☘ Ireland 2027
John Perkins' 70th Birthday
March 1–16, 2027
Sixteen days across Dublin, Galway, and the wild west of Ireland.
Air Travel
Flight Details
Outbound
Sacramento (SMF) → Dublin (DUB)
United Airlines · 1 Stop via Chicago O'Hare
Monday, March 1, 2027 · 13h 40m total
- Leg 1 — UA 1278: SMF 10:30 AM → ORD 4:42 PM · 4h 12m · Boeing 737-900
- 1h 48m connection at Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
- Leg 2 — UA 980: ORD 6:30 PM → DUB 8:10 AM (+1 day) · 7h 40m · Boeing 767-300
Return
Dublin (DUB) → Sacramento (SMF)
United Airlines · 1 Stop via Washington Dulles
Tuesday, March 16, 2027 · 16h 37m total
- Leg 1 — UA 229: DUB 12:05 PM → IAD 4:20 PM · 8h 15m · Boeing 757-200
- 2h 40m connection at Washington Dulles (IAD)
- Leg 2 — UA 2435: IAD 7:00 PM → SMF 9:42 PM · 5h 42m · Boeing 737 MAX 8
Fare
$850.00/person × 2 passengers = $1,700.00
+ taxes $227.86
Total $1,927.86
Sixteen Days
Day by Day
Day 1
Monday, March 1
Depart Sacramento
UA 1278 SMF→ORD, 1h 48m connection, UA 980 ORD→DUB. Overnight in flight.
Day 2
Tuesday, March 2
Arrive Dublin
Land 8:10 AM, clear customs, transfer to Clontarf Castle. Rest and settle in. Easy evening dinner.
Overnight · Clontarf Castle Hotel
Day 3
Wednesday, March 3
Dublin Touring
Kilmainham Gaol, Book of Kells at Trinity College, Guinness Storehouse, Jameson Bow St. Distillery.
Overnight · Clontarf Castle Hotel
Day 4
Thursday, March 4
Dublin → Galway
Scenic 2.5-hour drive west to Galway. Check in to Nile Lodge House in the Claddagh. Easy evening stroll and dinner along Quay Street.
Overnight · Nile Lodge House, Galway
Day 5
Friday, March 5
Galway City
Explore the Latin Quarter, waterfront, shops, and pubs. Birthday celebration dinner — Kai Café + Restaurant is a 6-minute walk.
Overnight · Nile Lodge House, Galway
Day 6
Saturday, March 6
West of Ireland Day Trip
Full-day excursion — Cliffs of Moher, Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey, Aran Islands, or The Burren.
Overnight · Nile Lodge House, Galway
Day 7
Sunday, March 7
Galway / Day Trip
Second full day based in Galway — second excursion or relaxed city day. To be confirmed.
Overnight · Nile Lodge House, Galway
Day 8
Monday, March 8
Galway → Dingle
Depart Galway, scenic drive south through County Clare and Kerry to the Dingle Peninsula — one of Ireland's most dramatic stretches of coastline. Check in and explore the town.
Overnight · Dingle, County Kerry
Day 9
Tuesday, March 9
Arrive Cork
Drive from Dingle to Cork City. Check in and settle into one of Ireland's most vibrant food and culture cities.
Overnight · Cork City
Day 10
Wednesday, March 10
Cork Day
Explore Cork — English Market, St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, local pubs and restaurants. Optional day trip to Blarney Castle or Kinsale.
Overnight · Cork City
Day 11
Thursday, March 11
Cork / Kinsale Day Trip
Day trip to Kinsale — Ireland's gourmet capital and historic harbour town, 30 minutes south of Cork.
Overnight · Cork City
Days 12–14
March 12–14
Open Days
Three open days — Ring of Kerry, return to Dublin, or further exploration. To be confirmed.
Overnight · TBD
Day 15
Monday, March 15
Final Evening in Ireland
Last night before departure. Location to be confirmed.
Overnight · TBD
Day 16
Tuesday, March 16
Return to Sacramento
UA 229 DUB→IAD 12:05 PM, 2h 40m connection, UA 2435 IAD→SMF 9:42 PM. Home.
Lodging
Where You'll Stay
Dublin
Clontarf Castle Hotel
3 Nights · March 2–4, 2027 · €220 per night
A medieval fortress turned luxury hotel, dating to 1172. Castle grounds, Knight's Bar, and elegant rooms 10 minutes from Dublin city centre.
Clontarf Castle, Dublin — dating to 1172
The castle at dusk
The entrance hall
The lobby fireplace
Four-poster executive room
King suite
Knights Bar — Gastro Bar of the Year Dublin 2025
Fahrenheit Restaurant — Best Restaurant Dublin 2026
Galway City
Nile Lodge House
6 Nile Lodge, Claddagh · 5 Bedrooms · Sleeps 10 · March 4–7, 2027
Built in 1807 by a Captain in Nelson's fleet, this landmark Georgian residence is Galway's most exclusive private rental. Set on over an acre of mature walled gardens in the heart of the city. Vaulted ceilings, original fireplaces, antique furnishings, crystal chandeliers, and three grand reception rooms. Five bedrooms with private bathrooms across two levels. Free parking for 6 cars. Located midway on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Nile Lodge House — 6 Nile Lodge, Claddagh, Galway
The drawing room
Sitting room with grand piano & fireplace
Dining & reception room
Grand entrance hallway
Breakfast room to conservatory
Kitchen
Bathroom
The walled garden
Formal dining room
Breakfast & afternoon tea room
Bedroom with original fireplace
Garden-view bedroom
Sleigh-bed guest room
Carved-headboard bedroom
Master suite
En-suite bathroom
Guest bathroom
Champagne on the garden terrace
What's Nearby
- Quay Street — 14 min walk
- Spanish Arch — 14 min walk
- University of Galway — 15 min walk
- Galway Cathedral — 17 min walk
- Eyre Square — 20 min walk
- Galway Station — 20 min walk
Restaurants
- Kai Café + Restaurant — 6 min
- Vegano Deli — 8 min
- Chef Laura Rosso — 9 min
- Hooked — 9 min
- Greens & Co — 9 min
Quoted Rates
Hotel Options & Room Costs
All rates below are quoted by each property and are subject to availability and final confirmation. Currency is euro (€).
| Property | Destination | Dates | Room Type | Rate | Breakfast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clontarf Castle Hotel | Dublin | Dublin dates TBC | Deluxe — single occupancy | €199 / room / night | Included |
| Clontarf Castle Hotel | Dublin | Dublin dates TBC | Deluxe — twin/double | €219 / room / night | Included |
| Murphy's Pub B&B | Dingle | Mar 8–10, 2027 · 2 nights | All held rooms | €125 / room / night | Included |
| Dingle Benners Hotel | Dingle | Mar 8–9, 2027 · 1 night | King — double occupancy | €189 / room / night | Included |
| Dingle Benners Hotel | Dingle | Mar 8–9, 2027 · 1 night | Superior — twin | €239 / room / night | Included |
| Dingle Benners Hotel | Dingle | Mar 8–9, 2027 · 1 night | Superior — triple | €289 / room / night | Included |
| Hotel Isaacs Cork | Cork | From Mar 9, 2027 · 3 nights | Double/Twin | €521 total / room | Included |
| Hotel Isaacs Cork | Cork | From Mar 9, 2027 · 3 nights | Single | €471 total / room | Included |
| Hotel Isaacs Cork | Cork | Mar 9–13, 2027 · 4 nights | Double/Twin | €728 total / room | Included |
| Hotel Isaacs Cork | Cork | Mar 9–13, 2027 · 4 nights | Single | €662 total / room | Included |
Swipe table to see all columns
Clontarf Castle HotelDublinDeluxe rooms, full Irish breakfast and VAT included.Details +Close −
Rooms & Rates
- Deluxe room, single occupancy — €199 per room per night
- Deluxe room, twin/double occupancy — €219 per room per night
- Full Irish breakfast and VAT included
Optional Dining
- Fahrenheit — dinner from €69 per person
- Knights Bar — dinner from €59 per person
- Tower Suite private-room hire — €450, plus dinner from €69 per person
Rates were originally quoted for alternate March 2027 dates and must be reconfirmed for the group's final Dublin dates before booking.
Murphy's Pub Bed & BreakfastDingle · March 8–10, 2027 · 2 nights€125 per room per night, including breakfast. Five rooms currently held.Details +Close −
Bedding & Rooms Held
- 1 room — 1 double bed
- 4 rooms — 1 double bed plus 1 single bed
- Optional sixth room — 1 double bed plus 2 single beds
Group Totals
- 5 rooms — €625 per night · €1,250 for 2 nights
- 6 rooms — €750 per night · €1,500 for 2 nights
Payment
- Credit card required as a guarantee only — nothing charged upfront
- Guests may pay individually at checkout
Dining
- Bar food is walk-in only; group dinner reservations are not accepted
Dingle Benners HotelDingle · March 8–9, 2027 · 1 nightQuoted for 6–10 rooms for 12–16 guests. Breakfast included.Details +Close −
Additional night requested
Availability has been requested for the night of March 9, 2027, to extend the Benners stay to two nights. This will be updated as soon as the hotel confirms availability.
Rooms & Bedding
- King room, double occupancy — €189 per room per night, B&B
- Superior room, twin occupancy — €239 per room per night, B&B (1 king + 1 single)
- Superior room, triple occupancy — €289 per room per night, B&B (1 king + 1 single)
Included
- Breakfast included
- Complimentary use of the pool and leisure facilities at sister property Dingle Skellig Hotel
Deposits & Payment
- 30% deposit within 3 months of arrival
- 50% of the total due within 6 weeks
- Final payment preferred within 14 days
Cancellation
- 45+ days before arrival — 100% refund
- 28+ days — 75% refund
- 21+ days — 50% refund
- Under 21 days — no refund
Optional Extras
- Group dinner from €55 per person
- Porterage €3.50 per person
Hotel Isaacs CorkCork · from March 9, 2027Stay totals per room, full Irish breakfast included.Details +Close −
Stay Options
- 3 nights — Double/Twin €521 total per room · Single €471 total per room
- 4 nights, March 9–13, 2027 — Double/Twin €728 total per room · Single €662 total per room
- Full Irish breakfast included
- Complimentary upgrade for the birthday guest
Deposits & Payment
- €500 booking deposit
- Full prepayment 28 days before arrival
Cancellation
- No refunds within 28 days of arrival
- Up to 1 room may be cancelled up to 48 hours before arrival for a refund
Good to Know
- No hotel parking
- Greenes Restaurant group menu currently €55 per person plus 10% service charge
Quoted rates are preliminary and subject to availability until deposits are received and the booking is confirmed in writing.
Experiences
Touring Options
Dublin
In the city
Kilmainham Gaol
Ireland's history of rebellion and independence
Book of Kells, Trinity College
Illuminated manuscript in the historic Long Room library
Guinness Storehouse
Tour, tasting, and rooftop Gravity Bar views
Jameson Bow St. Distillery
Whiskey tasting in the heart of Dublin
Galway & Beyond
Day trips
Cliffs of Moher
700-foot sea cliffs above the Atlantic
Connemara National Park
Rugged mountains and dramatic wild landscape
Kylemore Abbey
19th-century lakeside castle with Victorian walled gardens
Aran Islands
Ancient stone forts and island life off the Galway coast
The Burren
Limestone landscape of rare wildflowers and megalithic tombs
Lough Corrib
Daily boat trips on Ireland's largest lake
While You're There
Extending Your Adventure
Ireland is just the beginning. If you're thinking about adding a few days in London, a quick trip to Paris, or anywhere else in Europe — I'd love to help you design it.
Whether it's a night in a favourite city, a countryside escape, or an entirely separate European adventure, I have wonderful hotel partnerships across the UK and Europe and would be delighted to book it for you.
Reach out and let me know what you're dreaming of.
Let Jennifer KnowItinerary in progress — open days March 12–15 to be confirmed
World Travel Designs · FORA Travel