Detailed Itinerary
Embark Azamara Quest beginning at 1:00PM. All aboard by 4:30PM.
Welcome Cocktails & Briefing this evening. Meet your fellow participants and PerryGolf staff.
Overnight: At Sea
The tiny Isle of Man has a lot to offer. Douglas' lovely seafront is lined with picturesque hotels and restaurants, and can be traversed by horse-drawn trams as it has been since 1876. There's a medieval fortress in Castletown; a ruined castle on the Isle of St. Patrick where tales of Vikings, monks, and a ghost dog abound; and the village of Cregneash, where people live in thatched cottages, speak the native Manx language, and practice traditional trades and crafts. Front gardens on residential streets are a standout, awash in colour and scent.
Enjoy The Isle of Man on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®
Overnight: At Sea
GOLF: Today play Royal County Down. Located in the town of Newcastle to the south of Belfast. Consistently ranked in the top 10 courses in the world, this is a true test of links golf set against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne. Host to the 2007 Walker Cup Match featuring a young local by the name of Rory McIlroy, and an all-star USA line-up.
SIGHTSEEING: Belfast in the early 20th century had the largest and most productive shipyard in the world, gaining global renown with the launch of the RMS Titanic. Located on the slipways where she was built is a stunning new museum, opened in time for the 100th anniversary of Titanic’s only voyage and tragic demise. Today the city and riverfront are undergoing a 21st century transformation, but many exuberant Victorian and Edwardian buildings still sport the carved heads of kings and queens. As you explore the city, keep an eye out for “the murals.” These somewhat troubling freelance works appearing on building walls provide insight into the period known simply as “The Troubles.”
Enjoy Belfast on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: In Port – Belfast, Ireland
A second day to enjoy Belfast before our early afternoon departure for Donegal.
Enjoy Belfast on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
GOLF: Today play Donegal Golf Club, located on the Murvagh peninsula in South Donegal, which was originally designed by Eddie Hackett, a legend of Irish golf course architecture, and is often called the Muirfield of Ireland. Over the years the course has been re-molded by the "Master of Links design" Pat Ruddy. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Donegal Bay and a designated Special Area of Conservation, the panoramic views of Donegal Bay and the surrounding countryside are sensational and the peninsula itself is steeped in local and ancient history. It has been a regular host to national Irish events.
SIGHTSEEING: Described by National Geographic Traveler as the “Coolest Place on the Planet for 2017,” Donegal is a nature lover’s paradise, located at the mouth of River Elke in NW Ireland. Any visit here must include a self-guided tour at Donegal Castle, which was built in the 15th century and is adjacent to the town square, providing convenient access to shopping and dining options. While you’re there, pick up a jacket or cap made of Donegal Tweed, hand-woven and unique due to its pattern and heathered effect. Sitting on the outskirts of town, the ruins of The Abbey of the Four Masters overlook the water where the River Elke flows into Donegal Bay. Glenveagh National Park is a lush, green oasis. A few miles north of town admire the majestic cliffs of Sliabh Liag and take a comfortable walk around the scenic and serene Lough Eske.
Enjoy Donegal on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
Galway sits on the west coast of Ireland where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. Start your day in the town hub of Eyre Square, a public park adjacent to a collection of shops and pubs where traditional Irish folk music provides the soundtrack during the afternoons and evenings. The Galway Cathedral is one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city. This Roman Catholic church features a mosaic of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. The Spanish Arch, located on the River Corrib, was built in 1584. Those seeking something a little spookier might be interested in the Lynch Memorial Window, where in 1493 legend has it the town mayor hung his son for murdering a visitor.
Enjoy Galway on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
GOLF: Ballybunion Old is carved from the earth, amid the dunes beside the ocean and features dramatic changes in elevation. It’s the most famous links in Ireland, in part because American professional Tom Watson, the five-time Open Champion, professed his love for the layout when he hoisted the Claret Jug in 1982. A natural, elemental design it is cut from the same cloth as Pebble Beach or St. Andrews, courses that needed only slight refinement by the hand of men.
SIGHTSEEING: Foynes is a tiny village but a major port in County Limerick in midwest Ireland. While there are less than 1,000 residents, Foynes is home to the Flying Boat & Maritime Museum which features historical archives and interactive exhibits. Tour the only replica B-314 Flying Boat in the world, enjoy a panoramic view in the reinstated control tower and learn about the movie stars and celebrities who spent time here in the 1930s and 1940s. Also discover the village’s connection to the U.S. Civil War and discover the story behind the origin of Irish Coffee - enjoying a taste for yourself, of course.
Enjoy Foynes on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
SIGHTSEEING: Immortalized in a popular Irish folk song, Bantry Bay is one of Ireland’s most captivating seaside scenes. Tendering in Bantry Harbour within the Bay, you’ll have uninterrupted views of Whiddy Island and the postcard-perfect town of Bantry. Once ashore, hop on the ferry to Whiddy for a leisurely tour around the island by foot or by bike - easily done in a couple of hours. Be sure to stop by the lone pub on the island for a friendly welcome by the locals and some famous Irish craic (Gaelic for good times). Back in town, a visit to Bantry House is a must. It’s one of Ireland’s most elaborate, attractive great houses, with gorgeous gardens and an eclectic collection of artwork inside. The area’s natural beauty is matched only the warmth of its people. Explore nearby communities around the scenic Beara Peninsula and meet those that appreciate a slower pace, and value the good things in life. Stroll quartz-white beaches in Allihies. Discover mysterious ancient monuments in Eyeries. Feel the spray of Ireland’s highest waterfall in Adrigole. With endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, and heaps of attractions for history buffs, this gorgeous corner of Ireland’s west coast has something to suit every travel style.
Enjoy Bantry Bay on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
Two Golf Courses operate today;
GOLF: Old Head is perched atop a cliff in a dramatic portion of Ireland, the links being one of the world’s most discussed courses as golfers appreciate not only its magnificent beauty but also the diverse strategic options in ever-changing winds. The par-5 No. 17, ‘Lighthouse’ requires golfers to challenge the rugged coastline - or play conservatively and deal with a blind approach. The home hole is a daunting dogleg left par-4 with trouble awaiting on both sides of the fairway. Old Head has limited availability and is played by our earliest-booking main program guests.
GOLF: Fota Island Deerpark Course, located on a 780-acre island in Cork Harbour. Routed through mature woodlands and highlighted by pot bunkers and double greens with undulating slopes. The course was host venue to the PGA European Tour Irish Open in 2001 and 2002. Fota is played by our guests not playing Old Head – reduced pricing applies.
SIGHTSEEING: Located on Ireland’s southeast coast in County Cork, the quaint seaside town of Cobh (old Irish for cove) is known for its great maritime heritage and seafaring history. As Ireland’s only dedicated cruise terminal, Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people that immigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. It remains a popular port of call today for cruise liners from all over the world in part due to the fact that Cobh was the last port of call for RMS Titanic. Cobh has remained largely unchanged since that fateful day in 1912 with brightly colored houses along streets that climb to the top of the hill which is crowned by the imposing Cobh Cathedral, St. Coleman's Cathedral with its carillon of 47 bells. On the waterfront there is a statue of Annie Moore who was the first person admitted to the United States through the new immigration center at Ellis Island on January 1, 1892.
Enjoy Cobh on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
The Viking traders who founded Waterford in 914 were not the first to settle in this vicinity; Neolithic standing stones and megalithic tombs testify to much older cultures. A veritable march through the centuries continues with Norman forts, medieval abbeys, and numerous manor houses of 17th and 18th century vintage surrounded by primeval forests, and delightful gardens perfect for strolling.
Enjoy Waterford on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: At Sea
GOLF: Today play Jameson Links at Portmarnock Resort designed by Bernhard Langer and opened for play in 1995. As a three-time winner of the Irish Open at nearby Portmarnock Golf Club and The Royal Dublin Golf Club it was fitting that Langer chose this magnificent setting to design his first links course set in the grounds of the old Jameson Estate of St. Marnocks. The course has played host to professional and amateur events including 2008 and 2009 Ladies Irish Open. Note: Golf cart venue.
SIGHTSEEING: A good place to begin is The National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street for a well-designed archaeological collection featuring Bronze Age gold jewelry and Viking swords. The stars of the show are the “bog people” — preserved corpses of men who were killed (presumably sacrificed) and tossed into peat bogs during the Iron Age. The preservative qualities are remarkable. Dublin is home to St Patrick’s Cathedral of course but much of Ireland’s history can be read in Christ Church Cathedral, which dates back to circa 1030. Dublin’s booming culinary scene is found along Exchequer Street where The Green Hen has won many admirers with its combination of French atmosphere and Franco-Irish cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. Try the pan-fried duck breast. Finally, while craft beer is certainly the popular new thing, a pint of “the black stuff” is still required drinking on any trip to Dublin. The Guinness Storehouse museum at the St. James’s Gate brewery explains how the stout is made and how to pull a proper pint at the correct 45-degree angle and waiting 119.5 seconds before topping it off.
Enjoy Dublin on your own or via Azamara Shore Excursions®.
Overnight: In Port – Dublin, Ireland
Disembark Azamara Quest at 9:00AM.