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City + Country:
4-Nights in Ireland

Contributed By Erina Pindar

Trip Notes:

Video Credit: Elysium Productions

Where to Stay: Adare Manor & The Shelbourne

With so many fantastic properties throughout Ireland, choosing the hotels for our team’s itinerary was no small feat. The conclusion of an impressive renovation to countryside favorite Adare Manor was perfectly timed with our visit, making it a no-brainer. After checking out the newly refreshed property, we rounded out our trip with a stay at a Dublin legend, The Shelbourne.

Adare Manor (Limerick, Ireland)

Maintaining the estate’s neo-Gothic architectural heritage and stonework was just one component of the fantastic overhaul at 840-acre Adare Manor. The five-star resort reopened its doors in November 2017 following an18-month renovation project that resulted in the addition of a bedroom wing, bringing the accommodation count to 104, besides offering a beguiling ballroom, a state-of-the-art La Mer spa, swimming pool with relaxation area and a cinema. Additionally, world-famous golf architect Tom Fazio is overseeing the development of an incredible “new” golf course at Adare Manor, which is primed to become one of the continent’s finest courses. | Book Here >>>

Amenities: Complimentary upgrade on arrival, subject to availability; Complimentary valet parking; Complimentary full Irish breakfast; Afternoon Tea for two once during your stay, served in the Gallery; Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability; Complimentary Wi-Fi.

The Shelbourne (Dublin, Ireland)

Set in a hundreds-year-old majestic building, is the premier city centre hotel in Dublin. The award-winning restaurants offer an array of options, from the most tender steak and freshest seafood to an impeccable High Tea. Just outside of the hotel, all of Dublin awaits you. The hotel overlooks St. Stephen’s Green, and is minutes from Dublin’s most famous attractions. | Book Here >>>

Amenities: Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability; Complimentary Buffet Breakfast for two daily for duration of the stay served in restaurant (additional charge for room service); A complimentary lunch or dinner for up to two people per room, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities once during stay (must be 3 course minimum with a minimum value of $100 USD equivalent); Early check-in/ late check out, subject to availability; Complimentary Wi-Fi.

Trip Highlights

  1. Touring the Cliffs of Moher.
  2. Hiking The Burren National Park.
  3. Horse and hounds arrival at Adare Manor.
  4. Walking tour of Dublin with Celebrated Experiences.
  5. Visit to the Guinness Storehouse and its Connoisseur signature experience.
  6. Private dinner at The Shelbourne’s Constitution Room.

4 Nights, 5 Days Itinerary

Day 1: Adare Manor

Morning arrival into Dublin Airport and transfer to Adare Manor, approximately a 2.5 hour drive. Voted “Best Hotel” by Virtuoso Travel in 2018, the sprawling property is sure to impress. Adare Manor is also known for its adventure activities, making it the perfect place to find your inner explorer.

Upon arrival, check-in to your room and head to the picturesque town of Adare for lunch at a local pub. With quaint architecture at every corner, Adare’s main street is punctuated with beautiful stone buildings, medieval monasteries, ruins and a picturesque village park.

After lunch, walk back to the hotel and over to the Walled Garden for activities like archery and falconry right on Adare Manor’s property. Enjoy your dinner this evening in one of Ireland’s most beautiful rooms, the Gallery.

Day 2: Adare Manor

Following breakfast, depart Adare Manor for one of Ireland’s most iconic sites, the Cliffs of Moher. Towering over the Atlantic, the cliffs have been featured in many films and is a must visit for anyone staying in the Shannon region. Sea life and birds life abounds here, and you can take a walk along the cliffs edge.

Stop for lunch at Gregan’s Castle, a charming family owned and operated country house hotel. After lunch, meet with Shane Connolly, a sheep and cattle farmer, archeologist, geologist, botanist and your guide for the afternoon. Enjoy an escorted hike through Burren National Park‘s moon-like landscape where you’ll get a peek into Ireland’s unique climate.

Return to Adare Manor for some free time to enjoy the property. Reconvene for drinks and dinner in the Oak Room Restaurant for the finest contemporary Irish cuisine. Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete with a pub experience! Walk into the village to enjoy an authentic local pub.

Day 3: The Shelbourne

After a morning at leisure, including an Irish breakfast, it’s time to regroup for a transfer back to Dublin. Check-in to your room at The Shelbourne, one of Europe’s best city hotels, located in the heart of the city. Take some time for a light lunch and perhaps some afternoon tea. The Lord Mayor’s Lounge (the hotel’s drawing room) is the perfect spot to pick your favorite blend paired with a classic buttermilk scone.

Mid-afternoon, prepare to visit Dublin’s most touristed site, The Guinness Storehouse. But rather than take the typical tour, link up with a senior archivist to hear more in-depth history on how this craft beverage on a small island became one of the world’s most fascinating brands. Continue on to test out “The Guinness Connoisseur Experience” in a private room to learn, sample and pour your own Guinness pint.

Return to The Shelbourne for some rest before cocktails and dinner. Head over to The Westbury’s newly redesigned Sidecar Bar for a fun lesson on the gin renaissance happening throughout Europe. Learn why Ireland is sitting at the forefront of the artisan movement and perfect your own gin and tonic tastebuds with some sampling.

Transition to one of Dublin’s top spots, Wilde, for a relaxing dinner. Located on the second floor of the Westbury, this spot is so much more than a hotel restaurant. Wrap up the evening with a nightcap at a local pub.

Day 4: The Shelbourne

With the morning at leisure, you can take some time to explore Dublin’s shopping district or even just dive into a book in a cozy nook of the hotel. If you decide to go out and about, your list of stops is surely going to get long quickly! While certain spots are best reserved for a guided tour (for instance, the Guinness Storehouse) we recommend doing some exploring on your own through Grafton Street. Here, you’ll find colorful shops, market stalls and inevitably, some pubs.

Regroup around noon with a walking guide for an afternoon visiting some favorite spots in the city. Head over to Cliff Townhouse for an Irish oyster tasting! Learn about why Ireland is famous for its oysters as you sample some alongside tapas before checking out Grafton Street and the Molly Malone statue. Walk a short distance to the Dingle Whiskey Bar where you’ll be educated on “uisce beathe” (Galelic for “the water of life”) and learn why a worldwide whiskey boom is happening right now.

Pop into The National Gallery of Ireland to find out about Ireland’s contribution to art history, particularly painting and fine art. Located in the heart of Dublin, the National Gallery has over 15,000 works of art. Here you’ll find fine pieces by Brueghel, Caravaggio, Goya, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Velazquez, just to name just a handful of the notable artists.

Don’t forget to check out the Oscar Wilde Monument before stopping at the Louise Kennedy flagship store, an ode to internationally-renowned Irish fashion designer Louise Kennedy. Since the creation of her label in 1983, Louise has been renowned for creating high quality, sophisticated clothes. Her label has dressed many members of the British, European and Middle Eastern Royal families, as well as many celebrities.

Be sure to view some of the famous “Georgian Doors” as you stroll to Sheridan’s, an artisan cheese shop focusing on local products. Indulge in a tasting to find out more about how Irish cheeses compete with other international favorites. Wash it all down with a pint at Kehoe’s, one of Dublin’s most authentic and historic pubs before heading back to The Shelbourne.

Reconvene for drinks (you are in Ireland, after all!) at the hotel’s world famous Horseshoe Bar. Dine in one of the country’s most well-known rooms, The Constitution Suite, where the Irish Constitution was drafted. It’s your last night here, so you know what comes next: one more Irish pub for a farewell pour!

Day 5: Departure

Unfortunately, it’s time to pack up. The only question is when you’ll be back to Ireland next.

Photo Credit: Leila Brewster Photography

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