takes about two and a half hours from point to point. The hotel sits in a large estate, which includes its own championship golf course. While you can choose to play a round of golf or relax in the hotel’s spa, Dromoland Castle Hotel is a great base from which to explore the region. You can easily spend a day in the vibrant city of Limerick, drive the rugged coast or journey through the Burren region. A day trip along the rugged coast will take you to the iconic The Cliffs of Moher. They are so sheer that you can see the exact point where the country of Ireland finishes and the sea begins. Ranging from 120 to 214 metres above the Atlantic Ocean, the views are truly spectacular. Continuing the journey north, another two hours takes you to the next destination in County Mayo, Ashford Castle in the town of Cong. While you can go point to point, a stop in the colourful city of Galway is a great place to rest along the way and discover specialty shops featuring a locally made crafts including knits, pottery, glass, jewellery and woodwork. Ashford Castle is an experience in itself. The individual rooms, many with original furnishings, transport you back to another time and place. There are many day trips that can be done from Ashford Castle including a drive to Lough Mask, Clew Bay and Connemara National Park where you can see a 19th century graveyard, 4,000 year old megalithic court tombs and carnivorous plants in bogs and marshes that are unique to this area. The final leg of the trip will take you from Cong to Dublin via the town of Newgrange. The travel time is just over three hours with a few hours added for the stop in Newgrange. In the town of Newgrange, you can visit the Megalithic Passage Tomb, built about 5,000 years ago, which makes it older than Stonehenge and the pyramids of Egypt. It’s famous for the narrow beam of light which illuminates the chamber’s entrance on the shortest day of the year (Winter Solstice). But money can’t buy a ticket to see this. You have to enter the lottery for tickets and keep your fingers crossed. In Dublin, The Merrion Hotel is a great place to spend a few days before you head home. It’s centrally located and has an easy charm and style and is home to the famous Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Ireland’s only Two-Star Michelin Restaurant. Dublin is an exciting city full of wonderful things to see and do; walking around you will see medieval castles, Georgian architecture and the magnificent cathedrals such as Christ Church Cathedral and the famous St. Patrick’s. While this city has reminders of its past everywhere, it is a thriving modern city with fantastic shopping, galleries, markets and fine dining. But a trip to the Emerald Isle would not be complete without tasting what Ireland is famous for, Irish whiskey and Guinness. In Dublin you can do both at the Old Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Storehouse. So make sure you set aside time before jetting home. | |||||
| TRAVELLING TO AND AROUND IRELAND: | |||||
| Etihad are the only carrier with direct flights to Dublin from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Etihad flies from Sydney 11 times per week, from Melbourne seven times per week and from Brisbane three times per week. To take your driving tour hire the Jaguar (X6) XF 3.0 through Hertz with pick up from Dublin Airport. Or arrange a private chauffeur with Ireland Chauffeur Travel. | |||||
| Best time to travel: The best time to do a driving tour of Ireland is May, June and September. The weather is warm, the days are longer and you’ll avoid the European peak of July and August. | |||||
| ITINERARY: | |||||
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| Note: the itinerary for this story was scheduled over 10 days with two nights at each destination. | |||||
| STAY: | |||||
| The Cliff House Hotel | |||||
| An intimate 39-room hotel it sits on the cliff overlooking the historic village of Ardmore and the Celtic sea. Recommended room numbers: Cliff Verandah Aran Suite 72, Balcony Suite 12, Terrace Suite 30, Deluxe Balcony 52 and Deluxe Seaview 20. Amenities: The Well Spa, which offers a range of holistic treatments and activities including swimming, cliff walks and fitness classes. Plus the Hotel can arrange for you to partake in many other activities available in the local area from fishing to rock climbing. Dining: The House Restaurant is a One-Star Michelin Restaurant and the hotel’s General Manager Adriaan Bartels describes the dining experience as “An opportunity to enjoy [Irish] cooking in an unparalleled setting.” | |||||
| Park Hotel | |||||
| This historic manor has 46 bedrooms each is individually decorated in keeping with the tradition of the house. Amenities: The Reel Room – a 12 seat cinema where guests can watch classic Hollywood films. SÁMAS Spa – where guests can enjoy the thermal spa and prior or post treatment. Other activities available at the hotel include Tennis, Tai Chie, Lawn Croquet and more. Dining: There are light meals available at the Bar and Lounge and the Hotel restaurant The Dining Room provides fine dining. | |||||
| Dromoland Castle Hotel | |||||
| With an extraordinary history stretching back to the fifth Century, this castle hotel seamlessly blends old-world elegance with contemporary luxuries. Amenities: Golf Dromoland Castle Golf and Country Club – recently transformed by the late Irish golfing legend, J.B. Carr and one of golf’s great golf course architects, Ron Kirby, this PAR 71 course will provide a challenge for any avid golfer. The Spa at Dormoland provides a fantastic range of treatments. There is also a range of other activities that can be enjoyed at the hotel including archery, tennis, clay shooting, falconry and fishing. Dining: There is a range of dining options available to guests including the Castle Restaurant where you can have a six-course dinner, afternoon tea served in the Drawing Room or light snacks in the Country Club. | |||||
| Ashford Castle | |||||
| Dating back to 1228, this estate once owned by the Guinness family, has a range of unique guest rooms with many still retaining their original features. Amenities: The hotel offers a range of outdoor activities including fishing, walks in the gardens, lake cruising and golf on the 9-hole, 2,996 yards, PAR 35 course, designed by the renowned Irish golf architect, Eddie Hackett. The Spa pampers guests using Yon Ka products. Dining: Chef Stefan Matz has developed an impressive choice of four dining experiences. From fine dining at George V, to a five to seven course degustation at Connaughts, to casual dining in the Drawing Room to bistro style food at Cullens. | |||||
| The Merrion Hotel | |||||
| Located in the centre of Dublin, The Merrion is a hotel of relaxed glamour and grandeur. It has 123 guest rooms and 19 suites are inviting and comfortable with views of Dublin City. Recommended room numbers: The Penthouse Suite - The Garden Wing, Speciality Suite - The Main House, Merrion Suite - The Main House and Junior Suite, The Main House Amenities: Being in the city centre the hotel is close to all the attractions that Dublin has to offer. The hotel also has a spa, The Tethra Spa, a swimming pool, fitness centre, business facilities and kids services. Dining: The hotel has two restaurants: The Cellar Restaurant and the renowned Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, Ireland’s only Two-Star Michelin Restaurant, that is famous for “combining contemporary elegance with an intimate ambience and unparalleled service”. You can also enjoy a drink before or after dinner in the Cellar Bar that is located in the original wine vaults. | |||||
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