June 4-11 2022 Charming Castle IRELAND TOUR
June 3rd, 2022: Depart the USA (unless you are already in Europe)
Today, time to get all your bits together and head to your departure airport for your travel to Dublin. Most flights are overnight with arrival in Dublin in the morning on the 4th. Make sure you review the baggage limitations on your flights (Both carry on and checked bags). Recommend you prepare for the time difference in Dublin (5 hours ahead from Eastern!) a few days ahead by getting to be early and waking up earlier than normal.
June 4th, 2022: Arrive in Dublin - Welcome to Europe!
Hopefully you got some “kip” (UK Slang for sleep!) during your overnight flight. On arrival in Dublin Airport reclaim your baggage and enter the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will meet Onno, one of our tour managers. There will be a group transfer this morning that will leave by 1pm (earlier if everyone is here). Board your luxury air-conditioned mini-coach and make the transfer to the famous Lasheen Castle, our home for the next week. We plan to stop at Rock of Dunamase on the way for a quick look at some ruins and have lunch close by.
After checking in and getting your luggage into your room, take some time to relax, shower, or take a stroll around your castle! We will meet up this evening at 5pm for some welcome drinks and discuss our itinerary for the next day! Tonight, home cooked meal at the castle (Included).
June 5th, 2022: Rock of Cashel/Hore Abby and Kilkenny city.
This AM have yourself some coffee and continental breakfast items and ready your gear for our first event of the week. Today, we will be going to see the Rock of Cashel and Hore Abbey then spend some time in Kilkenny City! We plan to head out at 9am for a short drive to Hore Abbey where we will meet up with some Ireland based models and our own to do some epic portraiture. There will be time for taking a short walk to Rock of Cashel to tour that famous site if desired. At about 1pm, we will head out to the city of Kilkenny to tour and do some shopping. Dinner on you (but we will likely coordinate a place to meet if you want to eat with the group later!). Depart the city at about 7:30pm.
June 6th, 2022: Cliffs of Moher/Inis Oirr Island tour! (Island Tour if group agrees)
This morning, we are up a little earlier to depart by 7:30am for our 1.5-hour drive to the ferry that will take us to Inis Oirr island. (Ferry ticket (not included) is 35 Euro and includes seeing the Cliffs of Moher from the ocean side). We depart Doolin pier at 10am and return at 2:30pm. After the island tour, we will stop in Doolin for lunch at a local pub! At about 4:30, we will depart Doolin and head to Dromoland Castle for a stop and walk around the beautiful grounds. On our way back to Lasheen, we will stop for dinner.
Things to see on the island.
- 1 O’Brien’s Castle: 15th century castle built within a cashel (Dun Formna) thousands of years old. Superb views.
- 2 Cnoc Raithní: Bronze age tumulus (mound) dating from 2000B.C.
- 3 Teampall Chaomháin: 10th century church located within the graveyard. St. Caomhán is patron of Inisheer.
- 4 Cill Ghobnait: Small 9th century church.
- 5 Tobar Éinne: The holy well of St. Enda, patron of Aran.
- 6 The Plassey: Freighter wrecked on the rocks and washed ashore in 1960.
Check out the video here - https://youtu.be/CkxLZpFCIuc
June 7th, 2022: Portraiture and boudoir shooting at the Castle!
Today, we will be staying at the Castle all day! We will be shooting around the grounds and inside the beautiful rooms. We will be doing period costumes, dresses, gowns and boudoir. We will also be doing a grocery run so for those who want to get some personal munchies and items, this is your time. Lunch will be on your own so plan ahead (buy items during the previous day shopping or during the groceries run). Tonight, there will be a 4-course traditional Irish dinner catered at the castle (Included).
June 8th, 2022: Killarney (Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey, Killarney City)
Early departure today (6am)! Exciting day of touring and shooting in some of the most spectacular spots in Ireland. It is a 2.5-hour drive to Killarney so time to get a little sleep in the bus. We will stop on the way for coffee and potty break! In Killarney, we will start at Muchross Abbey for some really special portraiture shooting. For those who just want to take a walk around town, they can be dropped off in Kilarney city center. After our morning shoot at Muckross, we will head to the city to do some shopping and lunch (on your own). After lunch, we will take you to Ross Castle for more shooting. At about 5:30pm, we will head out and take our drive back to our castle with a stop on the way for dinner. Expect to be back after 8pm.
June 9th, 2022: Blarney Castle (Kiss the famous stone!) and Kilcrea Castle ruins.
We will depart this morning at 8am for our 1hour and 45-minute drive to Blarney Ireland. Upon arrival, we will enter the Blarney Castle and Gardens (Entrance fee included). The world-famous Blarney Stone is locating at the top of the castle and as the story goes, kissing this stone gives you the “Gift of Gab”. Additionally, Kalina and I will be offering portraits for any of our members wanting to get some during the trip by us (Free of charge!). After touring the grounds, make your way to the small village of Blarney to take in the local options for lunch! At about 2pm, we will head to Kilcrea Castle ruins for more fun and epic portraiture shooting. We plan to leave about 5:30pm for our drive back to the castle. We will be making a fast food stop on the way back for dinner.
June 10th, 2022: Limerick City with King Johns Castle.
Last day …We will depart this morning at 9am for our 1hour and 15-minute drive to Limerick Ireland and the famous King Johns Castle. Upon arrival, we will enter Kings Castle (Entrance fee included) for touring and photography. Great location for some period costumes too. After our shooting, time to roam the area for your last opportunity for some shopping. Make sure you get dinner here. We plan to depart about 6pm for our return to our Castle. After our return, we will be having a goodbye social at the castle! Time to connect with our new lifelong friends over wine and beer.
June 11th, 2022: Group transfer to Dublin Airport and Dublin City Center (Temple Bar area).
Sad morning as we say goodbye to our castle and head back to Dublin. The bus will depart at 7am for a 2-hour ride to the airport. Plan your departure to leave no earlier than noon! For those planning to stay a few days after our tour in Dublin, our bus driver will be making a short stop in the city center for you. From the stop, a short taxi ride should get you to your accommodations. Kalina, Onno and I will be staying overnight one night prior to our departure so meeting up later is our plan.
A few thoughts on Dublin:
- If you are staying for more than 2 days, consider taking a bus tour of Northern Ireland! We took the Game of Thrones tour (14 hours in duration) and included all the places GOT was filmed in Northern Ireland including the Giants Causeway and Dark Hedges!
- Go see Trinity College Library!
- Have a pint in Temple Bar!
- Walk the streets along the river!