• Cashel in County Tipperary for 1 night
• Kerry for 2 nights
• Galway for 2 nights
• Dublin for 2 nights

The drive from Dublin Airport or City to Cashel will take in the region of 2 hours to 2 hours and 20 minutes. Departing Dublin you will be taking the N7, the M7 and then turning south onto the N8 just before Portlaoise in the Midlands. It will take in the region of an hour to 75 minutes or so to reach this turn off in Portlaoise.

However, while on route you might like to stop in the town of Kildare to visit the National Stud and Japanese Gardens. The National Stud comprises three separate attractions. The 1,000 acre Farm at Tully has been in use as a Stud Farm since 1900 when it was owned by Col. William Hall-Walker. It is home to some of Ireland's finest thoroughbreds. There's a Horse Museum tracing the history of the horse in Ireland using artifacts, illustrations and text and the skeleton of the legendary steeplechaser 'Arkle'. In fact the winner of the 2003 Californian ‘Breeders Cup Mile’ race was a National Stud horse, the 3rd in the last 9 years.

The Japanese Gardens are situated in the grounds of the Stud Farm and were created between 1906-1910. They are planned to symbolise the 'Life of Man' from the cradle to the grave. St. Fiachra's Garden was designed as a Millennium project and has 2.5 hectares (4 acres) of Woodland & Lakeside walks.

From Kildare, head to Cashel in County Tipperary for the famous Rock of Cashel. Cashel was once the seat of the Kings of Munster and capital of this southern province. The Rock, which rears above the plain, dominated the land routes southwards. Kings of Ireland as well as Munster came to this spot and St. Patrick is known to have preached on the rock and converted the local King, Aenghus, here in the 5th Century. Brian Boru was also crowned King of Ireland on this spot in the early 11th Century. King Cormac built his superb Royal Chapel in the 12th century. Visit Cashel town to experience and understand the historical relationship between the Rock and the town. Turn the key to the rich heritage in Cashel such as the archaeology, fine architecture, fascinating history and folklore of this remarkable town.

Adjoining the Rock of Cashel, you will find the Brú Ború Cultural Centre. This facility incorporates a folk theatre, restaurant, craft centre, information centre and genealogy suite. Traditional Irish music, song and dance are provided for visitors to the centre by world famous, resident Bru Boru Group of Irish musicians and artists during the summer season. Their latest additional facility is the dramatic and thought provoking underground theatre and exhibition which relays the story of Irish song and dance.

Cashel to Killarney

This journey of 90 miles should take in the region of 2 hours to drive. It is a journey that we recommend be taken with just the one stop (Cahir Castle) as there is a great deal to be seen in Killarney and its immediate area.

From Cashel, take the N8 south for about 10 miles to Cahir. Cahir Castle, once an important stronghold of the powerful Butler family, retains its impressive keep, tower and much of its original defensive structure. It is one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles. Situated on a rocky island on the River Suir, the Castle’s attractions include an excellent audio-visual show, which informs visitors of all the main sites of the area. There are also several exhibitions and guided tours available.

With its three famous lakes and majestic mountain ranges, Killarney has been the inspiration of poets and painters over many centuries. The Killarney National Park is internationally renowned both for its scenic beauty and scientific interest. There are many walks and trails around Killarney ranging from a 2-hour tourist trail around the town itself to the 135 miles (215km) long distance walking route of the Kerry Way, which follows the Ring of Kerry.

Killarney National Park Education Centre was established to fulfill an educational role within the National Park and as such it caters for a wide variety of groups and individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Its ethos is not to put forward a message of conservation as such but rather to allow people to experience some of the natural aspects of the park and conduct scientific studies where appropriate. By presenting information and providing experiences in such a way it is hoped that individuals will be made more aware of their natural environment and will be encouraged to make up their own minds about environmental and conservation issues. Hostel and camping accommodation is available for groups visiting the National Park for educational purposes and field activities.

The Killarney National Park Visitor Centre at Muckross House is the main Information Office and is open on a year round basis. It includes an audiovisual introduction to the Park and exhibition area. A Park Information Office is open during the Summer Months (July -September) at Torc Waterfall. Publications on sale at these offices include booklets for the self-guiding nature trails, an illustrated guide book and large scale Ordnance Survey map of the Park.

The mountainous old red sandstone uplands support large areas of blanket bog, and the remoteness and relative inaccessibility of some of these areas aids the continued survival of Ireland's only remaining wild herd of native Red Deer. In addition to this, the largest area of old-growth Oakwoods left in the country can be found on some of the lower mountain slopes, a remnant of the woodland that once covered much of Ireland.

The lowland limestone areas of the National Park also boast some rare habitats, notably a large stand of pure Yew woodland at Reenadinna on the Muckross Peninsula, which is thought to be one of only three pure Yew woods in Europe. Other significant woodlands include several large areas of swamp woodland (carr) on the shores of Lough Leane, which provide an important refuge for wildlife.

Central to Killarney National Park however are its three lakes all inter-linked but quite different in their respective characters. The lakes support a large population of Brown Trout, as well as an annual run of Salmon, and sport angling has been a popular pastime for generations in Killarney. Noteworthy fish species include the Arctic Char and Killarney Shad.

In addition to all the mammal and fish life one would expect in an area such as this, the Park boasts a wealth of bird life, including migrant Greenland White-fronted Geese, which spend the winter months on some of the bogs in the area. Several unusual invertebrate species are also to be found in the Killarney valley, such as the Northern Emerald Dragonfly, which is found nowhere else in the country. Noteworthy plant species include the Strawberry Tree and the insectivorous Greater Butterwort.

Visitors can enjoy various day trips around the area that can be booked through IrishTourism.com. Amongst these tours is the Gap of Dunloe Tour. Travel in a modern coach to Kate Kearney’s Cottage. If you are feeling energetic, you can walk the 7 miles (11km) to the shore of the Upper Lake at Gearhameen. Alternatively you can take a leisurely ride in a pony-and-trap and relax while you enjoy the magnificent view en route.

Enjoy your picnic lunch (your hotel or guesthouse may prepare this for you) amidst the finest scenery in the world. Snacks are also available at Lord Brandon’s Cottage. Afterwards the Gap boats wait to steer you through the Long Range to the famous Meeting of the Waters. Here you shoot the Rapids and go through Lough Leane to Ross Castle, where your transport awaits to take you back to Killarney.

Apart from an organized tour, you can of course explore the area around Killarney, and the town itself, at your own pace; there are mapped out nature trails through the National Park ranging from just 1/2 mile (1km) to 2.5 miles (4km). Ross Castle, which has recently been restored and offers an interesting insight into the life of a local Chieftain and his family in the 14th century, is accessible on foot as is the impressive Puigin designed St. Mary’s Cathedral. Jaunting car rides from the town centre offer a relaxing way of covering the same ground and they will wait while you take the Ross Castle tour.

Ross Castle may be considered a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish Chieftain during the Middle Ages. The date of its foundation is uncertain but it was probably built in the late 15th century by one of the O’Donoghue Ross chieftains. It is surrounded by a fortified bawn, its curtain walls defended by circular flanking towers, two of which remain. Much of the bawn was removed by the time the Barrack building was added on the south side of the castle sometime in the middle of the 18th century. The castle contains 16th and 17th century furniture. Access for people with disabilities to the ground floor only by prior arrangement.
Please note that this site is a very busy site and visitors may experience a delay during the summer months.

Take a drive or a jaunting car ride to visit Muckross Abbey and Muckross House & Gardens located 3 miles from the town centre on the Kenmare Road. 19th century Muckross House is now a museum of Kerry folk life and has an excellent craft centre in its basement.