11 day Discover Ireland Tour

South West

Firstly we head south west, through the green heart of Ireland and counties Kildare, Tipperary and Limerick to County Cork. We then spend the next 4-5 days exploring the fabulous south west of Ireland and its varied peninsula’s before then weaving our way from County Kerry across the great River Shannon into County Clare.

The West

Once here you have the limestone lunar landscape of the Burren to explore, you will have some of the very best traditional Irish music to enjoy in the pubs, you can marvel at the Cliffs of Moher and there is also the option of a day trip to the world famous Aran islands (you visit the islands while we drive around Galway bay and pick you up on the other side). You have then arrived in Connemara for the night, a remote and beautiful area which has a special place in the hearts of the Irish people. Nowhere quite typifies old fashioned Ireland like Connemara.

Going North

The next couple of days are spent in the less-touristed areas of Counties Mayo and Sligo. In Mayo alone there are such highlights as Ireland’s only Fjord, the colourful town of Westport and the Holy mountain of Croagh Patrick, before we cross into Sligo for slightly softer scenery and the unique experience of a hot sea-weed bath! We now spend two nights in Enniscrone in Sligo, giving us time to explore the area and nearby north-west Mayo – it is one of the least visited parts of Ireland . The two night stay also gives you the chance to have a more relaxing day on tour, maybe play a round of golf and get to know the local community.

Northern Ireland

And then its time to cross the border into Northern Ireland, still part of the United Kingdom. We spend two days in the province learning all about the recent turbulent history and right back to the stone age – while not forgetting the fantastic coastal scenery of the Causeway Coast and the Glens of Antrim.

This really is a journey of Discovery.

Revel at some of Europe’s very best scenery, including:

• Ireland’s highest mountain range The Macgillycuddy Reeks
• The Green fields and stone walls of Dingle
• Connemara’s mountains, lakes, beaches and rivers
• Ireland’s wild and rugged Atlantic coastline
• The River Shannon (which we cross by ferry)
• The Burren Limestone Plateau
• The Caher Mountains of the Beara Peninsula
• The green inland scenery of areas such as the Golden Vale in Tipperary
• The Glens of Antrim

Enjoy some of Ireland’s most popular and worthwhile tourist destinations:

• Blarney Castle to kiss the magical Blarney Stone
• Killarney National Park
• The Cliffs of Moher
• Take the optional day trip to the Aran Islands
• The Giant’s Causeway

Visit some of Ireland’s great houses and Gardens

• Muckross House and Gardens, Kerry
• Bantry House and Gardens, Cork
• Garinish island Gardens, Cork
• Kylemore Abbey and Grounds, Connemara

Wonder at some of Ireland’s historical treasures and experience the rich historical past of the region, from stone age man to the modern age.

• Visit The Rock of Cashel
• Ancient neolithic stone circles, celtic ring forts, castles, monastic sites and pre-christian tombs
• The Grinian of Aileach
• Learn about the modern day history of Northern Ireland, especially on the walking tour of Derry and the Black Cab tour of Belfast

Explore three of Ireland’s most diverse south western Peninsulas:

• The majestic Iveragh peninsula (better known as the Ring of Kerry)
• The rugged Beara Peninsula (also known as the ‘undiscovered peninsula’)
• The rolling hills of the Dingle Peninsula

Take some free time to explore local communities and meet the Irish people in locations such as:

• The vibrant and buzzing Galway city
• The galleries and pubs (about 54 in total!) in Dingle town (pop. about 2500)
• The shops and boutiques of picturesque Kenmare
• The resurgent Northern Irish cities of Derry and Belfast

Some fun little side trips:

• Visit a working sheep farm for a demonstration of working dogs and also sheep shearing
• Take a boat trip to try Spot Dingle’s most Friendly occupant – Funghi the Dolphin in Dingle Bay
• Optional visit to Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery, the oldest working distillery in the world
• Test your fear of heights at the Carrick a Rede rope bridge

And at night:

• Live music and excellent food in some of Ireland’s best pubs and restaurants.
• Overnight in quality, locally owned guesthouse and small hotel accommodation in small, friendly local communities
• Spend a night in a superb Irish castle hotel