We continue to toast 25 years of creating Ireland vacations by extending our €25pp deposit AND offering you a 15% discount on any of our self-drive vacation packages! Book by 15th November 2024*
*CIE tours and Knitting tours not included
Stephanie was an amazing source of help, assistance and knowledge for our first trip to Ireland. She kept us informed of the every changing covid rules as well as adapted to our many - at least three- Read more »
Staff was extremely attentive and very flexible when it came to organizing our trip. All questions were answered quickly and in great detail. When some aspects of our selected trip had to be altered d Read more »
Stephanie at Irish Tourism booked our trip- she was wonderful to work with. I am picky about my rooms - when we booked the trip I requested more spacious accommodations and paid accordingly. We had Read more »
This tour means you will be based in 4 locations using them as a base from which to explore the surrounding areas. As a result, this tour is more relaxing and less hectic than other tours.
Your first excursion will depend on which airport you arrive at, whether it be Dublin, Shannon or Cork. Throughout the 12 nights you'll visit attractions such as Trinity College and Kilmainham Gaol in the capital. In the south east there's Powerscourt House, Kilkenny Castle and the Waterford Crystal exhibition. In Cork there's the Cobh heritage centre and of course Blarney Castle while the dingle peninsula and Killarney are your stops in Kerry, In Clare you'll visit the famous Cliffs of Moher and the Burren landscape. Just above Clare is Galway and from here you will see the Aran islands and Connemara. Finally, just 45 minutes north of Dublin you'll find the ancient Megalithic Tombs at Newgrange, Irelands most famous attraction as well as Trim castle and The Hill of Tara. Even though the Tour itinerary provided clearly shows how you will be able to pack as many of Irelands most historical and beautiful attractions into your stay, it is advised that you take some time out to enjoy the people and culture, for the full Irish experience!
Arrive Dublin Airport and meet with your experienced Irish driver/guide. All of the drivers we use are qualified guides and have great personalities that really will make your trip unforgettable. Take a short panoramic tour around the ancient parts of Dublin where the Vikings first settled over 1,000 years ago. Pass St. Patrick's Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral and visit the Old Jameson Distillery to learn about Irish whiskey production. Enjoy a sample before checking into your hotel. The evening is free for independent dining, either in your hotel or at one of Dublin’s superb restaurants. Overnight Dublin BB
This morning visit Trinity College which houses the famous Book of Kells, transcribed by 9th century monks. Continue on to a more modern attraction, The Guinness Storehouse, which tells the 250 year story of one of Ireland’s greatest exports. At the end of the tour, sample a pint of “The Black Stuff” whilst enjoying 360 degree panoramic views of the city from the Gravity Bar. In the afternoon, visit the 12th Century Christ Church Cathedral and the nearby St. Patrick’s Cathedral where Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, was Dean from 1713-1745. In the evening head to The Irish House Party for dinner and a special show with live traditional music and all-Ireland champion musicians and dancers. The music is interspersed with stories about Dublin and its unique characters. Overnight Dublin BB
View the green countryside as you leave Dublin behind. Tour the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens to learn about horse breeding and the pricey world of racing. See some of the magnificent animals as you walk around the stables. In the same grounds take a walk around the Japanese Gardens, laid out to represent the "Life of Man" from cradle to grave and considered the best of its type in Europe. Continue your drive south and stop at a farmhouse to sample home-made scones with tea and watch sheep dogs help their owner to round up a flock. Stop in the picturesque village of Adare to view cozy thatched cottages that line the main street and on to Killarney, famous for its scenic location. Check into your hotel for a 3-night stay and enjoy a superb dinner in the fine restaurant. Overnight Killarney DBB
Today you will discover the wonderful scenery of Killarney as you drive around the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views and you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. Continue through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville. On the return, pass through the colourful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Stop for a stroll through the splendid Muckross Gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before dinner in your hotel. Overnight Killarney DBB
After breakfast, travel to the Dingle Peninsula and see some of the glorious scenery for which this region is renowned and made famous by such movies as "Ryan's Daughter" and "Far & Away." See the long, sandy stretches of Inch Strand and admire views across the bay to the Iveragh Peninsula. Make a brief stop in the charming town of Dingle before continuing to the westernmost tip of the peninsula and visit the Blasket Centre which tells the story of the Blasket Islands, whose last inhabitants left in 1953. See beehive huts where early Christian monks lived and visit Gallarus Oratory, dating from the 8th century. It was built without mortar using vaulting techniques developed by Neolithic tomb-makers. Overnight Killarney DBB
Depart Killarney and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary on the way to visit the Cliffs of Moher. This wall of limestone rises to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Visit the Atlantic Edge Exhibition which brings to life the story of the Cliffs of Moher, presenting geology, wildlife & human aspects of the Cliffs in an entertaining way. Drive through the Burren, an area of limestone rock covering imposing majestic mountains, and tranquil valleys with gently meandering streams. With its innate sense of spiritual peace, extraordinary array of flora and wildlife and megalithic tombs and monuments older than Egypt's pyramids, the Burren creates a tapestry of colour and a seductively magical aura which few people leave without wanting to experience again. Travel into Galway for a brief tour of the city center and enjoy some free time to browse around on your own. Continue your drive north to Cong for a 2 night stay in the famous Ashford Castle Hotel. Arrive in time to explore the grounds, go riding or play some golf before dinner. Afterwards you may like to listen to some music in the Dungeon Bar. Overnight Cong DBB
This morning drive through part of Connemara. This region of low hills, lakes and open bog land is impossibly harsh for farming but visually stunning. Admire sweeping views as you travel via Maam Cross and along the picturesque Inagh Valley to Leenane. This village was the location for the movie of "The Field". Embark on a catamaran cruise aboard the "Connemara Lady" around Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. You can see remains of houses and potato patches abandoned during the 1840's Famine as well as stunning scenery of unspoiled hills. Return to the village of Cong, famous as the location for the 1952 movie of The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald). Take a short walking tour to see some of the places that appeared in the movie and then enjoy some free time in the afternoon. Overnight Cong DBB
This morning travel eastward across the center of Ireland to Powerscourt, a lovely area set in the Wicklow Mountains and just south of Dublin city. Check into the luxurious Powerscourt Hotel, set in the grounds of Powerscourt Estate. In the afternoon take a guided tour around Powerscourt House & Gardens, first laid out in 1731. See the formal Italianate section, a walled garden, fish pond, cascades, grottos and terraces. Enjoy the great location and lovely facilities of your hotel before sitting down to a farewell dinner. Overnight Enniskerry DBB
After your final Irish breakfast, transfer to Dublin Airport in time for your return flight.
BB = Bed & Irish Breakfast DBB = Dinner, Bed & Irish Breakfast
We continue to toast 25 years of creating Ireland vacations by extending our €25pp deposit AND offering you a 15% discount on any of our self-drive vacation packages! Book by 15th November 2024*
*CIE tours and Knitting tours not included
Below, you will find a price for this self drive tour including your car rental. Pricing for other accommodation and transport options is also available upon request. Please also note that all of our driving tours itineraries and sightseeing guides are available to those wishing to avail of one of our experienced driver guides.
Notes
Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.
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For customers based in North America, please note that as we are based in Ireland, we are 5 hours ahead of EST.
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