Voyage to the Emerald Isle - An in-depth Exploration of Ireland’s Wonders

Embark the MS Hebridean Sky this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Glasgow International Airport and Central Railway station at a fixed time. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner this evening as we sail to Ireland.

From our berth in Lisahally we will visit the Giant’s Causeway which became widely known from the 1700s as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ and large numbers of visitors came to view this amazing array of basalt columns of which there are estimated to be around 40,000 in total. After a stop at Dunluce Castle, we return to the ship for lunch followed by an afternoon to explore Derry, a vibrant city steeped in history. Walking the walls, built over 400 years ago, you can see the city’s history all around you. During the tour we will visit St Columb Cathedral which has stood on its prominent site inside the city walls since 1633, as well as the Tower Museum which charts the city’s history.

Spend the day in County Donegal where from our base in the village of Killybegs we have a choice of excursions. Choose to drive west to the Glencolmcille area, a Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) area steeped in culture and rich in folklore and music. One of the most scenic areas in Ireland, the drive through the countryside is outstanding. The Folk Museum, which opened in 1967, is a monument to Father James McDyer who came to the village in 1952 and set about infusing the local people with a spirit of self-reliance and pride in their heritage. Here we will learn about the history of the area and enjoy some traditional Irish music. We will also offer a walk through the Bluestack Mountains. This circular 3.5 kilometre walk offers the striking beauty and peacefulness of the mountains and spectacular views. In the afternoon there will be the option to take a stroll through Donegal town, which was invaded by Vikings in the 8th century and used as their port, giving its Gaelic name Dun na nGall, ‘Fort of the Foreigners’. The walking tour will take in the town’s history including the castle, the ruined Franciscan friary as well as the ‘The Diamond’ or centre of town where markets were held until 1967. This evening we will enjoy some Irish dancing after dinner.

After a morning at sea we arrive off the Galway Coast at the Aran Islands. We will call into the largest, Inishmore, and explore some of the early Christian sites. This island was a place of monastic study from the earliest Christian times. Also, see the dramatic stone fort of Dun Aonghusa, parts of which date back some 3,000 years. We sail in the late afternoon towards Galway. Arrive in the early evening and maybe enjoy an after-dinner stroll or find some local music as we moor overnight.

From Galway we explore the beautiful region of Connemara. Here the National Park covers nearly 3,000 hectares of scenic mountains, heaths and woodland and is home to herds of ponies. During our drive along the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ we will see beautiful coves, bays and traditional fishing villages where we will experience local culture in this Irish speaking part of the country. Visit Kylemore Abbey which is set on a lake against a backdrop of the Connemara Mountains and home to Ireland’s only Benedictine order of nuns who have restored and cared for the Kylemore estate since 1920. Uniquely, only Victorian varieties of flowers and vegetables are grown in the walled garden which contains two distinct areas: the kitchen garden and the flower garden.

Today we arrive at the famous Kerry (Iveragh) Peninsula and anchor at the port of Knightstown on Valentia Island. Spend the morning learning about the history of the island, with visits to the Cromwell Point Lighthouse and Transatlantic Cable Museum or alternatively visit the Portmagee distillery for a tasting of the local whiskey. Later, we will arrive off The Skelligs, tiny islands just off the magnificent coast of the Dingle Peninsula. Weather permitting, we will sail around these mystical islands with their early Christian history. Skellig Michael is a World Heritage Site and atop this rugged pyramid, that rises from the sea, are the ruins of a monastery. Meanwhile at Little Skellig the sky can on occasion turn white as some of the 20,000 pairs of breeding gannets leave their roosts.

Awake at anchor off Bere Island which lies at the entrance to the deep, sheltered waters of Bantry Bay. The small island, roughly 10 kilometres by three kilometres, has a population of about 200 people but its place in history is assured. After the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, the island became one of three Irish ports retained by the British because of its strategic value. Evidence remains of earlier visitors too with megalithic standing stones, wedge tombs and ring forts. We have the whole day to explore on a choice of island walks, spend time at the Heritage Centre which showcases island life and take the chance to meet the islanders.

From our berth in Belview, Waterford, we will drive inland to the Medieval city of Kilkenny. The great building prowess of the Normans is very evident in the 11th and 12th century buildings bestowed on the city. Characterised by many beautifully restored buildings, the most splendid is Kilkenny Castle which was until recently a stronghold of the Butler family. The castle began life as a Norman fortress and gradually became more domesticated through the centuries. After exploring the interior, including the gallery with portraits by Van Dyck and Lely we will wander in the surrounding 21 hectares of gardens. On the famous Medieval mile which leads from the castle to the city, we can see the St Canices Round Tower, the 13th century St Mary’s Church and the enchanting Rothe Gardens. Return to the MS Hebridean Sky for lunch and in the afternoon there will be a visit to Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. Join a tour to the House of Waterford Crystal to learn about the world-renowned crystalware and see how it is made or, alternatively, enjoy a leisurely afternoon to explore at your own pace and perhaps visit the excellent Medieval Museum and the Viking built Reginald’s Tower.

Spend the morning in the Isles of Scilly, an archipelago of five inhabited islands and up to one hundred and forty uninhabited islets, located 30 miles off the coast of Cornwall. Our time will depend on weather and sea conditions but we hope to visit St Mary’s, the largest island in the archipelago (yet still only six square miles), where you can enjoy some time in the shops in Hugh Town or walk the historic Garrison Walls. Return to the ship for a final afternoon at sea.

Disembark this morning. Transfers will be provided to Portsmouth Harbour railway station at a fixed time.

Itineraries are subject to change.