City & Country with Ashford Castle
Stay in the Ashford Castle and dive into Ireland's history
Explore the best of city, castle and country in Ireland on this 6 or 8 night vacation!
What's Included
Transportation:
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Dublin (DUB)
- Manual shift economy car rental for duration
Accommodations:
- 1 night in Kilkenny at the Aspect Hotel or the Newpark Hotel (depending on availability)
- 3 nights with open Bed & Breakfast vouchers
- 1 night in Mayo at the Ashford Castle
- 1 night in Dublin at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Croke Park Hotel, Ashling Hotel, or similar (without breakfast)
Other Inclusions:
- All local taxes, hotel service charges, carrier and government taxes/fees/facility charges on airfare.
- Gratuities are NOT included.
Great Ways to Explore
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Travel to Ireland for a chance to explore the city and country.
- Open Bed & Breakfast vouchers give you total freedom over where you stay.
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Tour the picturesque city of Kilkenny, home to the medieval Kilkenny Castle.
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The 5-star Ashford Castle is one of the best in Ireland. Recently refurbished, it's better than ever.
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Grab a pint at the Temple Bar in Dublin and experience the city’s nightlife!
Begin your getaway in Kilkenny, a lovely medieval city in southeast Ireland, home to the Kilkenny Castle. Continue your journey with the freedom to choose your destination with three nights of Bed and Breakfast open vouchers. Experience the coziness and warmth of Irish hospitality, choosing from hundreds of Town and Country B&Bs around Ireland. Your included rental car makes it easy to travel and explore on your own time and at your own pace!
Next, make your way to the 5-star Ashford Castle on Lough Corrib in beautiful County Mayo. You'll open the doors to history, elegance and luxury at this world-renowned destination. This castle’s location is ideal for taking in the sights of Connemara, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and the nearby village of Cong, setting for the film, The Quiet Man. After experiencing the countryside and true Irish charm, you will head back to Dublin for your final night.
Embrace the diversity that lives in Dublin and explore the range of activities the city has to offer. Visit Trinity College, Temple Bar and the Christ Church Cathedral.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Transportation:
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Dublin (DUB)
- Manual shift economy car rental for duration
Accommodations:
- 1 night in Kilkenny at the Aspect Hotel or the Newpark Hotel (depending on availability)
- 3 nights with open Bed & Breakfast vouchers
- 1 night in Mayo at the Ashford Castle
- 1 night in Dublin at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Croke Park Hotel, Ashling Hotel, or similar (without breakfast)
Other Inclusions:
- All local taxes, hotel service charges, carrier and government taxes/fees/facility charges on airfare.
- Gratuities are NOT included.
-
Travel to Ireland for a chance to explore the city and country.
- Open Bed & Breakfast vouchers give you total freedom over where you stay.
-
Tour the picturesque city of Kilkenny, home to the medieval Kilkenny Castle.
-
The 5-star Ashford Castle is one of the best in Ireland. Recently refurbished, it's better than ever.
-
Grab a pint at the Temple Bar in Dublin and experience the city’s nightlife!
Begin your getaway in Kilkenny, a lovely medieval city in southeast Ireland, home to the Kilkenny Castle. Continue your journey with the freedom to choose your destination with three nights of Bed and Breakfast open vouchers. Experience the coziness and warmth of Irish hospitality, choosing from hundreds of Town and Country B&Bs around Ireland. Your included rental car makes it easy to travel and explore on your own time and at your own pace!
Next, make your way to the 5-star Ashford Castle on Lough Corrib in beautiful County Mayo. You'll open the doors to history, elegance and luxury at this world-renowned destination. This castle’s location is ideal for taking in the sights of Connemara, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and the nearby village of Cong, setting for the film, The Quiet Man. After experiencing the countryside and true Irish charm, you will head back to Dublin for your final night.
Embrace the diversity that lives in Dublin and explore the range of activities the city has to offer. Visit Trinity College, Temple Bar and the Christ Church Cathedral.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Day 1. Welcome to Dublin!
You will pick up your rental car at the airport and take off to your first destination; the Aspect Hotel Keep in mind that you will be driving on the opposite side of the road so proceed with caution!
Built on over 40 acres of parkland, the Newpark Hotel provides family-friendly elegance for visitors to the area. The dedicated staff works tirelessly to make sure you and your family receive top-notch service. Many of the spacious, well-appointed rooms include serene views of the green gardens and parkland. Scott's Bar & Bistro has a sparkling reputation for delicious, locally sourced food and is a favorite among the locals.
Strike out for day trips to discover the treasures of Kilkenny, or stay on-property to take advantage of the hotel's many exciting amenities. Newpark hotel offers family room accommodations and activities everyone can enjoy, such as the Newpark adventure trail, where you can catch glimpses of the alpacas and llamas that live there. The Krazy Kats Kids Club is bustling with activity and affords parents a few hours to slip off to unwind at the Escape Health Club and Spa.
Day 2. Kilkenny - Irish Bed & Breakfast
You'll spend the next nights of your trip at an Irish Bed & Breakfast of your choice. Bed & Breakfasts in Ireland are known for being extremely comfortable and accommodating. You will have a local host who will contact you prior to your arrival in Dublin to give you a little more information about their home and location. Having a local host is useful in so many ways. They can help you with directions, or suggest different sites to check out around their home.
Check-in - Ireland Bed and Breakfast
Staying in an Ireland Bed and Breakfast offers travelers the complete flexibility of creating their own itinerary. You must select your accommodations ahead of time. To ensure the best availability, it's recommended that you pre-book your B&Bs as far in advance as possible. Enjoy your choice of accommodations from small towns to quaint villages to countryside manors.
All Irish B&B's pride themselves on providing their guests with a fresh, home-cooked breakfast each morning and quality accommodations that cater to every need. Draw on the local knowledge, personal touch and warm welcome of your Irish hosts. Learn about all the best local restaurants, pubs, shops, attractions and activities. Your hosts specialize in the best services available from golf to walking tours of the area, to adventure breaks and much more.
Why Stay in a B&B?
- Most bed and breakfasts are owned by the B&B operators themselves, who usually live on the premises. It's natural to expect that B&B operators who live in their own B&B's will bring a different perspective to the job.
- At B&B's, "customers" are truly guests, and it shows. The B&B owners will gladly help you find the best restaurant in town, the best pubs, point you to the best tourist attractions and local amenities and much much more. Many B&B's depend on word-of-mouth recommendations.
Combine those two factors and it's easy to see why B&B owners go out of their way to make sure your stay provides some great memories of Ireland.
*B&B check-in is between 3:00pm and 6:00pm..
Day 3. Irish Bed & Breakfast
You may want to start your Irish Bed & Breakfast exploration along the East Coast. We suggest visiting Drogheda, Wicklow, Kilkenny or head further south to Cork, Kinsale or Killarney.
Day 4. Irish Bed & Breakfast
Some of Ireland’s most popular destinations are located on the West Coast. The cities of Killarney and Galway are all ideal for a genuine Irish getaway. You will be beyond impressed with the warm welcome and comfortable accommodations wherever you stay.
Day 5. Irish Bed & Breakfast - Cong
After your stay at a quaint Bed & Breakfast, you’ll head to the 5-star Ashford Castle. The castle is set on a 350-acre estate and is about 30 minutes from Galway’s city center. You will neighbor the picturesque Connemara Park. Galway is one of the most popular cities to visit for tourists. It is famous for its eclectic atmosphere and lively spirit.
Check-in - Ashford Castle
Day 6. Cong - Dublin
Head back to Dublin for your final night in Ireland. You will be in the heart of Dublin where you can find several tourist attractions that you might have missed during your first night.
Across the street from Croke Park stadium, The Croke Park's location makes it a unique destination, close to both Dublin airport and Dublin's city center. Dublin Airport is 15-minute drive away, while the National Botanic Gardens are a 25-minute walk. Connolly Metro Station is a 15-minute walk, while Trinity College Dublin can be reached in 25 minutes on foot.
In a world of bland offerings, service by numbers and generic experiences, The Croke Park bucks the trend by offering guests a personable and memorable stay. This luxury 4-star hotel boasts spacious rooms with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs and more. Guests can enjoy hot towels on arrival, free parking, and a European bistro.
Overlooking O'Connell Street in Dublin, the Gresham Hotel offers free Wi-Fi, daily breakfast, a small gym on-site as well as access to a larger facility just 5 minutes away, a restaurant, and a bar.
Rooms are spacious and plush, featuring a LCD TV, a safe, a hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, ironing facilities, and private bathrooms. Parking is available for a nightly charge, and the Dublin 3Arena is just a mile away. Temple Bar, the River Liffey, and excellent shopping opportunities are available just a few minutes walk away. Thy Connolly Train Station is a 5-minute walk away, the port is a little over a mile and a half away, and Dublin Airport is just over 6 miles away.
Day 7. Depart Ireland
Today you will depart Ireland. You'll fly out of Dublin Airport.
We have selected the most economical flight schedule for you. Please note that shorter and more convenient flight options may be available at an additional cost.
Advertised vacation package prices are per person based on two people traveling together, unless otherwise noted. Advertised package rates are based on select departures as noted on the booking calendar above, were available via the Aer Lingus Vacation Store website and may not represent current prices.
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