Country Roads of Ireland Tour with 41 Reviews by Insight Vacations

About the tour

Tour Type

Group

Max Group Size

Age Requirement

5 - 99 yrs

Operated In

English

Physical Rating

Easy

Starts

Ends

Dublin, Ireland

Belfast, Ireland

Highlights

Dublin: See Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Cahir: See one of the largest castles in Ireland dating back to the 13th century.

Cork: Ireland's second city - "Rebel Cork" dates back to the 7th century. Your Travel Director will show you the Grand Parade and South Mall, along with City Hall and the Opera House on an insightful orientation tour encompassing the development of the religious settlement of St. Finbarr, to Viking raiding and settlement, to the creation of the Norman city and Merchant Princes. You’ll love learning the tales and history of this port city and enjoy hearing the lilt of the Cork accent.

Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands, beaches, fields dotted with sheep, rocky coastline, remote villages and historical sites, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. This 111-mile circular route is the best place to admire Ireland's scenic beauty and truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world.

Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation.

Itinerary

Experience Ireland’s legendary hospitality and breathtaking landscapes on the "Country Roads of Ireland" tour, a 12-day guided food and culture journey designed for experienced and senior travelers seeking a rich, leisurely exploration. Beginning in Dublin and winding through iconic destinations like Kilkenny, Killarney, and Giant’s Causeway, this trip is as much about savoring flavors as it is about sightseeing.

Witness treasures like the illuminated Book of Kells, wander the grand halls of Kilkenny Castle, and be treated to a farm-to-table feast in Killarney, where a local chef shares time-honored Irish recipes. The mystical Ring of Kerry and seaside villages offer endless photo opportunities, while the dramatic basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway invite you to step into Irish legend.

This tour’s unique highlight is its blend of culinary delights and cultural experiences. The included meals, expert guides, and thoughtfully curated itinerary ensure a perfect balance of relaxation and enrichment. Families and solo travelers alike will find themselves immersed in the warmth and magic of the Emerald Isle.

Day 1Welcome to Dublin

Day 2In Dublins Fair City Relaxed Start

Day 3A Journey from Dublin to Cork

Day 4Across the Mountains to Killarney Relaxed Start

Day 5Ring of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start

Day 6Around the Dingle Peninsula Relaxed Start

Day 7The Cliffs of Moher and Galway Relaxed Start

Day 8Free day Galway or Aran Islands Relaxed Start

Day 9Derry Londonderry

Day 10Walk in the Giants Steps Relaxed Start

Day 11The Antrim Coast to Belfast Relaxed Start

Day 12Depart Belfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Clayton Burlington Road, Dublin HotelThe Kingsley, Cork HotelKillarney Plaza Hotel and SpaFalls & Spa, Ennistymon HotelConnemara Coast, Galway HotelMaldron Hotel Derry, LondonderryBallygally Castle HotelTitanic, Belfast HotelKilkenny: Visit Kilkenny Castle to learn the history of this magnificent castle and that of the powerful Ormonde family that came to call it home for so many centuries. Amble through the Picture Gallery, library, drawing room, nursery and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendour as well as the rolling parkland formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and man-made lake.Killarney: Meet passionate guesthouse owners John and Freda at their beautiful home in Killarney, where you'll hear more about their farm-to-table concept, while enjoying a delicious meal made from fresh ingredients sourced within a five mile radius. John and Freda have a policy that all food is sourced locally from farms and the coast of the Emerald Isle. They educate their visitors about sustainable consumption and the benefits of eating fresh homegrown produce. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production.

Meals

Dinner (x5)Breakfast (x11)Dublin: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly dinner, an opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.Ballygally: The Irish call it 'craic' - the warm feeling resulting from the confluence of music, drink, good food, laughter, and conversation. And after circumnavigating the Emerald Isle, there's bound to be a fair share of craic at your grand finale Celebration Dinner. Sláinte!

Transport

Travel by coach

Guide

Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a nature guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds. Alternatively, enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys.Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a nature guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds. Alternatively, enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys.

Others

Choose between two carefully selected activitiesKillarney: Explore on a horse-drawn jaunting car with local jarveys.Killarney: Explore on a horse-drawn jaunting car with local jarveys.Dublin: A stunning combination of cobblestone walkways, emerald-green lawns and 18th-century architectural gems, Trinity College is one of Europe’s elite universities and counts poet Oscar Wilde among its alumni. See the enchanting college campus and discover insights into its impressive history. Enjoy access to view the famous Book of Kells, an exquisite manuscript of the four gospels of the Christian New Testament, renowned for the intricacy, detail and majesty of the illustrations.Kildare: Horse racing is key part of Irish culture; and you'll gain a rare insight into it on your visit to the Irish National Stud. Set in Kildare at the breeding ground of champions and the birthplace of legends, explore the foaling unit, museum and the stallions that continue to make racing history. As the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public, learn the insights of horse-racing at a site whose former visitors include queens and presidents.Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone, the famous stone of eloquence, are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Take your turn at giving it a peck knowing that the stone was sourced from 330-million-year-old limestone.Derry/Londonderry: There's no better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls. See the Gothic Guildhall and the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street.

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

4.8

based on 41 reviews

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What are customers saying about Bookmundi

Excellent

4.7

797 Reviews

Mircea

The info about the trip is exactly as on the page of the provider and it is neatly organized. The booking process is simple, straight forward and indeed with no extra fee showing last minute

2 weeks ago

Country Roads of Ireland

About the tour

Highlights