Guide

Local knowledge, entertaining commentary and bookings service from your professional driver tour guide

Others

TOUR INCLUSIONS: 8 Full days on tour Services of a highly-trained and professional Irish Experience tour guide 7 delicious and hot filling Irish breakfasts 8 Full days in a luxury touring vehicle Guided tour of Killarney National Park Experience traditional Irish music sessions in local cosy pubs Sheep Dog demonstration in a locally run family farm Entrance fee to Westport House, Kylemore Abbey, Blarney Castle, Ross Castle and Cliffs of Moher Ferry journey across the River Shannon Leisure time to pursue independent interests Train journey from Cork to Dublin on final day Easygoing walks or activities for all levels of fitness (optional) All relevant taxes

Accommodation

7 Overnights : Westport x 1, Clifden x 2, Doolin x 1, Dingle x 2, Killarney x 1 CLASSIC B&B/HOTEL Enjoy a warm Irish welcome in charming and locally owned bed and breakfast & simple comfort-class hotels. Select Twin or Double private room accommodation on your tour. Solo travelers need to upgrade accommodation to a single private room. All rooms include a private bathroom and you will be served a delicious breakfast, we also cater to vegetarians, vegans, and many more. PREMIUM HOTEL Specially selected for both quality and location and with an average rating of 4 stars. Select Twin or Double private room accommodation on your tour. Solo travelers need to upgrade accommodation to a single private room. All rooms include a private bathroom and you will be served a delicious breakfast, we also cater to vegetarians, vegans, and many more.

Meals

B&B: Choice of continental or cooked breakfast every morning

Transport

Bus transport around Southern Ireland The train journey from Cork city on Day 8 of the tour

Hygieneprotocol

We understand that the decision to travel is a personal one. What matters most is that you feel comfortable, and there are many factors that determine that. Some are within our control and some aren’t, but we believe the Irish Experience style of travel is particularly well-suited to these unusual times. Irish Experience Tours has received the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Safe Travels stamp and Ireland’s Safety Charter. , which provides travellers with the assurance that we have adopted health and hygiene on both national and global standardised protocols – so you can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

Not included:

Insurance

Others

Lunch and dinner Food and Drinks Gratuities (optional) Flights Travel Insurance Dublin Accommodation pre or post tour Any flexible and optional activities named below

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Scenic Journey To Westport
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Scenic Journey To Westport

Leave the capital and enjoy the scenic journey to Ireland’s most beautiful region of Westport, in the West of Ireland.

Enjoy a guided tour of Westport house. Explore historic Westport House one of County Mayo’s best-loved attractions with beautiful parklands, lakes and a fascinating history of Westport House that goes back to the 1500s when the famous Pirate Queen of Connaught, Grace O’Malley, built one of her castles here.

You will have the evening free to experience this most exciting market town, full of fantastic pubs and restaurants, many with traditional Irish music. Listen out for the Irish language - Gaeilge - being spoken by some locals and take in the many and varied cultural experiences awaiting you.

The next morning, after a full Irish breakfast, you will be brought on a wonderful tour of one of Ireland’s most scenic regions - Connemara.

Overnight in Westport
Day 2 Day 2: Westport To Clifden
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Westport To Clifden

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to meet your guide and head out for a tour of the Westport/Connemara Region

Visit the ruins of 16th-century Murrisk Abbey and the National Famine Memorial.

Drive through the breathtaking Doolough Valley and of its tragic and haunting past

Discover the picture-postcard beauty of Killary Fjord & mystic fairy trees.

Listen to toe-tapping Irish music in local pubs

Overnight in Clifden
Day 3 Day 3: Full Day Wild Connemara
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Full Day Wild Connemara

We spend another day and night in the wilderness of Connemara, so you don’t need to repack your suitcase. Just relax and enjoy.

After breakfast is yours to design. Relax with downtime in Clifden.

Meet your guide and head out for a tour of the Connemara Region

Visit Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland’s most beautiful buildings

Wander Kylemore’s wonderful landscaped gardens.

Discover the picture-postcard beauty of the Inagh Valley & Sky Road.

Scenic drive via Killary Fjord and mountains

Accommodation tonight is once again in Connemara

The average driving time today is 2 hours.
Day 4 Dunguaire Castle, The Burren & Doolin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Dunguaire Castle, The Burren & Doolin

Travel along the Wild Atlantic Way with your driver/guide via Galway Bay & The Burren Region

Explore the lunar landscape of the Burren and travel along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Your first photo stop is at the 16th Century Dunguaire Castle on the outskirts of Kinvara. One of the most photographed castles in the whole of Ireland.

Then it’s on through the glacio-karst landscape of the Burren and past by Corcomroe Abbey.

You will follow the Coast Road with views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands, making a short stop to walk on the lunar-like landscape of the Burren

Arrive in Doolin village in the late afternoon with plenty of time to visit the local craft shops, colourful cafes and lively pubs.
Day 5 Day 5: Mighty Cliffs Of Moher & Sheep Dog Herding
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Mighty Cliffs Of Moher & Sheep Dog Herding

This morning you can choose to visit the Cliffs of Moher centre with your guide, where there is an abundance of things to see and do (Cliffs of Moher Edge, Cafes, shops and museums) or you can opt for a self-guided trail along the Atlantic cliff walk.

This is a pleasant stroll along the Atlantic edge to the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher standing 214m (702 feet) above sea level. You will see the gradual rise of the cliffs in the distance, depending on the weather, the waves of the Atlantic crashing below at the base of the cliffs.

You will walk along until you reach the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher standing 214m (702 feet) above sea level, where views of the Dingle Peninsula and Loop Head in the South, the Aran Islands to the West with the Twelve Pins and mountains of Connemara to the North can be seen on a clear day. O’Brien’s Tower is near the highest point and serves as an excellent viewing platform, as has been the case for hundreds of years.

From there we will take a ferry crossing over Ireland’s longest river, The Shannon. En route to Dingle you will experience a local sheepdog demonstration on a nearby farm by the sea. From there we’ll follow the road over the Conor Pass , Ireland’s highest mountain road, before arriving at your accommodation in Dingle.

Overnigh in Dingle
Day 6 Day 6: Explore The Dingle Peninsula
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Explore The Dingle Peninsula

This morning you will meet up with your professional driver/guide, where jaw-dropping scenery and knife-edge drops are guaranteed on a leisurely drive around Slea Head.

After lunch is yours to design. Relax with downtime in Dingle. Or partake of the following options:

By boat discover the historic Dingle Bay (Tour Option – €15-20 per person).

Take a guided craft tour of a working Irish crystal studio

Sample craft Irish whiskey and gin at Dingle Distillery (Tour Option – €15 per person).

Stroll Dingle’s streets for a quirky mix of craft studios, lively pubs, fantastic food, and traditional Irish music.

The average driving time today is 1 hour 30 minutes.
Day 7 Day 7: Ring Of Kerry & Valentia Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Ring Of Kerry & Valentia Island

Today we’re touring the scenic Ring of Kerry route, circuiting the Iveragh peninsula from Killorglin to Killarney. Situated in the South Westerly corner of Ireland, The Iveragh Peninsula is home to The Ring of Kerry – Ireland’s most spectacular mountain road. Your day tour starts from Dingle and covers 130km of rolling rugged countryside and truly stunning panoramic coastline views.

Our experienced guides will be delighted to show you the unrivaled beauty County Kerry has to offer. Whether you’re looking for an insight into Irish history, a sample of our famous local wit, or simply a great photo opportunity, the Ring of Kerry Tour is exactly what you require.

Explore Killarney National Park at your lesiure ,

Scenic photo stop at Torc Waterfall

Take a visit to Ross Castle on the edge of Lough Leane. Built by an Irish chieftain in the fifteenth century. (Tour Option – €5 per person).

Opt to take a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride around Killarney National Park

Catch traditional Irish music and outstanding local food in picturesque Killarney.

Admire charming 19th century Muckross House Gardens.

Overnight in Killarney

The average driving time today is 3 hours.
Day 8 Blarney Castle & Dublin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Blarney Castle & Dublin

This morning you can see the magical 1,000-year-old yew tree growing at the heart of the ruined Muckross Abbey.

Afterward, expect country roads and superb scenery today as you journey from Killarney to Cork.

Dare to kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the gift of the gab – the Irish ability to flatter and speak with great eloquence.

Explore the lush gardens at Blarney Castle (included)

Return to Dublin via a scenic train journey from Kent Station Cork, to Heauton Station Dublin.

Please note, on occasion for operational reasons, we may operate this tour in reverse.

8 days tour

8 Day Castles & Coast Experience - Small Group Tour

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 8 Day Castles & Coast Experience - Small Group Tour

Day 1: Scenic Journey To Westport

Day 2: Westport To Clifden

Day 3: Full Day Wild Connemara

Dunguaire Castle, The Burren & Doolin

Day 5: Mighty Cliffs Of Moher & Sheep Dog Herding

Day 6: Explore The Dingle Peninsula

Day 7: Ring Of Kerry & Valentia Island

Blarney Castle & Dublin

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