The trip of a lifetime to the Emerald Isle. Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way, through Donegal to Westport and Galway. Stand atop the Cliffs of Moher. Experience Irish music, song and dance in Dingle, the lakes and mountains of Killarney and then Cork and Kilkenny.
10% off displayed price for Spring and Fall tours – giving you great savings. For maximum comfort on board our 16 seat luxury a/c Mercedes mini-coach, we limit this fully escorted Ireland tour to thirteen guests.
This Ireland vacation undoubtedly encapsulates our motto – ‘Discover the Heart and Soul of Ireland’.
Departing Dublin at 8.30am, we make our way to one of our secret gems, a little known neolithic tomb with some well preserved rock art. Then, we head to Northern Ireland where we have a number of choices. Shortly after crossing the border, there is an option of doing the newest visitor attraction in Northern Ireland – the Game of Thrones Studio Tour (optional activity – cost: approx €45).
In Belfast, you have the option of the captivating Belfast Political Tour with local guides or the Titanic Experience (optional activity – approx. cost – Titanic €23.50, Belfast Tour €18).
Sleep in a castle tonight, overlooking the sea at the Ballygally Castle Hotel, or Galgorm Luxury Estate
Total driving time today: Approximately 2hrs 45mins
We’ll take the scenic route along the coast and through the Glens of Antrim to the Giants Causeway (admission included in tour price), . If the weather favours us, there’s an option of a hike along a cliff-top path, for those who are feeling adventurous.
A tasty lunch in a nearby pub or cafe follows, before doing a tour of Dunluce Castle (admission included in tour price).
We then make our way to our overnight stop in one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe – Derry/Londonderry (LegendDerry). Overnight tonight at the Shipquay Hotel, in the heart of the city.
Total driving time today, approximately 2hrs 15mins.
Start the day with a guided walk atop the Walls of Derry, where you’ll get the history from a local guide (included in tour price). Into County Donegal, we visit an ancient hilltop Celtic stone fort with 360° views of the surrounding countryside.
We might stop into the town of Letterkenny for lunch and then it’s off on the back roads to Glenveagh National Park, with its bleak history, gothic style castle and stunning gardens overlooking a glacial lake. Keep an eye out for wild deer and golden eagles.
Another scenic drive through the hills of Donegal brings us to our overnight accommodation on the Atlantic’s Edge at the Waterfront Hotel, Dungloe, Co. Donegal.
Total driving time today, approximately 1hr 45mins.
A visit to one of Ireland’s few remaining handweavers is first on today’s list, then one of our favourite drives over mountain passes to Europe’s highest accessible sea cliffs, Sliabh Liag. This will be another chance to stretch the legs and take in the fresh sea air (or just sit and absorb the majesty of ocean meeting mountain).
As we journey towards Westport, we’ll take lunch and some time in Donegal town. Afterwards a quick stop at the grave of one of Ireland’s Nobel Laureate’s, poet WB Yeats and interpret the fine example of a medieval high cross nearby.
The next two nights sees us stay at the centrally located Wyatt Hotel in Westport. Westport has good restaurants and pubs with great music – one of which is owned by Matt Molloy, flute player with The Chieftains, who are attributed with bringing Irish traditional music to a global audience over five decades.
Total driving time today is approximately 3hrs 30mins.
A day of opportunities – to relax and stroll around the town or to strike out into the ‘savage beauty’ of Connemara. We visit Kylemore Abbey (included in tour price) – it’s easy to spend significant time there in the house and wonderful gardens.
We’ll return to Westport via Ireland’s only fjord and the beautiful Doolough Valley, where you’ll learn of a tragic event in Irish history that’s linked to it. We’ll also stop at the foot of Ireland’s pilgramage mountain, Croagh Patrick, which overlooks our stark but memorable National Famine Monument.
Total Driving time today, approximately 2hrs.
Time to continue our way south. Our first stop is Galway, where you’ll spend an enjoyable couple of hours exploring this historic, vibrant, diverse, university city. The narrow pedestrianised streets at its heart, create a warm lively atmosphere with some great street entertainment (and some that smack of ‘student hustling for beer money’!).
Then it’s on to the famed Cliffs of Moher, which stand proud above crashing Atlantic waves (admission included in tour price). We time it to arrive when most of the day’s visitors have left, thus enhancing our experience.
Our accommodation tonight is either the Lahinch Coast in the seaside town of Lahinch, just 15 mins from the Cliffs.
Total driving time today: Approimately 2hrs 30mins
Start your morning with a pre-breakfast stroll along the beach and clear the cobwebs with that fresh Atlantic air. If the tide is in, are you brave enough to take a dip (sea temp about 15°c/58°F)?
We have two choices with our onward route to Dingle. Continue the scenic route along the coast, taking a short car ferry ride across the Shannon Estuary, or loop around through the picturesque village of Adare, with its cute row of thatched cottages.
We visit the farm of a lovely couple, Bridget and Seamus (included in tour price). Here, you will witness the amazing bond between shepherd and dog and learn all about life in this remote rural area, with the sea to its front and the mountains at its back.
Overnight: Dingle for the next two nights. It’s a great little town – winner of Foodie Town of Ireland, great music and lots of pubs for its size! It boasts bookshops, galleries, craft shops and more. And – probably the best ice cream in Ireland, made right here in the town!
It’s also one of the areas where our native tongue (Gaeilge) is spoken. We’ll teach you a ‘cúpla focail’ (a couple of words), so you should at least be able to say ‘Hi’ by the time we get there.
Accommodation: Dingle Skellig Hotel or Benner’s Hotel. Total driving time today is approximately 3 hours 15 mins.
Today is all about freedom of choice. Be active – or simply chill(or shopp!).
Choose from golf, horse riding, scenic drive with history and crafts, or relax at the hotel’s spa, pool and hot-tub. Or, you might like to take a gentle boat ride around the bay.* Take a stroll around the town and browse its galleries and craft shops and sip a coffee of locally roasted beans.
We can arrange horse-riding along a beach, sea kayaking or traditional boat rowing in Dingle harbour. We’ll take the Slea Head Drive – described as one of the top 10 scenic drives in the world- on which we’ll see beehive huts similar to those on Skellig Michael (Star Wars location).
Total time driving today approx 1.5 hours. *All activities mentioned are optional with additional cost. Golfers may have to get a taxi back from the links. Golf costs approx €130 (including club hire). P.S. -There’s also an opportunity for laundry here!
Firstly, we visit Killarney National Park – 26,000 acres of native forest of oak, yew and Scots pine. We’ll take a short stroll through the forest to beautiful Torc Waterfall and then, the options of a jaunting car* (a carriage ride around the fantastic scenery of forests, mountains and lakes) or a hike. Along the way, visit magical Muckross Abbey and keep an eye out for wild native red deer and other wildlife. *Optional extra, Jaunting car from €15 (prices subject to change)
When we’ve filled our lungs with fresh air and phones with amazing images, it’s time to continue our journey. Our final leg of the day brings us to Kinsale.
Kinsale is a colourful coastal town, where they’ll try and persuade you away from Guinness to try the local brew – ‘Murphys’. It also has quite the reputation for food along with sailing and watersports.
Accommodation for the next two nights – Acton’s Hotel, overlooking the water and just a stroll from everything.
We start the morning with a guided tour of 17th century Charles’ Fort and hear tales of Irish, English, Spanish and French involvement (some very good interactive displays in there also). There’s the option of taking the ‘Scilly Walk’ to the Fort, or, if you’re not feeling so energetic, hop on the bus.
Then, a scenic coastal drive to Old Head, and hear of the sinking of the Lusitania, the wreck of which lies just 11 miles off the coast. Learn about conspiracy theories, the role of an Irishman in her sinking and how a US billionaire gifted it to the Irish State.
The afternoon is for a guided tour of the home of Jameson Whiskey(if we haven’t already visited another distillery).
Overnight tonight is Acton’s Hotel again. Total time driving today approx 1.5 hours.
It’s an early start for Blarney, to get ahead of the crowds. Home of the castle, famous stone, and quite magnificent gardens (admission included in tour price). Of course, this is where, upon kissing the Stone, you’ll miraculously be endowed with the gift of eloquence (aka the ‘gift of the gab’).
Onwards then, to the Rock of Cashel – a collection of the most important medieval buildings in Ireland. From Cashel it’s off to our final overnight destination of Kilkenny. We plan to arrive mid afternoon. This gives time to check-in and explore the city, with its Medieval Mile, magnificent castle and narrow ancient streets.
Overnight accommodation: The Pembroke Hotel – within strolling distance of the centre, yet far enough away to allow peaceful rest.
It may be our last day on tour, but we’ve lots more to see and do.
After touring the magnificent castle and some free time in Kilkenny, we make our way east to the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens. Learn all about Ireland’s word famous bloodstock industry and ‘bring comfort to the soul’ in the gardens.
We’ll arrive back to Dublin around 6pm, having done almost a full circuit of Ireland – north, south, west and east.
That brings us to the end of our great Ireland adventure. You’ll have traversed the highways and byways on your Ireland trip – hitting the big ticket names, but also uncovering some secret gems. And, on your Anam Croí Ireland tour, you’ll not just have discovered the heart and soul of Ireland, but made new friends along the way.
