We take the word ‘wild’ seriously at Vagabond. Explore the outer reaches of the west and southwest of Ireland in a 4x4 Mercedes mini-coach.
Experience a stay in a castle hotel, an e-bike tour in wildest Connemara, Stone Age forts, Atlantic sunsets, hikes in Kerry and a boat trip around the Skellig Islands.
Find out why National Geographic honoured this itinerary with a 'Tours of a Lifetime' award.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Everything about the tour was superb. Brenden was kind and full of great information. He took us off the beaten path to places we never would have known of.
I highly highly recommend Vagabond. It’s a stress free way to see so much of the amazing beautiful country that is Ireland." Guest Review JUNE 2024
🔄 TOUR DIRECTION: This tour itinerary can run in either clockwise or counter-clockwise direction around Ireland.
Find answers to questions about the 8 Day Vagabond Wild Irish Rover Tour itinerary.
We do our utmost to ensure that the tour style you choose matches your needs. Our team offer honest and professional customer service from the moment you first get in touch.
Read the following physical requirements to understand if your tour choice matches your abilities.
Read MoreYou'll need basic mobility to enjoy any of our small group tours of Ireland. Standing and walking for extended periods is required on both tour styles.
For Vagabond Cultural Adventures, the fitness requirement is considerably higher than on a Driftwood Journey of Discovery.
Read MoreEach of our small group tour departures travel around Ireland in one of two directions; clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Our most popular itineraries have departures in both directions. Apart from the direction, these itineraries are identical; both versions feature the same pool of hotels, activities, guide team, tour vehicles and pick-up/drop-off point in Dublin.
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 MoreYou don't have to pre-book activities until you join your tour. While on tour, your VagaGuide will advise you when you need to book an optional extra.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: The only exception is the Skellig Michael Island landing option. This optional extra is only available on the 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure Tour. It requires prior booking at least 45 days before you arrive in Ireland.
Read MoreWe recommend bringing a small amount of cash in euros to Ireland with you.
Around €300 euro should be more than enough to get you through your first days in Dublin.
Read MoreThe industry standard in Ireland is €15 per person, per day. But this is, of course, at your discretion.
Our team of VagaGuide tour guides really appreciate any tips that come their way after leading a Vagabond or Driftwood small-group tour.
Read MoreTo make everyone's tour run smoothly, we operate strict limits on baggage size. Plan to bring 1x compact suitcase as well as 1x daypack or backpack, per guest booking.
Your single large piece of luggage should weigh no more than 51lb (23kg) and measure no longer than 31” (79cm) along its longest side. This 31 inch (79cm) limit includes any wheels that may protrude from the suitcase or bag.
Read MoreOnly guests on the 12 Day Vagabond Giant Irish Adventure Tour get to land on Skellig Michael.
The following Vagabond & Driftwood tour itineraries can take a boat trip around both Skellig Islands:
Read MoreTravel light.
That's the one travel tip that we hear again and again from guests who have experienced our tours.
Read MoreServiced laundry facilities are available on tours that stay 2 nights in the following towns:
Lunches and dinners are not included on Vagabond and Driftwood Tours. You are free to choose your own lunches and dinners.
Your VagaGuide tour guide will recommend their favourite cafes, restaurants and shops. We find that this flexible approach to included meals allows us to cater for diverse tastes, budgets and diets.
All hotel breakfasts are included in your tour price.
Similar QuestionsMost hotels in Ireland do not have air conditioning.
The climate in Ireland usually isn't hot enough to warrant air conditioning.
In periods of prolonged warm weather, hotels that don’t have air conditioning will normally install fans in the bedrooms.
Find out more about Irish weather and the best time to visit Ireland
Similar QuestionsAll of your hotel rooms on tour provide hairdryers.
Please note that, in some cases, Irish hotel hairdryers may not be the most powerful models.
Similar QuestionsAll of our hotels offer double, twin and single room types. Doubles have 1x bed, twins have 2x separate beds and singles have 1x bed.
When booking with us, please select a room requirement for each passenger listed. Choose your room type based on each person sharing.
Read MoreWhile travel insurance is not a requirement for our tours, we strongly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance cover before your trip to Ireland.
Your policy should cover all medical costs associated with travel.
Read MoreThe standard bed size in Ireland equates to a US Queen (60" x 80"). This may vary with hotel or room type.
Similar QuestionsYes, there are regular comfort stops along the tour route where you can avail of restroom facilities.
Simply ask your VagaGuide if you're unsure when the next stop is coming
Similar QuestionsThere are no wifi or charging points available on Vagabond & Driftwood tour vehicles.
We recommend bringing a cellphone with you on tour in Ireland to take pictures and to stay in touch with loved ones back home.
Talk to your cellphone provider about international data roaming before you depart. Alternatively, purchase a sim card on arrival in Ireland to help you get online.
If you think you'll need it, pack a lightweight power bank in your daypack or backpack.
Even better, take a digital detox while exploring Ireland with us!
Similar QuestionsAll 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
To 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 MoreDingle is one of our favourite small towns in Ireland. We know you'll love it too!
The following 8 tour itineraries stop in Dingle.
Read MoreThe Wild Atlantic Way is one of our favourite routes to tour.
Here are all of the small-group tour itineraries that explore the Wild Atlantic Way.
Read MoreAll of our tours pick-up and drop-off from the same point in Dublin - the Grand Canal Hotel.
The Grand Canal Hotel is located just south of Dublin city centre.
Read MoreIt's difficult to access your main luggage or suitcase while on tour. Luggage is securely packed in our tour vehicles. As a result, it's not easy for your driver guide to access individual items of baggage during the day.
However, you can easily access your luggage at each hotel. So that you have your travel essentials close at hand, we recommend bringing a daypack, or backpack, that you can keep beside you in the tour vehicle.
Read MoreYes, all hotel rooms on Vagabond and Driftwood Tours of Ireland are ensuite.
Expect your own separate bathroom with toilet, sink and shower unit and/or combined shower and bath.
Similar QuestionsA hot shower after a mountain hike. 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 Vagabond tours. Your tour will overnight in locally-owned establishments (in some cases for generations). Receive a heartfelt welcome, often from the hoteliers themselves. No hotel chains here!
Fan of champagne and history?
You’re about to experience both!
Get ready for a generous serving of real Irish hospitality at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel.
Enjoy complimentary bubbles as well as storytelling in the piano bar before an atmospheric dining experience.
In your well-appointed and castle-themed room, you'll relax and recuperate before another fun day of activities in the stunning Connemara region.
Get ready for a beautiful sunset and a memorable stay.
The Armada Hotel is beautifully located on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.
Dine in full view of Spanish Point beach. The menu at Aileen's Restauarnt features local food, artisan food producers and dishes with herbs and vegetables from the Armada Farm.
After dinner, kick back in front of a roaring fire at Johnny Burke's, the traditionally-themed pub.
Imagine waking up to a traditional Irish breakfast with spectacular views over Dingle Bay.
Now make that dream a reality at the Dingle Skellig Hotel.
Just a short stroll from the centre of Dingle town, this is the perfect base for enjoying the charms of Dingle and its wild and beautiful surrounding countryside.
The only dilemma facing you at the Dingle Skellig is whether to unwind in the bar first or soak in the rooftop hot tub!
Ceann Sibeal Hotel is a charming family-run hotel located on the spectacular Slea Head just outside of Dingle.
Surrounded by breath-taking beaches, magnificent mountain peaks and epic coastal views, Ballyferriter is the perfect base.
Located in the heart of the Gaeltacht – an Irish-speaking area – you can truly immerse yourself in Irish culture, listen to trad music and visit the local pubs in town.
Literally 30 seconds walk from the pier, The Moorings Guesthouse is well-named!
The Moorings lies at the heart of this tiny but characterful village in remote West Kerry.
Gerard and Patricia Kennedy’s warm welcome and delicious home-cooked food is a great way to end a day’s adventuring.
There’s simply nowhere better to base yourself when you are exploring the Ring of Kerry with Vagabond & Driftwood Small-Group Tours.
You just can’t beat Irish hospitality!
The Jones family have been welcoming guests to The Coachmans Townhouse since 1969.
The Coachmans is located at the heart of the small town of Kenmare. When you stay here with Vagabond & Driftwood Tours, speciality shops, music venues and great restaurants are only a few footsteps away.
Music-lovers, take note that the pub in the Coachmans frequently hosts live performances by traditional musicians. Not to be missed!
Gougane Barra Hotel is a family-run establishment, spectacularly located in Cork, on the edge of a lake.
Rob discovered this magical place on the very first Vagabond tour, way back in 2002!
Neil and Katy Lucey's hotel has been delighting our tour guests ever since.
Many of our Vagabond and Driftwood Tours visit Gougane Barra when passing through the southwest.
Expect a warm Irish welcome at the Castle Hotel in Cork.
This comfortable hotel has been managed by the Buckley family for 3 generations.
It's a great place to unwind after a full day of adventures on Vagabond & Driftwood tours.
All Vagabond tours are flexible. Your 8 Day Vagabond Wild Irish Rover 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. Please read the Activities & Fitness FAQs for further information.
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 cultural adventure from the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin at 8.20am.
Accommodation tonight is at The Abbeyglen Castle Hotel.
The average driving time today is 5 hours.
We aim for the city of Galway before crossing into Clare.
Accommodation tonight is at The Armada Hotel.
The average driving time today is 4 hours.
Wake up in Clare before crossing the River Shannon to arrive in Kerry.
Accommodation tonight is at Dingle Skellig Hotel or Ceann Sibeal Hotel.
The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.
Get set for jaw-dropping natural scenery this morning on the Slea Head Drive.
The afternoon is yours to design. Relax and soak up Dingle’s charms with quality downtime or the following optional activities.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS (Choose A, B, C, D or E)
Accommodation tonight is at Dingle Skellig Hotel or Ceann Sibeal Hotel.
The average driving time today is 1 hours 30 minutes.
Discover 'The Kingdom' of Kerry, from Dingle to Portmagee via Killarney.
Accommodation tonight is at The Moorings Portmagee.
The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.
Today, explore the Ring of Kerry further with the chance for island diversions, ending in Kenmare.
Accommodation tonight is at The Coachman's Townhouse.
The average driving time today is 2 hours.
This morning, we head out onto the Beara, a wild peninsula split between the counties of Cork and Kerry.
Accommodation tonight is at The Gougane Barra Hotel or The Castle Hotel Macroom.
The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.
Turning homeward, your tour will visit Cork and Tipperary before returning to Dublin.
The average driving time today is 4 hours 30 minutes.