SAMPLE PROGRAMME Ireland WEST & DUBLIN’S FAIR CITY 60 – 85 Guests 1 WHY IRELAND AND A TOUCH OF IRELAND? . “Just for fun” – Ireland has a special magic that starts working the minute you touchdown. Barriers are broken down with the emphasis on fun & the unique Irish experience . Painless travel – no special vaccinations needed – just a capacity to drink a few pints of Guinness! . Great programme mix – lively, cultural city action combined with the “hidden Ireland” – wild romantic nature WITHOUT long bus journeys! . Ireland never says “No” – we make things happen! . Excellent standard of hotels . A Touch of Ireland – Creative DMC & expert reliable Partner with multilingual staff – we understand the demands of the corporate client. 2 WEST IRELAND – LUXURY CASTLE ACCOMMODATION Ashford Castle 5* Cong, Co. Mayo www.ashford.ie Ashford Castle in the heart of the Connemara region, is just one and a half hours from Shannon airport, on the northern shores of Lough Corrib. The countryside around it provided the scenery for the John Wayne classic, “The Quiet Man”. Ashford Castle was selected as the best hotel in Ireland in the 1989 and 1990 Egon Ronay Guide. The original Castle dates back to the 13th century. It has been splendidly restored with rich panelling, intricately carved balustrades, suits of armour and masterpiece paintings. This year the hotel has undergone major refurbishment and is looking stunning. There are 83 rooms in total in the castle offering 5* luxury. Ashford boasts two gourmet restaurants; The “George V” dining room offers traditional and continental menus, while “The Connaught Room” specialises in acclaimed French cuisine. There is bistro style dining available in “Cullens”. Set in over 300 acres the grounds of the Castle are ideal for sporting activities such as golf (own 9 hole golf course) /horse riding/ fishing and clay pigeon shooting. Ashford has discovered the secret blend of combining the splendour of the past and luxury of the present in the legendary land of Ireland. Ashford Castle is 3 hours drive from Dublin airport & 1.5 hrs from Shannon airport The hotel is 40 mins drive from Galway. 3 DUBLIN CITY 5* BEST CITY LOCATION For a VIP Corporate client we would be happy to recommend any of the following excellent 5* properties. THE MERRION 5* City Centre Historic Elegance www.merrionhotel.com One of Dublin’s finest hotels, The Merrion is situated on Merrion Street facing Government Buildings, right in the centre of Georgian Dublin, just a few minutes’ walk from the main shopping and sightseeing areas. The hotel opened in 1997 after the extensive restoration of four impressive Georgian Buildings and the addition of 2 bedroom wings. It is a discreetly elegant hotel that epitomises the grandeur of a past age yet meets every modern comfort and amenity. The hotel now boasts 150 bedrooms, swimming pool, leisure centre, cellar bar, residents’ bar, 2 restaurants, one of which has Ireland’s only 2 Michelin stars, and elegant function rooms. A fine collection of Irish art adorns the walls and a beautiful Georgian garden has been created in the inner square. The Merrion is the most elegant, centrally located hotel in the city and ideal for a VIP group. 4 SHELBOURNE HOTEL 5* City Centre Prestige & Tradition www.marriott.com/dubbr The Irish Constitution was drafted here and the recent brief closure of this opulent 18th-century hotel overlooking St Stephen's Green (Europe's largest garden square) has served as a reminder to Dubliners that it is still central to life in the city today. Ranking among the world’s great hotels, it has emerged from its recent restoration and refurbishment with all the old grandeur intact, and the entrance creates an even stronger impression since the lift has been relocated to allow the original staircase to take pride of place once again in the magnificent faux-marble entrance hall – now also enhanced by the creation of a new reception area. The Lord Mayor's Lounge – always a popular meeting place for Afternoon Tea - has had a light hand in the renovation and the famous Horseshoe Bar, renowned as a meeting place for local politicians and theatrical society and nothing short of a Dublin institution. Dining choices are between the stylish, No. 27 Bar & Lounge, and the opulent Saddle Room. 5 The Marker Hotel 5* City Centre Design Hotel www.themarkerhoteldublin.com One of Dublin’s latest 5* Design hotels the Marker is situated in the Grand Canal area and is part of The Leading Hotels of the World. The Marker consists of 187 bedrooms, including 106 Superior rooms, 61 deluxe rooms, 17 Corner suites, 2 Luxury one bedroom suites and one of the citys most appealing presidental suites. The Brasserie at The Marker with capacities of up to 132 guests and offering al fresco dining.The Marker Bar, a ground floor Cocktail Bar with seating for up to 68 guests and an outdoor terrace seating area that can accomodate 56 guests. The Marker Rooftop Lounge offers internal seating and semi covered area and panoramic views over Dublin’s docklands. The Spa features four spacious treatment rooms with a designated relaxation area, a 23 metre infinity pool with further amenities including a whirlpool, sauna, steam room and a fitness area. 6 OUTLINE PROGRAMME SUGGESTION Day 1 – CEAD MILE FAILTE (One hundred thousand welcomes!) Arrive Shannon airport where you you will be met by your local guide who will stay with you for the duration. A costumed piper will lead you to your coaches waiting with your company logo. A trip back in time ensues to the Bunratty Folk Park – we put our clocks back 2 centuries and find ourselves in a rural village community set in 19th Century Ireland. A traditional Irish Stew Lunch* is served during the course of the activities in Mac’s Bar and “the Barn” * or an Irish breakfast if the transatlantic arrival is a very early one. Branding opportunities at the folk park – fly a company flag from the Castle ramparts We then set out for the Wild West of Ireland and arrive at the gates of Ashford , Ireland’s leading 5 star Castle hotel. Special colourful welcome by Horse & Hounds After a speedy check-in, with your bags already in your rooms you will have time to relax and savour the luxurious surroundings of the Castle. Welcome drinks and dinner in the George V main dining room at Ashford 7 Room gifts – we can offer a range of room gifts each day depending on client’s budget. They can be an exclusive variety (specially commissioned art work / jewellery for example and/or novelty linked to the theme of each day eg. mini hurleys with the company logo, little book of Irish sayings, Irish cookery books, Whiskey hip flasks with company logo , Guinness branded materials....) Day 2 – “SIGN UP ACTIVITIES “ At Ashford! Fortified by a hearty breakfast you are now fit for taking part in any one of the varied “sign up” activities offered at Ashford Castle such as Golf / Clay Pigeon Shooting / Croquet / Fishing / Cycling / Tennis/ Horse Riding / Falconry / Archery / Spa / Bike hire / tennis 8 The Spa at Ashford Transfer to Galway City of Tribes for lunch Lunch in Kirwans Award Winning Restaurant in the heart of Galway. Or consider travelling outside the city to “Morans of the Weir” for their speciality “Guinness & Oysters” Afternoon “Galway Treasure Hunt” or time for shopping / walking tour of the city Galway, city of the tribes and The Western Capital of Ireland is worth a visit A colourful university town Galway is particularly noted for its Street Theatre & Carneval atmosphere. We can arrange with special permission a wonderful performance in Eyre Square of the theatre group “Arcana” who will introduce the group to all sorts of characters from Ireland’s Celtic mythology. 9 --- Alternative ideas which we can arrange at or near Ashford instead of heading to Galway “Supercar” experience - McLaren 650S, Ferrari F458 and California, Lamborghini Huracán & Jaguar F Type V8S Briefing / instruction on how to drive the sports car – the participant is then allowed to drive the car as long as a driver from the Super Car company accompanies him/her. Alternative for a more cost effective option book a few Super cars and have them at Ashford for a half day for the afternoon and the guests can have turns in going for a spin in the cars. Consider doing a short scavenger hunt? Cookery Classes with “Celebrity Chef” We bring an Irish TV Celebrity Chef like Rachel Allen or Catherine Fulvioto Ashford Castle. Irish Cookery Lessons- Hands on classes with expert instruction. Learn to prepare Traditional Irish dishes or bake traditional scones and enjoy your own scones with your afternoon Tea! Late afternoon return to Ashford Castle Time to relax and freshen up 10 EVENING PROGRAMME: Option 1 -Informal Celtic Evening “ Craic & Ceoil” (Fun & Music) – Irish Pub We hit a local pub tonight and put on our Irish dancing shoes! Enjoy a simple 3 course traditional dinner with live Irish music Song & Dance as an accompaniment. The evening is rounded off with learning “a few steps” and an Irish “Ceili” (dance evening) – guaranteed lots of laughs and great fun. A night to remember. The menu will be written in Gaelic with some pictorial clues as to the meaning! The dinner opens with a short Irish Lesson, then between courses the traditional musicians will give a display of Irish instruments, the local dancers will teach some simple Irish dance steps. At the dessert stage the full “Ceili” will start with lessons for the group followed by active participation and above all lots of “Ceoil agus Craic” (Irish for Music and good fun) Great branding opportunity – room gift? – we customise a “bodhran” (Irish hand drum) with the logo of the company.