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 1936, 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 two 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 the very impressive tour guide. 

Athlone Castle:

The first real signs of settlement at Athlone grew up in Anglo-Norman times around the castle which was built for King John of England by his Irish justiciar Bishop John De Gray of Norwich.  Though not the first castle to be built at Athlone this castle has endured like no other.  Looking at it today it still incorporates elements of the castle of 1210 together with various additions and alterations which were made in response to advances in warfare.  It has many of the characteristics of a Napoleonic fortification as it was remodelled during that period to defend the crossing point of the Shannon.

Over the centuries it has been the nucleus of the Anglo-Norman settlement; a stronghold of the rival local families the Dillons and the O’Kelly’s; the seat of the Court of Claims; the residence of the President of Connaught and the Jacobite stronghold during the sieges of Athlone.  After the Siege of Athlone it became incorporated into the new military barrack complex.  It remained a stronghold of the garrison for almost three hundred years.

In 1922 when the Free State troops took over the Barracks from their British counterparts, they proudly flew the tricolour from a temporary flagpole much to the delight of the majority of townspeople.

In 1967 the Old Athlone Society established a museum in the castle with a range of exhibits relating to Athlone and its environs and also to folk-life in the district.  Two years later when the military left the castle it was handed over to the Office of Public Works and the central keep became a National Monument.

Galway city:

Upon arriving in Galway in the afternoon, you can take some time to explore the city before settling into your hotel. You'll find a plethora of great little shops, museums, restaurants, shopping centers, galleries, and usually music in the streets and pubs for you to enjoy.

Activity Level: Low

Itinerary is subject to slight change depending on weather, and other conditions out of our control.

Pat Noone's Fairy Farm:

Fairies, she-wolves, and fertility stones: Strange tales from a hidden Ireland,

Pat Noone will welcome you to his farm with a warm Irish welcome, he will bring you on that hallowed ground past the standing stone, the fertility stone down the path to the cairn, and then you walk into the fairy field. You will stand at the portal between the hawthorn trees which is where the Fairies come and go. It truly is a magical place and we know you will enjoy it and the stories Pat has to tell.

Pat is also an amazing healer. 

Leap Castle:

One of the longest continually inhabited Castles in Ireland, Leap Castle has a rich and fascinating history.  Leap Castle is thought to have been built in the early 1500s by the O’Bannon clan.   The O’Bannon clan were the secondary chieftains under the ruling of the O'Carroll  clan.  The current building is thought to have been built over an earlier castle.  Before that the site was used by Druids for initiation ceremonies.   The castle has been home to much bloodshed and violence over the centuries.

The O’Carrolls were a fierce and brutal people, bent on domination.  They were known for their ruthless tactics, often killing others and each other on the path to supremacy.  The O’Carolls called Leap Castle their home until it was wrenched from their hands in 1642 by an English soldier of the Cromwellian forces named John Darby. 

 The Elemental is one of the most interesting spirits that reside at Leap Castle.  It is an entity that is shrouded in mystery and intrigue.  The first encounter, origin, and exact nature of the Elemental are unknown but many theories have circulated over the years. 

Two young girls have also been seen at Leap Castle. Emily & Charlotte. Emily is thought to be aged around 11 or 12 and Charlotte around 6 or 7. They are mainly seen playing in the main hall and running up the stairwell. They are believed to have lived at the castle during the 1600’s and are thought to be the last of the O’Carrolls or the first of the Darbys. These are just two examples of spirits in this place, Sean Ryan will tell you all the stories and his experiences, and he might just play a few tunes for you too.

Activity Level: Low

Itinerary is subject to slight change depending on weather, and other conditions out of our control.

Nenagh Castle:

Nenagh Castle is a stunning 13th-century castle that is nestled in the heart of Nenagh town in County Tipperary. The tall castle tower overlooks the bustling town of Nenagh while also offering spectacular views of the nearby Tipperary countryside.

The castle was built in 1216 by Theobald FitzWalter and his son, Theobald Butler.

Once completed, Nenagh Castle served as the main seat of the Butler family until 1391. The Butler family would become the Earls and Dukes of Ormond, who would eventually rule from Kilkenny Castle for the next 500 years.

In 1332 a group of prisoners who were captured here escaped and managed to take over the castle. Some of the castle was burned before the prisoners were recaptured and returned to their cells. 

Killarney town:

This little town is world-famous due to its exquisite location beside lakes and mountains. Take a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park to Muckross House and Gardens. Tour the house with a local guide to learn about the history and lifestyles of previous owners and perhaps stroll through the gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. As well as being a perfect location from which to explore the southwestern region of Ireland, for centuries the Killarney Valley has been recognized far and wide as Ireland's most beautiful destination - being aptly titled "Heaven's Reflex".

We stay in a beautiful hotel on the outskirts of the town where we will be well looked after.

Activity Level: Low

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

Rachel Scoazec Brennan

Our 2-day workshop with Dr. Rachel Scoazec Brennan begins. She has a PhD in Irish studies and is a Healer, Psychic, Soulpasser and Medium. She has been a death midwife for 28-years, and has worked extensively in energy and sound healing. Samhain is a time of the thinning of the veils between the dead and the living. Rachel will help us gain information from past relatives and friends. the workshops will focus on the wellbeing, knowledge, wisdom and activation of people's best potential. Rachel will offer a Samhain blessing, Samhain rituals, and we will kindle the sacred Samhain fire.

Activity Level: Low

Please note that the itinerary is subject to slight changes due to weather and other conditions beyond our control.

Morning and evening workshops with Rachel and will have lunch both days at her center. Description of her workshops are coming in the coming weeks and we will post them here.

Killarney is a beautiful town that you can explore in the evening and I'm sure Rachel with bring you on walks throughout her teaching also. So there is a lot to look forward to on this trip.

Activity Level: Low

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

Kenmare town:

The beautiful town of Kenmare is a small tranquil country town, famous for its gourmet food and superb accommodation set amidst breathtaking scenery in one of the most unspoiled, natural environments in Europe.

The town itself has a population of around 1,800 and retains the 'village' feel that it's had since it was established as Ireland's first 'planned' town back in 1670. The historical, cultural, and environmental significance of the place was officially recognized by Bord Failte [the then tourist board of Ireland] in the early 1990s when it was designated a 'Heritage Town'.

Kenmare town has a unique identity of vibrant colored, characterful buildings, and its inhabitants' pride and concern for the immediate environment has twice resulted in Kenmare winning the 'Tidy Towns' competition - in 2000 and 2008. This is an annual, national event.

The town of Kenmare is ideally situated on two famous tourist trails – The Ring of Kerry and The Ring of Beara. The Ring of Kerry is known all over the world and follows the spectacular coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula. It's one of the most dramatic scenic drives in Ireland and makes a most enjoyable day tour.

Drombeg Stone Circle:

Drombeg stone circle, also known as The Druid’s Altar, is a small megalithic site located in County Cork, Ireland. It is one of the most visited megalithic sites in Ireland and is protected under the National Monuments Act. The stone circle originally consisted of 17 closely spaced stones, of which 13 survive today. The stones are made from local sandstone and the circle spans 9.3 meters in diameter.

As an axial or “Cork-Kerry” stone circle, it contains two taller entrance stones placed opposite a recumbent axial stone. Its axis is oriented southwest towards the setting sun. The most westerly stone is the long recumbent and has two egg-shaped cup marks, one with a ring around it. This arrangement creates a southwest axis and orients the monument in the direction of the setting sun during the midwinter solstice.

Excavations at the site have revealed that the stone circle was active around 1100-800 BC. Radiocarbon dating of samples taken from the site suggest that it was active during this time period. An inverted pot, found in the center of the circle, contained the cremated remains of a young adolescent wrapped with thick cloth. The pot was found close to the center of the circle and was found alongside smashed sherds and a collection of sweepings from a pyre.

Charles Fort:

As one of the country’s largest military installations, Charles Fort has been part of some of the most momentous events in Irish history. During the Williamite Wars, for example, it withstood a 13-day siege before it fell. Later, in the Civil War of the early 1920s, anti-Treaty forces on the retreat burned it out.

Charles Fort is a massive star-shaped structure of the late seventeenth century, well preserved despite its history. William Robinson, architect of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham, Dublin, is credited with designing it. Its dimensions are awe-inspiring – some of the outer defences are 16 metres high.

The view from the ramparts looking out over Kinsale Harbour is spectacular.

Cork Ghost Tour:

We aim to fright and delight!

Hilarious, horrible histories, local tales, ghost stories & hysterical shenanigans!

We take a trip through time into old Cork on streets from the 1700’s.

Taking in the sights & waking the dead as we have the time of our lives!

A genuinely local experience, interactive, factual, comic ( it’s some Craic!) with an odd & original slant on Cork’s diverse and dark history.

Activity Level: Moderate

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

Rock of Cashel:

Set on a dramatic outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale, The Rock of Cashel, iconic in its historic significance, possesses the most impressive cluster of medieval buildings in Ireland. Among the monuments to be found there is a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House.

Originally the seat of the kings of Munster, according to legend St. Patrick himself came here to convert King Aenghus to Christianity. Brian Boru was crowned High King at Cashel in 978 and made it his capital.

In 1101 the site was granted to the church and Cashel swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most significant centres of ecclesiastical power in the country.

The surviving buildings are remarkable. Cormac’s Chapel, for example, contains the only surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland.

Kilkenny Town:

County Kilkenny is a place to gather where culture and adventure, city and countryside, and friends and family meet. There is so much to explore in the medieval city and beyond.

Kilkenny City is home to one of the most recognizable landmarks in Ireland: the 12th-century Kilkenny Castle. Go back in time and explore Ireland's Medieval Mile, a discovery trail running through Kilkenny city. The county is full of vibrant heritage and history  at every turn, so there are many stories for you to uncover in Kilkenny. Take a tour of the attractions or book a place in a local walking or cycling tour to hear Kilkenny's history in a unique way!

Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s most cosmopolitan cities, a gem in the heart of Ireland's Ancient East.

Fitzpatrick's Castle:

The original house, Mount Mapas was built in 1740 by Col. John Mapas, although records show that a building or buildings stood here at a much earlier date. By 1755 it was acquired by Captain Maunsell who was succeeded by Colonel Loftus in 1770.

The Colonel's stay was a short one; in 1772 he advertised the castle and its 150 acres for sale despite his short tenure. During his time in residence however, Colonel Loftus and his nephew converted the barren stoney soil to meadow and pasture and cut a road around the hill, his successor was Lord Clonmel who in 1790 improved the estate further spending £3,000 in the process, a handsome sum of money in the early 19th century.

The name Robert Warren is very much associated with the Castle and it was he who in 1840 enlarged the house and called it Killiney Castle. He also restored and added to the monuments on the hill, repairing the obelisk originally erected by Col. Mapas and donated land and most of the money for the building of Killiney parish church. The land on the hill once part of the estate was purchased from his son, Robert Warren Jnr. by Queen Victoria's jubilee memorial association and subsequently renamed Victoria Hill as we still know it today.

Its subsequent owners included Mrs Chippendale Higgan. The trees and shrubs she planted can still be seen today and provide a decorative setting for the castle.

In the 20th Century Killiney Castle was used by the Black & Tans, the IRA, and the Republicans in the Civil War before being burnt by Free State Troops. It was requisitioned by the Government during the 1939-45 period and used as billets for the army

Killiney Castle exchanged hands again with the late Paddy and Eithne Fitzpatrick taking over the helm in the 1970's, transforming it into a first-class hotel and renaming it Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel. Today their daughter Eithne Fitzpatrick Scott-Lennon owns the hotel and together with her family continues to guide the way to its continued success, whilst maintaining the original Castle charm and Irish welcome long associated with the Castle.

Activity Level: Low

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

Slán abhaile we say to you today, but we wish you a safe flight and we hope you come back again soon to us and with us to Ireland!