2024 Vacations

Book early and save 15%

Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 31st of May 2024 to receive a 15% discount off your tour price!
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or special event packages.

Tour Overview

‘Excellent’

This 5 centre driving tour of Ireland is perfect for the traveller who prefers to explore the countryside from a number of bases rather than switch accommodations every night or two.

This tour can be accessed from any of Ireland's International airports although ideally entering and departing via Dublin would be the easiest option.

The tour will allow the customer a greater amount of time to get to know the areas in which they are residing and of course the locals that reside in those locations. One of the greatest advantages of the 5 Centre Tour is that you will undoubtedly feel considerably more rested at the end of the tour than someone who has taken the alternative 8 day tour where they stay in each location for just one or two nights.

Your first journey will depend on your airport of arrival, whether it be Dublin, Shannon or Cork. For this itinerary, we will be using Dublin airport as the starting point. This 14 night tour will enable you to visit Ireland’s most famous sights including Trinity College and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Powerscourt House & the Waterford Crystal Factory in the South East, Blarney Castle and the Cobh Heritage Centre in Cork, Killarney and the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher and the ‘Burren Landscape’ of County Clare and Galway Bay and the Aran Islands in the west of Ireland. From there travel north to County Donegal via Sligo (or Yeats County) and into Derry in Northern Ireland to visit the wondrous Giants Causeway back towards Dublin and on route you may wish to visit Ireland's most popular attraction, the ancient Megalithic Tombs at Newgrange, just 45 minutes north of Dublin.

This tour will leave the traveller with a wonderful array of memories of the diverse scenery and cultural differences that they will encounter from one side of the country to the other. While the accents and dialects of the spoken word will vary greatly while journeying from County Dublin in the east of Ireland to the western counties of Cork, Kerry and Clare, the one unchanging constant will be the level of friendliness, humour & welcome that you receive throughout your travels.

What's included

  • Accommodation in rooms with Private Bathroom Facilities 
  • Full Irish Breakfast Each Morning
  • Rental Car or Chauffeur Driven Car
  • 24/7 Local Telephone Support During Your Trip
  • Our Renowned Customized Sightseeing Guide
  • Unlimited Services of Experienced Ireland Based Travel Planner
  • Map of Ireland

Tour highlights

  • Cobh Heritage Centre
  • Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms
  • Titanic Walk
  • Bantry House & Gardens
  • Blasket Centre
  • Crag Cave & Kingdom Falconry
  • Desmond Castle & Wine Museum
  • Kinsale
  • Mizen Head Signal Station
  • Molly Gallivans Cottage & Farm
  • Skellig Experience
  • Garnish Island
  • Blarney Castle
  • Hunt Museum
  • Limerick
  • King Johns Castle
  • Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms

Overnights for this tour

  • Kilkenny for 3 Nights
  • Kerry for 3 Nights
  • Galway/Mayo for 2 Nights
  • Donegal/Derry for 3 Nights
  • Dublin for the last 3 Nights

Accommodation options

  • Superior & First Class Hotels
  • Luxury Accommodation & Service in our 4-Star Country Manor Houses
  • Deluxe Accommodation in our 4 & 5 Star Irish Castles
  • Our Recommended & Handpicked B&B's, all rooms with private bath facilities
  • Any Combination of the above

Tour itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Shannon

Arrive Shannon 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. Drive the short distance to Vandeleur Walled Gardens. The beautiful old stone walls contain this sheltered garden (2.158 acres), which is set among 420 acres of native woodland. After the visit, take the short ferry crossing over the River Shannon into County Kerry and travel to the Heritage town of Listowel stopping to visit The Garden of Europe which also houses Ireland's only public monument to the memory of the millions who died in the Holocaust. Continue on to Killarney, Ireland’s premier tourist resort. After checking into your hotel, take a stroll through the town centre, visit Killarney National Park and Muckross House or take a boat ride around one of its lakes. Overnight Killarney DBB

Day 2 - Ring of Kerry

After breakfast, travel around the famed Ring of Kerry towards Kilorglin and Cahirciveen stopping at Kells Bay Gardens. The gardens contain one of the foremost collections of Southern hemisphere plants, mainly from Australia, New Zealand and South America. Leaving Kells Bay Gardens, we head for Valentia Island and Glanleam, an 18th century house with 50 acres of superb tropical gardens, most of which are now dense woodlands. The wonderful setting with a beach, a lighthouse and acres of green fields surrounding the house, make it perfect to soothe body and soul. Continue around the 100 mile scenic route passing through the colourful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Overnight Killarney DBB

Day 3 - Bantry House & Gardens

This morning, we head south on a picturesque drive to Bantry, stopping at Bantry House And Gardens. The house has a collection of tapestries, furniture and art treasures which were mainly collected by the 2nd Earl of Bantry, Richard White, during his travels through Europe in the 1800s. The Gardens are home to sub tropical plants and shrubs - reflecting the best in European design and style. Features within the 45 acre grounds are the Hundred Steps, the Italian Garden and the largest Wisteria circle in Ireland. Continue on eastwards to Lisselan Gardens, designed in the 1800s and laid out in Robinsonian style, enhancing the natural features and contours provided by the valley and the river Argideen flowing throughout. This garden provides visitors with magnificent seasonal colours and has 12ha of gardens and woodlands with a variety of plants, trees, shrubs and flowers that flourish in this mild Gulf Stream enhanced climate. Travel back to Killarney via Blarney, to visit the famous castle and stone which, according to legend, gives the gift of eloquence to all who kiss it. Enjoy a stroll around the village green or visit Blarney Woollen Mills which houses quality Irish made goods. Overnight Killarney DBB

Day 4 - Depart Shannon

After breakfast, make our way back to Shannon Airport via Adare, known as the prettiest village in Ireland. Adare is lined with stone thatch cottages, some of which are craft & art shops, and contains two Abbeys and a Priory which date back to 13th century. Continue to Shannon Airport via Limerick and Bunratty Castle where a short stop will be made for any last minute shopping. Arrive at Shannon Airport in time to check in for your flight home.

Route map

Tour attractions

2024 Vacations

Book early and save 15%

Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 31st of May 2024 to receive a 15% discount off your tour price!
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or special event packages.

Tour Prices

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.

ACCOMMODATION WITH CAR RENTAL PRICING

Notes

  • Please note prices are per person based on 2 persons in each room with full Irish breakfast and taxes included.
  • The Combination package includes 5 Nights in 3*** Hotels, 6 nights in Luxury Manor House Hotels & 3 Nights in our hand-picked B&B's.
  • Children Sharing with 2 adults (aged 2-11) pay 40% of the Adult option.
  • Children under the age of 2 are free when sharing with 2 Adults.
  • Your Accommodation & Car Rental Package rate includes an Economy class car eg., Opel Corsa or Fiat Punto.
  • Included with your car is all compulsory insurances - Collision Damage Waiver insurance (CDW with an excess/deductible), theft protection insurance, location fee of €30, Road fund tax, sales tax at 13.5%, unlimited free mileage, third party liability insurance, 24 hour peace of mind break down cover.

Private Chauffeur Option Available For This Tour

  • Enjoy the services of an experienced and friendly driver guide
  • Luxury vehicles so you get to travel in style and comfort
  • Take the stress out of driving on unfamiliar and sometime narrow roads
  • With our knowledgeable drivers you see more in less time
  • You get to see the scenery instead of worrying about crashing into it!
  • Contact Us for a price quotation today

Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.

Detailed Enquiry Form

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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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