Powerscourt House and Gardens:

You get to  visit this beautiful place called Powerscourt House and Gardens. Stunning gardens, walks, ponds and they also have a Japanese gardens too! You will enjoy the walks here, where there is so much to see and capture with your camera. You can visit the Avaca shop on site and there is also a distillery not too far away to visit it you wish. 

Glendalough Monastic Site:

We then bring you to a stunning monastic site called St Kevin's monastic village. Glendalough itself is a beautiful part of the country with breath-taking scenery but the monastic site is one of those places that you can really feel the history, folklore and spirits while there. 

You will see the amazing round tower built so many 100's of years ago. This site dates back to the 5th century and has a long, rich history.

You will see as you walk around the ruins the designs carved in stone, the old and new burial places throughout the graveyard. You will be able to read the plaques on the walls of the different buildings learning as you go of the rich history of this place and you can take in the Spiritual air and feeling of this amazing place too.

This itinerary is subject to change depending on weather, availability and other conditions beyond our control.

Activity level: Low

Belvedere House:

Belvedere House is a Georgian villa on the shores of Lough Ennell near Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. Open to the public, the estate features several striking follies, including the so-called “Jealous Wall,” which bears testimony to one of the most sordid family squabbles in Irish history.

It all started in 1836, when an ambitious aristocrat, Robert Rochfort, (later the 1st Earl of Belvedere) decided he wanted to marry a popular young woman in Dublin artistic circles, the 16-year-old Mary Molesworth. She evidently sensed he wasn’t quite the catch he appeared, as she resisted his initial advances, but her family, seduced by his power and great name, arranged the match. For a few years, the relationship worked, and the couple had four children. 

Robert lost interest in her. There are suggestions that his mistress poisoned his mind against his wife and other suggestions that it was his brother, George. 

He locked her away in her bedroom for 30 years until he died. During this time she never saw her 4 children.

It is a sad tale that will be told to you by a very impressive tour guide. 

Forest Park Lough Key:

The McDermott’s official residence was on The Rock, now called Castle Island. As space was limited on this small island they had another residence on the mainland where the Moylurg Tower stands today. The McDermotts ruled this area until the 17th century when it was granted to the King family from England under the Cromwellian settlement. The King family spent their time between the town of Boyle and Moylurg which they renamed Rockingham. The castle that can be seen from the shore dates back to the 11th century where the King and his family lived. 

Boyle Abbey:

Boyle Abbey is an impressive, well preserved Cistercian Monastery which was founded in the 12th century under the patronage of the local ruling family, the MacDermotts.

Though mutilated during the 17th and 18th centuries when it used to accommodate a military garrison, Boyle Abbey nevertheless retains its ability to impress the visitor as one of the most formidable of the early Cistercian foundations in Ireland.

The local tour guide will give you a history on what life was like during the time of the monks. It is a great tour and full of folklore too. 

Activity Level: Low

The itinerary is subject to slight change depending on weather and other conditions that is beyond our control.

Sliabh Liag:

When people come to Ireland they often express a wish to see the Cliffs of Moher, and rightfully so because it is indeed a sight to behold, but Sliabh Liag is on a par if now more beautiful because they are the highest cliffs in Europe. The stunning view will take your breath away. You can stand on the viewing platform or can take a walk up the steps to get to the very top and see out onto the ocean and the vast beautiful landscape all around you. This is one of the places that you are not likely to forget.

Donegal Town:

We stop into Donegal town to give you a break and give you a chance to have lunch and check out some of the shops there too. There is also a castle that you could visit if you wish and the ruins of an Abbey. 

Mullaghmore Coastal Drive:

On our way back to the hotel we will take a drive around this stunning coastal drive. This part of Sligo is world-renowned by surfers who come here to catch the 40' waves that can be seen regularly.

It is also known for it's rugged beauty. You can see Classiebawn Castle where Lord Mountbatten who was the first cousin to Queen Elizabeth of England would spend his holidays there. 

Great place to take out the camera and take some great photo's.

Activity Level: Moderate/High

This itinerary is subject to change depending on weather/availability and conditions beyond our control.

Carrowmore Cemetery:

Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is the oldest and the densest concentration of Neolithic tombs in Ireland. These are among the reasons the site has been placed on Ireland’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites, together with the other monuments that comprise ‘The Passage Tomb Landscape of County Sligo’.

The site is located near Sligo town on the Cúil Íorra Peninsula, at the heart of Neolithic north-west Ireland. Remains of over 35 passage tombs are found here, constructed almost 6,000 years ago. There is also a stone circle to be seen there.

Holy well:

Tobernalt is also associated with penal times in Ireland. This was a period where English laws controlled the property, educational and religious rights of the Catholic population in Ireland. Tobernalt became a secluded refuge for the celebration of Mass in the early years of the eighteenth century when the penal laws were applied most harshly.

It was to Tobernalt the people flocked from the surrounding neighbourhood when news spread by word of mouth that the Priest was expected. Priests were hunted with a price on their heads; they travelled in disguise through the country from one Mass rock to the next. The faithful often set out the night before to journey in small quiet groups to be at Tobernalt before dawn. They would wait in some nervousness for the Priest to appear at the Mass rock. A close watch was kept against surprise attack by soldiers.

The Mass in Latin was attended with reverence; the raised Host and Chalice were adored on bended knee and God was thanked for his goodness because only He knew when the next Mass would be celebrated at Tobernalt. 

Parkes Castle:

Parkes Castle is an impressive 17th-century castle located in County Sligo, Ireland. Situated on the shores of Lough Gill, the castle was built by Robert Parke, a plantation landlord who arrived in Ireland during the early 1600s. 

Parke’s Castle on the shore Lough Gill; and once hosted officers from the Spanish Armada.

O’Rourke was later executed in London in 1591 for high treason. One of the charges put against O’Rourke was for giving aid to the Armada survivors. After his death his son Brian Oge O’Rourke inherited the title and continued his father’s fight against the English.

Glencar Waterfall:

Glencar Waterfall is famous for being an inspiration to Ireland’s greatest poet William Butler Yeats and features in his poem ‘The Stolen Child’.

‘Where the wandering water gushes From the hills above Glen-Car, In pools among the rushes That scarce could bathe a star,’ WB Yeats

The waterfall reaches 50ft high and is situated at Glencar Lough. It creates a truly magical atmosphere. A short, picturesque wooded walk offers varied viewing platforms to enjoy the waterfall. There are more waterfalls visible from the road to Glencar, although none are quite as romantic as this one.

Activity Level: Low

Itinerary subject to slight change depending on weather and other conditions beyond our control.

Fairy Farm and Pat Noone;

Pat Noone, is a very special person and has a very magical farm. Pat himself is a great healer both of people and the land. 

He travels all over the world clearing houses, land and healing people. But that is not all he is known for. 

Pat's farm is a very special place. Ancient standing stones, fertility stone, a burial ground that is at least 5 thousand years old can be seen and Pat will give you the history of it. But the most important places on his land is the Fairy portal, and the Fairy Fort.

We have the pleasure of visiting this farm many times and I can say for myself that I have experiences magical happenings while there and a lot of the members of the different groups have also.

We hope you will too!

Galway City:

Galway city is a vibrant, musical city with cobbled streets, small shops and music on the streets wherever you go. From big shopping centers to small jewlery stores, musuems, art galleries to great restaurents, pubs and everything in between, Galway has it all.

Great place to visit and just relax, roam around and enjoy a nice meal too!

This itinerary is subject to change because of weather conditions, availability and other conditions beyond our control.

Activity Level: Moderate

Festival of Fire:

This Festival of Fire goes back to pagan times and Druid times in Ireland. It is held every year on the Hill of Uisneach which is in the center of Ireland. 

We see the galloping of the horses, the parade of people with their dance with fire, the beating of drums and of course there are stages everywhere with great traditional musicians sharing their talent with us. 

We have all of this to look forward to before the lighting of the sacred fire. At sundown the celebration of the lighting of the fire in the center of Ireland will begin. The high priestess will walk around the mound and then light the fire, you will then see the fires being lit on the seven hills surrounding the Hill of Uisneach which is a sight to behold.

Warning:

It very much depends upon the weather conditions on the evening, so while we hope to be able to attend and hope that it will indeed take place we must also let you know that we will hopefully be able to book it the day before. 

We will ask you to buy your tickets online here on WeTravel and if for some reason the festival cannot take place or is changed to another day that we cannot attend or you have left the country we will refund your money to you. 

We will know this when we contact the festival committee the day before the event should take place.

Activity level: Moderate/high

This itinerary is subject to change depending on weather, availability and other conditions beyond our control.

Leap Castle:

Reputed to be the most haunted castle in Europe, Leap has a rich and terrible history of violence and tragedy. It is haunted by many ghosts and today you get to investigate the castle and listen to Séan Ryan, owner tell you about some of the Spirits that he hears and some he does not want to hear also.

It is a place where different people experience different things. Some feel oppression, some get bad smells, some feel like they are not wanted and get the feeling that they have to leave. 

It will be interesting to see what you feel and what Corine taps into while there too. But I know you will love listening to Séan and his amazing stories about the history and the ghosts.

Kinnitty Castle:

Kinnitty Castle is a beautiful working hotel but also a unique, authentic Irish Castle with a rich history too. We will get a tour of the banquet hall, the stone circle at the back of the Castle, the bedrooms, which are Spectular and Conor will take us on a walk through the woods to see the famous bridge too.

We will then have lunch while there and return to our hotel.

Activity Level: Low

Itinerary subject to change depending on availability, weather and other conditions beyond our control.

Dublin City:

We bring you back to Dublin today before you fly back home the next day. Most people like to do a little shopping in Dublin and explore the shops and Temple Bar area too. 

Fitzpatrick's Castle:

We stay in an authentic Irish Castle tonight where you will enjoy all the mod conviniences of a modern hotel with an indoor swimming pool, gym, sauna, spa treatment rooms, two bars and two restaurants also. Great staff and great food.

This castle is a family run business and you can see that shine as soon as you walk into the lobby of the castle. All the staff are so nice and friendly. This is where we will all gather for our last get together meal. 

Activity Level: Low/Moderate

This itinerary is subject to change depending on weather, availibility and other conditions beyond our control.

We bring you back to Dublin airport today in good time for your flight. We don't like to say goodbye but rather "safe flight and until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hand" 

We hope you will consider coming back to Ireland to discover other amazing places with Secret Ireland Tours and Corine Carey.