Tour High Life 8-Day Self-Drive Tour

Transport

Car rental with fully comprehensive insurance cover.

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. Blarney Castle Killarney bike hire Dingle Distillery Bunratty Castle Kylemore Abbey Westport bike hire 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.

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.

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.

Not included:

Flights

International flights are not included.

Optional

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

Guide

A driver guide is not included (Check out our fully guided tours for driver options).

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 tolls Glendalough Monastery Rock of Cashel tour Jaunting Shannon ferry Clonmacnoise Airfare to Ireland Fuel – for your car and of course your body! Petrol, lunch and dinner are on your own! Tips and gratuities

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Glendalough To Cork
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Glendalough To Cork

Tour starts at Dublin Airport

Switch on your virtual tour guide - Paddy the Pocket Pilot App and begin your adventure! Leave Dublin’s fair city behind and journey to Glendalough in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains on Ireland’s Ancient East trail. Our local guides will take you on a tour of one of the most important monastic sites, learn about Ireland’s history, folklore and take in St. Kevin’s 6th century Round Tower.

After your introduction to Irish history and hungry for more, drive to the Rock of Cashel in Tipperary. This is a great photo-op stop at the famous Irish medieval landmark.

This afternoon and evening make yourself at home at the splendid Hayfield Manor in Cork City. You will have many choices of fantastic places to eat and be entertained. Ask Paddy the Pocket Pilot for recommendations or just relax and enjoy the lavish surroundings of the manor house.

Total driving distance & time: 330km – 4 hours 10 minutes, excluding stops
Day 2 Day 2: Blarney To Killarney
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Blarney To Killarney

Wake up and take a short drive to Blarney Castle and Gardens. We insist that you MUST kiss the Blarney Stone to receive the gift of the gab (the ability to tell a good story). Take your time and roam the beautiful gardens at a leisurly pace.

Enjoy lunch in picturesque Kenmare, nestled between the Ring of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.

Next stop Killarney. On route discover the spectacular views at Moll’s Gap, Torc Waterfall and Ladies View before exploring Killarney National Park. Jaunt the park by horse and carriage or if you are feeling a bit of a pep in your step you can cycle the many trails in this stunning estate taking in Muckross House and Ross Castle.

The evening is yours to spend wandering around the wonderful shops, pubs and restaurants in the capital of Kerry - Killarney!

Stay at the magnificent four-star Lake Hotel where you will receive a traditional Céad Míle Fáilte - An Irish welcome.

Total driving distance & time: 140km – 2 hours 10 minutes, excluding stops
Day 3 Day 3: The Ring Of Kerry To Dingle
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: The Ring Of Kerry To Dingle

Begin early today to start your ultimate road-trip along Ireland’s most famous ring road – The Ring of Kerry. We recommend you take your time to journey through 10,000 years of rich Irish history. This self-drive wil certainly take your breath away. We will give you tips on how to get off the beaten track and direct you to all the secret hidden gems along the route. Hopefully you will ’bump’ into our friend selling Poitín (Irish Moonshine) but don’t tell anyone you’ve met him!

Tonight roll in to the harbor town of Dingle, home to one of our most famous Irish legends – Fungie the Dolphin. Finish off your perfect day at the Dingle Whiskey Distillery. Taste their award-winning whiskey and gin and get educated on the history of whiskey production around the globe.

This evening is yours to absorb the atmosphere in Dingle’s famous quirky pubs and wide range of fabulous eateries. One of our favourite things to do is sit in Foxy John’s hardware store, order a pint of the Black Stuff and have a chat with one of the locals! Nothing like it.

Rest your head at the award-winning Heaton’s Guesthouse and dream about their wonderful breakfast feast tomorrow morning.

Total driving distance & time: 179km – 4 hours, excluding stops
Day 4 Day 4: Cliffs Of Moher & Dromoland Castle
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Cliffs Of Moher & Dromoland Castle

It will be an exciting day leaving the South West behind and journey northwards towards the Cliffs of Moher. Your cliffs experience will take you by foot across its stunning natural features with the powerful Atlantic Ocean waves roaring 100m below. Paddy will guide you on a perfectly chosen route to be taken at your own pace.

Reward yourself after today’s adventure at Dromoland Castle. Spend the evening unwinding like a King or Queen.

Total driving distance & time: 275km – 4 hours, excluding stops
Day 5 Day 5: Bunratty Castle To Galway
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Bunratty Castle To Galway

Wake up and enjoy the many activities and estate at Dromoland or take a short drive to Bunratty Castle for a folk and heritage tour.

Today is the beginning of your bustling, bohemian Galway adventure. The City of the Tribes was voted European Capital of Culture for 2020. Expect an electric atmosphere with entertaining street musicians, dancers and theatrical performers.

Overland Ireland’s guides in Galway will take you on a gourmet historical experience of the city.

You will be staying right in the heart of the evening entertaiment down town Galway at the historical Hardiman Hotel on Eyre Square.

Total driving distance & time: 72km – 1 hour, excluding stops
Day 6 Day 6: Kylemore Abbey – Connemara To Ballynahinch Castle
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Kylemore Abbey – Connemara To Ballynahinch Castle

Kylemore Abbey in the heart of Connemara is top of the list today. The rugged landscape of Connemara come hail, rain or shine is breath-taking. You will spend a great time roaming the 1000-acre estate - the abbey and the Victorian walled garden overlooking Kylemore Lake and the majestic Connemara National Park.

Paddy the Pocket Pilot will recommend you refresh with tea and cake in Clifden town or even a tasty seafood lunch.

The wonderful staff at Ballynahinch Castle will be waiting to greet you. Be their guest for a sumptuous afternoon tea in one of their luxurious rooms. Once you park up at this hidden gem you will find it difficult to leave!

Total driving distance & time: 110km – 1 hour 50 minutes, excluding stops
Day 7 Day 7: Croagh Patrick – Westport To Ashford Castle
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Croagh Patrick – Westport To Ashford Castle

Once you arrive in Westport we as you to challenge yourself to a hike up Ireland’s holiest mountain – Croagh Patrick made famous by St. Patrick himself. At the summit you will be treated to panoramic views of Clew Bay. If hiking is not your thing, why not grab a bike and cycle along the Greenway route to Achill Island or have a walking tour of Westport Town and a bit of retail therapy.

Your last night of your trip will be your finest. Presidents, celebrities, sports heroes throughout history have been drawn to the fabulous Ashford Castle Hotel. This really is one of the most luxurious places to stay in Ireland teeming with rich history and heritage. What a way to finish off your whirlwind self-drive trip around Ireland.

There are so many activities at your fingertips to enjoy at Ashford. Why not try falconry, boat trips, archery, horse-riding or even put your feet up in their award-winning Spa!

Total driving distance & time: 120km – 2 hours, excluding stops
Day 8 Day 8: The Monastery Of Clonmacnoise To Dublin
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: The Monastery Of Clonmacnoise To Dublin

Today you must dry your eyes and travel back to Dublin at your leisure with a stop at the 6th century monastery Clonmacnoise.

If you have a little time left in Ireland we will arm you with fantastic things to see and do in the Capital city and surroundings. Your trusty virtual guide Paddy will guide you back to Dublin and make some reservations for you.

Or…. If you cannot bear to leave the Emerald Isle why not stay a little longer and link up with another one of our other self-drive itineraries? Tempting isn’t it?

Total driving distance & time: 255km – 3 hours, excluding stops

8 days tour

High Life 8-Day Self-Drive Tour

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip High Life 8-Day Self-Drive Tour

Day 1: Glendalough To Cork

Day 2: Blarney To Killarney

Day 3: The Ring Of Kerry To Dingle

Day 4: Cliffs Of Moher & Dromoland Castle

Day 5: Bunratty Castle To Galway

Day 6: Kylemore Abbey – Connemara To Ballynahinch Castle

Day 7: Croagh Patrick – Westport To Ashford Castle

Day 8: The Monastery Of Clonmacnoise To Dublin

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