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Natural and Cultural Discoveries in Celtic Lands – Ireland Luxury Cruise

Natural and Cultural Discoveries in Celtic Lands – Ireland Luxury Cruise

From AUD $6,990

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Description

PONANT invites you on an all-new 9-day cruise aboard Le Bellot for an exceptional immersion in Celtic lands, from Dublin to County Cork, via Wales and Northern Ireland.
From Dublin, the capital of Ireland boasting a convivial atmosphere and authentic charm, your ship will sail to the medieval town of Youghal. From the port, you can easily get to the historical Raleigh Quarter, home to St Mary’s Collegiate Church and the Clock Gate Tower. Walking along the old ramparts, which are among the best preserved in Ireland, you will be able to admire the views over the bay. An exploration of River Blackwater will reveal splendid country houses, including that of the Jameson sisters, direct descendents of John Jameson whose name is synonymous with Irish Whiskey.
You will then reach Ballycotton, a small and sheltered fishing port, renowned for its black lighthouse sitting on a rocky islet. You will be able to go all the way around the island in a zodiac dinghy. During a walk along the cliffs, you will perhaps be lucky enough to glimpse peregrine falcons, seals or dolphins. A short distance from there lies Fota House, a large 19th-century mansion home to a large collection of paintings, an arboretum and superbly restored gardens. 
Then, Le Bellot will reach the charming port of Kinsale, lying at the mouth of the Bandon estuary. With its narrow streets of colourful façades, its cafés, pubs, galleries and boutiques, Kinsale is one of Ireland’s most popular towns and enjoys a reputation as the country’s gastronomic capital.
In Baltimore, you will sail to the port in a tender among the legendary Carbery’s Hundred Isles, thus named in the poem, The Sack of Baltimore, by Irish writer Thomas Davis, evoking the worst pirate raid to ever take place in Europe, during summer 1631. You will land on Sherkin Island, populated with artists in summer. Along the narrow streets edged with fuchsias, small cottages and workshops seem to welcome visitors.
Your ship will head for the shores of Wales and you will sail around the island of Skomer in a zodiac dinghy. This national nature reserve surrounded by spectacular cliffs is one of the country’s most beautiful sites. An ornithological paradise, it is teeming with many species, for example, Manx shearwaters, razorbills, gannets and fulmars. The waters surrounding the island are some of the British Isles’ richest in terms of fauna and flora. At the end of the summer, you can observe seals, dolphins and porpoises as well as the strange sunfish.
Le Bellot will then make a port of call at Fishguard, a small and peaceful coastal town nestling in the hollow of two hills, an ideal starting point for exploring the Welsh countryside.
Finally, you will head for Warrenpoint, a seaside resort in Northern Ireland set in an exceptional natural environment, which promises beautiful walks in the Silent Valley Mountain Park, before arriving in Dublin, where your cruise will come to an end.

Trip Name
Natural and Cultural Discoveries in Celtic Lands - Ireland Luxury Cruise
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 131 metres Passenger Capacity: 184 Built: 2019-2020 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Bellot will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. In a relaxed atmosphere, an outdoor grill on Deck 3 will serve grilled meats with a variety of salads and desserts. PUBLIC AREAS Le Bellot has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides:   Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 DUBLIN
 The Irish capital stretches along the banks of the Liffey to Dublin bay, on the East coast of Ireland. Discover Ireland’s warm conviviality in the pedestrian district of Temple Bar. Its cobbled streets are brimming with fabulous shops, pubs and arts centres. Next to Trinity College, famous for its 18th century library, you can stroll along Grafton Street: in one of its famous tea shops, try a delicious scone and clotted cream served hot and melt-in-the-mouth with jam. Not far from here, the majestic O’Connell bridge leads you to the avenue with the same name, on which Spire, a luminous contemporary sculpture presides.
Day 2 - Day 2 YOUGHAL
 The historic town of Youghal, in south-west Ireland's County Cork, lies at the mouth of the River Blackwater, which flows into the Irish Sea. A fortified medieval town, Youghal boasts numerous historic buildings inside some of the best-preserved ancient ramparts in Ireland. A stroll through the old town will take you to the 13th-century Saint Mary's Collegiate Church, the 700-year-old Clock Gate Tower and the gardens of Youghal College. Some architectural wonders lie hidden along the banks of the River Blackwater: the country homes of the town's great landowners and distillers.
Day 3 - Day 3 BALLYCOTTON & KINSALE
 This picturesque fishing village is typical of West Cork, the wild, windswept coastline of south-west Ireland. You will be enchanted by the warm atmosphere of the traditional pubs and first-rate seafood restaurants, supplied directly by local fishermen. The huge beaches surrounding Ballycotton are extraordinary, and contain nature reserves where you can spot a large number of marine wildlife. The lighthouse, which stands on a small island opposite Ballycotton, is a well-known attraction as it is one of the world’s only three black lighthouses.
Day 4 - Day 4 KINSALE
 Considered Ireland’s most beautiful village, Kinsale will captivate you with its sublime natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Located at the mouth of the Bandon River in County Cork, this charming little port is home to picturesque streets lined with colourful houses, art galleries and theatres, as well as to a 17th-century fort. Not far away, perched on a rocky promontory, stands the Old Head of Kinsale Lighthouse: still in operation today, it has magnificent views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Day 5 - Day 5 BALTIMORE
 The magnificent West Cork area on the south-west tip of Ireland is home to Baltimore: a charming fishing village seemingly at the world’s end. It lies in an extraordinary landscape with immense beaches, a steep coastline, rocky cliffs and secret coves. You can admire the 13th-century castle of Dún na Séad, which bears witness to the sack of Baltimore in the 17th century, when pirates attacked the village, kidnapping over 100 inhabitants. The famous white stone Baltimore Beacon towers majestically over the bay, offering one of the finest views of the coast.
Day 6 - Day 6 SKOMER ISLAND
 Skomer is a Welsh island with a unique atmosphere. Lying off the south coast of Pembrokeshire, Skomer is famous as a home to a wide variety of seabirds, and one of the most beautiful natural sites in Wales, with its rugged coastline, spectacular cliffs, sheltered bays and coves, seals and wild flowers. The island, which has not been inhabited since 1950, is now a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Scientific Interest and a Protected Area. It contains traces of human occupation dating back to the Iron Age, with remains of prehistoric houses, burial cairns and menhirs.
Day 7 - Day 7 FISHGUARD
 A small coastal town located in the South Wales, Fishguard will offer you a peaceful stop during your cruise. Nestling in the hollow of two hills, the city, once a Viking trading post, is now the ideal starting point for exploring the Welsh countryside. Across its vast expanses of fertile land, its green valleys and its magnificent moors, the region will reveal its rich historical heritage to you. Among other things, you will be able to visit mediaeval Pembroke Castle, renowned for its impressive architecture and the illustrious people who have lived there, such as Gerald de Windsor.
Day 8 - Day 8 WARRENPOINT
 On the shores of Carlingford Lough, a fjord marking the eastern end of the border between Ireland and the UK, lies the charming seaside resort of Warrenpoint. Set in stunning natural surroundings and dominated by the Mournes and Cooley peaks, the area is ideal for walking. It is also the starting point for an escape to discover the archaeological site of Fort Navan, also known as Emain Macha, once considered the capital of the Ulster kings. At the Castle Ward, a Victorian tower house, you can gain an insight into the lives of its inhabitants in the 18th century. Or you may prefer to learn about the history of Belfast's water supply at Silent Valley Park.
Day 9 - Day 9 DUBLIN
 The Irish capital stretches along the banks of the Liffey to Dublin bay, on the East coast of Ireland. Discover Ireland’s warm conviviality in the pedestrian district of Temple Bar. Its cobbled streets are brimming with fabulous shops, pubs and arts centres. Next to Trinity College, famous for its 18th century library, you can stroll along Grafton Street: in one of its famous tea shops, try a delicious scone and clotted cream served hot and melt-in-the-mouth with jam. Not far from here, the majestic O’Connell bridge leads you to the avenue with the same name, on which Spire, a luminous contemporary sculpture presides.
Day 10 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $7,420Deluxe Stateroom
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $7,820Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $12,760Privilege Suite
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $12,760Privilege Suite Deck 6
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $13,150Grand Deluxe Suite
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $13,150Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $20,080Owner's Suite
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $8,050Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $8,350Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $11,230Deluxe Suite Deck 6
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $11,230Deluxe Suite
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $11,230Deluxe Suite Deck 4
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $11,230Deluxe Suite Deck 5
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $12,070Prestige Suite Deck 5
19-08-202527-08-2025AUD $12,450Prestige Suite Deck 6
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $6,990Deluxe Stateroom
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $7,370Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $7,580Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $7,870Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $10,560Deluxe Suite Deck 4
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $10,560Deluxe Suite Deck 6
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $10,560Deluxe Suite Deck 5
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $10,560Deluxe Suite
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $11,350Prestige Suite Deck 5
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $11,710Prestige Suite Deck 6
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $12,000Privilege Suite Deck 6
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $12,000Privilege Suite
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $12,370Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $12,370Grand Deluxe Suite
27-08-202504-09-2025AUD $20,080Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • An all-new expedition cruise through Ireland and Wales, discovering authentic landscapes, rich fauna and flora, and Celtic culture.
    • Outings and shore visits in a zodiac dinghy with a team of naturalist-guides.
    • A PONANT exclusive for three Irish ports of call: Youghal, Ballycotton and Baltimore.
    • A brand-new port of call: Skomer Island, a paradise for seabirds and marine mammals.
    • Landscapes: rocky islets, small sheltered coves, sheer cliffs, mountains, woods, parks.
    • Wildlife: seals, dolphins, peregrine falcons, Skomer voles, Manx shearwaters, razorbills, gannets, fulmars, harbour porpoises, common dolphins, sunfish.

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