Picturesque Solo Ireland Tour

Welcome to Dublin! Upon arrival at the Dublin International Airport, you will make your own way over to check in to your hotel.

Dinner and overnight in Dublin

Get ready to meet your English-speaking driver and tour guide today. You will begin your day by departing the Irish capital and heading towards County Kerry. There will be an en-route stop in Blarney, home to the famous Blarney Castle. Dating back to 1446, the castle is a fascinating tower house built on solid limestone, which is surrounded by natural wonders. At the top of the tower, you will see the legendary Stone of Eloquence; kiss it and you will never again be lost for words. Spend some leisure time shopping at the Woollen Mills. At the time, the presence of the Woollen Mills shielded Blarney from the worst effects of the famine thanks to its wide employment of local workers. In 1976, a mill worker named Chris Kelleher bought the old mill property. Within a short time, Chris and his family transformed the mill into what is arguably the largest quality craft shop in Ireland. Continue through the southwest of Ireland towards Killarney in County Kerry on one of our best tours of Ireland​.

Overnight in Kerry

After breakfast, you will start your day with a tour of the Iveragh Peninsula, where you can explore the Ring of Kerry. Take in the breathtaking scenery of the mountains, peat, bogs, lakes, and the Atlantic Ocean. Departing from Killarney, you will pass through Killorglin, famous for its Puck Fair. Travel to Glenbeigh (where the road offers panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay), the sea town of Waterville, and Sneem Village, famous for its brightly colored houses. Stop at a local farm for a sheepdog demonstration along the Ring of Kerry. You will receive an overview of the different breeds of sheep, followed by an introduction to the farmer’s most important tool – his border collies. Next, you will see a superb demonstration of sheepherding as the farmer demonstrates how, by working together with his dogs, he can guide a flock of sheep from the mountain top to the sheep pen close to the farmyard.

Overnight in Kerry

Optional: Jaunting Car Ride in Killarney National Park
Today you can enjoy transportation of a different kind! Relax aboard a jaunting car as your Jarvey (driver) takes you through the magnificent scenery of the National Park.

Today you will travel north towards Tarbert for a short boat ride across the mouth of the Shannon River. You will land on Clare’s Shore in Killimer. From there you will travel along the coast to the Cliffs of Moher, the most majestic cliffs Ireland has to offer. These cliffs rise from the Atlantic Ocean and extend for over 7 kilometers. On a clear day, you can admire the Aran Islands and bask in the beauty of the Connemara Mountains. The cliffs reach their highest point just north of O’Brien’s Tower, built by descendants of Brian Boru to entertain his lady friends. The Atlantic Edge is the exciting new interpretive centre built into the natural landscape of the cliffs. Head on a scenic tour of The Burren, a strange and unique region home to high plateaus of porous limestone in Northern Clare. The limestone is bare with no trees growing here or any land covering the stone. However, the Burren is not as deserted as we believe: the cracks allow different types of flowers to grow there all year round. The rocks hide many caves like Ailwee and Turloughs, an interesting phenomenon that transforms lakes into fields during the summer season. From there you will continue your journey to Limerick, one of the oldest cities in Ireland.

Overnight in Limerick

Optional: Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle, built in the 15th century by the Earl of Thomond, stands on the banks of the Raite River in County Clare. The Earl was known for his generosity and his lavish entertainment and banquets. The entertainment today is provided by the superb Bunratty Singers & is a compliment to the lively mead reception, a four-course meal & of course good wine. Guests are invited to enjoy an unforgettable evening & take a true step back in time to Medieval Ireland.

After a delicious breakfast, today you will travel to Galway, a beautiful city that has attracted many musicians and artists over the years. With its narrow streets, wooden shop fronts, and busy pubs, Galway is a true delight. Your visit will start with the modern cathedral, one of the largest and most impressive buildings built between 1958 and 1965 in Galway. From there you will head on a cruise along the Lough Corrib to enjoy some scrumptious scones and Irish coffee. This journey on the Corrib Princess will take passengers along the majestic River Corrib and onto the lake, offering breathtaking views of the historic monuments and scenery as you discover one of the most incredible waterways of Ireland. Spend the rest of your afternoon at leisure. 

Dinner and Overnight in Galway 

 

Today you will travel through the beautiful Connemara Region, a land of lakes, rivers, bogs, and mountains where Gaelic remains the spoken language. The Connemara is a vast peninsula bordered by the arid and rocky coastline of Galway Bay in the south. On its northern shore, the land is harsher, offering spectacular views of the ocean, the fjord of the Killary Harbour, and steep mountains overlooking several lakes. The region also offers large bog areas – no wonder this is considered a haven for nature lovers! You will visit the historic Kylemore Abbey built by Mitchell Henry in 1868 and see its most famous feature – the miniature Cathedral. It has been home to the Irish order of Benedictine nuns since 1920. Next, you will visit a bodhrán maker (a traditional Irish drum). Roundstone Music and Crafts are in a former Franciscan monastery in Roundstone, in the heart of Connemara. Here you will find the workshop of Malachy Kearns, better known as Malachy Bodhrán, famous for the manufacture of bodhráns — the oldest instruments of traditional Irish music. Malachy makes bodhráns for the world-famous Riverdance troupe and he is currently the only full-time bodhrán maker in Ireland. 

Overnight in Galway 

 

Today you will depart Galway and travel to Dublin. Upon arrival in this major city, you will first explore the north which offers striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on O’Connell Street and Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The city’s south appears to be more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares and Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and two Anglican Cathedrals. Visit the Irish Emigration Museum: a state-of-the-art interactive experience located in the beautiful vaults of the 1820 Custom House Quarter building in Dublin’s Docklands. This was the original departure point for so many of Ireland’s emigrants. It will inspire and guide you to uncover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from the early times to the modern day.

Overnight in Dublin

Optional: Evening Entertainment at Taylor’s Three Rock (or similar):
Visit this lively pub in Rathfarnham for a lively night full of music and dancing. A group will regale visitors with ballads (both happy and sad) and will (after a few pints) have visitors singing along with them. The music will be interrupted for a short while to enjoy the best of Irish Dancing, guaranteed to get some feet tapping! 

Today you will make your own way back to the Dublin International Airport to check in for your onward flight home.