I have just returned from 10 days in Ireland, a precursor to our Spring Escorted Ireland Trip, April 27 through May 7, 2017. We visited the lovely town of Westport and the Castlecourt Hotel, our home for two nights on our Spring tour.
View all my trip pictures here
The Castlecourt is a family-owned hotel that sits on a main street in Westport. It offers, clean, comfortable rooms and an old-style feel that conveys Irish charm. There are a number of large sitting areas, where guests gather to chat about their day, a great bar, a bistro and a nice restaurant. There is also a beautiful spa and an indoor pool. The staff is very friendly and efficient and “can’t wait to see us again in the Spring!”

I like the fact that the Castlecourt is connected by a courtyard to the Westport Plaza Hotel, which has another bar and another restaurant that guests can use. And when you walk out in the main courtyard, the town of Westport sits at your feet.

A quick right, a half-block walk, cross over the bridge and you are in the midst of the many fine shops, pubs, and restaurants of Westport. Matt Molloy’s Pub is a great spot for traditional Irish music sessions nightly. There are also other good pubs around Westport worth visiting.

We also visited nearby Kylemore Abbey and its beautiful walled gardens. The Abbey is located in an incredible setting and was originally built in the 1860s as a manor house for the Mitchell family. In 1920, it was acquired by the Benedictine nuns, whose abbey in Belgium was destroyed in World War I. You can visit the first floor of the Abbey and learn the history of the estate. Then, take a short five-minute walk to the neo-Gothic church. Then, walk back to the Abbey and a shuttle bus will take you to the walled gardens. These extensive gardens contain abundant beautiful varieties of flowers, plants and vegetables.

From Westport, we headed to the vibrant city of Dublin. We had the opportunity to visit the Davenport Hotel, our home in Dublin for the last 2 nights of the April 2017 Ireland Tour. The Davenport is situated within a short walk of Grafton Street, Trinity College, and Merrion Square. The hotel is in a building that dates to 1863, but the updated, clean and comfortable rooms are well appointed. There is a very cool hotel bar, a nice restaurant, and many pubs and shops within easy walking distance of the Davenport.

I had the opportunity to visit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, the Long Room of the Trinity College Library, and strolled around the campus a bit.

I also availed myself of the Guinness Storehouse tour. Though not on our spring tour, this is an optional activity that can be enjoyed independently. A half-hour walk or a 20-minute cab ride delivers you to the Storehouse, where you get an opportunity to learn how Guinness is made, see how their advertising has evolved over the years, and then get the chance to enjoy your own pint. You can pour your own, or have one served to you at the rooftop Gravity Bar, which offers a 360° views of the city. Guinness just tastes better in Ireland!

From Dublin, we headed south to County Kerry, with a stop on the way at the Rock of Cashel. This spectacular group of Medieval buildings is set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale and includes a 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, a 13th century Gothic cathedral, a 15th century Castle, and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. A short, uphill walk leads you to the small visitor’s center and then you are taken on a guided tour throughout the ruins.

I have a lot of relatives in Kerry and we had the good fortune of getting to visit with many of them on this trip. We also spent time in Killarney and stayed at the luxurious Malton Hotel. Originally opened as the Railway Hotel in 1854, the Malton exudes Old-World charm and style. The gorgeous lobby, the cozy bar, and the various sitting areas all add to the aura of luxury. The rooms are well appointed and the location is perfect. A left out of the front door of The Malton, cross the street, and you are in the thick of Killarney with its many pubs, restaurants and shops. This will be the perfect base for our five nights in Killarney!

The Malton Hotel also has other features worth mentioning. There is an indoor pool and a spa that offers facials, massages, and other skin and body treatments. The hotel also offers the Killarney Wine Room, where the hotel sommelier is available to guide you through tastings of the wines the hotel offers. In addition, the bar features the Whiskey Corner, with over 190 of the world’s finest whiskies from Ireland, Scotland, America, Canada, Wales, and Japan. There are also suggested flights that can be sampled ranging from the simplest of whiskies, up to some rare blends. All of this can be arranged through the hotel.

From Killarney we crossed the Shannon River by ferry, driving up the southeast coast of Ireland, through the towns of Lahinch, Spanish Point, passed the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. We didn’t visit the Cliffs on this trip, but I have been there a number of times and it is always spectacular.

All in all, I had a great trip and made personal contacts with the staff at each of our hotels. I really enjoyed staying at each of these properties and I think the combination of great hotels, the incredible views and vistas of Ireland, and the wonderful Irish people will all add up to an incredible trip to Ireland in April 2017.

Hope you will join us!