All excursions will take place on

Friday, 21st August, 2026

Timings given below are approximate and there may be minor amendments which will be confirmed later.

Even in August, it can rain in Ireland, so be sure to bring appropriate rain wear and comfortable walking shoes on your excursion.

If you have mobility issues, and would like to join one of our excursions, please contact us using our website contact form linked at the foot of this webpage, and we will do our best to help you.

We thank Fáilte Ireland for their subvention grant which will support our excursions.

Excursion booking is available via the conference registration webpage:

St. Patrick's Cathedral & Marsh's Library, Dublin

This day trip will depart Maynooth 09.15 and return 17.00. It includes a guided tour of St Patricks' Cathedral, a hot lunch at the nearby Hyatt Centric Hotel, and a guided tour of Marsh's Library, plus coach transfers to and from Maynooth.

£ 66.00 per person includes coach transfers, guided tours, and lunch.

Georgian Dublin Walk & the Irish Architectural Archive

This full-day tour will depart 08.45 and return 17.15. It begins with a 2-hour guided walking tour of the Leinster House and Merrion Square area of Dublin's south city centre. A lunch break in the National Gallery of Ireland self-service restaurant is included where guests must purchase their own lunch. The afternoon will be a guided tour of the Irish Architectural Archive in Merrion Square. Coach transfers from Maynooth and back are included.

£ 32.00 per person includes coach transfers from Maynooth and back, and guided tours, but does not include lunch.

Brú na Bóinne, Newgrange & Knowth

This day trip will leave at 10.30 and return at approximately 18.00. (There will be a casual dress code for the 18.30 welcome buffet!). Hot lunch in the Brú na Bóinne café precedes viewing the Visitor Centre exhibition, followed by a shuttle bus first to Knowth for a guided tour of the exterior and the on-site exhibition rooms, then to Newgrange for a guided tour of the chamber.

£51.00 per person includes coach transfers from Maynooth and back, admission fees, shuttle bus tour and lunch.

Castletown House & Parkland

Map of Castletown Parkland and River Walks, by permission of Castletown House/ OPW

This tour will depart 10.15 and return 16.00. It includes a 1 hour guided tour of Castletown House, followed by a walk through the parkland to a hot lunch at Michelangelo Restaurant in Celbridge town, walking back to Castletown House for coach transfer back to Maynooth.

£43.50 per person includes coach transfers from Maynooth and back, guided tour, and lunch at Michelangelo Restaurant.

Maynooth Historic Campus: Walking Tour

This two-hour walking tour will explore parts of the historic campus not often on public view including the magnificent Russell Library, the Science Museum, and the College Chapel. The tour will run 10.00-12.00 and a second tour may be offered in the afternoon depending on demand.

£10.00 per person. No refreshments are included but there are ample choices in the town of Maynooth.

Maynooth Castle is immediately adjacent to the South Campus but is not included in this tour. You are welcome to visit this historic site, entrance to which is free. Further information is available from OPW who manage the site:

https://heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/maynooth-castle/

Maynooth Heritage Trail & the Royal Canal Greenway

A free self-guided walking tour of Maynooth's historic and beautiful townscape, connecting with the Royal Canal Greenway, has been lovingly curated by Maynooth Tidy Towns and Kildare County Council. You can view the tour here:

https://maynoothtown.ie/maynooth-heritage-trail/

For details of the Royal Canal Greenway (pictured above), a 130 km flat towpath running from Maynooth to Longford that is freely open to walkers, runners, and cyclists, see:

https://www.waterwaysireland.org/our-waterways/royal-canal/royal-canal-greenway

The main departure and arrival point for all coach excursions from Maynooth Campus is a car park near the TSI building (59), and behind the John Paul II Library (31), as marked by a red arrow on the campus plan above.

In addition, we will offer pick-up and drop-off at the Glenroyal Hotel, by advance request only, which may oblige us to amend the stated times. Once you have booked your excursion, please use our website contact form linked below to request to be picked up or dropped off at the Glenroyal Hotel.

Coach pick-up & drop off point

The Google map linked above is provided in case you need help with navigation

Book cover critique with Jessica Bell

If you’re not out on an excursion, and free during the afternoon of Friday, 21 August, renowned book cover designer Jessica Bell is offering 10 minute individual slots between 2pm and 5pm to give feedback on your latest book cover. Jessica’s historical fiction clients include Melissa Addey, Jean Gill, Alison Morton, Tracey Warr and Lisa Bonnice.

You can see some of Jessica’s work here: https://www.jessicabelldesign.com/

When booking a slot with Jessica, you need to upload your latest cover and we will message you to confirm the time. The venue will be the TSI building. These slots are free, but places are limited.

We cannot guarantee that the same coach will be used for the outward and return journey for any of the excursions, so please do not plan to store your luggage or personal belongings on board.