15-day bespoke tour of Ireland (self-drive)

Howth - Dublin

Day 1: Welcome to Ireland

After you pick up your rental car, we recommend an excursion to the Howth peninsula. Wild seals live in the harbor, and Howth itself is also known for fresh seafood. You will find a lot of good restaurants and cafes not too far from the harbor walls. 

Dublin - Temple Bar - Trinity College

Day 2: Explore Dublin

Explore Dublin's rich history with a visit to the iconic Trinity College and view the early Christian Book of Kells, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Kilmainam Jail.

You may also consider a guided tour of the Teeling Distillery or a ramble around the Guinness Storehouse.

Don’t forget to dive into Temple Bar, where you find live music all day and for most of the night. We recommend you use a hop-on hop-off bus as these busses stop at every great site you can think off. You can get on and off as often as you like for the duration of your chosen ticket.

Alternatively use a personal guide for half of the day for a private walking tour. We would be happy to arrange this for you.

Kilbeggan - Clonmacnoise - Galway

Day 3: Venture west

Today you will be heading west.

Why not stop at the Kilbeggan Distilliery, which is one of the oldest licensed whiskey distilleries in Ireland? You will learn all about the history and the now modern art of producing Irish “Gold”.

A little detour through the prevalent bogland of the midlands will bring you to Clonmacnoise. This early Christian site, on the bank of the river Shannon, is a magical place, steeped in history. Amongst other things, you will see original Irish high crosses, dating back as far as the 8th century.

The last stretch of today’s journey will bring you to Galway City. The fourth largest city in the Republic of Ireland, with a vibrant population. More than 50% of the Galwegian population is under 25 years old. This is due to the Galway University, which was founded in 1845 by Queen Victoria.

Kylemore Abbey - Connemara National Park - Sky Road

Day 4: Connemara

Connemara is a wild romantic region, known for its black lakes, sparkling mountains, rainbows and wild Connemara ponies.

A visit to Kylemore Abbey & Gardens is a must. Run by Benedict nuns, this estate impresses with a fairy-tale castle, which was built in the mid-1800s by Mitchell Henry for his beloved wife.

Connemara is also perfect for hikers. Several hiking trails for all skill levels lead from the Connemara National Park Visitor Center.

If you are more inclined to do some horseback riding, Connemara is the place for you. The Knockillaree Riding Center offers a wide range of opportunities for all skill levels and ages.

But even if you are the type to just relax and enjoy the amazing landscape, Connemara is the perfect place to do just that.

Inishmore

Day 5: Set sail for Inishmore

Today you will step back in time.

Take the passenger ferry to Inishmore (Inis Mor), the largest of the three Aran Islands. On the way to the island you might spot the occasional dolphin or maybe even whales.

You can discover the island on foot, by horse and carriage, by bicycle or join a small group in a minibus. The choice is yours.

We would say that a visit to Dun Aonghasa is a must-see. This site is around 3,000 years old and sits on the edge of a 300ft cliff. Was it a military fortress, a homestead, or perhaps a place to pray to the pagan Gods of the time? Who knows. But it is ancient and magical and looks straight out of a set from a fantasy epic.

Other sites to visit are the Wormhole, the Seven Churches, the Seal Colony, and Kilmurvey Beach.

Galway

Day 6: Discovering Galway

Today you can take it easy and explore Galway City at your own pace. You can make use of the city’s hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus, or discover the city on Shanks’s pony.

Visit the impressing Galway Cathedral, which was built in the mid 1900s on the site of the former city jail. The cathedral impresses with beautiful stained windows and different marbles.

Dive into Shop Street, where old meets new. The name of the street says it all. Many little shops offer showcase local crafts as well as typical European and international goods. Pop into one of the many pubs for a bite to eat, or visit Salthill.

Salthill is very popular among the Irish honeymooners. The seafront suburb is ideal for a stroll and if you’re so inclined, for a swim in the Atlantic.

Use the day to get some souvenirs, write some cards home, or simply to digest the past few days.

Burren - Cliffs Of Moher

Day 7: Burren and the beautiful Cliffs of Moher

Today you will be introduced to a very different Irish landscape.

First, you will immerse yourself into the Burren, a 40 square miles 330-year-old limestone plateau with a unique flora for this part of the world.

Make your way along Black Head Drive, a coast road along the edge of the Atlantic.

Visit the Poulnabrone prehistoric monument. 5,500 years ago, our ancestors used this monument for their dead.

Explore the Ailwee Cave, where Ireland’s only brown bear bone was found.

Take a walk along the 700ft high Cliffs of Moher and take in the breathtaking view over the Aran Islands, Connemara, and the expanses of the Atlantic.

Enjoy the evening in one of the many live traditional Irish music venues.

Tarbert - Dingle - Killarney

Day 8: The Dingle Peninsula

This morning, you will be crossing the British Isle’s longest River, the Shannon. With a bit of luck, you may see some dolphins. Traveling via Tralee, you will reach the Dingle Peninsula.

Dingle is a rugged, but beautiful little headland. Stop in Dingle town for some shopping, or for a bite to eat, before heading to the Slea Head Drive.

The Slea Head is, according to some Irish people, the most westerly point of Europe. On a clear day, you might see the Americas from there.

Stop by at the Dingle Sheepdog Trials, where you will witness how border collies are rounding up the sheep in the hills of Kerry.

Alternatively, you can also take a boat trip to spot some dolphins.

Afterwards, you continue to Killarney.

Killorglin - Waterville - Sneem

Day 9: The Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is a 110-mile panorama drive around the Iveragh Peninsula. If we're perfectly honest, this road can be a little bit crowded during the peak season, but it is on many visitors' bucket lists so it would be madness to leave it off.

Therefore, we suggest starting early with a visit to Muckross House & Gardens in Killarney and starting the Ring of Kerry a little bit later in the day. Allow about 90 minutes for the visit of Muckross - this will give you plenty of time for the Ring of Kerry and you will avoid most of the tour buses. We recommend starting the Ring of Kerry from Killarney, by driving via Killorglin. From there, you follow the signs along the coast.

Some of the highlights of this scenic drive are the ancient ring forts of Cahersiveen, Waterville for lunch, Coomakesta Viewpoint, Sneem, and Ladies View.

Kenmare - Castletownbere - Glengarriff

Day 10: Ring of Beara & Garinish Island

The Ring of Beara is a little gem. This peninsula is not that well known to the average tourist. At times, you may feel you are the only visitor.

Make your way from Killarney to the vibrant town of Kenmare. From there you drive along the coast via Lauragh to the colorful village of Alihies. Make your way via Cahermore and Castletownbere up to Glengarriff. The drive itself doesn’t take long, but you will most likely stop a lot to take in the amazing scenery.

The fishing town of Castletownbere is the best place to stop for lunch.

Once in Glengarriff, we recommend a visit to Garinish Island. In the 1800s a wealthy Belfast businessman cultivated this island. The plan was to build an estate but he started with the garden and never got to building the house, but the garden is impressive alone.

Spend the night in the quaint surroundings of Glengarriff/Bantry, with plenty of restaurants and small shops. 

Baltimore - Mizen Head

Day 11: Mizen Head

Start the day with a trip down to Baltimore Harbor. From there you can join “Whale Watch West Cork” on one of their sea safaris. The four-hour tour will give you a great insight into the Irish sealife. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, warm clothes, drink, and food.

In the afternoon you head south on the Mizen peninsula. Mizen Head is officially the most southerly point of Ireland. Even the drive along the breathtaking peninsula is worth your while. Enjoy the rest of the day on this magnificent peninsula where you might even feel like going for a swim on one of the many outstanding beaches.

Kinsale - Cork

Day 12: From Kinsale to Cork

Kinsale is also known as Ireland’s capital of fine cuisine. Numerous eateries will guarantee you a special culinary experience, from fine dining to everyday pub grub. It also offers a lot of variety when it comes to local craftsmanship and many little stores offer fantastic local products.

If you’re into history, go and visit Charles Fort. The fortress was built in the late 1600s, the design focused so much on attacks from the sea, that it turned out to be a stroll in the park to take the fortress from the land-side.

In the afternoon you will reach Cork City, the former “Venice” of Ireland,  bursting with history, restaurants, pubs and shops. Many Corkonians believe that Cork is the “real Capital of Ireland”. The English Market is a great place to mingle with the locals and discover local produce at its finest. You might also want to climb the spire of St. Anne’s church.

Rock Of Cashel - Kilkenny

Day 13: Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny

The legendary Rock of Cashel was once the seat of the High Kings of Munster, before it was handed over to the Church in 1101. Today’s ruins date back to between the 12th and 15th centuries. The almost 200ft limestone rock, with an amazing view over the plains of Tipperary, is home to an Irish Round Tower, a Romanesque chapel, an early Gothic Cathedral and a Tower House.

Your next stop is the medieval town of Kilkenny. Kilkenny Castle, home to the Butler family for more than 800 years, is well worth a visit.

Other highlights of the city are St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kyteler’s Inn, and the Smithwick’s Experience, which gives you a great insight of a brewery, that was established by a Roman Catholic Entrepreneur during the penal years. The Kilkenny Historic Trail is a must for history lovers. 

Make the most of live music venues and buzzing pubs in the evening.

Jerpoint Estate - Dunbrody Famine Ship - Hook Lighthouse

Day 14: From the Cistercians to Kennedy

Today is full of options. Choose from possible activities below; you won’t fit all into the day.

Morning

A guided tour of Jerpoint Abbey: The Cistercians were the very first Roman Catholic Order to establish themselves in Ireland in the 1200s. 

Also worth a visit is Jerpoint Park. Joe will tell you all about the history of the estate, the secrets of a lost town and why St. Nicolas is buried on these grounds.

Afternoon suggestions

We suggest a drive to New Ross. Here you can visit the former Kennedy Homestead, the very place from where John F. Kennedy’s ancestors emigrated to the United States. 

Alternatively visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship. This replica ship tells the story of thousands of Irish emigrants in search of a better life in the “New World”

If time allows, take a drive down to Hook Lighthouse. A guided tour will tell you how monks worked this lighthouse in the early days.

Dublin Airport

Day 15: Farewell - slán abhaile

It’s time to say 'goodbye'.

Make your way to the airport and return your car then start your journey home.

Thank you for traveling with us and please, spread the word about your unforgettable vacation.

This is a sample itinerary, which can be customized according to your preferences. Reduce or extend the duration, change the destinations, make it more family friendly. The world is your oyster!