Mystical Ireland

Magical places and sacred sites – stories, legends and history.

Magical places and sacred sites and their stories, legends and history. Hill of Tara and Newgrange – Ringforts, tombs, church ruins, ancient forests – Atlantic ocean, islands and dolphins. Waterfalls and caves – 7 nights.

Small Group Tour / Date on request / 7 nights

Tour Highlights

  • Hill of Tara and Uisneach
  • Newgrange Portal Tomb
  • Holy places – ringforts, tombs, church ruins ancient forests
  • Atlantic ocean and islands
  • Dolphins and Eagles
  • Waterfalls and caves

Summary

This tour is designed for guests who want to take their time to allow a deeper connection and experience during their visits to special mystical sites and landscapes. We will travel in a small group of likeminded people, so everyone will have the opportunities to be touched by these extraordinary environs.

We will meet with people who are at home in these places and who can tell us directly what they know about origins and traditions. You will hear stories, great Irish legends, will learn a lot about the Irish fairy world, and those inhabitants who were instrumental in shaping this small, yet magical island on the fringe of Europe. At the end of your holiday you may even take some of the peace and tranquillity of these places home with you and be inspired by of those particularly Irish attitudes and gestures of kindness.

Itinerary

Day 1:  Arrival Dublin – Hill of Tara – Kells/Tailteann
Hill of Tara, the hill of the High Kings of Ireland, who ruled the lands from here; where legends and history mingle – a wonderful place to start a spiritual journey through Ireland. If possible we will stay in Teltown House tonight, an old country home and farm; on their lands a pre-Christian stone circle within a small graveyard has been preserved. In Teltown, or better Tailteann, a major festival took place during Celtic times, including competitive events, almost like Celtic Olympics.

Overnight Teltown House or a similar accommodation in the Kells area

Day 2:  Newgrange and Loughcrew
Today we visit an amazing place, Newgrange portal tomb in the Boyne valley, the most famous mound here, erected approximately 3,200 BC. It was built aligning with the sun rising on Winter solstice and bringing its beam into the centre of the mound. Onwards then to Loughcrew or also called Sliabh na Callaighe – the Mountain of the Wise Woman or Witch, a sacred place with more than thirty gravemounds dating back to pre-Christian times 4th century BC. Also possible is a visit to the ruins of Kells Abbey with round tower and high cross. Here a part of the famous Book of Kells was created.

Overnight Teltown House or a similar accommodation in the Kells area

Day 3:  Hill of Uisneach – St John’s Wood – Rathcroghan
Today we will delve into the great legends of Ireland, visiting the Hill of Uisneach which we will explore on a guided tour. Uisneach is the navel of Ireland, where according to legend, Queen Eriu lies buried, whose name was given to Ireland – Eire. We will travel along the shores of Lough Ree passing by St. John’s Wood, possibly the oldest surviving forest in Ireland. Next we reach Rathcroghan, home of Queen Maeve, where we go on a guided tour of the area including the Cave of the Cats – Oweynagat – where the veil between the worlds is particularly thin; it is sometimes called ‘a thin place’.

Overnight in the Sligo area

Day 4:  Knocknarea and Glencar
We are driving West to Strandhill, here we can climb Knocknarea on a looped walk (327m, 2.5 km walk), where Queen Maeve is supposedly buried in one of Europe’s largest burial mounds. Strandhill has many options for a lovely lunch or a picnic at the beach. In the afternoon we travel North of Sligo to Glencar Waterfall, so eloquently described by W.B. Yeats

Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand.

Excerpt: William Butler Yeats, ‘The Stolen Child’ 1889

… A truly magical place.

Overnight in the Sligo area

Day 5:  Caves of Kesh or Eagles Flying – Visit to Pat’s farm
After a short journey we will begin the day with a walk up to the limestone caves
of Kesh: here according to oral history, one of Ireland’s greatest kings, Cormac MacArt, had been reared by a wolverine. Also, Diarmuid and Grainne found shelter here while on the run from Fionn MacCumhaill. In case of unfavourable weather, we have the option to visit “Eagles Flying”, a bird of prey research station near Ballymote, which would include a talk and demonstration.
Further on we will meet Farmer Pat Noone on his Green Hills Farm. He will share some stories and experiences with fairy folk on his lands.

Overnight in Kinvara/Ballyvaughan area

Day 6:  Burren Karst Landscape
The famous Burren, ‘An Bhoireann’ – this very special karst area is home to a great number of mystical places – ringforts, church ruins and sacred wells. John O’Donohue, philosopher and theologian, author of the widely acclaimed and translated “Anam Cara” (meaning soul friend), came from here. You will have the opportunity to explore his contemplations on this extraordinary landscape. Be open to being surprised…

Overnight in Kinvara/Ballyvaughan area

Day 7: Aran Islands or Loop Head and Dolphins
Boat trip to Inis Oírr or Inis Maan, one of the Aran Islands. As the saying goes: every angel visiting Ireland will stop at the Aran Islands. Or we travel to the most south westerly point this side of the Shannon, to Loop Head, where on a high plane the lighthouse was built. We continue on towards the Shannon estuary and take a boat trip out to observe dolphins.

Overnight in Kinvara/Ballyvaughan area

Day 8: Galway – Dublin Airport
Today will bring your goodbyes to Galway and Ireland – departing from Galway coach station, an express coach can bring you directly to Dublin Airport.
Or you could extend your visit and spend some more time in Galway or Dublin. Please contact us, we are happy to help you organise these extra days.

Services included in the tour price:

  • 2x Overnight stays and breakfast in Teltown House or similar in Kells area
  • 2x Overnight stays and breakfast in Sligo area
  • 3x Overnight stays and breakfast in Kinvara/Ballyvaughan area
  • Overland Bus transfer to Dublin Airport
  • Private chauffeur and guide throughout your stay
  • Round trip according to your tour programme (Programme subject to change)
  • All travels in a modern Minibus
  • Information materials for your tour
  • Entrance fees:
    • Newgrange Mound and Visitor Centre
    • Tour Hill of Uisneach
    • Tour Rathcroghan
    • Eagles Flying (optional)
    • Boat trip to Aran Island or
    • Loop Head and Boat trip Shannon – Dolphins

Services not included:
Flights, personal expenses, gratuities, food and drinks Return journeys are organised individually.
We are happy to support you with booking bus or train tickets

Further Information:
Tour date: on request
Minimum number of participants: 2 participants 
Maximum number of participants: 8 participants

Tour Prices*:

Our Terms and Conditions are essential for this and all future business relationships. You can review our Terms and Conditions on this website or we will send them to you on request.

Tours with Andrea – why are they unique?

If you prefer to travel in a small group of likeminded people, friends or family, if you are looking for excellent personal service and an easy way to travel while you have the freedom to follow your own interests, I prepared these tours for you.
Together we will explore Ireland, the highlights and the hidden corners. I will introduce you to Ireland’s culture and history and also find you culinary treats and specialities. You will truly discover this beautiful country.

I will personally prepare your travel with you and by the time I meet you at the airport it will be as if we have met before.

Please choose from wonderful tours relating to different themes and a variety of regions. Or contact me about a bespoke individual tour programme.

Insider Tips

You will see hidden places away from mass tourism and you find stops and routes on our itinerary that you will not find on a standard coach tour. I have many contacts all across Ireland to use for any special requests.

I love Ireland

I will show you the genuine Ireland. I live in the country you are visiting. During the Winter time I go and find new ideas and contacts, excellent accommodation and interesting places.

Small Groups

We travel in small groups, meeting local people. We have an abundance of leisure to relax and unwind. We have the time for unplanned detours, should the opportunity arise.

Our Services

We are here

We are at home here, we have the local knowledge and contacts to give you a truly unique experience. If you are not used to driving on the left hand side you will enjoy being chauffeured free of worries. We book your accommodation, events and activities and I am there for you to support you if needed.

Transport

Our vehicle for chauffeured tours is a practically new Volkswagen Transporter for maximum 8 guests, for 2021 we are limiting our guest numbers to 6. Sitting a bit higher than in a limousine you will have a great view and see more of the landscape passing by. For extended tours we have plenty of room for your luggage.

Sustainability and climate change

Environmental awareness is an important part of our travel philosophy. We prioritise partners and businesses who engage themselves in climate protection. The preservation of Ireland's natural habitats and precious historic sites is important to us. To counter CO2 emissions caused by travel we will plant a native Irish tree for each guest on one of our extended tours. Only a small part of Ireland's extensive forests is still existing today, with your help we want to support the natural reforestation of this island. Talk to us to find out more.

Peace of Mind

Andaire is registered with the Irish Tourist board and you will see the white and green logo of the Covid-19-Safety charter on our website which shows you we have been educated in infection control and adhere to strict hygiene measures and are also subject to spot checks. You can find us on the Directory of Covid-19 Compliant Businesses. Our chauffeurs and vehicles are fully licensed and insured.

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