Bridge on the Wonderful West Coast of Ireland

Today we fly from London to Knock in West Ireland. On arrival we transfer by coach to our hotel in Westport, a town on the edge of an Atlantic inlet on Ireland’s rugged west coast. Relax and enjoy dinner at the hotel followed by evening bridge.

This morning, we take the short journey by coach to visit Westport House and grounds. This Palladian mansion was built in the 18th century and is often described as one of Ireland’s national treasures. It is housed in a magnificent setting with terraces, gardens, and a lake with splendid views out over Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The house was owned and lived in for over 300 years by the Brown family, direct descendants of the Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley. Your guide will regale you with stories of life upstairs and downstairs as you explore the ‘Big House’, with around 30 rooms and several permanent exhibitions, one of which tells Grace O’Malley’s story.

Following our visit to Westport House, we are transferred by coach into Westport town with free time to explore and have lunch (at own expense). This afternoon there will be a bridge session available at the hotel, followed by dinner and evening bridge.

Joined by a local guide, we board our coach today for a scenic drive to Achill Island, Ireland’s largest island full of natural beauty. After crossing the Michael Davitt Bridge, we will enjoy the views of sandy beaches, rocky headlands, peat bogs and rugged mountain scenery. Our journey will take us by Currane Peninsula, Kildavnet Castle, Atlantic Drive, Keem Bay and Dugort. With beauty all around, there are plenty of short stops for photo opportunities along the way. We also include a light lunch today at a local eatery before returning to the hotel for dinner and evening bridge.

Today we have a morning bridge seminar and afternoon bridge session, or free time to enjoy your surrounding area and the facilities of the hotel. Dinner will be followed by evening bridge.

Today we head to the heart of Connemara and to Kylemore Abbey. Built by Mitchell Henry in 1867 as an ancestral castle, later becoming home to a Benedictine community of nuns who were fleeing war-torn Belgium, in 1920 the building was transformed into the iconic Kylemore Abbey. You’ll experience the Abbey at its finest, exploring restored period rooms and the fascinating visitor experience which tells of Kylemore’s tragic and romantic history. Discover the 6-acre Victorian walled garden, established in the mid-1800s with formal flower, vegetable, and herb gardens. Follow the woodland and lakeshore walks and find the stunning neo-Gothic Church.

This afternoon we head to Killary Fjord. Here, we take a return cruise to the mouth of the fjord as we admire the stunning Connemara scenery passing by. With panoramic views all around, you may even spot a dolphin or two! We return by coach back to Westport for dinner and evening bridge.

We enjoy a final breakfast at hotel before our coach takes us to Knock airport for our flight back to the UK.