At Ireland Luxury Tours we are experiencing a high number of enquiries for our 7 day tours of Ireland , and are currently building itineraries to suit various clients. To allow us to create a bespoke tour for you , please contact us as soon as possible.

We can create a tour that suits your interests including castles , golf , coastal routes , prehistoric Ireland , and so much more……….

Based on core collections assembled in the late 18th and 19th Centuries by the Royal Dublin Society and the Royal Irish Academy, the archaeological collections have been added to considerably over the last 100 years and now number in excess of two million objects. The collection is significant in extent, diversity and quality and three areas are of acknowledged international standing. These are the prehistoric gold collections; ecclesiastical metalwork and personal ornaments of the early medieval period; and the Viking Dublin assemblage.

Legislation provides an operational framework for the work of the Irish Antiquities division and is also a statement of public policy in relation to it. Archaeological objects found in Ireland are State property and the core collection continues to grow rapidly, mainly as a result of large-scale archaeological excavation.

Any tour of Ireland should take in Dublin Museum………Ireland Luxury Tours recommend that you see it…..

Early Christianity left its mark, as well, in the form of monastic building ruins. The oldest remains are on the island of Inchagoill where two churches, one surviving since the 12th century, is still visible.

The O’Fflahertie (O’Flaherty) tribe, one of the first groups to settle and thrive in the area, was very powerful and owned a sizeable area from Galway city to Clifden on the west coast of Ireland. During the Norman invasion, their stronghold was taken over by Walter de Burgo who built the original “castle” in the Oughterard area.

The O’Fflaherties re-conquered their land by the end of the 13th century and in the 16th century, on the same site as de Burgo, built their “castle” or tower house. The “castle” has been well restored and is located within two miles of the village in a townland named Aughnanure.

The O’Fflaherties also built a 15th century castle on Ross Lake, just outside Oughterard. The Martin family, which was one of the 14 tribes of Galway City, took over a large portion of the land formerly occupied by the O’Fflaherties and built a 17th century mansion on the former castle foundation. This mansion is known as Ross Castle.

With the English conquest came forced suppression of all Norman and Gaelic culture and the destruction of many of the mansions and castles (many have since been restored). Over this time the prevalence of the native Irish (Gaelic) language had declined. There were then several “landlord” dwellings built and the locals began the first settlement of modern Oughterard as a few thatched cottages, many of which still exist today.

The 1845 Famine brought about the collapse of the landlord system and tenants regained possession of their land. To find Irish being spoken across the country by this time was rare but it survived in Oughterard and the surrounding Connemara area and is still an integral part of life.

Oughterard exists today as a thriving village of 2,000 people, many whose families have lived in the area for over a century. Farming is still a large part of the culture with its prevalent sheep and cattle but with Galway’s ever-expanding borders many people have done well in the building industry. (Galway was recently named the most rapidly growing city in Europe.) There is also a fine trade done in the town centre in its many shops.

Tourism is very popular in the area, as well, and the town and people are well prepared for visitors from all over the world to appreciate the fantastic fishing, scenery and culture. Ireland Luxury Tours likes to include this area on a tour of Ireland.

Megalithic mounds such as Newgrange entered Irish mythology as sídhe or fairy mounds. Newgrange was said to be the home of Oenghus, the god of love. The Passage Tomb at Newgrange was re-discovered in 1699 by the removal of material for road building. A major excavation of Newgrange began in 1962; the original facade of sparkling white quartz was rebuilt using stone found at the site.

On a tour of Ireland with Ireland Luxury Tours you can visit Newgrange……..

Any tour of Ireland with Ireland Luxury Tours will take in Dublin and its sights…….