• Lodging

  4 nights at The Davenport Hotel in Dublin and 4 nights at the Bloomfield House Hotel in Mullingar

• Specified Meals

  Breakfast daily, lunch on day 6, and dinners on days 2 - 6 and day 8

• Entry Fees

  Entry fees to all sights included in the itinerary

• Transfers

  Transportation to all sights per itinerary

• Tour Guide

  Local guides as applicable

• Tour Director

  A Cultured Travel tour director will be accompanying the tour

• On Tour Guest Expert

  Paul Nugent, PhD will be accompanying the tour

• Gratuities

  Gratuities for all group activities and events

• Food and Beverages

  Snacks, lunches, and dinners not specified as included

• Airfare

  Airfare to and from Dublin are not included. Any transportation or lodging costs associated with air transfer to Dublin or any associated parking fees are not included.

• Optional Itinerary Items

  Such as but not limited to any pre or post tour excursions

• Visa and Passport Fees

• Travel Insurance

  Highly recommended

Arrive in Dublin in the morning and check-in or store your luggage until it is time to check in at the Davenport Hotel for rest and relaxation.

Free time to explore or shop the vicinity and catch local traditional Irish music. Paul will be available for suggestions on what to do and a list of suggestions will also be provided to you.

In the morning, we will depart the hotel at 9:30AM and go on a guided walking tour throughout Dublin so you can learn all about its fascinating history and also orient yourself to this marvelous city.

Today, we will depart Dublin at 9:30AM and head further afield to see the sights of the countryside. Of the drives we will be doing today, none will exceed 1 hour. Later on, we will check into the Bloomfield House Hotel which will be our home away from home for the next 4 nights.

The Corlea Ancient Trackway is a 2,000-year old road discovered under the bog in County Longford. Visit the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, where history comes alive through interactive exhibits. The center not only showcases fascinating artifacts but is also built with eco-friendly materials, harmonizing with the beautiful bogland surroundings.

Discover the enchanting Bloomfield House Hotel, Leisure Club & Spa, set against picturesque lakeside views and lush gardens. Enjoy a full-service leisure club with a pool and spa, and indulge in on-site dining with locally sourced ingredients. With easy access to Mullingar's attractions and outdoor activities, this accommodation combines historic charm with modern comfort.

Breakfast is included each morning of your stay.

After departing the hotel, we will visit the Famine Graveyard in Mullingar. Following this, we will head to the Strokestown House and the associated National Famine Museum. The museum is located in what were outbuildings and stables of the “Big House”. The contrast between the landlords Big House and the plight of the starving Irish tenants could not be more striking.

*You will be walking through the Irish terrain today. Please bring appropriate foot attire for grass, mud, or whatever other conditions may be present.

Today, we will visit one of the most dramatic man-made structures in Ireland or even Europe: Newgrange megalithic tomb, also, featured in a New York Times Travel article in 2026: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/20/travel/ireland-newgrange-ancient-passage-tombs-mounds.html). This is a 5,200-year old tomb.

In the afternoon we will visit Sliabh na Cailleach, the witches hill (“sliabh”, anglicized to “Slieve”, means hill in Gaelic - https:// voicesfromthedawn.com/loughcrew/ ). For those up to it, there is a gentle climb to the 900-foot summit. From there, you will have a wonderful view across County Meath and an opportunity to examine the burial mound that is thought to be at least 5,400 years old, part of the Loughcrew complex of ancient graves in the area.

*You will need appropriate footwear for today's excursions.

Sliabh na Cailleach offers breathtaking panoramic views and is steeped in ancient mythology. The site features unique megalithic tombs, highlighting its historical significance tied to ancient rituals. Explore the distinctive landscape shaped by glacial activity and immerse yourself in the legends of this enchanting location.

This morning, we will visit the Hill of Uisneach, an ancient royal and sacred site.

We will then visit the village of Fore (https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/fore-abbey/) to see archeological sites including St Fechin’s Church (7th century), the Benedictine Priory (12th century) and the Anchorite’s (Hermit’s) Cell, a small tower and attached chapel, the latter being the crypt for the Nugent family of Clonyn Castle, Earls of Westmeath (not immediate relatives, as far as I know ;-)

Later in the afternoon we will return to Dublin (about 1-1.5 hour drive) to check back in to the Davenport Hotel.

This morning, we will check out of our hotel and make our way to Dublin by exploring more along the route. We will visit the excellent example of a 12th century Norman castle in the town of Trim where parts of the movie Braveheart were filmed (even if it was about a Scottish rebel!).

In the afternoon we will visit the (historically) more peaceful Old Mellifont Abbey, the ruins of a 13th century Cistercian abbey in County Louth (https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/old-mellifont-cistercian-abbey-monastic-site/).

After that, we will continue our journey to Dublin and back to the Davenport Hotel. No legs of the journey today will exceed 1 hour.

Old Mellifont Abbey is a historic Cistercian monastery established in the 12th century, renowned for its beautifully preserved ruins and unique medieval architecture. Set in a serene countryside, it holds the distinction of being the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland, featuring a remarkable lavabo structure and a fascinating collection of historical artifacts.

Our last full day (Day 8) will be a free day where you can do whatever brings you joy in the city of Dublin.

We highly recommend visiting any of the following museums:

• The 1916 Rising Museum in the GPO (General Post Office, https://www.gpomuseum.ie/), ground zero for the events of Easter Week 1916 that set in motion the final push for Irish independence.

• The EPIC Emigration Museum (https:// epicchq.com/) on the banks of the River Liffey. Here you will get a sense of the extent of emigration from Ireland over the past several hundred years, and better understand why 30-40 million Americans can claim some Irish ancestry.

• The 14 Henrietta Street museum is a former house of a wealthy family that was transformed into a tenement house for 17 families in the late 1800s. Residents lived in this building until the 1970s, providing a profound glimpse into life during this era.

In the evening we will celebrate our trip with a group dinner at the Trocadero Restaurant (https://www.irishtimes.com/food/restaurants/review/2025/03/27/trocadero-restaurant-review-a-timeless-classic-that-is-old-school-in-the-best-sense-2/), just off Grafton Street in the city center (and walking distance to our hotel).

Your journey through Ireland has been nothing short of magical. From the lush green landscapes to the warm hospitality, you will leave with unforgettable memories. As you depart, you'll carry a piece of Ireland in your heart, feeling the pull to return to its enchanting shores. This trip has woven a connection that will last a lifetime, and the spirit of Ireland will always beckon you back.

I was born at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, raised in Mullingar (about 50 miles west of Dublin), and educated at St Mary’s CBS Mullingar and University College Dublin.

In 1989, I was fortunate to receive a green card through a lottery program promoted by Congressman Brian J. Donnelly. This initiative changed the lives of many young people in 1980s Ireland, a time marked by soaring unemployment, mass emigration, and a war raging in the north of Ireland. (Read more about the Donnelly Visa).

After a 35-year career in biomedical research, I retired in 2024 and decided to pursue an idea that had been with me for some time — helping my fellow Americans explore Irish history, culture, and landscape in a way that brings deeper understanding and connection during their visit.

Ironically, the final push to create my own company, Hibernia Travel, came from Brexit. As negotiations dragged on, several friends asked why Ireland was so involved in what they saw as a matter between the UK and the EU. In explaining the history of Northern Ireland and the full name of the UK — The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland — I realized how many aspects of Anglo-Irish history were not well understood, even by well-informed friends.

This lack of understanding extends to modern Ireland as well. Many Americans, even those who have visited, only see a small slice of the country — the Cliffs of Moher, Dublin’s Temple Bar, the Guinness Brewery, and the Blarney Stone. These give a very limited experience of Ireland - a bit like visiting Disneyland and thinking you have seen the US!