Self-Drive Wild Atlantic Adventures

Day 1 - Arrival in Dublin

Arriving into Ireland today, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you into the city to your 5* hotel. Check in is at 3pm however feel free to leave your bags, freshen up, have a bite to eat or simply head out and start exploring.

Later today, visit the iconic Guinness Storehouse for a tour and a pint of the black stuff in the sky high lounge bar.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion Hotel
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Dublin Historical Walking Tour

This morning, meet a local historian for a fascinating walking tour of the city. Explore the streets and landmarks as they come to life with stories of times past. We can end your tour at St Patrick’s Cathedral where you will have the opportunity to explore the cathedral self guided before returning to your hotel and getting ready for this evening’s entertainment. An unmissable experience in the heart of Dublin! Created as something of a revolt by Irish musicians against the cheesy and the twee, The Irish House Party Dinner and Show in Dublin is live traditional Irish music and Irish dancing at its very best. Lap up the pure talent of these All Ireland champion musicians, dancers and entertaining presenters. Voted as one of the top ten things to do in Dublin year after year.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3 - Dublin to Kinsale

Picking up your car rental today, it’s time to get out of the city and head south. On route, we recommend stopping in the mediaeval town of Kilkenny and taking the Castle Tour for a unique perspective into Ireland’s past.

A foodie haven and the end of the Wild Atlantic Way, Kinsale is a bolthole for Ireland’s most culinary-minded and its pretty harbour with mystical sea views is an idyllic place for an adventure. Follow a jaw-dropping coastal route through southwest Ireland as you learn of pirate invasions, famine and conflict. A visit to 17th century star-shaped Charles Fort or a sunset stroll along a waterside walkway is a perfect end to your day’s touring.

Overnight: Kinsale | Actons Hotel Kinsale
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Cobh and Ireland’s Alcatraz

The nearby town of Cobh is cemented in history as the last port in which the ill fated Titanic docked before embarking on its maiden journey to America. Formally called Queenstown, Cobh today has many attractions and not just for Titanic enthusiasts. Small colourful houses line the streets that cup a picturesque harbour while the impressive Cobh Cathedral dominates the skyline overlooking the town.

Just at the mouth of the harbour you will find Spike Island, a former jail and Irelnad’s very own Alcatraz, Spike island is now a tourist attraction which can be visited both during the day, and for the more brave hearted, at night.

Overnight: Kinsale | Actons Hotel Kinsale
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Kinsale to Kerry with Cheese Farm Tour

Leaving Kinsale and Cork behind today, you will head west to the Kingdom of Kerry. On route, stop at a working dairy farm for an immersive tour and tasting. Meet the herd, chat all things agriculture with John and finish with a spectacular tasting session of some fine irish cheese, made right there on the farm.

This evening, check into the impressive Cahernane House in the heart of Killarney National Park.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 6 - Killarney National Park

Spend the rest of the day discovering some of Killarney’s most breathtaking mountains, lakes and waterfalls. Killarney National Park is the most famous of Ireland’s national parks – and with good reason! Historic manor houses and abbeys make for an interesting visit but Killarney is best explored via its beautiful looped forested and mountain hikes and by heading out onto the lakes of Killarney in a traditional boat.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 7 - Unique Foraging Experience

Into the southern part of the Ring of Kerry, the landscape becomes wilder and more rugged. At a secluded bay, join a foraging and foodie expert for a seaweed discovery and tasting walk to uncover the Kerry coast’s edible gems. Together, discover how to sustainably harvest these sea plants, learning how they earned their reputation as a super-food. Enjoy a few nibbles of seaweed yourself, including the flavoursome variety, Duilleasc, which sustained the monks on Skellig Island, the rock pinnacles rising dramatically from the sea on the horizon, or Nori, the famous Sushi roll wrapping.

Overnight: Killarney | Cahernane House Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 8 - Cliffs of Moher Explorations

Leaving Kerry, you have a couple of routes open to you. One brings you across the river Shannon by car ferry where you have the opportunity to do some wildlife spotting, the other brings you by road through the traditional town of Adare where you will find thatched roofed cottages, flower lined streets, quaint craft stores, tea shops, and castle ruins.

Later, why not visit The Cliffs of Moher when the mid day crowds have gone. Starting at Doolin, walk the 8 km to the visitors centre before availing of the shuttle back or you can approach from the opposite end, Hag’s Head and walk 6 km to the centre, either way be sure to leave time to enjoy the views and Cliffs centre.

This evening you will check into one of our favourite hotels in Ireland, Gregans Castle Hotel.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 9 - Sheep Dog Demo and Farm Tour

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 multisensory presentations. Excavations from the site, ranging from Venetian glass and Baltic amber, serve to juxtapose the ancient settlement against its contemporary trading inhabitants.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Galway Food Tour

With its cobbled paved streets, buskers and street performers, Galway is fast becoming the west coast’s most vibrant urban centre and a mecca for foodies. Today join a wonderful local culinary walking tour and enjoy Galway’s famous food culture as you explore the streets taking in some of the town’s best known and secret food haunts. Indulge in everything from Oysters to Cheese; Sushi to Crab and Doughnuts to Strawberry Tarts, Local Beers and more.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Clare to Dublin

Time to say goodbye to the west coast today. As you drive, Clonmacnoise Monastic site is the perfect stop on route to Dublin. St Ciarán founded his monastery on the banks of the River Shannon in the 6th Century. The monastery flourished and became a great seat of learning, a University of its time with students from all over Europe. Today the ruins include a Cathedral, two round towers, three high crosses, nine Churches and over 700 Early Christian grave-slabs.

Check into The Merrion Hotel, where your Irish journey began and enjoy your final night in Ireland.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 12 - Depart

Drop your car back to the airport rental and catch your flight home. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable.

Meals Included: Breakfast