🇮🇪

Ireland 26

McClain · Hursman · Ence

Jun 18Depart
Jul 3Return
16Days
8Travelers
Co. GalwayBase
Who's Coming

The Group

Aaron Hursman & Kelley McClain
+ Jackson Waley & Erin (kids)
Depart DFW Jun 18 · Pre-trip: Dublin → Kinsale → Killarney
Hertz SUV picked up Jun 22 · AA 133 home Jul 3 (Premium Economy)
Pat & Jen McClain
Arrive Dublin Jun 28 ~6am · Renting car in Dublin
Fly home Jul 6 (Dublin extension)
Jen is holding strong on the text thread 😄
Matthew & Joy Ence
Based in Salt Lake City, UT
Arrive Dublin Jun 25 · DL 0258 via MSP · Seats 49A/49B
Hampton by Hilton Jun 25–27 · Drive to Galway Jun 27
Fly DUB→SLC Jul 3 · Matthew is Connemara planning lead 🗺
Home Base

Seabrook Lodge

Seabrook Lodge

Kingstown, Clifden, Co. Galway · H71 WY19
Enter eircode H71 WY19 into Google Maps — takes you right there
📅 Check-in Sat Jun 27, 4:00 PM 📅 Check-out Fri Jul 3, 10:00 AM 🛏 5 Bedrooms · 5 Bathrooms · 10 Guests 🧺 Laundry room on site 🔑 Housekeeper: Colette +353 86 817 6466 🚗 Booked via hilltowntours.eu 🛒 Groceries: Sheridans Cheesemongers + The Wine Centre, Clifden
Day by Day

Full Itinerary

Show:
June 2026
✈ Phase 1 — Pre-Trip Jun 18–26 · Aaron/Kelley/Kids · Dublin · Kinsale · Killarney
18Thu
✈ Depart · DFW → DUB
Flight
7:00 PM CDT AA 132 · nonstop · Boeing 777 · Confirmation DLJRRT
Seat 28L (Kelley) · Economy · Dinner & Breakfast served
AaronKelleyJacksonErin
19Fri
✈ Arrive DUB · Check In College Green Hotel
Hotel
9:45 AM GMT+1 Land Dublin Airport · AA 132 nonstop
Taxi from airport, drop bags at hotel
3:00 PM Check in — The College Green Hotel Dublin, Autograph Collection
College Green, Dublin D02 HR67 · Confirmation: 93889332

AaronKelleyJacksonErin
20Sat
🎵 Kodaline — Malahide Castle
Concert
  • 8:30 AM Breakfast at hotel
  • 12:00 PM Lunch — Note bistro (book on Tock 🔴 — hot ticket)
  • 1:30 PM DART from city centre to Malahide (~25 min from Connolly/Tara St)
  • 2:00 PM Arrive Malahide — 15-min walk to castle
  • 4:00 PM Gates open · 4× mobile tickets · Kodaline expected on stage ~7-8pm · ends ~10:30 PM
  • Post-show — Concert Express bus ✅ booked · WAN0-102-1600 · follow signs for "Concert Express" at main car park · print voucher in case phone dies
AaronKelleyJacksonErin
21Sun
Dublin · GAA Day
Dublin
Sleep in, late breakfast
Option A — If match is on
All-Ireland SFC Round 1 at Croke Park · tickets ~€25–45 · check gaa.ie 🟡
Option B — No match
GAA Museum + Skyline tour at Croke Park (book ahead, 2.5 hrs)
AaronKelleyJacksonErin
22Mon
🏨 Check Out College Green → Kilkenny → Check In Trident Kinsale
Drive
  • 9:00 AM Hotel checkout, taxi to Kilmainham
  • 9:30 AM Kilmainham Gaol tour ✅ confirmed
  • 10:00 AM Pick up Hertz Midsize SUV (Hyundai Tucson) · Confirmation H-L59305408E6
  • 12:30 PM Drive M9 south toward Kilkenny (~1.5 hrs) · 📍 Google Maps
  • 2:00 PM Lunch in Kilkenny
  • 3:00 PM Kilkenny Castle (grounds free · tour ~1 hr)
  • 5:00 PM Drive Kilkenny → Kinsale (~1.5 hrs via N24/N8) · 📍 Google Maps
  • 6:30 PM Check in — Trident Hotel Kinsale · World's End, Kinsale Co. Cork · Confirmation 6YLQVYW
  • Dinner in Kinsale — Bastion / Fishy Fishy / The Black Pig / Max's
    ⚠️ Bastion: book ahead, no children under 12
AaronKelleyJacksonErin
23Tue
Kinsale · Cobh · Cork
Cork
AaronKelleyJacksonErin
24Wed
🏨 Check Out Trident → Ring of Kerry → Check In The Europe, Killarney
Resort
12:00 PM Check out Trident Hotel Kinsale
Scenic drive west (~2.5–3 hrs total with stops) · 📍 Google Maps
3:00 PM Check in — The Europe Hotel & Resort
Premier Lakeview King · Confirmation: C15WJZDQ / Z79PTW6RNZRR
💡 One of Ireland's finest resort properties — on the shores of Killarney's lakes
💡 Ring of Kerry roads are very narrow — consider hiring a local driver

AaronKelleyJacksonErin
24Wed
✈ Depart · SLC → MSP → DUB
Flight
DL 0258 · leg 2 of 2 · Airbus A330-200
6:35 PM MST Depart Minneapolis (MSP) Terminal 1
7:55 AM GMT+1 Arrive Dublin (DUB) Thu Jun 25 · Terminal 2
Seats 49A/49B · Flight time 7h 20m
MatthewJoy
25Thu
✈ Arrive DUB · Matthew & Joy · Check In Hampton
Arrival
7:55 AM GMT+1 DL 0258 lands Dublin · MSP→DUB · Airbus A330-200
Seats 49A/49B · Terminal 2 · 14 days until check-in opens
Check in — Hampton by Hilton Dublin City Centre
Walkable to Trinity, Dublin Castle, and historic sites
MatthewJoy
25Thu
Killarney National Park · Full Active Day
Nature
Staying at The Europe Hotel & Resort
26Fri
💆 Spa Day — ESPA at The Europe Hotel
Spa
Staying at The Europe Hotel & Resort
ESPA spa — treatments fully booked, on waitlist for cancellations
  • Active Level facilities complimentary to all guests: pools, thermal suite, sauna, steam room
💡 Perfect recovery day before the Connemara leg begins tomorrow

AaronKelleyJacksonErin
🏡 Phase 2 — Everyone Together Jun 27–Jul 2 · Seabrook Lodge, Clifden, Co. Galway
26Fri
✈ Depart · DFW → PHL → DUB
Flight
Connecting flight via Philadelphia
6:30 PM AA 722 departs Philadelphia (PHL) → Dublin
Confirmation: OTRNHY
Pat: Seat 9J · Jen: Seat 9L · Terminal 2 at DUB
PatJen
27Sat
✈ Arrive DUB · Pat & Jen · Pick Up Rental Car
Arrival
6:30 AM GMT+1 AA 722 lands Dublin · Terminal 2
Pick up rental car at Dublin Airport
Drive Dublin → Clifden (~3 hrs) · stop for groceries en route
💡 Plenty of time before 4pm check-in at Seabrook Lodge

PatJen
27Sat
🏡 Check Out Europe → Everyone to Seabrook Lodge
Move-In
12:00 PM Check out The Europe Hotel & Resort
💡 ~2.5 hrs Killarney → Clifden · stop in Galway or Oughterard for groceries en route

All groups drive to Clifden (~2.5 hrs from Killarney · ~3 hrs from Dublin) · 📍 Google Maps
4:00 PM House access begins — Seabrook Lodge
Housekeeper Colette (+353 86 817 6466) meets you at the property
🌅 Easy evening — walk the shore, dinner in Clifden, live music if available
💡 Sky Road is a stunning short drive if energy allows after the journey

AaronKelleyJacksonErinMatthewJoyPatJen
28Sun
⛴ Aran Islands — Inis Mór
Day Trip
Ferry from Rossaveel (~45 min west of Galway) via Aran Island Ferries
  • 🚲 Rent bikes on the island
  • 🏰 Dún Aonghasa prehistoric cliff fort
  • 🍽 Lunch + shopping in Kilronan village
  • 🧶 Irish sweater shopping
⚠️ Ferry reservation still needed — book at aranislandferries.com 🔴
💡 Weather-sensitive — most memorable day if conditions cooperate

Evening: Walk Galway main streets, street entertainers, dinner
AaronKelleyJacksonErinMatthewJoyPatJen
29Mon
🐑 Killary Sheepfarm · Connemara NP · Kylemore
Nature
11:30 AM Killary Sheepfarm — Private sheepdog demonstration ✅ confirmed
Bunowen, Leenane, Co. Galway · Contact: Tom Nee +353 87 298 8051 · ~2 hrs

Plan rest of day around 11:30am start — options nearby:
  • Connemara National Park, Letterfrack — Diamond Hill hike (3km lower + 3.7km upper)
  • Kylemore Abbey — open 10am–6pm, last entry 5pm
  • Lunch in Letterfrack village
💡 Killary Sheepfarm is near Leenane — Kylemore and NP are on the route home

9:30 PM 🏆 World Cup Group E match — pub watch at Lowry's or Griffin's (Clifden)
AaronKelleyJacksonErinMatthewJoyPatJen
30Tue
Connemara · Active or Easy Day
Flex
Pick based on weather and energy:
Active
Diamond Hill hike, Connemara NP (7km loop, Letterfrack) · OR Sky Road bike from Clifden (~16km)
Easy
Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden (half-day) · OR Killary Fjord boat tour (90 min — book ahead 🟡 at killaryfjord.com)
Beach
Dog's Bay & Gurteen Bay near Roundstone — Roundstone village for lunch
Cultural
Cong Village (~45 min from Clifden) — filming location of The Quiet Man, abbey ruins, woodland walks, Ashford Castle grounds. Easy half-day, no booking needed.
For Jackson
Pickup soccer at Clifden GAA grounds or Clifden Town AFC training — message ahead 🟡 at clifdentownafc.com
AaronKelleyJacksonErinMatthewJoyPatJen
Jul 1Wed
🏰 Westport Day
Day Trip
AaronKelleyJacksonErinMatthewJoyPatJen
Jul 2Thu
🗿 Burren · Ballyvaughan · Galway · 🎶 Music at the Lodge
Big Day
Pack a day bag — you won't be back until late evening · ~3.5 hrs driving total, well spread out
  • 8:30 AM Depart Seabrook Lodge · 📍 Full day route
  • 10:45 AM Poulnabrone Dolmen, The Burren, Co. Clare — free, walk-in · 5,000-year-old Neolithic portal tomb in a lunar limestone landscape · 20-min stop, right on the route
  • 11:15 AM The Burren Perfumery, Carron, Co. Clare (V95 KC61) — free entry · guided tours 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm · herb garden, soap-making demos, organic tea room · allow 1.5–2 hrs · Tel: +353 65 708 9102
  • 1:15 PM Ballyvaughan — stroll the harbour, lunch at Monks Seafood Bar (chowder, local seafood, right on the water)
  • 2:30 PM O'Lochlain's Irish Whiskey Bar, Main St, Ballyvaughan (H91 C436) — 7-generation family bar, 4.9 stars, outstanding whiskey selection · opens 8pm Thu — call ahead: +353 65 707 7006
  • 4:00 PM Drive to Galway city (~1 hr from Ballyvaughan)
  • 5:00 PM Galway — walk Latin Quarter, Shop Street, street entertainers
  • 6:30 PM Dinner — Kai Restaurant, 22 Sea Road, Galway H91 DX47 · destination dining & wine list · open Thu from 6pm ✅ · book ahead 🔴 · Tel: +353 91 526 003
  • ~9:00 PM Drive back to Seabrook Lodge (~1 hr 15 min)
⚠️ Full group of 6+: arrive Burren Perfumery in separate cars — roads too narrow for convoys
💡 Poulnabrone Dolmen is directly on the R480 — zero detour required

6:00 PM 🎶 Traditional Irish Music at Seabrook Lodge — two local musicians, private session · booked via hilltowntours.eu
💡 If the group splits — some do Galway dinner, others head back early for the music

AaronKelleyJacksonErinMatthewJoyPatJen
✈ Phase 3 — Heading Home Jul 3–6
Jul 3Fri
✈ Depart · DUB → DFW & SLC
Departure
7:00 AM Depart Seabrook Lodge — allow ~3 hrs to Dublin Airport (roads are scenic but slow)
10:00 AM Drop off Hertz — Dublin Airport T1/T2 · Confirmation H-L59305408E6
Aaron, Kelley, Jackson & Erin → Dallas
12:40 PM GMT+1 AA 133 · nonstop · Boeing 777 · Premium Economy
Kelley & Jackson: confirmation DLJRRT · Aaron & Erin: seats 15C & 15A · confirmation LZSWRN
4:20 PM CDT Arrive Dallas (DFW)
Matthew & Joy → Salt Lake City
12:00 PM GMT+1 DL 0259 · DUB → MSP · Airbus A330-200 · Terminal 2 · arrives MSP 2:33pm
Connecting MSP → SLC · arrive Salt Lake City 10:15pm
💡 Irish roads are beautiful but not fast — allow extra time driving to Dublin from Clifden

AaronKelleyJacksonErinMatthewJoy
Jul 6Mon
✈ Depart DUB · Pat & Jen fly home
Departure
3-day Dublin extension after group departs Jul 3
PatJen
Status Tracker

Key Bookings

WhatWhenStatus
Book of Kells — visittrinity.ieJun 19✅ Booked
Kilmainham GaolJun 22✅ Confirmed
Killary Sheepfarm (Tom Nee +353 87 298 8051)Jun 29✅ Confirmed
Private Irish Music at Seabrook LodgeJul 2✅ Booked via hilltowntours.eu
Concert Express bus — Single to City Centre · WAN0-102-1600 · 4 adults · PRINT VOUCHERJun 20✅ Booked
Kodaline tickets — check Ticketmaster IEJun 20🔴 Locate tickets
Note bistro lunch — book on Tock (hot ticket)Jun 20🔴 Book now
Piglet Wine Bar dinner — OpenTableJun 19🔴 Book ahead
Bastion, Kinsale — bastionkinsale.com (no under-12s)Jun 22🔴 Book ahead
Titanic Experience Cobh — titanicexperiencecobh.ieJun 23🔴 Book ahead
Aran Islands ferry — aranislandferries.comJun 28🔴 Book now
Ballynahinch Castle dinner — ballynahinch-castle.tablepath.comTBD🔴 Book ahead
Cellar One, Killarney Plaza (dinner)Jun 24🔴 Book ahead
Kai Restaurant, 22 Sea Road, Galway — kairestaurant.ie · +353 91 526 003Jul 2🔴 Book now — fills fast
Burren Perfumery tour — +353 65 708 9102 (arrive by 11:15am for 11:30 tour)Jul 2🟡 No booking needed but arrive early
O'Lochlain's Whiskey Bar, Ballyvaughan — call +353 65 707 7006 to confirm Thu hoursJul 2🟡 Call ahead — opens 8pm Thu
Killary Fjord boat tour — killaryfjord.comJun 30🟡 If doing it
Cleggan Beach pony trekking — +353 95 44313TBD🟡 If interested
GAA match / museum — gaa.ieJun 21🟡 Check schedule
Clifden Town AFC (Jackson) — clifdentownafc.comJun 30🟡 Message ahead
Sheridans Cheesemongers — +353 91 564832Jun 27🟡 Call ahead
From a Friend Who Knows Ireland Well

Local Recommendations

🏙 Dublin

  • Trinity College & Book of Kells
  • Temple Bar area — beer, music, atmosphere
  • Croke Park — Gaelic football or hurling (Jackson would love it)
  • Guinness Storehouse & Jameson Distillery — kids welcome
  • Emerald Park amusement park — popular with local families
  • Great hotels: St Stephen's Green, Moxy Dublin, The Shelbourne

🌊 Galway & Connemara

  • Aran Islands boat trip — ferry, bikes, cliff fort, sweater shopping. Full memorable day.
  • Galway Main Streets — street entertainers, great evening walk
  • Cliffs of Moher — walk the cliffs; also doable by boat
  • Cava Bodega — Spanish-leaning, exceptional wine list
  • Kai — destination restaurant, West End (book well ahead)

🌿 Kerry & Cork

  • Ring of Kerry — stunning drive; hire a local driver (very narrow roads)
  • Blarney Stone — kiss it lying on your back for the "gift of the gab"
  • Bunratty Castle & Folk Park — history and castle village
  • Cork city — bigger city, great food and culture
  • Cobh — Titanic Experience, Deck of Cards houses

💎 Waterford & Kilkenny

  • Waterford — Viking museums, Waterford Crystal
  • Kilkenny city — beautiful medieval old town
  • Kilkenny Castle — grounds free, tour ~1hr
  • Great southern routing option Dublin→Kinsale→Killarney→Dublin

🏰 Mayo

  • Kilrona Castle — stay a night in a castle (highly recommended)
  • Westport town — local pubs, Westport House
  • Croagh Patrick — famous pilgrimage hike, stunning views

🗺 Northern Ireland

  • No border controls — seamless crossing
  • Giant's Causeway — incredible hiking and geology
  • Belfast — interesting but can be emotionally heavy; optional