Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by Uncovering Ireland with the Top Seven Insight Experiences

Clients can follow the festivities and be shown the insights, not just the sights of the Emerald Isle with Insight Vacations

 

New York, N.Y. – March 14 , 2019 – St. Patrick’s Day has arrived, bringing with it the traditional tales of Irish folklore about shamrocks, leprechauns, and of course, Saint Patrick. The celebration, dating back as far as the ninth and tenth century, is no longer reserved exclusively for the Irish, with people around the world joining in the festivities featuring all things green from green beer to head-to-toe green garb. Insight Vacations, the global leader of premium escorted journeys is inviting clients to celebrate by “wetting the shamrock” and embarking on an immersive journey through the Emerald Isle.

 

Below are the Top Seven Insight Experiences clients can enjoy as they discover Ireland’s insights, not just the sights:

 

1. Ashford Castle

 

This five-star 800-year-old castle is part of The Red Carnation luxury boutique hotels collection which provides a 350-acre oasis in West Ireland. Delivering on unparalleled service, warm Irish hospitality and ultimate luxury, Ashford Castle provides a vast playground for guests. A wealth of activities are available including discovering falconry at the oldest established Falconry School in Ireland, horseback riding, zip lining, stand-up paddle boarding, golfing and so much more. On the Irish Elegance journey, guests are escorted over the drawbridge to the magnificent Ashford Castle by a lone piper upon arrival. There’s plenty of time to explore the estates striking surroundings and enjoy regal relaxation before indulging in one of the finest culinary experiences in the world during a Celebration Dinner featuring exquisite fare created from locally-sourced ingredients.

 

2. County Antrim

 

With the highly anticipated final season of Game of Thrones within reach, visiting some of Ireland’s legendary film locations are a must. County Antrim in Northern Ireland is surrounded by the beautiful sites that set the scene for the iconic HBO show with record-breaking ratings. On the 12-day Country Roads of Ireland journey clients visit the Dark Hedges, recognized by GoT fans as King’s Road, before continuing on to their accommodations at the delightful coastal Ballygally Castle Hotel where many Game of Thrones cast members were known to frequent as they were filming nearby. County Antrim is also believed to be where Saint Patrick was forced to herd and tend to sheep for six years after being sold into slavery.

 

3. Giant’s Causeway

 

The Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site which formed as a result of an ancient volcano fissure eruption and is now composed of thousands of interlocking columns that look like stepping stones for giants. The breathtaking Giant’s Causeway, steeped in legend, is a spectacle to behold with the ever-expanding coastal scenery providing the perfect backdrop. Clients can experience the phenomenon on the 12-day Country Roads of Ireland.

 

4. The Ring of Kerry

 

Stunning seascapes, towering cliffs, lush lakelands and charming villages are around every corner when journeying across the Ring of Kerry. The narrow, winding route has plenty of attractions along the way, including sights used to film Star Wars and the cast and crews’ local hangouts. While filming Star Wars: The Last Jedi on the famous Skellig Michael, the cast and crew were known to polish off a pint in nearby Portmagee, and not too far away was another filming sight guests will visit on the 7-day Focus on Irelandjourney, the Dingle Peninsula.

 

5. Trinity College

 

Regarded as Ireland’s finest national treasure, the Book of Kells is housed in the heart of Dublin at Trinity College. Shrouded in mystery, the ancient manuscript Gospel book dates back to the 9^th century. On Insight’s Irish Elegance journey, guests will enjoy an exclusive  Insight Experience including priority entrance to the Book of Kells and an exclusive guided walk though Trinity College grounds accompanied by Joseph O’Gorman, a Trinity College Scholar.

 

6. Cliffs of Moher

 

The view of the Clare Coast from the top of these magnificent cliffs is unrivalled. The Cliffs of Moher in human history dates back minimum 2,000 years, as the name is derived from a fort built in 1^st Century BC that formerly stood where Moher Tower stands now. Standing over 700 feet high, the waves of the Atlantic crash powerfully along the bottom of these majestic cliffs. On the Best of Ireland & Scotland journey, clients take in the sights at Cliffs of Moher after enjoying a scenic ferry ride across the Shannon Estuary, before continuing to the gateway of the Wild Atlantic Way.

 

7. Guinness Storehouse

 

Speaking of “wetting the shamrock”, what better way to do so than with a pint of Ireland’s national and world-renowned drink, Guinness. The stout’s signature creamy texture and long-lasting head contributed to its lasting success, but almost equally as well known is the famed 9,000-year lease, signed by Arthur Guinness in 1759 at St. James’s Gate in Dublin. On the Britain and Ireland Explorer, guests will visit the Guinness Storehouse before it opens to avoid the crowds. Following an escorted tour of the storehouse, they will enjoy a Guinness tasting and learn how to pour the perfect pint.