Culinary & Luxury Tour

This package is perfect for anyone who is looking for a touch of luxury and the Sheen Falls Hotel is the perfect place for an exclusive getaway while exploring the Wild Atlantic Way.

Soak in the gorgeous natural surrounds before returning to your sumptuous 5* room. With a choice of dining experiences, including the 2 AA Rosette restaurant ‘The Falls’. Complete with its own spectacular wine cellar, you can indulge in the finest of food and wine and enjoy the warmest of hospitality.

At A Glimpse

Sheen Falls Lodge is just a five-minute drive from Kenmare, ‘The Jewel on the Ring of Kerry’, nestled on the seashore at the foot of the Cork and Kerry mountains. This vibrant heritage town with its many restaurants, cafes and bars has a lot to offer. Whether you’re looking to discover the beauty of Ireland or simply looking to relax in luxury this is a vacation for you.

Itinerary

A very warm welcome awaits you at the cozy and luxurious 5* Sheen Falls Lodge. You will be greeted with a glass of Prosecco on arrival.

The 300-acre Estate is so inviting; you’ll want to explore its lush grounds.

In the evening you will dine in ”The Falls” Restaurant where you will experience a culinary feast of fresh, local produce that few can rival.

Begin your day with a short drive to Caherdaniel today. Join John at historical Derrynane Harbour, for a Seaweed Discovery & Tasting Walk along the diverse shoreline. Enjoy some seaweed nibbles including the flavoursome Duilleasc, which sustained the monks on the now famous Skellig Michael Island, which lies only 12km away on the horizon. Their only international visitors in the 600 years of their residency were the Norse Vikings!

You can graze on fresh seaweed as you stroll along the Wild Atlantic Way – including Nori, the famous Sushi roll wrapping. Discover how to sustainably harvest these sea plants and learn how they earned their name as a super-food. Learn about the rich history of seaweed use from gunpowder to medicine and from firefighting to brewing.

Next on the list is a visit to an ancient ‘Shell Midden’ – A recorded archaeological site that may date back as early as 8,000 BC, which is evidence of Ireland’s earliest settlers who thrived on seaweed, fish & shellfish. You will be given two seaweed postcards and will get a synopsis of the tour, a Seaweed Nutritional Chart & a Seaweed Identification Chart by email.

In the early afternoon you will explore Derrynane House & Gardens extensively.

You will see one of the most beautiful beaches in south-west Ireland. Prince Charles and Camilla also visited this wonderful piece of earth at Derrynane House & Gardens during their last stay in Ireland in 2018.

Once there, you can visit the house and/or take a leisurely stroll along the beach. At the “end” of the beach you come to Derrynane Abbey – an old monastery ruin with a cemetery. From there you have a great view back to the beach.

Enjoy your picnic, splash around in the water … maybe you’ll even dare hop in for a swim! (Since it is a relatively sheltered bay, the water is usually very pleasant.)

Once back at the hotel, you can relax in the pool or in the Spa.

In the evening we recommend dinner in the Dromquinna Boathouse Bistro. Seafood dishes are particularly recommended at this restaurant, which is also located directly by the sea.

After breakfast at the hotel, we recommend taking a hike along the Kenmare coast (we will be happy to provide you with a detailed map). The circular walk is part of the Kerry Way (approx. 1,5 hours – good footwear required) and offers views of fabulously varied landscapes.

Then onward to Kenmare – an inviting little town with attractive (boutique) shops, cafes and restaurants. There is a Stone Circle in the town of Kenmare itself, known locally as ”The Shrubberies”. This is one of the largest stone circles in southwestern Ireland and is definitely a magical, mystical place that is well worth a visit.

Today we recommend exploring the Ring of Beara. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful drives in Ireland (and my personal favourite).

Your first stop could be Lorge Handmade Chocolates. Try out the different artisan chocolates and sample them as you continue on with your drive.

Take a short break at Molly Gallivan’s Cottage & Traditional Farm – this place is ideal for a short photo stop and gives an insight into life before the advent of modern conveniences. Beautiful gifts can be found in the adjacent gift shop.

After passing the Caha Pass Tunnels you will have amazing views over Bantry Bay. In Glengarriff we have organized a boat which will bring you over to Garnish Island. Don’t forget your camera! You’ll see seals on your way over to the Island posing on the nearby rocks.

In the village of Adrigole you can opt to take a shorter ring road and cross the mountain valley via the Healy Pass which boasts beautiful views. If you have time however, we strongly recommended you continue on the coastal road to experience the entire Beara Peninsula.

In Castletownbere you’ll see one of Ireland’s largest fishing fleets. Sample a fresh crab Sandwich in one of the local Cafes or Restaurants for lunch before you head further to Dursey Island. If you have the time take the Cable Car trip to the Island. It’s well worth it!

You’ll drive through the lovely villages of Allihies, Eyeries and Ardgroom. In Allihies you will find a mining museum with a coffee shop.

Direen Gardens in Lauragh is another worthwhile stop.  Protected by a narrow bay and the tepid waters of the Gulf Stream, the mild climate provides the perfect conditions for the unique vegetation and planting to flourish or alternatively stop at Teddy O’Sullivans for some fresh Seafood before you head back to your hotel.

Though today is the day you’ll head for home, there’s still time to have one last adventure! After a hearty breakfast you will meet your guide to explore Kenmare by kayak. This will give you a whole new perspective on the area. With a wonderfully jagged coastline and rich marine life, Kenmare Bay is one of the best coastal landscapes to explore by kayak.

 

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Here at Staycations-Ireland, we offer free advice on holidaying in Ireland and have created a few eBooks to help you to plan & book your own vacation.

Our suggested packages include full itineraries to fill your days, hidden gems and loads of accommodation options. So all you need to do is relax and enjoy your holiday.

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