8 Days
This festive programme, suited to families as well as small groups, combines two elite Irish properties – The Merrion in Dublin and Straffan House, the exclusive use property at the K Club. During your time in this wonderful country you will learn about its history, explore the beautiful countryside and meet some of the locals. Equally as important over this special time of year, the programme allows for you to spend quality time with your family and friends in luxurious surroundings.
GET IN TOUCHDay One: Arrival into Dublin
Day Two: Dublin Highlights
Day Three: Straffan House, The K Club
Day Four: Christmas Day
Day Five: Boxing Day – Onsite activites
Day Six: Panoramic Helicopter Tour
Day Seven: Newgrange and the Boyne Valley
Day Eight: Homeward Bound
Day One: Saturday 22nd December - Arrival into Dublin
On arrival in Dublin you are met and welcomed by your experienced chauffeur-guide who will provide a safe and comfortable transfer into the city centre.
Your home for the next two evenings is The Merrion Hotel. Widely considered the finest hotel in Dublin, its understated listed Georgian exterior gives no indication of the sumptuous, graceful elegance inside.
It has been exquisitely decorated using Irish fabrics and antiques to reflect the architecture and original interiors of the 18th century town houses, and throughout, great care has been taken to retain all the outstanding architectural features for which Georgian Dublin is so famous. The property also provides the perfect backdrop for one of Ireland’s most impressive contemporary art collections.
Day Two: Sunday 23rd December - Dublin Highlights
This morning, visit Trinity College for a pre-opening privately guided tour.
Trinity College was founded on the site of an Augustinian monastery in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. The highlight is viewing the priceless “Book of Kells”; the manuscript contains the four gospels written in Latin and it may have been from the work of monks from Iona who fled to Kells around AD800 following a Viking raid.
Take time to explore Trinity College’s Old Library which is said to be one of the most impressive libraries in the world. The main chamber of the Old Library is the Long Room; at nearly 65 metres in length, it is filled with 200,000 of the Library’s oldest and rarest books alongside marble busts of great philosophers and writers, and the Brian Boru harp – one of only three surviving medieval Gaelic harps, and a national symbol of Ireland.
Day Three: Monday 24th December - On to Straffan House, K Club
Following a leisurely breakfast, depart The Merrion and travel by luxury mini-coach to County Kildare.
A picture-perfect holiday awaits you at the luxurious K Club and its uber elegant Straffan House, a 34,000-sq-ft country home located on the hotel’s grounds. It is a truly magnificent property with high ceilings, fine stucco work and stunning chandeliers featured throughout the property along with original works of art by noted Irish artists Sir. William Orpen and Jack B. Yeats.
This is the ultimate home away from home for the holidays where you can expect rich plush interiors, numerous crackling fires, and gracious Christmas décor all surrounded by the lush Irish countryside.
Whilst in residence, you have the use of a dedicated service team, concierge as well as your own private chef, car and driver and unlimited golf on the K Club’s championship courses.
There is an indoor swimming pool replete with ‘swim up bar’, spa, gym, games room and private cinema. Plenty to keep you entertained!
Day Four: Tuesday 25th December - Christmas Day
This morning, await the special arrival of Santa Claus on horse and carriage to the house.
Following a leisurely breakfast, embark on a fun family treasure hunt or simply a leisurely stroll leading you through the beautiful grounds of the hotel, allowing you to stretch your legs and build up an appetite for the full traditional Christmas Day dinner that is served in your home later in the day.
Day Five: Wednesday 26th December - Boxing Day – On Site Activities
This morning, enjoy a private archery and falconry demonstration.
Bring out your inner Robin Hood in the alluring Kildare countryside. Whether you are a new or seasoned Bowman, you can take part in the different disciplines on offer for you at The K Club. All sessions are supervised and tutored by fully trained expert staff. There are many levels of challenges for you to enjoy throughout your visit, with everything you will need at your fingertips.
To follow, get up close and personal with some of the most beautiful masters of the skies in this ancient and noble art of falconry. Each of these majestic, beautiful birds were bred in captivity, both in Ireland and abroad, and are sure to give you an experience you’ll never forget!
This evening, settle in with some popcorn and watch a movie in your private cinema.
Day Six: Thursday 27th December - Panoramic Helicopter Tour
This morning, depart by helicopter and head over to the west coast of Ireland where you will experience stunning views of the Cliffs of Moher, selected as one of the Signature Experiences of the Wild Atlantic Way. They are a breath-taking Discovery Point and the crowning glory of the Co. Clare coastline.
Like a viewing platform for prehistoric giants who wish to peer over the edge of Europe, they provide an unrivalled view across the vast wildness of the Atlantic Ocean.
The rock face which rises to a height of nearly 700ft provides sheltered ledges; it is home to one of the major colonies of cliff nesting Sea Birds in Ireland and designated a Special Protection Area.
Following lunch, return to Straffan House by helicopter.
Day Seven: Friday 28th December - On Site Activities OR Newgrange & the Boyne Valley
For any of the group wishing to stay at the house today there are a range of activities on offer for you to enjoy.
For those wishing to further explore the area, take a giant step back in time and visit one of the country’s must-sees; the Brú na Bóinne or the Boyne Valley, north of Dublin in Co. Meath.
In the “early years”, during the Stone Age, the fertile lands, bathed by the River Boyne here meant that the area became a rich area for settlement, in fact the largest centre of habitation in the country.
Much evidence survives from these early years and the area’s most remarkable features are the three passage tombs or graves: Newgrange, regarded by some as one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world. Knowth and Dowth.
Return to Straffan House late afternoon.
Day Eight: Homeward Bound
Travel by luxury mini-coach to Dublin Airport for your onward flight.
The wide boulevard of O’Connell Street, passing the General Post Office, scene of the 1916 Easter Rising and birthplace of the Irish Nation.
Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1, it is home to one of the most impressive libraries in the world, the Book of Kells and the Brian Boru Harp.
Experience first-hand the art of falconry. Known as the “sport of kings”, this is a wonderful opportunity to see magnificent birds of prey up close. Often including Falcons, Owls, Hawks and Eagles; in full flight, they are spectacular.
Dublin is steeped in history, with Viking, medieval and Georgian influences all having left their marks. Since the time of the Vikings, Dublin has been the principal gateway to the Emerald Isle. The medieval city, with its intimate knots of small alleys and broad streets south of the river, was developed in Norman times around St Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle, and later came to symbolise British rule in Ireland. The 18th century was the “Age of Elegance”, a time of relative prosperity when the Irish gentry set about remodelling the city into one of elegance, replete with graceful terraces, wrought-iron balconies and fanlight doorways. The city became Ireland’s capital with the establishment of the Republic of Ireland in 1937, and today is regarded as one of the liveliest and most atmospheric in Europe.
In the “early years”, during the Stone Age, the fertile lands, bathed by the River Boyne meant that the area became rich for settlement, in fact becoming the largest centre of habitation in the country. Much evidence survives from these early years and the area’s pièce de résistance are these passage tombs or graves: Newgrange; here, the tomb passage is perfectly aligned to mark the Winter Solstice – at dawn on the 21st December, a beam of sunlight shines through the 60ft passage, hitting the recess in the burial chamber. By some it is regarded as one of the greatest wonders of the ancient world Knowth – lays claim to having the greatest concentration of Megalithic art in Europe.
Selected as one of the Signature Experiences of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Cliffs of Moher are a breath-taking Discovery Point. They are the crowning glory of the Co. Clare coastline. Like a viewing platform for prehistoric giants who wish to peer over the edge of Europe, they provide an unrivalled view across the vast boiling wildness of the Atlantic Ocean
The K Club is situated in the pastoral landscapes of County Kildare and has two top level golf courses, including Palmer Course that staged the Ryder Cup in 2006; it enjoys wonderful panoramic views of the famous fairways. Golfers pit their skills against the design of the legendary golfer and walk in the footsteps of golfing champions, past and present, many of which have played here over the years.
