


Meet historic knights and vikings in south east Ireland on this relaxing 6 day tour.
Encounter charming gardens, castle ruins and spectacular scenery, from the wilderness of the Wicklow mountains, to medieval Kilkenny, and onto the gorgeous coastlines of Waterford and Cork.
Visit highlights like Glendalough, Blarney Castle, the Rock of Cashel and a whiskey tasting at the Midleton Distillery.
This 6 day tour will suit seniors, young couples and families who want an easy-going tour of south east Ireland. Experience an amazing Ireland vacation with Driftwood; take your time, stop, breathe and savour all the beauty!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Hands down the best trip we have ever taken... The small group size really allowed you to get to know the others on tour and adventure after hours. The small bus size also allowed us to get into places and see things the bigger tours can't fit in, so it really felt like we got to see more than just the tourist traps." Guest Review, June 2022
What a fantastic tour and tour guide. If you ever decide to take a tour of Ireland, this is the company to take it with!
Our tour guide, Andrew, was early getting to the pick up location and loaded everyone's luggage onto the bus... He grew up in Ireland and knew the country well. He taught us some Irish words and played Irish music during some of the trip.
Our hotels were very nice... The group was small and we ended up making friends with the other people, so much that we got together at pubs and restaurants as a group several times.
Not only would I book another Driftwood tour but I'd request Andrew to be the tour guide!
ROCHELLE, JUNE 2022
Hands down the best trip we have ever taken.
Our guide Andrew was super knowledgable and FUN!!! He took us places we didn't even know we would see, so it truly was a grand adventure! Andrew also had amazing recommendations for places to eat and things to see when we stopped at night.
The small group size really allowed you to get to know the others on tour and adventure after hours. The small bus size also allowed us to get into places and see things the bigger tours can't fit in, so it really felt like we got to see more than just the tourist traps...
Looking forward to taking another trip with Vagabond.
JERSEYGIRL, MAY 2022
I just completed my third tour with Driftwood in two years, so I feel like it's only fair to warn others that you will have so much fun with this company that you will want to come back again and again...and again!
This is a wonderful tour whether it's your first or fifteenth visit to Ireland...
I appreciated the balance of well-known sites with off-the-beaten path stops and support of local craftsmen and businesses.
Even our visit to popular Glendalough was expertly timed to avoid the crowds.
I was happy there was a lot of free time for optional walks. I averaged about 20,000 steps each day on my Fitbit - good for working off all the fantastic seafood, goat cheese, and beer I was enjoying along the way!
jpkc6, NOV 2017
Find answers to questions about the 6 Day Driftwood Ancient Ireland Tour itinerary.
Travel light.
That's the one travel tip that we hear again and again from guests on our tours.
Read MoreAll of our tours leave from our pick-up/drop-off point at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin.
Our pick-up times from the Grand Canal Hotel vary by tour:
Read MoreAll of our tours are fully guided by our team of expert driver guides.
We call them VagaGuides.
Read MoreWe always put guest safety first on Vagabond Cultural Adventures.
For this reason, when engaging in kayaking and horseback-riding activities, the following personal weight limits apply:
🐴 Horseback-Riding
Male weight limit: 238lbs / 17 stone / 108kg
Female weight limit: 225lbs / 16 stone / 102kg
🛶 Kayaking
Per person Double Kayak weight limit: 110kg / 17.5 stone / 245lbs
Total Double Kayak weight limit for 2 guests: 190kg / 30 stone / 420lbs
Per person Single Kayak weight limit: 92kg / 14.5 stone / 200lbs.
Similar Questions
Each day on tour, you will be on the road and checked out of your hotel between 8.45am-9.30am.
That time will vary and depend each day on a number of factors.
Read MoreYes, we do operate a limit on luggage.
Owing to the compact nature of our small-group tour vehicles, your luggage limit is one suitcase per person (no bigger than 30” or 75cm along their longest side).
Read MoreTo help you plan your return flights, here are the days and times that our tours return to Dublin.
The return point for all tours is Dublin's Grand Canal Hotel
Read MoreYes, all hotel rooms on Vagabond and Driftwood Tours of Ireland are ensuite.
Expect your own separate bathroom with toilet, sink and shower and/or bath.
Similar QuestionsThe answer depends on which tour style you have chosen.
Driftwood vehicles have space for luggage onboard. Vagabond vehicles tow a trailer.
Read MoreA hot shower after a woodland stroll. A real fire. A pint. We assure you that wherever you stay with us, you’ll love it.
We put great effort into selecting accommodation on Driftwood tours. No large, impersonal hotels here! Your tour will overnight in locally-owned establishments (in some cases for generations). Receive a heartfelt welcome, often from the hoteliers themselves.
This 4 star hotel in Kilkenny is situated right in the centre of Kilkenny city.
With over 400 years of history and a vast array of beautiful countryside to explore, the Pembroke Hotel in Kilkenny provides a perfect base for Driftwooders.
The Pembroke is an extremely comfortable hotel with delicious food.
Don't miss the fun 'shebeen' space for socialising.
Welcome to the heart of Waterford city, Ireland's oldest urban settlement.
The Tower Hotel overlooks Waterford's famous waterfront.
Lucky for our Driftwood guests, this is the city's most central location.
Why the Tower? Well, your home for the night overlooks the 600-year-old Reginald's Tower.
Step outside and you're free to explore the vibrant Viking Triangle area, with multiple cultural attractions and dining options on your doorstep.
Hear the waves crash outside your bedroom...
The Bayview Hotel is a fine manor house hotel, located on cliffs above the Celtic Sea in Cork.
Wander its delightful gardens or explore the beautiful fishing village of Ballycotton with its sandy beaches.
Only lucky Driftwood guests on our 6 Day Ancient Ireland Tour get to enjoy the Bayview Hotel.
Colourful buildings, rich history and gourmet food await you at the Blue Haven.
This boutique hotel is located right at the heart of lively Kinsale.
Superb restaurants, cafés, shops and bars are just a stone's throw away.
You will be delighted to know that each Blue Haven room features a premium Dyson hairdryer!
All Driftwood tours are flexible. Your 6 Day Driftwood Ancient Ireland Tour is no different.
Unmissable activities are included. Where there are great options, we’ve left the final decision up to you. Feel free to choose your evening meals and lunches. All additional tour options are marked clearly below.
All details of prices and suppliers listed here are correct at time of publication. Our suppliers occasionally increase prices for optional tour activities during the touring season. This is a rare occurence. In the unlikely event of a major price increase, we will do our utmost to update you.
** Cash is required for this activity. No card payment available.
Begin your 6 day Ireland tour at Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin at 8.10am. Climb aboard your comfortable Mercedes tour vehicle, bound for Kilkenny.
Accommodation tonight is at The Pembroke Hotel.
The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.
Your tour moves from medieval Kilkenny to historic Waterford.
Accommodation tonight is at The Tower Hotel.
The average driving time today is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Freedom abound on day 3, exploring Waterford and Wexford – the twin jewels of southern Ireland.
Accommodation tonight is at The Tower Hotel.
The average driving time today is 2 hours 30 minutes.
On day 4 of your southern Ireland tour, you’ll take the scenic route from Waterford to Ballycotton, a quaint coastal village in Cork.
Accommodation tonight is at The Bayview Hotel.
The average driving time today is 3 hours.
The fifth day of your 6 day Ireland itinerary is a countryside amble along the coast of Cork.
Accommodation tonight is at The Blue Haven Hotel.
The average driving time today is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Turning homeward, your tour takes in some amazing sights on the journey from Cork back to Dublin.
The average driving time today is 4 hours 30 minutes.