An Ireland Itinerary Pairing Cities, Castles, and Culture

On arrival in Dublin, you’ll be met by your private driver for a seamless transfer before checking in at The Westbury. After settling into your suite, a car will take you to your first experience at EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum, where you’ll explore Ireland’s rich heritage on an immersive visit led by a private guide. If you have Irish roots, consider opting into a personal genealogy consultation. You also have the option to start your Irish itinerary with a private guided walking tour of Trinity College, taking in its historic grounds and pre-arranged entry to the Book of Kells Experience, where you’ll view the ninth-century illuminated manuscript and the magnificent Long Room Library.

After one of those quintessential Irish experiences, you’ll have lunch at one of Dublin’s hottest restaurants, Chapter One. The two-Michelin-starred restaurant is helmed by Chef Patron Mickael Viljanen, who delivers French techniques and Irish-sourced ingredients to create a contemporary menu. Your afternoon continues at the historic Guinness Storehouse with a private Guinness Connoisseur experience and panoramic views from the Gravity Bar. If time permits, browse the boutiques on Grafton Street, then end the day with cocktails at The Sidecar and dinner at WILDE, back at The Westbury. The restaurant offers a traditional Irish fine-dining experience, with a 1930s Art Deco interior, and serves what is widely considered one of the best steaks in the city.

Today is all about luxuriating in a relaxed day in the Irish countryside. After fueling up with some morning coffee, your private driver will collect you from The Westbury and drive one hour south into County Kildare. For the equestrian enthusiasts, you’ll have the chance to sink into a private breakfast with famous Irish Jockey JP Murtagh at his stables, where you’ll have the chance to see jockeys taking the horses out for training.

…discover the world of Irish thoroughbred breeding and racing heritage while exploring the Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra’s Garden.

From there, it’s off to the Irish National Stud & Gardens, where you’ll discover the world of Irish thoroughbred breeding and racing heritage while exploring the Japanese Gardens and St. Fiachra’s Garden. The Japanese Gardens were designed by Japanese master horticulturist Tassa Eida and his son Minoru and are considered some of the finest in Europe. You’ll get the ultimate behind-the-scenes tour, seeing the intimate ways this legendary institution operates. For lunch, you’ll head to The Brown Bear, twenty minutes down the road and situated on a beautiful family-run farm.

This afternoon, visit Powerscourt Estate, one of Ireland’s award-winning country estates. Wander through its magnificent, award-winning gardens, past scenic lakes, formal terraces, and beautifully landscaped grounds, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Wicklow Mountains. Later, return to Dublin at a leisurely pace with your private driver. This evening, you’ll dine at the acclaimed Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud, rounding off a day that perfectly combines Irish heritage and natural beauty with an award-winning Irish meal.

This morning, your Ireland itinerary starts with departing Dublin for the approximately ninety-minute journey to Ballyfin Demesne, in County Laois. Upon arrival and after settling into your room, have a light lunch at the Conservatory, a beautiful, glass-enclosed space that looks out onto the estate. After lunch, enjoy the grounds at your own pace, whether by bicycle, on horseback, or along one of the estate’s woodland trails. A particular highlight is Ballyfin’s horse-drawn carriage ride, offering a wonderfully nostalgic way to experience the landscape while learning about the estate’s fascinating history.

As the day unfolds, spend time on the lake, perhaps with a snacking picnic in one of the estate’s secluded spots. Round the afternoon out with fishing, a guided garden walk, or simply unwind in the spa’s sauna and a treatment like the Chocolate Indulgence Body Exfoliation—a forty-five-minute full-body exfoliation with cacao extract. This evening, dinner is served in Michelin-starred Ballyfin’s State Dining Room, where seasonal menus showcase ingredients sourced from the estate gardens and grounds.

Begin the day with breakfast at Ballyfin before setting off through the rolling countryside of Ireland’s Ancient East. After an hour-long drive through the verdant landscape, your first stop is the Rock of Cashel, one of the country’s most iconic historic landmarks. Perched high above the surrounding landscape, its remarkable collection of medieval buildings offers a fascinating insight into Ireland’s past. Your private tour will include a look at the history and, of course, include admiring some of the region’s roaming cows.

Continue for an hour towards Kilkenny, Ireland’s Marble City, where you’ll explore its medieval streets, independent boutiques and thriving craft scene.

Continue for an hour towards Kilkenny, Ireland’s Marble City, where you’ll explore its medieval streets, independent boutiques and thriving craft scene. First, you’ll stop for lunch at Petronella, a family-owned restaurant tucked into a historic building on Butterslip Lane and named after the historic Kilkenny figure Petronella de Meath. Afterward, you’ll take a privately guided tour of Kilkenny Castle, which has a history dating back 800 years. Spend the afternoon browsing galleries and craft shops or enjoy a special afternoon tea arranged by your SmartFlyer travel advisor at Butler House, which served as the dower house for Kilkenny Castle in the eighteenth century. Back at the estate, there’s time to relax on the grounds before dinner. Your private driver will take you the twenty minutes to Bramley, an award-winning neighborhood restaurant in the nearby town of Abbeyleix. For a nightcap, you’ll head down to The Cellar Bar back at Ballyfin, where you can sip fine Irish whiskies while surrounded by art from contemporary Irish artists.

This morning, enjoy one final breakfast at Ballyfin Demesne before departure. It’s time to head off to your final stop on this Ireland itinerary, which will take you west through some of the country’s most idyllic countryside landscapes on the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Ashford Castle. This magnificent thirteenth-century estate has welcomed royalty, statesmen and notable guests for centuries, and now, you get to experience the legacy as a guest. Upon arrival, take time to settle in and explore the many experiences available across the estate, from horse riding and clay shooting to a cruise on Lough Corrib, Ireland’s second-largest lake.

For those seeking a slower pace, the award-winning spa offers a peaceful retreat, while a stroll into the nearby village of Cong provides a glimpse of local life. This afternoon, enjoy the timeless tradition of afternoon tea in the castle’s elegant surroundings before relaxing ahead of dinner in the George V Dining Room. End the evening with a cocktail or fine Irish whiskey beside the fire or enjoy a cigar on The Cigar Terrace while soaking up the atmosphere of one of Ireland’s most iconic castle hotels.

After breakfast at Ashford Castle, set off this morning for a day exploring Connemara, one of Ireland’s most striking and unspoiled regions. With your private driver and guide, travel through a landscape of mountains, lakes, and open countryside, stopping whenever something catches your eye. A highlight of the day is your visit to Kylemore Abbey, a magnificent lakeside estate originally built in the nineteenth century as a romantic retreat, now home to a Benedictine community and renowned for its rich history, neo-Gothic architecture, and beautifully restored Victorian Walled Garden.

Continue through Connemara, taking in the scenery of the national park and the surrounding countryside before stopping for lunch at Ballynahinch Castle, an exquisite country estate overlooking the Owenmore River. Long favored by anglers, walkers and discerning travelers, it offers a relaxed and elegant setting in the heart of Connemara. Later, make your way back to Ashford Castle, arriving in time to relax before dinner—tonight at Cullen’s at The Cottage, where you’ll feast on classic Irish dishes in the quaintest of settings before heading to Prince of Wales Bar for old-world charm and the chance to try Ashford Castle’s signature cocktail, The Last High King, made with Slane Triple Cask Irish Whiskey.

After a week of relishing some of the country’s most charming destinations, your Ireland itinerary draws to a close. Your private driver will transfer you to the airport for your journey home. Depending on your flight arrangements, you may depart from either Shannon or Dublin Airport, both of which offer U.S. Preclearance facilities, allowing you to complete U.S. immigration and customs formalities before boarding. This means you’ll arrive in the United States as a domestic passenger, making your onward journey even more seamless. As your Irish adventure draws to a close, be sure to take with you the memories of magnificent landscapes, rich heritage, and exceptional hospitality.