Overview
Lichen-pickled traditional stone walls, undulating soft green fields, an ancient history and warm people, oh and maybe the odd spot of rain. There are many images Ireland conjures in the mind of a wanderer and this wonderful adventure in Ireland offers you all the time in the world to explore and enjoy.
Whether your day consists of an exhilarating hike on a remote peninsula, an afternoon wandering the quaint cobbled streets of a little village or breathing in the sea air along the coastal roads and bylanes, on this private tour of Ireland you will be met with warm smiles and an open heart by the people who call this land home.
Activity Level
Speak to your travel designer about how active you like to be on vacation.
This trip can be adapted to include easy, moderate or more challenging hikes, or you can choose to do a less active version.
We will pair you up with a guide who is most suited to your activity level.
Itinerary
Day One – Welcome to Ireland & Galway Food Tour
Arriving into Ireland this morning, your guide will meet you at the airport and together you will begin your journey West. The characterful town of Galway is the capital of Ireland’s West, known as the ‘town of the tribes’, the cobblestone streets and colourful store fronts are vibrant, fun and cosmopolitan.
What better way to spend an afternoon here than a delectable food tour to tantalise your taste buds with a delightful journey through Galway’s culinary scene. From artisan cheeses, craft beers, to handcrafted chocolate, this will be a true feast for the senses. After your tour, a stroll through shop street and a coffee stop at the Spanish Arch is recommended.
Afterwards, continue to your accommodation for the next two nights located in the rugged region of Connemara. Ballynahinch Castle is one of Ireland’s finest luxury castle hotels, set in a private 700 acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks in the heart of Connemara, Co. Galway. This authentic and unpretentious Castle Hotel stands proudly overlooking its famous salmon fishery, with a backdrop of the beautiful Twelve Bens Mountain range.
Overnight: Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara
Included meals: Lunch and dinner
Day Two – Killary FJord, Connemara
The hills and mountains of Connemara are defined by the ocean surrounding them, and this is particularly evident at the beautiful Killary Fjord. This morning your guide will lead you along the shores of the fjord, delving into Irish history at a famine-era abandoned village and bringing to life the rich and ancient histories of the landscape.
Head back to your hotel via the stunningly beautiful Kylemore Abbey and Gardens to tour the grounds and hear the romantic story behind this iconic site.
Overnight: Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day Three – Sheepdog DEMONSTRATION in the Burren
Departing Connemara this morning, it’s time to head further south to Co. Clare. The Burren’s rocky alien landscape is said to be the inspiration for Middle Earth in JRR Tolkien’s world-famous Lord of the Rings trilogy – and today as you explore this other-worldly region, it’s easy to see why!
You will visit a local sheep farm where you’ll enjoy a private tour and watch the sheepdogs at work. This tour will also include a walk to a prehistoric stone fort, with a worldly history which will be brought to life by the farm’s local guide and multi-sensory presentations. Excavations from the site, ranging from Venetian glass and Baltic amber, serve to juxtapose the ancient settlement against its contemporary trading inhabitants.
Your accommodation for the next two nights is a family run, 18th century manor house, complete with welcoming open fires, antique furniture and their very own organic garden.
Overnight: Greagans Castle Hotel, Clare
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day Four – The Aran Islands
It’s hard to resist the allure of one of the many islands that dot the Irish coastline and today you and your guide will take to the water and ferry to The Aran Islands. The history of these islands goes back millennia and today Gaelic is still the daily spoken language of the inhabitants. The Aran islands seem to defy their size by all they have to offer: breathtaking scenery, mediaeval castles, cliffs and prehistoric forts are all to be found on this little group of islands.
Inis Mór, the largest of the three islands, is your destination today. The first port of call is a goat farm, here Gabriel, fisherman-come-goat farmer and island native will introduce you to his flock of extraordinarily cute goats. You’ll taste his award-winning cheese, but more importantly, you will leave with his wealth of knowledge on the island’s history, language and culture. We will make sure you don’t miss the incredible prehistoric cliff top fortress at Dun Aenghus as well as some hidden spots along the island’s shore.
Overnight: Greagans Castle Hotel, Clare
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day Five – Bunratty Castle & The Dingle Peninsula
We leave Clare today, taking the road to Limerick and to the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. On route stop at the acclaimed 15th century Bunratty Castle. With origins as a viking trading camp to today’s present impressive castle structure, a tour here encompasses stories of bravery and battles through the centuries all with idyllic views over the Clare countryside.
Once back on the road, your final destination this afternoon is the Dingle Peninsula. One of three peninsulas in Kerry, Dingle is like an open air museum of historical and cultural sights. With Ireland’s second highest peak Mount Brandon dominating the horizon, stretches of pristine beaches, villages, arts and crafts, Dingle is the best of Ireland distilled.
Overnight: Pax House, Dingle
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day Six – Exploring The Dingle Peninsula
There are many options to explore Dingle from a day’s hiking along The Dingle Way to a visit to The Blasket Islands. We recommend a morning walk, ending in the tiny village of Annascaul. Its most famous habitant was an adventurer too – Tom Crean was an Antarctic explorer who went to the South Pole with both Scott and Admundsen. Upon returning to Ireland, he decided to open a pub and live out his days in relative quiet.
Visit the Beehive Huts, related to those found on the Skellig Islands and featured in the Star Wars film, The Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian dry stone ‘church’ and if time allows, The Louis Mulcahy Pottery Studio before returning to Dingle town for a delicious locally sourced dinner.
Overnight: Pax House, Dingle
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day Seven – Dublin Walking Tour
Checking out of your accommodation this morning, it’s time to head eastward towards Ireland’s capital city. Your guide will drop you at your city centre hotel and then you will say farewell.
Once you get settled, head out to enjoy a walking tour with a local private guide through this vibrant capital city, with its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the Medieval to Georgian, right through to the modern. See the Georgian style Merrion Square, lush St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square, as well as O’Connell Street, the site of the 1916 Uprising that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922.
Your guide is a local historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by.
Overnight: The Merrion, Dublin
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Day Eight – Depart
After enjoying a relaxing morning, it is time to leave Dublin. A private transfer will drop you at the airport at your preferred time.
Included meals: Breakfast
What’s included
- 7 nights accommodation based on 2 people sharing a room
- Private driver guide from Day 1 to Day 7 inclusive
- Private airport transfer on Day 8
- Meals as listed in the above itinerary (lunches are a mixture of bagged and cafe)
- All entry fees, activities and hikes mentioned in the itinerary
- All ferry travel throughout this itinerary
- Gratuities for local services and experiences
What’s not included
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Any accommodation, meals, entrance, fees and activities not mentioned in the inclusions
- Gratuities for your main driver guide
Upgrades
Speak to your travel designer to find out what accommodation and vehicle upgrades are available for this tour.
Plan Your Trip
Get in touch to start your An Turas journey.
