SAMPLE INCENTIVE PROPOSAL
IRELAND
3 NIGHTS DUBLIN
&
3 NIGHTS ADARE, LIMERICK
DAY 1: Arrival Day
Transfer from Dublin Airport to The Shelbourne Hotel by private deluxe motorcoach and Rep
Assistance.
Dublin City Centre
The Shelbourne Hotel
Hospitality Desk Staff (Optional but recommended on Arrival Day)
Option for afternoon guided walking/coach tour of Dublin City with professional rep assistance.
Day 1 – Evening with a Traditional Irish Night – Welcome Dinner The Shelbourne Hotel
Two Young Girls dressed in Traditional Irish Costume to Hand Posies to the Ladies on arrival as they
enter the pre-dinner reception area. The banqueting hall or Alfies Bar of The Shelbourne Hotel will be
decorated with Irish Memorabilia.
That evening, Dublin Character Actors mingle with the group during the Drinks reception and Dinner.
A group of traditional musicians provide background entertainment – from slow haunting airs to lively
jigs and reels – the guests are in no doubt that they are in Ireland. At the coffee stage the balladeers
liven up the tempo and sing a selection of well known Irish songs.
James Joyce
Molly Malone
Ballad Group
Suggested Room Gift: Coffee Table Book of Ireland
Overnight The Shelbourne Hotel.
DAY 2
Full Irish Breakfast The Shelbourne Hotel.
“Be Irish for a Day” on the Causey Farm in County Meath
Today the group will travel to the Causey Farm in County Meath, known as the Royal County for a fun
day of team building activities.
10.00am
Arrival at The Causey Farm
First of all arrive to an Irish Welcome on the Farm. Then you can enjoy some
Tea/Coffee and Home Made Scones and you will also have a demonstration of how to
make brown bread and scones
10.45am
After your refreshments Clamber aboard the tractor and come with us to cut the turf
- catch the sods of peat (winter fuel) as they are thrown from the sleán (special tool
for cutting turf).
11.15am
Continue on to Milk the cow in the cowsheds. See how long it takes you to fill the
bucket!!
11.45am
Next try your hand at hurling – this is an age old traditional Irish sport and is arguably
the world's fastest field team sport in terms of game play. One of Ireland's native
Gaelic Games. The object of the game is for players to use a wooden axe-shaped stick
called a hurl (in Irish a "camán", pronounced kam-awn), or a hurley, to hit a small ball
called a sliotar between the opponents' goalposts either over the crossbar for one
point, or under the crossbar into a net guarded by a goalkeeper for three points!!
12.15pm
Learn to play the bodhrán. The Bodhran is the heartbeat of Irish music. This ancient
hand held drum is traditionally made with a wooden body and a goat-skin head, and is
played with a double-headed stick called a cipín, tipper, or beater. The modern Irish
word bodhrán is properly pronounced bow-rawn, Beat out the rhythm of the jigs and
reels on this Irish goat-skin drum
12.45pm
Enjoy a sumptuous home-made lunch on the Causey Farm, while some of the musicians
play tune or two.
2.00pm
After lunch, learn to dance an Irish Jig and an Irish Reel. These are two different
types of Irish dances. By the end of the day, you could be as good as the Riverdancers!!
3.00pm
Enjoy an Irish Coffee prior to your departure and hop on your coach to return to
Dublin.
Evening free for guests to enjoy Dublin City Centre.
Overnight The Shelbourne Hotel.
DAY 3
Full Irish Breakfast The Shelbourne Hotel.
Option 1: North Coast Tour
Today you will depart your Hotel with your guide and you will travel out to Malahide situated about 7
miles north of the city, about 45 minute drive from your hotel. Tea/Coffee & Scones on arrival.
Today visit Malahide Castle, set on 250 acres of parkland in the pretty seaside town of Malahide, was
both a fortress and a private home for nearly 800 years and is an interesting mix of architectural
styles. The Talbot family lived here from 1185 to 1973, when the last Talbot died. The house is
furnished with beautiful period furniture together with an extensive collection of Irish portrait
paintings, mainly from the National Gallery. (45-50minute)
Malahide Castle
Dublin Bay Sea Safari
The history of the Talbot family is recorded in the Great Hall, where portraits of generations of the
family tell their own story of Ireland's stormy history. Many additions and alterations have been made
to this romantic and beautiful structure, but the contours of the surrounding parklands have changed
little in 800 years, retaining a sense of the past.
The grounds of the Castle are amazing to explore, and you can also pay a visit to the Fry Model Railway.
Light Lunch in Cruzzos restaurant down by the Marina in Malahide.
This afternoon take a trip out on the Irish Sea. Down at the harbour and will take a trip that may a be
a bit of an Adrenalin rush! Sea Safari is a unique and unforgettable experience. The safari merges the
pure excitement and adventure with the opportunity of discovering Ireland's rich bird and sea-life. You
will be taken on one of our specially designed ribs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) around Dublin bay and the
surrounding coastal areas. The boats travel around Dublin Bay where you absorb some of Dublin’s
History & culture as well as enjoying the high-speed thrill of the sea!!! Great fun for all involved.
(45 minutes)
Return to your hotel this evening.
Option 2: The Garden of Ireland Tour
Travel south to County Wicklow,(Transfer time to Glendalough 1h15mins) known as 'The Garden of
Ireland'. Visit Glendalough,(the round tower being the familiar landmark) which is one of the most
enduring images of County Wicklow, truly beautiful and steeped in history. The English name
Glendalough comes from the Irish Gleann Dá Locha, which translates into "valley of the two lakes". It
was here that St. Kevin founded a monastery in the sixth century. From this beginning the site grew to
become famous as a center of learning throughout Europe.
Glendalough
Powerscourt Estate
Lunch at the Ballyknocken House & Cookery School. This is a beautiful 19th Century Victorian Manor
set in a secluded area in the Garden of Ireland. All food is home made and Irish – simply fresh local
ingredients imaginatively prepared into a wholesome meal.
Continue this afternoon to the majestic Powerscourt Estate. On a 1,000-acre estate, Powerscourt is
one of the finest gardens in Europe. This property is filled with splendid Greek and Italian-inspired
statuary, decorative ironwork, a petrified-moss grotto, lovely herbaceous borders, a Japanese garden,
a circular pond and fountain with statues of winged horses, and the occasional herd of deer. Visit the
wonderful Avoca shop selling their famous woollen throws as well as other top quality Irish crafts and
clothing, located in Powerscourt House.
Travel back to Dublin this evening.
Option 3: Day trip to Belfast in Northern Ireland
Once a village in the 17th century, Belfast is now a robust metropolis of over half a million people. This
city was the engine-room that drove the whirring wheels of the industrial revolution in Ulster. The
world's largest dry dock is here and this is where Titanic was built. Today the city and the river front
are again being transformed. Much of the city centre is now pleasantly pedestrianised, with benches
where you can sit and listen to the street musicians. There are many exuberant Victorian and
Edwardian buildings with elaborate sculptures over doors and windows. Stone-carved heads of gods and
poets, scientists, kings and queens peer down from the high ledges of banks and old linen warehouses.
Travel by train from Dublin to Belfast, on arrival in Belfast, you’ll be taken on a tour by a local Black
Taxi driver. These drivers are a gold mine of historical and anecdotal information related to “the
troubles” of Northern Ireland and will give you a very personal tour that all at once will inform and
entertain.
The Crown Bar Belfast
Murals in Belfast
Following the tour, you’ll enjoy lunch at The Crown Bar in the city centre. This 19th century bar is an
experience that is uniquely Northern Ireland.
Following lunch (and a pint of Guinness), you’ll learn about Belfast from a different perspective on the
your own private boat and take The Lagan Boat Tour provides the world's only authentic Titanic Boat
Tour around the shipyards of Harland & Wolff in Belfast. Relax, enjoy and learn about Belfast from a
totally different angle!
Return by train late afternoon to Dublin.
Option 4 – Dublin City Tour with a Treasure Hunt.
Meet with your Dublin City guides this morning and take an orientation tour of Dublin including visits to
Trinity College and Guinness Storehouse. Dublin has all the attractions of a modern city, combined
with the beauty and heritage of the past. Even though it has shown recent signs of slowing town, “the
Celtic Tiger” – the nickname given to the roaring Irish economy – has turned Dublin into a boomtown.
Elegant shops, hotels, galleries, art-house cinemas, coffee houses and a stunning variety of restaurants
have sprung up on almost every street in the capital.
You will travel around the beautiful Georgian Squares of Dublin. In the 18th Century Dublin was
transformed from a drab city into one of the most stylish cities in Europe largely due to the Georgian
style of art and architecture that flowered between 1714 and 1820 during the reigns of the three
English Georges. Today, Dublin remains in good part a sublimely Georgian city.
Dublin Treasure Hunt Trinity College
Guinness Storehouse
Trinity College was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I to ‘civilise’ Dublin and is Ireland’s oldest and
most famous college. Standing on a self-contained site in the heart of Dublin, the College covers some
40 acres of cobbled squares and green spaces, around buildings which represent the accumulated
architectural riches of nearly three centuries. Its thirteen and a half thousand staff and students
form a compact academic community and are at the same time an intimate part of the city's life.
Ireland’s largest collection of books and manuscripts is housed in the Trinity College Library. It’s
principle treasure is the 8th century hand-illuminated Book of Kells, generally considered the most
striking manuscript ever produced in the Anglo-Saxon world and one of the greatest masterpieces of
early Christian art.
Before lunch a visit to the Guinness Storehouse, set in the centre of one of the world's most famous
breweries, the Guinness Storehouse has rapidly become Dublin's 'must see' visitor attraction,
celebrating its 1'000'000th visitor in September 2002 - less than 2 years since the doors opened!
Often surprising, always entertaining, the adventure begins the moment you walk through the door and
into the building's giant, pint shaped heart of glass. As you wander up through Guinness Storehouse,
you'll discover what goes into making the black stuff - the ingredients, the processes, the passion.
You'll meet Arthur Guinness and find out how the drink that carries his name has been transported
around the world. The Guinness Storehouse is a dramatic story that begins over 250 years ago and
ends in Gravity, the bar in the sky, with a complimentary pint of Guinness, and an astonishing view of
Dublin!
If you'd like a souvenir to remind you of your trip to the home of Guinness, there's plenty to choose
from in Store, which stocks an exclusive range of Guinness merchandise.
Enjoy an Irish pub lunch today at Ryans Irish pub on Parkgate Street. (Can have private room or we
can reserve an area within the pub) Ryans is an excellent old style Dublin Pub. The bar area is done up
in traditional Victorian fashion and it seems as if it has it's own unique personality. The pints of
Guinness are excellently poured by the friendly barstaff and the food is delicious. It’s relaxed
conversational atmosphere gives this place a true “Irish pub” feel.
This afternoon, if this group are feeling adventurous, they can partake in a Treasure Hunt of Dublin
City. This will take place over an hour and a half and there are three components to the Treasure
Hunt.
1. The Clues. There are 50 points on the A4 laminated map they are given which correspond to
questions on the booklet. They are very easy - as simple as what is the colour of the door of the Lodge
(Trinity Lodge, off Nassau Street which is blue) and so on. We want people to get as many as they can
so they are very easy.
2. Scavenger Hunt. Participants should have fun with this one. For extra points they are asked to get
an item relevant to their country, the season, get something green, kidnap a stranger, get a photo of
the group, business cards from the locals and so on - all for fun, the more imagination the more points.
3. Bar Challenge. The teams can have a drink along the way, wherever they like and they get points for
whatever they order. So they bring back the receipts and if they get a Guinness for example they get
3 points, a Coke would be 2 and a cocktail would be 10 etc.
Everything is optional and all great fun. We would work out the scores, give out the results and a bottle
of bubbly to the winning team. Travel back to the hotel to prepare for the evening.
Option 5 – For the Golfers:
The K Club: Palmer Course (Ryder Cup Course 2006)
If ever a golf course reflected the personality of its architect, it is surely this Arnold Palmer designed
course. It may seem odd to describe a golf course as charismatic and cavalier but from the instant you
arrive at the first tee, you are enveloped by a unique atmosphere. This course will host Ireland’s first
Ryder Cup and it is widely acknowledged as the country’s most challenging inland layout and is
considered one of Europe’s most spectacular courses.
The K Club / Palmer Course
Day 3 – Evening Entertainment at The National Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland houses the national collection of Irish art and European master
paintings. The façade of the National Gallery mimics the Natural History building of the National
Museum of Ireland which was already planned for the facing flank of Leinster House. The building
itself was designed by Francis Fowke, based on early plans by Charles Lanyon and was completed in
1864.
The Shaw Room
National Gallery
You will arrive into the National Gallery of Ireland which would be yours for the evening. Those who
wish could do a guided tour of the gallery and continue then on to the Baroque Room which houses
paintings of the Baroque era. You will be seated for a stunning gala dinner evening.
After the speeches, the lights will dim and the famous Anuna, the Celtic Choir will begin with the
ladies in hooded cloaks holding candles followed by the gentlemen on stage. They will perform a
fantastic unforgettable show for your guests.
Overnight The Shelbourne Hotel.
DAY 4
Full Irish Breakfast The Shelbourne Hotel & Check Out.
(Luggage Truck to pick up luggage early and drop off at Adare Manor before clients arrive)
Transfer from Dublin Hotel to Adare Manor by coach accompanied by professional guides. Journey
time is 3 hours approx.
Enroute, you will visit the Irish National Stud Farm & Japanese Gardens, which is the centre of
Ireland's horse breeding industry and is a model of its kind where prize horses are bred. During the
tour of the Stud, some of the horses are shown in a special parade ring.
Enjoy freshly baked homemade scones with tea or coffee.
The Japanese Gardens are actually situated on the grounds of the National Stud. Designed and
planted in 1906, the gardens are unique in that the saga of man, with all of his joys and sorrows, is
related through the medium of horticulture.
National Stud & Japanese Gardens
Adare Village
Arrive at Adare Manor with Horse & Hound Greeting. We recommend keeping this as a surprise!
Hospitality Desk Staff (if required) - Lunch at Adare Manor on arrival.
Afternoon Activities on the grounds of Adare Manor
The following activities are available for guests staying at the Manor. (We do request exact numbers
be confirmed prior for groups in order to avoid disappointment.)
Golf Green Fees
Golf Tuition
Fishing
Walking
Cycling
Health Centre
Spa treatments
Horse-riding
Clay Target Shooting
Evening – Dine Around in the beautiful village of Adare sampling great Irish Cuisine
Around Adare Manor there are plenty of local restaurants in this pretty picturesque village where you
can relax and enjoy a tasty meal in cosy and relaxed surrounding. The following restaurants we
recommend:
-
The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge
The Wild Geese Restaurant
Brulees Restaurant
Copper & Spice Restaurant
Coaches will be on hand to whisk you away after your meal for a night cap in the Tack Room at Adare
Manor.
Overnight The Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort.
DAY 5
Full Irish Breakfast at The Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort.
Option 1 - VINTAGE CAR TOUR OF THE CLIFFS OF MOHER AND BURREN TOUR
Today you will travel around the Clare coast in style, in vintage cars with personal driver. Travel in
style around the West Clare area. Just north of Lahinch on the coast of West Clare are the famous
Cliffs of Moher, defiantly standing as giant natural ramparts against the aggressive might of the
Atlantic Ocean. They rise in places to over 700 feet and stretch for almost 5 miles. O’Brien’s Tower,
which was constructed in the early 19th century as a viewing point for Victorian tourists, is located on
Moher’s highest cliff. From its exceptional vantage position, you can view the Clare coastline, the Aran
Islands and mountains as far apart as Kerry and Connemara.
The Burren is a limestone plateau - a stony chaos to the casual observer - with a full assemblage of the
curious landforms that characterise such limestone landscapes. The region encompasses 360 km² of
gently inclined plateau with a further 200 km² of lowland to the east of the plateau. Often described
as a natural landscape, the Burren has been profoundly influenced by human activities. Early removal of
the natural woodland induced soil erosion, enlarging the exposure of the underlying limestone.
More than 700 different flowering plants and ferns have been recorded in the Burren. Thus, although
the Burren represents only 1% of the land-mass of Ireland, 75% of the Irish native species are
contained in the area. In the Burren, plants from northern (“Arctic”) regions reach their southern
limits, those from southern (“subtropical”) regions attain their northern limits, while plants from high
mountains (“alpines”) can be found growing at sea-level; all three groups grow side by side – and in
profusion – in the Burren.
The vintage cars will take 2-4 people and will give you a guided tour of this beautiful area.
All the cars will meet up with the guides for a delicious lunch in the beautiful Ballinalacken House in
Doolin.
After lunch travel in your vintage cars down the coast of Clare and back to Adare Manor.
Option 2 – CLASSIC CAR SELF DRIVE TOUR
This option is for the adventurous type who have a liking for driving sports cars, but these are vintage
sports cars including an MGB GT, MGB Roadster, Triumph TR6, Jaguar E Type Coupe and a Porsche 911.
This activity will allow a couple or two friends to journey around Ireland in whatever direction you wish
for the day. We can make lots of suggestions for you or else you have the option to follow the vintage
cars with drivers and meet for lunch at Ballinalacken House in Doolin, close to the Cliffs of Moher.
Option 3 – GOLF AT LAHINCH GOLF CLUB
This is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland and one of the most respected links courses in the world.
Set right on the Atlantic coastline, Lahinch is exposed to the ocean through all her moods. It’s
towering sand dunes, undulating fairways, rolling greens and fair share of blind shots, is the perfect
natural golfing terrain. A true links in the traditional meaning of the word. Lahinch possesses two of
the most famous holes in Irish golf in “Klondyke” the 5th and ‘Dell’, the 6th.
Option 4 – “CHILLING OUT” AT THE MANOR
There are always a few people that will fall totally in love with the Adare Manor and Adare village, so
some will choose to spend the day simply strolling the grounds and it’s beautiful gardens and enjoying
it’s facilities or enjoy a light lunch in Adare village, watching the locals go by on their daily errands.
Also there is the option to use the Spa at Adare Manor.
Evening at Knappogue Banquet
Enjoy an evening with a difference at Knappogue Castle, located 45 minutes drive from Adare Manor.
Knappogue Castle was built in 1467 by Sean MacNamara, son of Sioda who built Bunratty. It was
restored by the Andrews family from Houston Texas in the 1960’s to the splendour in which we see it
today It is a magnificent example of a mediaeval tower house, located in the rolling hills of Clare just 3
miles from Quin Village. Sean Lord of Clancullen’s reputation for lavish parties and truly royal
entertainment surpassed that of his father. We are delighted to honour this tradition of
entertainment and hospitality to the present day.
The medieval banquet at Knappogue is a fresh experience in every way. You are greeted at the main
door of the castle by the Earl’s Butler and the Ladies of the castle where you proceed into the
Dalcassian Hall. Here you savour a goblet of Mead (honey wine) while listening to the music of Harp and
Fiddle followed by Medieval choral singing from the Ladies. The Earl’s Butler relates the history of the
Castle finishing by explaining the ‘Rules of Chivalry’ practiced at Knappogue Castle and the dire
consequences of breaching them!!!!!!! He invites you to enter the banqueting hall.
Once all are seated the Earl receives his sword of office and presides over our banquet for the
evening. While partaking of a sumptuous four course meal with red and white wine you enjoy the dulcet
tones of the Ladies of the Castle accompanied by Irish Harp and Fiddle. The Butler seeks the Lords
approval for all dishes brought from the kitchen, before they are served! However, there is a
scoundrel who has ignored the Butler’s warnings about gallantry. He is brought before the Earl and
must atone by entertaining the Earl’s noble guests…...
Return transfer to Adare Manor.
Knappogue Castle
Medieval Banquet
Overnight The Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort.
DAY 6
Full Irish Breakfast at The Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort.
Option 1 - BALLYBUNION GOLF CLUB / OLD COURSE
Rated one of the ten best golf courses in the world. Standing on the first tee at Ballybunion is every
bit as awe inspiring as one could imagine in many respects, it’s standing on the first at the old course in
St. Andrew’s. This is a true seaside links, virtually treeless with a distinct lack of man made influences.
The contours on the fairways and greens are what make Ballybunion a great golf course.
Ballybunion Golf Club / Old Course
Option 2 - VISIT TO BUNRATTY CASTLE & FOLK PARK
Today you will have a chance to visit the famous Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, one of Ireland’s top
visitor attractions. A visit to the Castle, the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in
Ireland, and the absorbing Folk Park nearby is a wonderful experience. Built in 1425, the majestic
Castle was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour. It now contains mainly 15th and 16th
century furnishings, tapestries and works of art, which capture the mood of the times. You can marvel
at the finest collection of medieval furniture in the country, which brings to life a vital part of the
Celtic past and the heritage of Co. Clare.
Within the grounds of Bunratty Castle is Bunratty Folk Park where 19th century Irish life is vividly
recreated. Set on 26 acres, the impressive Park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living village’ setting.
Included are a display of 19th century agricultural machinery (the Talbot Collection), eight farmhouses,
two watermills, a blacksmiths forge and a church. A restored village street complete with pub, post
office, school, doctor’s house, hardware shop, printers, drapery shop, pawn shop and village hotel
provides the main focal point for the park which will enchant and mesmerise both young and old.
Traditional skills of the period are put to everyday use in the settings in which they were nurtured. On
your visit, you can see crafts such as bread baking, weaving and pottery making.
Lunch at the local pub – Durty Nellies prior to transfer back to Adare Manor.
You will have a good opportunity here to make your final Irish shopping purchases, linens, Waterford
Crystal, Newbridge Silverware and Avoca Gifts.
Bunratty Folk Park
Bunratty Castle
Day 6 Farewell Evening - An evening with an Irish Chieftain
As guests arrive for drinks reception, they are welcomed in the lobby of Adare Manor by Lord and
Lady of the Manor. Actors are there playing courtesans and jester is larking around juggling and
entertaining us with his Fire Poi. (Please note the style of interaction is non-invasive and the
performers are sensitive to guests who would rather just be left alone).
Guests are then invited to dinner in the splendour of the Gallery Room at Adare Manor as a bag piper
leads the procession. Lord of Adare’s party are situated at a table, in a prominent position. There is a
notable empty bench at this table. Grainne’s Mhaol (a mythical Irish character arrives). Lord of
Adare formally welcomes his guests and is about to formally declare the banquet can start. However,
just as he asks the musicians to begin playing we hear either a loud bang on a door or a musket blast!
Grainne Mhaol and her rowdy entourage enter with a bit of a performance.
A delicious gala dinner will proceed. After the meal, the Lord of Adare calls for his musicians to come
to the top table and give them a tune. Flying Riverdancers and gypsy tunes begin. The fun begins to
infect all those involved at the top table. The dancers jump from the table and dance their way
through the guests and outside the castle.
At this point there is a dramatic change in music. (We switch from the live musicians to a backing
track over a PA to which drummers will play live.) The backing track has an upbeat and funky Irish
sound. The drums are positioned on rolling drum risers and stands for an easy and quick strike. Three
drummers take up their positions at the drums and begin to play with the backing track. The drummers
move between different drums as the backing track changes. A variety of drummers and actors on
stilts will be around.
The Celtic flare operators will at all times illuminate / flag the entrance of the individual characters.
The various characters will play directly to the audience and if possible and appropriate some
characters will directly interact with the guests getting in among them as much as possible. Your
guests cannot but enjoy this final evening!
Gallery Room Adare Manor
Overnight The Adare Manor Hotel.
Suggested Room Gifts
Personalised Bottle of Jameson
Piece of Waterford Crystal
DAY 7
Transfer from Adare Manor to Shannon Airport (35 mins approx)
Transfer by private, deluxe coach including services of qualified guide (1 per coach)
Or private car transfer if needed for earlier or later transfers
FAREWELL TO IRELAND