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Dublin: legendary hospitality.
Céad Míle Fáilte – a hundred thousand welcomes. You will hear this traditional greeting after your individual arrival at Dublin Airport and transfer to your hotel, "The Shelbourne". The hospitality of the Irish is as legendary as their island. The elegant 5-star hotel in the heart of Dublin welcomes you with its unique view of St. Stephen’s Green, probably the most beautiful park in the Irish capital.
"The Shelbourne" itself is a house that enjoys a rich history that has been at the centre of Dublin’s cultural and social life for 200 years. A professional drivers' briefing and dinner will provide plenty of opportunity to share your excitement with other Porsche enthusiasts.
Dublin, Adare: bizarre limestone landscapes.
The next morning, the magical allure of Ireland will fully take hold. After an excellent breakfast, your journey will take you to the starting point of the tour, where some of the latest Porsche models will be standing ready and waiting for departure. Then it is time to start your engine, with a sound even more beautiful than Irish folk music.
We will head towards the west coast via the motorway. A pit stop where you will enjoy a traditional local lunch will whet your appetite for even more – which will be instantly satisfied as you continue your drive through the bizarre limestone landscape. The Burren truly lives up to its name: it is a "stony place" with countless caves, sacred springs, Celtic crosses and ruins. In Adare, a neo-Gothic castle from the 19th century houses the destination of the first stage – the 5-star hotel "Adare Manor". The castle is referred to as a "Calendar House". Why is that? The answer is simple. 365 windows, 52 chimneys, 7 stone columns and 4 towers symbolise the days and weeks of the year, the days of the week and the seasons.
Adare: nature's masterpiece.
Today is your choice. You can start your morning with a half-day drive to the coastal Cliffs of Moher. This masterpiece of nature is one of Ireland's most famous attractions. The cliffs rise up from the Atlantic to 214 metres. No matter what you choose, roaring surf and thrilling sensory experiences are guaranteed.
You have the morning option drive to the Cliffs of Moher and the afternoon free at your disposal. For example, you could use the time to visit the Maigue River, home to a myriad of trout and salmon. At lunchtime you can treat yourself to an exquisite meal in the hotel restaurant. You can also discover what else your accommodation has to offer: shop at the in-house boutique, enjoy the tranquillity of the spa, take an exciting carriage ride or experience the most majestic bird of prey in the world up close. Before enjoying a stylish dinner in the hotel restaurant, you will be invited to a whiskey tasting session to sample a range of typical local varieties.
Adare, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney: lush green hills, deep blue lakes.
In Ireland, the famous saying "it is not the destination, it is the journey" couldn't be more true – especially on the way to the Dingle Peninsula. The green mountains and endless plateaus are literally dotted with ancient monuments whose origins are lost in the mists of time. After a rustic lunch, it will soon become clear that the thrills of Ireland increase at every corner. "Slea Head Drive" – part of the "Wild Atlantic Way" – is considered the most beautiful scenic drive in the country. The stunning views alternate between forts, stone circles and beehive huts. But the ever-present flocks of sheep only have eyes for the lush green grass.
Opposite the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range, along the pristine shores of Killarney Lower Lake, the most popular colour of the day changes from green to blue. Here, "The Europe Hotel & Resort" invites you to enjoy a lively conversation at the table in its "Panorama Restaurant". Killarney is not only famous for its picturesque surroundings. In 1961, Bing Crosby even sang about it in the song, "Christmas in Killarney", on his legendary "White Christmas" album..
Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Kenmare: enjoyment for all the senses.
The morning promises fresh Irish mountain air. It is time to enjoy Porsche performance on a mountain pass. After a delicious lunch, your journey will continue along the "Skellig Ring", part of the panoramic "Ring of Kerry" coastal road. A stop at the Kerry Cliffs offers a fantastic view of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of "Skellig Michael", one of 2 remote islands once settled by monks in search of inner contemplation and seclusion from the outside world.
You will enjoy a much more comfortable stay at "Sheen Falls Lodge" near Kenmare. "Relais & Châteaux" in countryside style is located directly on the picturesque Sheen Falls. You can try your hand at clay pigeon shooting on the extensive grounds before heading to the hotel restaurant, "The Falls", for dinner. There is no more intense way of exploring this unique country with your palate. Ireland is truly a delight for all of the senses.
Kenmare, Midleton, Ardmore: on the cliffs.
The Emerald Isle takes pride in presenting itself in its most original form. The morning climb to the "Caha Pass", a section of the "Ring of Beara", takes you along wide curves, offering incomparable views of the Caha Mountains and Bantry Bay. An exquisite lunch will provide extra fuel for your onward journey towards the south coast. During a tour of the famous Jameson whiskey distillery, the proud Irish will reveal some of their secrets – for example, where Irish whiskeys get their smooth aroma. Of course, it is never easy to do without, but your continued journey has many more rewards in store for you.
The destination of your journey on this day will be the modern "Cliff House Hotel", which will finally appear before you on the cliffs of Ardmore. Their special recommendation before enjoying an aperitif and dinner is to do a walk on Ardmore Cliff past sacred springs, ancient lookout posts, a ruined cathedral and a shipwreck. Along the walk on Ardmore Cliff, you will also find one of the most beautiful round towers in Ireland – the Ardmore Round Tower. This building is around 30 metres high and is decorated with an unusual belting feature at each floor level.
Ardmore, Wicklow Mountains National Park, Dublin: where hearts beat faster.
After a satisfying breakfast we will head back to the east coast – back to Dublin. As the end of your journey looms on the horizon, every kilometre of road offers new discoveries, dynamically alternating once again between driving pleasure and culinary delights. After a wonderful lunch, we will drive into the remote Wicklow Mountains. The "Old Military Road" will make your heart beat faster – as will the sight of the rugged mountain slopes, vast moors and clear rivers.
In Dublin, after the transfer to the hotel "The Shelbourne", you will enjoy a final evening together, which you can bring to a close at the nearby restaurant. Afterwards, you are more than welcome to immerse yourself in the famous pub culture where you will experience the warm conviviality of the Irish. Incidentally, the term "pub" is derived from the term "public house". Until the 17th century, these popular meeting places were still called "taverns" or "alehouses". They often had catchy names featuring animals or places that could be easily represented on signs. This was intended to make it easier for people who were illiterate to identify the establishment.
Dublin: between past and present.
Your farewell is slowly approaching, but one final highlight still awaits you. If you wish, you can take a guided tour of beautiful Dublin. This is where past and present merge into one harmonious whole – thanks to the unique mix of long streets in Georgian style and modern architecture. The bustling Grafton Street offers a wealth of shopping opportunities. And did you know that one of Dublin’s newer landmarks is jokingly referred to by locals as the "world’s largest toothpick"? This is the "Spire", a 123-metre-high stainless steel column erected in 2003 next to the main post office on O’Connell Street.
Regrettably, the time to bid farewell can only be postponed for a few more hours now. Apart from the unique memories, what will endure far beyond the transfer to the airport for many travellers is the firm resolution: slán anois, Éire. Until next time, Ireland.