Secret Venue:

We are bringing you to a very special venue. It is a secret, but we assure you it is very haunted and it has a rich sordid history. It will be taking about 1 mile of a walk to get to this place so I hope you are all fit. 

Kilmainham Jail:

Originally built outside the city to replace the overcrowded previous prison, Kilmainham opened in 1796. Over 4000 of its early prisoners were transported to Australia. During the Great Famine (1845-52), the prison became increasingly squalid and overcrowded – prisoners were fed at least once a day, whilst many peasants would have been left to starve. Ironically, many of those imprisoned were women and children, precisely because they had been begging or stealing food.

Kilmainham has long been associated with political prisoners, particularly those who rebelled against British rule, including the Young Irelanders, Fenians, and many of the leaders of the Easter Rising (1916).

Malahide Castle:

  12th Century

The ancient property is one of Ireland's oldest castles, having been built around 1185. It is reportedly haunted by at least five ghosts.

But there has been some skullduggery here, to be sure, which is why the castle is said to be haunted.

Although during the day, Malahide Castle is a popular place for relaxation and picnics, this is one of the most popular haunted Irish castles. Built eight centuries ago, the castle has many spirits trapped within its walls. Reports suggest that at least five ghosts are roaming around. The most frightening, however, is the ghost of Miles Corbett who was sentenced to death for desecrating a chapel. Visitors reported seeing his ghost appearing before them and them disintegrating into pieces. Another terrifying ghost is Lord Galtrim who lived in the 15th century and was killed in a fight right on his wedding day. His groans of pain can be heard sometimes in the castle.

Activity Level: Moderate/Hard

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

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. 

Activity Level: Low

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

We go on a scenic drive today with a little bit of ancient history added. 

We take the day to drive around the coast of Mullaghmore which is a famous surfing area. But it is known for its beauty and rugged landscape. 

We then make our way to the highest cliffs in Europe called Sliabh liag. The scenery here is breathtaking and they recon that you can get the best lobster rolls from the small vendor stall there also. 

On our way back to our hotel we will stop at an ancient court tomb for a short time. This tomb dates back to Neolithic times and you will also see a wishing tree there too. 

Activity Level: Low

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

Pat Noone 

Is a farmer, healer, historian, friend of the fairies, and all round nice person. We visit his farm and he brings us to a fairy fort, portal, standing stones, a cairn and so much more. 

Magical things happen to people on his land and he is also a healer. 

We will then go into Galway to do a little shopping and explore the city. 

Activity Level: Low

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

Leap Castle

In the nearly 800 years since the County Offaly castle was constructed, families have been divided and executed, and fights over the true ownership of the castle led to battles so gruesome that the history has often been hidden. Uncovering the truth also means discovering a story of murder and intense betrayal. 

The castle was built by the wealthy O’Bannon family somewhere between the late 12th century and the 15th century, although likely around 1250. Before it was actually built, two of the O’Bannon brothers were constantly at odds over which one was set to inherit their father’s riches and control over the castle. According to legend, they proposed a competition. Each brother would both jump off of a huge rock located on the site of the future castle. The one who lived would get to control the building of the castle and the family clan. While the winner of the deadly competition (if ever there was one) is now lost to time, it likely explains why the castle was originally known as Leim Ui Bhanain—or O'Bannon's Leap.

The chief of the O’Carroll family died without specifically naming which of his sons was to be his successor. Once again, the brothers fought, bloodily, over who would inherit the castle. One of the brothers, Thaddeus, was a priest. His brother, Teighe, convinced that he was the rightful heir, killed Thaddeus while he was in the middle of saying Mass in the castle’s chapel. The chapel became known as “The Bloody Chapel”, and it is said that you can see Thaddeus’s spirit roaming the halls of the castle late at night to this day. 

Activity Level: Low

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

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.

Fitzpatrick's Castle:

You have the pleasure of staying in a 17th-century  4-star Castle hotel on the last night of your tour. Enjoy the old-world charm of a 17th-century castle with all the modern conveniences of a modern hotel. 

We will bring you into Dublin to shop and explore the city and then pick you up at an agreed time to bring you to the castle, or if you wish, we can bring you to the castle and you can enjoy the facilities there for the afternoon. 

Activity Level: Low

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

We bring you back to the airport to catch your flight home. We don't say "Slán" but we wish you a safe flight and hope that you will come back to Ireland again with us.