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Strong Travel – Ireland Southwest Self Drive
Thursday 19th September – Saturday 28th September 2024
Thursday 19th September – Saturday 28th September 2024
On this self drive trip on the Wild Atlantic Way, you’ll stand at the edge of the world overlooking incredible ocean vistas from the Cliffs of Moher all the way down through the wild green scenery of The Ring of Kerry. Hike through the fascinating geological landscapes of the Burren, explore ancient monuments and wild bogs in Connemara, and tickle your tastebuds in the foodie hotspots of the southwest. Though Galway, Cork and Kerry are some of Ireland’s most popular regions, we’ll take you off the beaten track to visit several of the most intriguing yet off-the-map locations favourited by locals.
Start your Wild Atlantic Way self drive trip off with a treat, feasting your eyes upon the breathtaking shores of one of Ireland’s only three fjords before heading to the expanses of Connemara. Once described as “a savage beauty” by author Oscar Wilde, explore the wild, windswept region. Stops include a sheep farm and a neo-gothic abbey before hiking in the Connemara National Park.
Overnight: Clifden | The Ardagh
Room Type: Standard Double
Meals Included: None
Explore the ancient mysteries of Connemara with a local archeologist who will bring the landscape, traditions and mythology of the region alive. Our route takes us to a hauntingly beautiful island where you’ll hear tales of pirates and invasions. Be sure to taste some of the spectacular local seafood in an idyllic island pub.
Overnight: Clifden | The Ardagh
Room Type: Standard Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
With its cobbled pavement and street performers, Galway is the west coast’s most vibrant urban centre and a great place to visit. As you continue your adventure south, visit such places as botanical perfumeries, perfectly preserved historic cottages complete with thatched roofs and turf fires or short hikes to breathe some of Europe’s freshest air right off the Atlantic!
Overnight: Doolin | Doolin Inn
Room Type: Cosy Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 on your guided hike through this other-worldly region, it’s easy to see why! Home to a plethora of unique wildflowers, you will learn about the human history of the area dating back thousands of years.
*Optional Upgrade: join a local farming couple for a tour of The Burren, wrapped up with a farm-sourced home cooked lunch in their farm house.
Overnight: Doolin | Doolin Inn
Room Type: Cosy Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start your day off at Ireland’s most-famous cliffs, the Cliffs of Moher, before the crowds arrive, enjoying a walk along the dramatic cliff edge on a background of coastal panoramas. Leaving County Clare behind, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine wildlife as you cross the mouth of the mighty River Shannon. As you make your way south through North Kerry, we’ll recommend a great beach walk along one of Kerry’s best-kept secret coastlines, as well as a few other great stops to make a leisurely day of it. Alternatively, you may prefer to head straight to Dingle where you could join an afternoon boat trip to spot the marine wildlife and the spectacular coastlines of the Dingle Peninsula.
Overnight: Dingle | Cill Bhreac House
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
The best way to discover the best of the Dingle Peninsula? By boat, of course! Spend the day with a charismatic wildlife expert boating around Slea Head and the Blasket Islands, an abandoned archipelago famous for rich literary heritage and unique cultural insight about life in Ireland’s westernmost fringes. Spot seabirds and marine wildlife such as whales, seals and porpoises and dolphins.
Overnight: Dingle | Cill Bhreac House
Room Type: Deluxe Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Killarney National Park is the most famous of Ireland’s national parks – and with good reason! Discover some of Killarney’s most breathtaking mountains, lakes and waterfalls. Historic manor houses and abbeys makes for an interesting visit but Killarney is best explored via its beautiful looped forested and mountain hikes or by heading out onto the lakes of Killarney in a traditional boat.
Overnight: Kenmare | Lansdowne Hotel
Room Type: Super King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
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: Kenmare | Lansdowne Hotel
Room Type: Super King Room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dublin, Ireland’s capital has been described as the ‘city with a village feel’ and as you explore its cobbled streets and historical monuments it will be easy to see why. Dublin is best explored on foot or using public transport such as the LUAS, our light rail system. Many of Dublin’s highlights are within walking distance and indeed you will discover it is in the act of wandering from one to another where you will soak up Dublin’s authentic atmosphere.
Overnight: Dublin | The Wilder Townhouse
Room Type: Popular Double
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a leisurely breakfast in your Dublin townhouse, make your way to the airport in your own time to drop off your car in preparation for your return flight home.
Meals Included: Breakfast
The NET price of this trip is €3,225 per person and is based on availability at the time of booking, inclusive of 10% agent commission.
Thursday 19th September – Saturday 28th September 2024
