Tour The Emerald Route 7-Day Self-Drive Tour

Others

Paddy the Pocket Pilot App – This is your virtual tour guide and 24/7 concierge service during your self-drive tour of Ireland. You can chat with Paddy anytime and get some tips from our expert team at the Overland headquarters. Detailed and easy to follow daily itineraries Simple maps and instructions on how to navigate your way around our beautiful country. All entrance fees to all national parks on your itinerary. Kylemore Abbey Aran Island ferry Aran Island Bike hire Galway Walking tour Sheepdog demonstration Dingle kayaking Dingle Distillery Kinsale walking tour Blarney Castle Tour support throughout your journey. We are always available for a chat should you need us. Daily hidden gem locations revealed by our expert guides. Daily food and entertainment recommendations.

Accommodation

Top class accommodation in carefully chosen locally run guesthouses. We also have options of hotels and castle experiences. After a day of sightseeing, road tripping, cycling or even challenging the Atlantic waves you need to get a good night’s sleep. The famous Irish welcome awaits you at our tried and loved accommodation the length and breadth of the Emerald Isle.

Meals

We are advised to breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dine like a pauper! Every morning you will be treated to hearty breakfast to set you up for a day of adventures. All accommodation providers are delighted to cater for any special dietary requirements. Please let us know in advance. Lunch and dinner are not included.

Transport

A wide range of cars available for our self-drive tours.

Not included:

Guide

For our self-drive tours a driver guide is not included. Check out our fully guided small group tour options to avail of a guide.

Others

The self-control to leave stunning locations and be brave enough to discover all the other wonderful places on your itinerary. Parking and motorway toll fees Clonmacnoise Dun Aonghasa Shannon Ferry Ross Castle Rock of Cashel Fuel – for your car and of course your body! Petrol, lunch and dinner are on your own! Tips and gratuities

Optional

Some suggested activities and experiences. We can arrange these for you but you may be making payment directly to the activity/experience provider eg Horseriding, jaunting (horse drawn carriage).

Insurance

Fully comprehensive car insurance included. Travel insurance is not included. We advise all guests to take out travel insurance before coming on tour.

Flights

International flights are not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Clonmacnoise To Connemara
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Clonmacnoise To Connemara

Tour starts at Dublin Airport

Fire up your virtual tour guide Paddy the Pocket Pilot App and start your expertly planned itinerary. Leave Dublin for the stunning surroundings of the 6th century monastery at Clonmacnoise, situated on the banks of the River Shannon. The monastery is celebrated as a centre of excellence for learning and scholars creating the finest of Celtic art and illuminated manuscripts over 600 years.

Onwards, cross country to County Galway. Park up at Kylemore Abbey in the heart of Connemara. The rugged landscape of Connemara come hail rain or shine will take your breath away. Enjoy your afternoon discovering the abbey and Victorian walled garden on this 1000 acre estate overlooking Kylemore Lake and the magnificent Connemara National Park.

Stay in Clifden nestled at the foot of the Twelve Bens mountain range. Enjoy the great bars, restaurants, nightly music and strike up a conversation with the locals over a pint of the Black Stuff!

We are delighted to offer you the option of upgrading to an excuisite castle stay! Live the life of luxury and embrace your inner Prince(ss)!

Total driving distance & time: 310km – 4 hours 10 minutes, excluding stops
Day 2 Day 2: The Aran Islands
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: The Aran Islands

Take a short drive cross country to Rossaveal Pier on Galway Bay, and let the ferry transport you to the Aran Islands. Your destination is Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands. Explore the Island by bike. Alternatively if you want to take the pace down a notch you can whizz around the Island by horse and cart. All arranged for you by the wizards at Overland HQ!

Your route will take in the stone fort of Dún Aonghasa, lying 100m over the ocean and we will send you to a few hidden gems on the island. While you are there why not learn a few words of “Irish” from the locals and buy an original Aran Sweater!

Now it is time to begin your Galway adventure. Hug the coastline all the way into bustling bohemian Galway. There is always an electric atmosphere in the City of the Tribes with street performers, live music and traditional dancing at the crossroads!

Total driving distance & time: 100km – 1 hour 40 minutes, excluding stops
Day 3 Day 3: Galway To The Cliffs Of Moher
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Galway To The Cliffs Of Moher

Galway’s Medieval history is fascinating and our local guides will bring you on a wonderful historical tour along the cobbled narrow streets flanked by brightly coloured shops and bustling cafes.

Try on Claddagh Rings, Galway Shawls and go through the arches of The Spanish Arch to see the famous Claddagh fishing village across the river Corrib rushing out to Galway Bay.

This afternoon you will drive south west towards The Burren National Park and the jaw-dropping Cliffs of Moher. On your self-drive to Clare you will visit the 13th century Cistercian Monastary - Corcomroe Abbey and the 16th century Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara.

The Cliffs of Moher experience will take you on a leisurely hike across its wonderful natural features while listening to the wild Atlantic waves crashing over 200m below. The cliffs will leave you lost for words. Tonight you will stay in the most welcoming fishing village of Doolin. This is the hometown of traditional Irish music.

Total driving distance & time: 90km – 1 hour 45 minutes, excluding stops
Day 4 Day 4: Doolin To Dingle
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Doolin To Dingle

We want you to take in all the ancient structures and will send you to the most famous Dolmen at Poulnabrone this morning. This Dolmen like other Neolithic monuments are scattered the length and breadth of the country marking burial sites and passage ways dating back to 3000 BC.

A firm favourite experience amongst guests is an impressive sheep dog trial. You will be bowled over by the skills of the farmer at Caherconnell and his furry friend as they gather up their flock of sheep. You’ll be talking about it all the way to your next destination - Dingle.

This evening is yours to absorb the atmosphere in Dingle’s famous quirky pubs and restaurants. Why not sit in Foxy John’s hardware store, order yourself a drink and strike up a conversation with a local Kerry legend! We have chosen an excellent tried and loved guesthouse for you to rest your head this evening.

Total driving distance & time: 240km – 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Day 5 Day 5: The Dingle Peninsula
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: The Dingle Peninsula

Today your morning begins exploring caves and inlets on Dingle Bay by kayak and maybe meet the Kingdom’s biggest celebrity – Fungie the Dolphin.

Alternatively why not stretch your legs and take a moderate paced hike to the top of Mount Brandon and be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views of Dingle Bay and Castlegregory. Or maybe you want to take it easy, wander around Dingle’s fabulously colourful village full of cute craft shops and cafes. Take today at your own pace. Or motto is ’It’s your holiday – Do it your way’. This is the benefit of a self-drive experience with us.

Your ultimate road trip takes you right out onto the Slea Head Peninsula this afternoon with so many hidden gems to discover. We recommend you end the perfect Dingle day with a stop at the Dingle Whiskey Distillery to learn all about the origins of whiskey making around the world and of course to sample their delicious whiskey and gin! Make sure you park your car first! No need to pack your bags this evening. Relax and enjoy everything Dingle has to offer.

TOTAL DRIVING DISTANCE AND TIME: 50km/2 hours 30 minutes – At a leisurely pace!
Day 6 Day 6: Sites On The Ring Of Kerry
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Sites On The Ring Of Kerry

Rise and shine and take Paddy the Pocket Pilot’s directions to the most spectacular and famous ring roads in Ireland - The Ring of Kerry. Leave Dingle behind for Killarney and visit many of the hotspots along the scenic route - Moll’s Gab, Torc Waterfall and Ross Castle in Killarney National Park. Take a tour of Ross Castle and learn what life was really like behind the stone walls.

Stop for some shopping and lunch in the beautiful picturesque town of Kenmare. You will feel like you have just stepped into an Irish film set!

Tonight on your last night you will stay at the coastal harbour town of Kinsale. It is famed for its culinary culture and you will be spoiled for choice with its wonderful restaurants. Don’t forget to ask Paddy for some wonderful recommendations. The town also has a great tradition of poetry, silver, gold and glassware manufacturing which can be accessed at its local shops and galleries.

Total driving distance & time: 200km – 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Day 7 Day 7: Kinsale - Kiss The Blarney Stone
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Kinsale - Kiss The Blarney Stone

You are in for a treat today and will meet one of our favourite people in Ireland - Barry. He will take you on a historical walking tour of Kinsale - a firm highlight on an Overland Tour.

Reluctantly leave Kinsale for Blarney Castle and Gardens. DO NOT leave Ireland without giving the Blarney Stone a kiss and receive the gift of the gab (the ability to tell a good yarn).

On route to Dublin stop at the 1000 year old medieval round tower, chapel, cathedral and castle at The Rock of Cashel. It’s your last chance to snap your camera and make everyone jealous back home!

It is now time to turn off your engine and reminisce about all that you have experienced over the last 7 days driving through our wonderful little country. If you have any time left before leaving the Emerald Isle we will arm you with plenty of recommendations for great things to do, eat and entertain you in Dublin’s fair city. Or if the thought of leaving Ireland is too much why not link up with another self-drive itinerary? The possibilities are endless at Overland!

Total driving distance & time: 320km – 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops

Tour ends at Dublin Airport

7 days tour

The Emerald Route 7-Day Self-Drive Tour

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip The Emerald Route 7-Day Self-Drive Tour

Day 1: Clonmacnoise To Connemara

Day 2: The Aran Islands

Day 3: Galway To The Cliffs Of Moher

Day 4: Doolin To Dingle

Day 5: The Dingle Peninsula

Day 6: Sites On The Ring Of Kerry

Day 7: Kinsale - Kiss The Blarney Stone

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania