Sample Itinerary A

DAY 1

Afternoon arrival in Dublin via London

Arrive Kinlay House Hostel, Dublin

Dinner is served in Copper Alley Bistro

DAY 2

09.30hrs        Depart Hostel

10.45hrs        Arrive Glendalough, Wicklow

Glendalough “the glen of the two lakes”, is a truly spellbinding place – an ancient monastic settlement and two clear water lakes beneath the sheer cliffs of a deep valley which was carved out by glaciers during the Ice Age. The monastic settlement has been a centre for pilgrims and visitors since its foundation by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Kevin is thought to have come from the more fertile lands of County Kildare and like many other men of sanctity in early times, desired solitude for his life of prayer and contemplation. Thus he withdrew into the thinly peopled mountains and set up his hermitage at Glendalough. The settlement expanded and flourished for many years before being finally destroyed in the 16th century. The present remains, some of the most important of their kind in Ireland, tell only a small part of the monastic story. The buildings which survive – round tower, cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses – probably date from between the 8th and 12th centuries. The famous Round Tower, about 34m high and 16m in circumference at the base, is still in near perfect condition even though it is almost 1,000 years old.

12.30hrs        Depart Glendalough via Wicklow Gap

14.00hrs        Arrive Naas RFC (County Kildare)

Naas RFC is a family friendly and community focused club. We currently have almost 550 registered players competing at all age groups from Senior to Junior, Under 20s, Ladies, Youths and Mini rugby and are always keen to welcome new members, players and coaches. There are excellent playing facilities comprising 3 pitches, floodlights, and all weather training facilities together with modern club house.

18.15hrs        Depart Naas

19.00hrs        Return to the hostel

20.00hrs        Dinner is served in Copper Alley Bistro

DAY 3

09.15hrs        Check-out and depart hostel

09.30hrs        Guinness Storehouse

At GUINNESS STOREHOUSE® you’ll discover all there is to know about the world famous beer. Housed in an old Fermentation Plant at St James’s Gate, the seven storey visitor experience tells the history of the making of Ireland’s

iconic drink. It is a dramatic story that begins 250 years ago and ends in Gravity® Bar where visitors will receive a complimentary soft drink while relaxing and enjoying spectacular views over Dublin.

11.30hrs        Depart Guinness

13.30hrs        Arrive rock of Cashel

A spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral.

15.00hrs        Depart Cashel

17.00hrs        Arrive Ballincollig RFC –

Training session at Ballincollig RFC

19.00hrs        Depart Ballincollig

19.45hrs        Arrive Hostel

Cork City is the third largest city in Ireland and is delightfully situated at the mouth of the beautiful river Lee. It is often said of Cork City that it has all the amenities of a large city, but still manages to retain its pleasant atmosphere and extreme friendliness, which you will experience on your visit.

History of Cork:
Cork started out as a monastic settlement in the 8th century, founded by St Finbar, on an island in the swampy estuary of the River Lee (the name Corcaigh means a marsh), and gradually climbed up the steep banks on either side.Today the river flows through Cork city in two main channels, so that you find yourself constantly crossing bridges. Some of the main streets are built over channels where ships nuzzled their anchor-chains a century ago. Along the South Mall, you will see large gateways at street level, under steps leading to a higher main door. These were once boathouses, when merchants arrived at their warehouses by water. As the hilly streets go up and down, so do the voices of the citizens with their characteristic sing-song cadence.

20.30hrs        Dinner at the 4 Liars restaurant

DAY 4

09.30hrs        Depart hostel

10.30hrs        Arrive Bandon Grammer School –

11.00hrs        Matches against Bandon Grammer School – for the boys

13.00hrs        Depart Bandon

13.30hrs        Arrive Clonakilty

The town won the Irish Tidy Towns Competition in 1999 and every year since has gained awards for its environmental efforts. The cleanliness is the result in part of the voluntary efforts of local shopkeepers and staff. In 2003 Clonakilty also became Ireland’s first ever official Fair Trade Town. In 2007 it was awarded the status of European Destination of Excellence by the European Commission at a ceremony in Portugal and is Ireland’s first recipient of this prestigious title.

16.00hrs        Depart Clonaklity

16.45hrs        Arrive Bandon RFC –

17.30hrs        Match for Girls against local team

22.00hrs        Depart Bandon RFC

22.45hrs        Arrive hostel

DAY 5

08.15hrs        Depart hostel

09.00hrs        Arrive Cobh –

Titanic Trail Cobh

The Titanic Trail is a fascinating Guided Heritage Tour. It explores the town of Cobh. Cork Harbour which was the last port of call of RMS Titanic. Locations are visited such as the White Star Line Office, the Lusitania Memorial and the famous St. Colman’s Cathedral. All of the buildings, streets and piers of Cobh town have been architecturally preserved. This site will provide all information that you need on you visit to Cobh, Cork from restaurants to hotels. Join me on a journey that unveils a diversity of Emigrant, Military and Maritime History and reach across the mists of time.

11.00hrs        Depart Cobh

12.00hrs        Arrive Cork, – time at leisure in Cork

15.00hrs        Depart Cork

16.30hrs        Arrive Killarney –time at leisure in Killarney

17.30hrs        Depart town centre

17.45hrs        Arrive Killarney

Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is in a deep valley in the MacGillicuddy Reeks, beside the Lakes of Killarney and part of the Killarney National Park. It is home to St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey and Innisfallen Island, the location of a ruined monastery. Commanding spectacular views over the mountains and lakes of Killarney, this hostel is fully equipped with modern facilities whilst maintaining the charm and character of an historic building in peaceful surroundings. Killarney is a lively hub of activity, with many restaurants, pubs, discos, along with outlets for renting bikes, cars and the famous jaunting cars.

Opportunity for training session at hostel 

DAY 6

09.30hrs        Depart hostel

11.00hrs        Arrive in Dingle (via Inch Strand) and begin Slea Head Drive a panoramic sight-seeing tour of the Dingle Peninsula.

There is no other landscape in Western Europe with the density and variety of archaeological monuments as the Dingle Peninsula. This mountainous finger of land which juts into the Atlantic Ocean has supported various tribes and populations for almost 6,000 years. Because of the peninsula’s remote location, and lack of specialised agriculture, there is a remarkable preservation of over 2,000 monuments.  It is impossible to visit the Dingle Peninsula and not be impressed by its archaeological heritage. When one combines each site’s folklore and mythology, which have been passed orally from generation to generation through the Irish language, one can begin to understand how unique and complex is the history of this peninsula.

14.00hrs        Arrive Dingle

Matches for both boys & girls teams in Dingle

 21.00hrs        Depart Dingle

2200hrs         Arrive Hostel

DAY 7

08.30hrs        Depart hostel

10.30hrs        Arrive Limerick

Cliffs of Moher

See the Cliffs of Moher which rise 200 m out of the water and extend for 8 Km – next stop America   We will travel through Burren which is a vast limestone plateau in North West Clare.  On a clear day you can see the Aran Islands.

16.00hrs        Arrive Dromoland Inn

                        Enjoy the leisure facilities with some extra time to relax

19.30hrs        Depart hotel

19.50hrs        Arrive Bunratty Castle

20.45hrs        Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle

The Castle is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland.  Built in 1425 it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times. Today, the castle stands peacefully in delightful grounds. The houses and cottages of the folk park spread out at the foot of its massive walls, much in the way that the cottages and crofts of old would have clustered around its base. We invite you to wander through the castle and marvel at the finest collection of medieval furniture in the country which brings to life a vital part of our Medieval past.

22.00hrs        Depart Bunratty

22.30hrs        Arrive hotel     

DAY 8

08.30hrs        Depart hotel

12.30hrs        Arrive in Trim  – driver reserved in the hotel

Enjoy lunch in Trim Castle Hotel

14.00hrs        Depart hotel

15.00hrs        Arrive Aviva Stadium for 6 Nations game

21.00hrs        Arrive hotel n

DAY 9

08.00hrs        Morning departure from Hotel

09.00hrs        Check in for flight to London and onto Toronto

10.45hrs        Flight departs