A Private Itinerary

Ireland
2026

Sláinte. The password please.

 
A Private Itinerary

Ireland
The Boys, 2026

Eight nights across Dublin, Connemara & the western wild.

26 May — 1 June Party of Eleven Three Properties
I.

At a Glance

A city-first approach — two nights in Dublin for bearings, food and stout — followed by three nights at a private Connemara lodge, then a final night coast-side at Portmarnock before departures.

Dublin · Nights 1–2
Hyatt Centric
The Liberties
Connemara · Nights 3–5
Lettery Lodge
Ballynahinch Estate
Coast · Final Night
Portmarnock
Resort & Links
N ATLANTIC OCEAN IRISH SEA CELTIC SEA Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Ballynahinch nights 3–5 Ahascragh distillery stop Dublin nights 1–2 Portmarnock final night
From Dublin west to Ballynahinch in Connemara, with a distillery stop at Ahascragh along the way, then back across to Portmarnock for the final night — roughly 700 km of island, traced.
Dublin · 2 nights Ballynahinch · 3 nights Portmarnock · 1 night Ahascragh · day stop
II.

Arrivals & Departures

Flight details for the full party. Pre-trip arrangements noted where applicable.

Guest Arrival Departure Notes
Blake May 26 · 10:50am · WS18 YYC–DUB Jun 1 · 7:20pm · FR1042 DUB–TLS Return Shanny's stolen undies
Shanny May 26 · Afternoon · By Car Jun 1 · 10:40am · WS47 DUB–YYZ→ WS645 YYZ–YYC Pre-trip w/ Marie
Pack underwear
Iliffe May 27 · Morning · By Car Jun 2 · 1:00pm · WS17 DUB–YYC Pre-trip w/ family
Noel May 27 · 10:50am · WS18 YYC–DUB Jun 1 · 9:40am · WS43 DUB–YHZ Still hoping for a PJ
James May 27 · 8:15am · AC800 YYZ–DUB Jun 1 · 9:50am · AC801 DUB–YYZ
Kevin May 27 · 11:15am · EI521 CDG–DUB Jun 1 · 9:50am · AC801 DUB–YYZ Pre-trip w/ Sarah
Tom May 27 · 10:00am · DL292 DTW–DUB Jun 1 · 10:00am · DL293 DUB–DTW
Mike May 27 · 8:15am · AC800 YYZ–DUB Jun 1 · 9:50am · AC801 DUB–YYZ
Peter May 27 · 10:50am · WS18 YYC–DUB Jun 1 · 10:40am · WS47 DUB–YYZ→ WS645 YYZ–YYC
Brad May 27 · 10:50am · WS18 YYC–DUB Jun 1 · 10:40am · WS47 DUB–YYZ
Jeremi May 26 · 8:15am · AC800 YYZ–DUB Jun 1 · 9:50am · AC801 DUB–YYZ
III.

The Itinerary

Day by day, hour by hour. Times are firm where reservations are held; open blocks invite discovery.

A note on the forecasts.  The trip falls just outside Met Éireann's reliable forecast window, so what's shown for each day reflects long-range outlook and seasonal climatology for the relevant region. Expect updates as the trip approaches.
Tuesday · May 26
Day One
Dublin
◐Forecast · Dublin
14° / 9°  Cool, often overcast with a chance of light showers. May is statistically Dublin's sunniest month — average ~5–6 hours of sun. Pack a light layer.
Long-range outlook · Met Éireann climatology
✦On This Day in Ireland
1873Religious tests for entrance to Trinity College, Dublin were abandoned by Act of Parliament — opening the university, after nearly three centuries, to Catholics and dissenters alike.
  • arrivals
    Shanny & Blake Arrive
    Early birds to Dublin.
  • evening
    A Quiet Night Before
    Settle in. Rest before the proper beginning.
Wednesday · May 27
Day Two
Dublin
◐Forecast · Dublin
15° / 9°  Variable spring weather — sunny spells with the chance of a passing shower. Atlantic fronts less frequent than earlier in the month. Decent walking weather.
Long-range outlook · Met Éireann climatology
✦On This Day in Ireland
1936The very first Aer Lingus flight took off — a five-passenger De Havilland Dragon called Iolar ("Eagle"), departing Baldonnel military aerodrome bound for Bristol. Suitable history for a day when most of the boys are flying in.
  • morning
    Main Party Arrival
    Dublin Airport. Transfer into the Liberties.
  • 3:00 pm
    Check-In
    Hyatt Centric The Liberties. Early check-in requested.
  • lunch
    A Proper First Meal
    Options: Pepper Pot · Fuscos · Leo Burdock · Fish Shop · Coppinger
  • 2:00 pm
    Whiskey Tasting
    Jameson or Roe & Co.
  • late afternoon
    The Oldest Pub in Ireland
    The Brazen Head. Since 1198, they say.
  • 7:30 pm
    Dinner
    Spitalfields.
    Reservation Held
  • nightcap
    Temple Bar Crawl
    A walkable arc, west to south:
    Temple Bar → Buskers on the Ball → Bad Bobs → The Palace Bar → Bowe's Lounge → The Stag's Head → The Long Hall → O'Donoghue's
    Begins in the heart of Temple Bar, drifts east along Fleet Street, then south through Dame Court and George's Street, ending at O'Donoghue's by Stephen's Green — easy taxis home.
Thursday · May 28
Day Three
Dublin
◐Forecast · Dublin
16° / 10°  Pleasant by Irish standards. Mostly cloudy with sunny breaks. Light winds. Reasonable conditions for the Storehouse and the city.
Long-range outlook · Met Éireann climatology
✦On This Day in Ireland
1779The poet and balladeer Thomas Moore was born at 12 Aungier Street, Dublin — author of The Minstrel Boy and the Irish Melodies, which set old Irish tunes to lyrics still sung in the country's pubs today.
  • breakfast
    A Slow Morning
    Two Pups · Soren & Son · Cheeky Piglet · Bakeology · The Fumbally · or sit-down at hotel
  • 11:00 am
    Guinness Storehouse Experience
    Guinness Storehouse.
    Reservation Held
  • 1:00 pm
    Lunch
    Hawkesmoor — backup at Guinness 1837 Brasserie.
  • afternoon
    Open Time
    Emergency gitch acquisition, as needed.
  • aperitivo
    Pre-Dinner Drink
    The Sidecar at The Westbury.
  • 8:15 pm
    Dinner
    BANG.
    Reservation Held
  • evening
    Cocktails
    From BANG, working north through the cocktail dens:
    9 Below (Stephen's Green) → Cafe en Seine (Dawson St) → Peruke & Periwig (Dawson St) → Blind Pig (Drury St) → Bar with No Name (Fade St) → Vintage Cocktail Club (Crown Alley) → Row Wines → over the Liffey to Fidelity (Capel St) → Bar 1661 (Green St)
    A south-to-north arc. The last two are across the river — only push that far if the night still has legs. Bar 1661 is the poitín shrine: worth it.
Friday · May 29
Day Four
Dublin → Connemara
◐Forecast · En Route & West
Dublin 14° → Connemara 13°  Conditions shift westward — the west catches the brunt of the Atlantic. Expect cloud cover, gusty winds, and the chance of showers as you approach the lodge. Bring waterproofs.
Long-range outlook · Met Éireann climatology
✦On This Day in Ireland
1798News of the rising in Leinster reached the north. County delegates meeting in Armagh voted out their hesitant directory, and the United Irishmen of Antrim and Down began organising for the open rebellion that would erupt within days.
  • breakfast
    Brunch Before the Road
    Two Pups · Soren & Son · Cheeky Piglet · Bakeology · The Fumbally · or at hotel
  • late morning
    Provisions
    Tesco. Drinks and snacks for the drive.
  • 11:45 am
    Coach Pick-Up
    Connemara Coaches. The long road west begins.
  • en route
    Two-Hour Drive
    Dublin westward to Ahascragh, County Galway.
  • 2:00 pm
    Distillery Tour & Tasting
    Ahascragh Distillery. Contact: Eoghan O'Reilly.
    Booked
  • en route
    Two-Hour Drive
    Deeper into Connemara, through the bogs and lakes.
  • 5:00 pm
    Check-In at the Lodge
    Lettery Lodge, Ballynahinch. The rest of the week is ours.
  • 6:30 pm
    Roast Dinner
    Lettery Lodge. First proper meal in the west.
  • evening
    Hang at the Lodge
    Fire. Whiskey. No schedule.
Saturday · May 30
Day Five
Ballynahinch
◐Forecast · Connemara
13° / 8°  Classic Connemara: shifting cloud, sun bursts, the chance of a shower at any moment. Light to moderate westerly winds. Spring grilse season — fishing conditions look promising.
Long-range outlook · Met Éireann climatology
✦At Ballynahinch
The estate's most famous resident was Richard "Humanity Dick" Martin (1754–1834) — MP for Galway, founder of the SPCA, and the man who pushed Britain's first animal welfare legislation through Parliament. The castle later belonged to Maharaja Ranjitsinhji, the cricketer-prince of Nawanagar, who bought it in 1924 for the salmon fishing.
  • 8:00–10:30 am
    Breakfast
    Owenmore Restaurant at Ballynahinch.
  • midday
    Paddock Time for Noel
    Sheep Farm. As promised.
  • afternoon
    Fishing on the Estate
    Bait or fly. Guides arranged for each pair or trio.
  • 8:00 pm
    Dinner
    Owenmore Restaurant at Ballynahinch.
    Reservation Held
  • after
    Drinks
    The Fisherman's Pub on the estate grounds.
Sunday · May 31
Day Six
Ballynahinch → Portmarnock
◐Forecast · West → East
Connemara 13° → Dublin 15°  Drier and brighter on the east coast as you head back. Sunny spells likely on arrival in Portmarnock; Atlantic moisture mostly stays west of the midlands.
Long-range outlook · Met Éireann climatology
✦On This Day in Ireland
1973Ireland completed accession to the European Economic Community — the modern EU — having joined on 1 January. It was the most consequential foreign-policy decision of the 20th century, ending generations of economic dependence on Britain.
  • 8:00–10:30 am
    Breakfast
    Owenmore Restaurant. Last morning in the west.
  • midday
    Patio Lunch
    The Terrace at Ballynahinch.
  • 2:00 pm
    Coach Pick-Up
    Connemara Coaches. Eastbound.
  • en route
    3.5-Hour Drive to Dublin
    Through the midlands back to the coast.
  • 4:00 pm
    Check-In
    Portmarnock Hotel. Coastal, quiet, close to the airport.
  • 7:30 pm
    Dinner
    Mamo. Reference: B6K494PV.
    Reservation Held
  • nightcap
    Final Drinks
    Jameson Bar at Portmarnock.
Monday · June 1
Day Seven
Departure
◐Forecast · Dublin Coast
15° / 9°  Coastal Dublin tends to hold the morning's calm; expect sunny spells with light breeze for the airport runs.
Long-range outlook · Met Éireann climatology
✦On This Day · An Irish-Canadian Note
1866Some 800 Fenian Brothers — Irish-American Civil War veterans under Colonel John O'Neill — crossed the Niagara River into Canada and captured Fort Erie. Their aim: to seize Canadian territory as leverage to free Ireland from Britain. A fitting historical curiosity for a flight day from Dublin to Toronto and Calgary.
  • onward
    Fly Out
    Flights staggered through the day. See arrivals table for details.
    June Bank Holiday · Reduced Transport
    June 1 is a national holiday in Ireland — public transport runs on a reduced schedule and many shops keep shorter hours. Build in extra time for taxis to the airport.
IV.

Room Assignments

Sleeping arrangements across the three properties.

Nights 1–2 · Dublin
Hyatt Centric The Liberties
  • Rm 1Blake · Handrea · Palmela
  • Rm 2Shanahan · Shaw
  • Rm 3Seto · Jeremi
  • Rm 4Hawkeswood · McKay
  • Rm 5Robitaille · Zed
  • Rm 6Madison · Iliffe
Nights 3–5 · Connemara
Lettery Lodge
  • Rm 1Blake · Shanahan · Zed
  • Rm 2Seto · Shaw
  • Rm 3Robitaille · Iliffe
  • Rm 4Madison · Jeremi
  • Rm 5Hawkeswood · McKay
Final Night · Coast
Portmarnock Resort
  • Rm 1Seto
  • Rm 2Robitaille
  • Rm 3Shanahan
  • Rm 4Hawkeswood
  • Rm 5Iliffe
  • Rm 6Jeremi
V.

Bookings & Expenses

Deposits and confirmed reservations. Amounts in CAD unless otherwise noted.

Item
Amount
Status
Hyatt The Liberties DepositFronted by Blake
$5,324.00
Paid
Ballynahinch Deposit — 50%Fronted by Kevin
$5,219.82
Paid
Ballynahinch Deposit — 50%Fronted by Kevin
$5,219.82
Paid
Guinness StorehouseFronted by Kevin
$873.78
Paid
BANG RestaurantFronted by Kevin
$360.74
Paid
Total Collected
$16,998.16
across 11 guests
Per-person share, to date
$1,545.29
Additional Reservations
Amount
Status
Ahascragh Distillery
—
Booked
Spitalfields DinnerCancellation within 24 hrs
€550
Booked
Connemara Coaches
€1,440
Booked
Portmarnock ResortCancellation within 48 hrs
€1,161.60
Booked
Contributions Received
Blake Madison Shanny Iliffe Tom McKay Jeremi Noel Zed Shaw
VI.

Contacts & Emergencies

Ground contacts for transport and experiences in the west.

Coach & Transfers
Tommy Nee
Connemara Coaches · 087 6544238
Distillery Host
Eoghan O'Reilly
Ahascragh Distillery
Portmarnock Dinner
Mamo
Reservation Ref: B6K494PV
Dublin Property
Hyatt Centric The Liberties
Early check-in requested · 3:00 pm
in case of emergency

Should something go sideways

Emergency Services
112  or  999Either works in Ireland — police, fire, ambulance.
Canadian Embassy · Dublin
+353 1 234 40007–8 Wilton Terrace, Dublin 2 · for lost passports & consular assistance
Lettery Lodge / Ballynahinch
+353 95 31006Castle reception · doubles as lost-key & nearest-doctor line
Portmarnock Resort
+353 1 866 0500Front desk · 24-hour reception
Hyatt Centric The Liberties
+353 1 563 1234Front desk · for late arrivals or lockouts
Currency & Cards
Euros (€) in the RepublicTap-to-pay near-universal · tipping 10% restaurants, round up at pubs
VII.

A Few Words of Irish

Words and phrases worth knowing — for ordering, toasting, and sounding less like a tourist.

Sláinte [SLAWN-cha]
"Health." The standard toast. Glasses up before the first sip — every time.
Sláinte mhaith [slawn-cha WAH]
"Good health." A fuller version of the toast, when the moment calls for it.
Craic [KRACK]
Fun, conversation, atmosphere. "What's the craic?" means "what's up?" — "the craic was mighty" means the night was excellent.
Fáilte [FAWL-cha]
"Welcome." Seen on doormats and pub signs. Céad míle fáilte — "a hundred thousand welcomes."
Grand [grand]
"Fine, OK, sufficient." Not literally grand — usually the opposite. "How are ye?" "Grand."
Fair play [fair PLAY]
"Well done, respect." Genuine praise, sincerely meant — even between strangers.
Your man [yer man]
"That guy" — a person whose name escapes the speaker. Counterpart: your one for women.
Eejit [EE-jit]
A fool. Affectionate when applied to friends, less so when applied to drivers.
Ye [yee]
"You all." Plural you, in regular use across Ireland. Standard, not slang.
Press [press]
A cupboard. "It's in the hot press" = the airing closet. Useful at the lodge.
Gas [gas]
Funny, hilarious. "He's gas" — that fellow is great craic.
Locked [LOCKED]
Drunk. Other regional synonyms: plastered, langered, ossified, in the horrors.
Jacks [jacks]
The toilet. "Where are the jacks?" — a useful phrase after a few pints.
Poitín [POH-cheen]
Ireland's traditional moonshine, distilled from grain or potatoes. Banned in 1661 — the year that names Bar 1661 — and only relegalised in 1997. Now enjoying a craft revival.
Story? [STORE-ee]
"What's up?" A casual hello, especially in Dublin. Usually answered with "not much".
Dia duit [JEE-uh GWITCH]
"Hello" — literally "God to you." Reply: Dia is Muire duit. Formal, but appreciated.
VIII.

Provisioning the Lodge

A SuperValu online order, timed for arrival at Lettery Lodge. Working list — to be finalised.

  • Wine
  • Beer
  • Whiskey
  • Vermouth
  • Wings
  • Chips
  • Gatorade
  • Velcro-palmed gloves for Noel
— to be expanded —