Failte Ireland - Ireland Buyers Guide 2018

DAY 2 WILD ATLANTICWAY – HAVEN COAST & SOUTHERN PENINSULAS Travel on theWild AtlanticWay out to Mizen Head Signal Station , Ireland’s most south-westerly point. At the end of the Mizen Peninsula, the cliffs of Mizen Head rise high above the Atlantic Ocean, where the currents meet from the west and south coasts and waves from the mid-Atlantic crash into the land. Dare to cross the iconic Bridge high above the gorge; watch for seals and their pups in the swell below. Experience the solitude of the keepers’ lives and the elemental power of the restless Atlantic where the ocean currents swirl. Interpretation and displays demonstrate many different topics, completing your experience. Allow 2 hrs for this experience Lunch at Mizen Centre or Bantry Garnish Island was well chosen by the Bryce family to establish the wonderful gardens that are enjoyed by all who visit. The designs of Peto and Mackenzie’s, on developing these exotic grounds, have delighted generations of visitors to the island. Bryce House on Garnish Island has undergone an extensive refurbishment. The cottage, which was originally built to the north east of the walled garden in 1912, has been restored to its original Edwardian picturesque style. Further works have been undertaken to facilitate visitors by making the cottage universally accessible. Now that the restoration is complete visitors can enjoy the cottage along with the wonderful gardens and picturesque views overlooking Glengarriff Bay. Allow 2 hrs for this experience including boat journey MOLLY GALVINS Take a step back in time with a visit to visit Molly Gallivan’s Cottage & Traditional Farm. There Traditional Irish Evenings includes an “AmericanWake” and “The Home Coming” presentations. These are nights of Irish food, music, song, dance and story telling, re-enacting the old customs that took place in Irish homes the night before a family member emigrated, or returned, from a foreign land. Overnight in Kenmare and visit some of the craft shops here DAY 3 Start your day with a visit to the Star Seafoods Smokehouse Experience , at Dauros, Kenmare. Here you can see the entire process of producing this famous local product, from filleting and salting, to smoking, cutting and preservation. Star Seafoods, specialists in producing smoked salmon since 1974. This Smokehouse is different to others as it is all hand done rather than mechanised; they use a traditional oak wood smoker, which gives it its authentic taste. Visitors are free to ask questions and there is also audio visual guides available on request. Following the factory tour, visitors are brought over to Con’s Bar and Restaurant onsite for a tasting of the Smoked Salmon and are free to purchase prepacked salmon to take home! Allow 2 hours for this experience Lunch in one of the many excellent restaurants, hotels or pubs in Kenmare or Sneem Continue on to Forage, Find, Feast with Atlantic Irish Seaweed, Caherdaniel . At this Seaweed Discovery Centre in County Kerry, sample seaweed tea as well as five different types of nibbles foraged from marine vegetables along the Skellig Coast on theWild AtlanticWay. As well as chomping on this tasty superfood, learn about its rich history of usage – from medicine to gunpowder – and why the ancient monks, Vikings and Daniel O’Connell all included seaweed in their diets. Forage for your supper by venturing to the shore for a discovery walk where you’ll learn to find, identify and sustainably hand- harvest this exciting bounty. Taste the fruits of your labour with as many as ten delicious courses made with various seaweed products and a glass of elderflower and sugar kelp champagne to wash it all down! Allow 1 ½ hours for this experience Cruising along the Skellig Coast feels like you’re driving on the edge of the world, and with Iveragh Historical Tours you can really tap into the experience. Choose from a variety of small, escorted bus tours where you will be entertained and educated by the one and only home-grown South Kerry resident Muiris Walsh. Muiris will introduce you to the Skellig Coast and its people in a way that only a local can. Taking a break from driving will give you a chance to really enjoy the scenery, the history and the stories Muiris knows so well. Choose from tours with titles like The Vikings, Monks and Chieftains Tour, The Skellig Coast Stories told in Stone, SkelligWars Tour and Valentia Island Tetrapods to Telegraphs. Tours operate all year round, so you can see the Skelligs in all types of light, and with an experienced driver, small, comfortable tour groups, and full or half-day tours available, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to sit back and appreciate the stunning views and the people who bring them to life. Allow a full day or half day for this experience depending on the tour you choose. Dinner and overnight in either Cahersiveen,Waterville Portmagee or Valentia Island AFTER DINNER… See the stars as you never have before with Kerry Dark Sky Tourism, Ballinskelligs. Looking out over the darkening horizon, with stunning Skellig Michael beyond, the beauty of the night sky will take your breath away. You’ll start by watching the sun set, waiting for the stars to start twinkling in this unique spot on theWild AtlanticWay. Because of the lack of light pollution in the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, this tour could be the closest you’ll get to real space exploration! The Reserve is protected by the Kerry mountains and hills on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other offering the perfect conditions for a spot of serious stargazing. As you sit in comfort, your guide will use laser pointers to highlight constellations and pick out planets and star systems, which you can view through their high-powered telescopes. Allow 1 hour for this experience 53