My family and I cannot recommend Lisheen Castle and the Ireland Tour more highly! In every respect, this was the vacation of a lifetime, and my family will never forget it. To start with, the Castle itself is simply breathtaking. Inside and out, it has been restored with fidelity to its 19th century splendor and as guests, we felt as if we had been transported back in time 200 years--yet with all the modern conveniences of the 21st century. The interior design is exquisite, with each antique piece, from the suit of armor in the hallway, to the multiple marble fireplaces, to the wood-fired cooking stove in the kitchen, to each painting, tapestry, and plate on the walls--carefully selected to capture the spirit and mood of the Castle.
In addition to the Castle itself, the ground are simply stunning--pastoral and meticulously maintained. My partner and I planned our family trip around our 25th anniversary, and we chose Lisheen Castle in part due to the picturesque beauty of the location, with its manicured lawns and flower gardens against the rustic stone of the castle. The pictures both we and the professional photographer we hired for our re-commitment ceremony were extraordinary.
The Irish Touring Vacation package was worth every penny--and then some. The tour guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and funny. Each of the tours was carefully planned and every detail thought through in advance so we never had to worry about transportation, parking, admission fees, where to eat, or any other time consuming detail. We simply had to show up and enjoy! Which brings me to the food: perhaps the best part of the Package.
Chef Ursula was not only warm and friendly, with a big, perpetual smile; her food was out of this world! Each meal was perfectly planned, beautifully cooked, and artfully presented. While remaining authentically Irish, there was wonderful variety and inventiveness in the dishes, and the whole family just couldn't get enough of it. The kitchen team--Anne Marie, Ailish, Joe, and Sharon--were exceptionally fast and attentive and could not have been kinder, friendlier, or more accommodating. It was like eating at a fine dining restaurant every night.
Perhaps the most important element of our holiday at Lisheen Castle was the hospitality. From the tour guides, to the bus drivers (thank you Tom and Francis!), to the team at the Castle, everyone we encountered was genuine, outgoing, friendly, and just plain nice.