Gardens of Ireland with Marty Wingate

June 25-July 5, 2010 (departing the U.S. on June 24th)

This tour will take you to a number of notable Irish gardens along with a few that are off the beaten path. In addition to visiting some beautiful gardens, we’ll be experiencing Ireland through smaller towns and villages. Daytimes will introduce you to amazing landscapes and natural beauty. Evening entertainment won’t be lacking, whether it’s a night of libation and traditional music, or a lively conversation beside a warm turf fire.

Thursday, June 24th Depart for Dublin

Depart Seattle mid-morning for American Airlines flight via Chicago to Dublin.

Friday, June 25th Dublin Arrival

Arrive Dublin in the early part of the day on Friday, June 25th. Depart Dublin Airport by motor coach for our first overnight in the town of Kilkenny. This afternoon will be free to explore Kilkenny Castle and the town. Later that evening, we’ll meet for a welcome cocktail at the hotel prior to dinner. Hibernian Hotel, Kilkenny (D)

Saturday, June 26th

Morning visit to The Edwin Lutyens designed garden of Heywood House in Ballinakill, County Laois. After a stop in Carlow for lunch and a look at the town and the Farmers Market, held from 9am to 2pm, we are off to Altamont Gardens near Tullow, County Carlow. Hibernian Hotel, Kilkenny (B)

Sunday, June 27th

We depart Kilkenny this morning after breakfast en-route to the Ballyvaughan, County Clare. We will stop in Birr to visit the Castle and gardens before breaking for lunch there. We’ll arrive in Ballyvaughan in the early part of the afternoon with time to look around the village before meeting for dinner. This will be a great evening for traditional music in town now that we’ve had an opportunity to adjust to the time changes. Burren Coast Hotel, Ballyvaughan (B,D)

Monday, June 28th

Today is devoted to a tour of The Burren, a unique geologic area with a wide variety of plant life specific to this region. We’ll visit the interpretive center and employ the services of a guide familiar with the history, flora, and fauna of the Burren. After lunch we will drive on to the Atlantic Coast to visit the dramatic overlook and visitor center for the Cliffs of Moher. On a clear day you can see the Aran Islands to the west of the sheer cliffs rising over 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Burren Coast Hotel, Ballyvaughan (B,L)

Tuesday, June 29th

We’re on the road a little later than usual this morning as we travel south toward the Dingle Peninsula and Ring of Kerry. We’ll stop outside the city of Limerick for lunch before continuing our drive to Muckross House for a tour of the house and ground. It’s just a short drive from there to the town of Kenmare, County Kerry, our base of operations for the next three nights. Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kenmare (B,D)

Wednesday, June 30th

We’ll enjoy a full, but leisurely day traveling to Ballymaloe Cookery School outside of Shanagarry, County Cork. We’ll tour the kitchen gardens and borders at the school and have time for lunch and shopping at the Ballymaloe Hotel. On the way back to Kenmare, we’ll make a swing by the Blarney Woolen Mills to shop and allow anyone who is interested a few moments to climb up to kiss the Blarney Stone. Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kenmare (B. L)

Thursday, July 1st

Visit Ilnacullin, a garden of Harold Peto’s design on Garinish Island in Bantry Bay. It’s a short boat trip from Glengarriff across the bay, then we’re free to wander the island. There is a farmers market in Kenmare to visit upon our return to the hotel that afternoon. Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kenmare (B)

Friday, July 2nd

We are traveling north by train from Killarney this morning with some free time to walk the town and shop. We’ll be dropped off about 10am in the central part of town. The coach will continue to Dublin with our baggage to meet our arriving train in the afternoon. We will meet about 11:45 at the Killarney Rail Station to board the train for the 3 hour trip north to tVisit Ilnacullin, a garden of Harold Peto’s design on Garinish Island in Bantry Bay. It’s a short boat trip from Glengarriff across the bay, then we’re free to wander the island. There is a farmers market in Kenmare to visit upon our return to the hotel that afternoon. Kenmare Bay Hotel, Kenmare (B)he capital. Upon arrival at Dublin’s Heuston Station, we will board the coach for a short orientation drive around the city before arriving at our hotel for the evening. Trinity Capital Hotel, Dublin (B,L)

Saturday, July 3rd

The morning begins with a visit to Helen Dillon’s garden in a Southeast suburb of the city. In the afternoon we’ll attend a matinee performance (schedule pending) at the Abbey Theater, a short walk away from our hotel. Trinity Capital Hotel, Dublin (B)

Sunday, July 4th

The starts with a tour of Jimi Blake’s garden, Hunting Brook south of Dublin in County Wicklow. We’ll follow shortly after by visiting the garden and nursery of his sister, June Blake which is located a short drive away. After time for lunch in the nearby village, we journey toward the coast for our final garden visit in Ireland, Alfred Cochrane’s garden Corke Lodge. Tonight is our farewell dinner at the hotel. Trinity Capital Hotel, Dublin (B,D)

Monday, July 5th

We’ll be departing the hotel relatively early this morning in order to arrive at Dublin Airport with time for check in. Most of the group will be traveling on to London to begin a four night tour program featuring the Hampton Court Flower Show. Others will be boarding return flights to Seattle.

• Optional extension: 4 days in England, July 5-8

Enjoy early summer in Ireland and explore gardens, ancient sites and traditions on this small-group tour. Highlights include guided tours of Helen Dillon’s Dublin garden, Harold Peto-designed Ilnacullin, on its own small island in Bantry Bay, and Heywood, designed by Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll. Experience the country’s incredible landscapes, and get to know the people, the pubs and the music. Marvel at the span of Irish influence, from ancient sites, such as the Burren in County Clare, to today’s Ireland at the gardens of the world-famous cooking school Ballymaloe, in County Cork. This personally led, small-group tour will visit public and private gardens without the hurry of big-bus itineraries.

For more information: marty@martywingate.com

To make a reservation, contact Brad Cilley at Northwest Travel: brad@nwtravel.com or 425-313-1691

Ireland details:

• Tour is limited to a maximum 22 participants
• Round-trip airfare from Seattle
• 10 nights hotel, breakfast each morning
• 5 dinners
• 3 lunches
• all garden fees
• guided tours of gardens
• daily transportation

Ten-night Ireland Tour Cost:

$4620 per person, double room sharing. $148 discount when deposit and balance are paid by cash/check

$5210 per person, single room, $174 discount when deposit and balance are paid by cash/check

A deposit of $500 per person holds your place on the Ireland tour

Last Updated: Thursday, October 29, 2009