7 day Treasure Ireland Tour

Features

We will take you to some of Ireland best know tourist destinations like the Blarney Stone, the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher but because our groups and vehicles are smaller, we will also take you right away from the beaten track and show you our favourite hidden corners of Ireland.

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.

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 have the cliffs to marvel at 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).

Connemara

Last but certainly not least is the wild and rugged Connemara region, 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 and so it makes a fitting location for the last night of the tour.  We head back to Dublin either via Galway city or through Cong in County Mayo (depending on whether you went to the Aran islands the day before),  stopping in Kilbeggan on the way for a bit of whiskey tasting to round of an unforgettable week.

(please note: often the seven day tour is the first seven days of the 11 day tour and there will be a scenic train journey home on the last day. In this case the option of the distillery would not be available)

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

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

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 built tombs

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

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 Locke’s Irish Whiskey Distillery, the older potstill distillery in the world

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