Day 1: Travel to Holyhead for the 09.00 ferry crossing to Dublin. Upon arrival we disembark the ferry and travel to central Dublin where you can enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Afterwards we continue to our hotel on the outskirts of Dublin for a 4-night stay.
Day 2&3: Get your wellies ready!! After breakfast we journey to Ratheniska, County Laois for The National Ploughing Championships (admission extra). All Ireland is there, and they are not deterred by rain or hail, coming in their tens of thousands whatever the weather. The event not only attracts the farming community but also a huge cross-section of people including overseas visitors, it really does have something for everyone.
The ploughing competitions themselves are fascinating to watch, with an incredible level of skill in evidence as competitors vie to impress the judges with the straightness and perfection of their furrows. The horse-drawn plough classes draw huge crowds to enjoy the now rare site of massive powerful horses working happily and in harmony with their owners.
Alternatively, should you not wish to visit the Championships, you can travel into Dublin. The green line Central Park Luas stop near the hotel provides quick access to the city centre.
Day 4: This morning we travel to Portlaoise, where there will be time at leisure. Check out The Heath, an ancient archaeological site and wander the sweeping plain scattered with Iron Age ring forts or see the ancient ruins of Dunamase Castle.
We continue to the Irish National Stud & Gardens (admission included). The Stud Farm is the home of equine royalty, immaculately bred stallions who can be seen and admired alongside protective mares, frolicking foals and athletic yearlings.
In the world-famous Japanese Gardens, you can follow the path called the ‘Life of Man’ which traces the passage of a soul from birth to death and beyond, at the same time providing a meeting place for the cultures of East and West.
St. Fiachra’s Garden symbolises the power of the Irish landscape while the Horse Museum includes the skeleton of the legendary Arkle.
See retired equine stars like, Kicking King, Rite of Passage, Hurricane Fly, Hardy Eustace and Beef or Salmon on the stud’s ‘Living Legend’s’ team.
Day 5: After breakfast we travel to Dublin city centre where there will be some free time before our 14.50 return sailing to Holyhead.