Westport and Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

Day 1

An early morning departure as we travel to Holyhead and the early afternoon sailing to Dublin. We then travel to Naas and an overnight stay at the Westgrove hotel, Dinner in the hotel.

Day 2

We travel west today arriving at our hotel the Wyatt in Westport , mid afternoon. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 3

Today we include a Westport Sweet Treat Tour. On this fun filled casual walk, we enjoy tastings of handmade Westport chocolates infused with local honey, a famous "yellow top" apple and custard filled bun, Achill Island sea salt fudge and finish off with delicious handmade Irish ice cream. The rest of the day is free in this Georgian town with its stone bridges and tree-lined promenade. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 4

We spend this morning at stunning Kylemore Abbey, the home of Benedictine nuns since 1920. The nuns have restored the abbey, gothic church and beautiful 6-acre Victorian walled garden. We have free time to explore and enjoy lunch in the café before we make our way to Glen Keen Farm, one of Ireland's largest sheep farms, with a rich history of tradition and heritage that spans six generations. On our 90-minute visit, we enjoy a guided walk that takes in a live sheep herding demonstration along with tea/coffee, home baked scones and a traditional Irish music session. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 5

This morning we take a 15-minute boat trip across to Clare Island. Famous as the ancestral home of the legendary Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley (Granuaile), the island is just 5 miles by 3 miles but is rich in history and culture. On arrival, we are met by our guide who will give us an Island Heritage Talk before we visit Granuaile's Castle. We can enjoy a stroll around the picturesque harbour and beach before enjoying a soup and sandwich lunch at the Sailor's Bar. After lunch, we catch the ferry to Achill Island, where we meet our coach. We spend free time in Keel, which boasts a 3km white sandy beach, before we travel back to the mainland via the bridge. Dinner in the hotel.

Day 6

We leave Westport after breakfast and head south through Ireland to Wexford and overnight at the Talbot hotel. Dinner in the hotel

Day 7

After an early breakfast in the hotel we join the 08.45 sailing from Rosslare to Pembroke. On arrival in Wales we return home, arriving back early evening.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner