11 Day Discover Ireland Tour

Get ready for an unforgettable culture trip through Ireland. Tour Northern Ireland then follow the Wild Atlantic Way on a once-in-a-lifetime journey of discovery. Fun, laughter, culture, and history are guaranteed.

• Visit the Cliffs of Moher and kiss the Blarney Stone at the impressive Blarney Castle.
• Stay at a castle hotel featuring a 17th century tower and a resident ghost...
• Tour Northern Ireland to spot Game of Thrones props and locations — it's like teleporting into Westeros for a day!
• Walk on the legendary Giant's Causeway and tour the oldest Irish whiskey distillery.
• Spend 2 days in magical Connemara and 2 nights in lively Dingle.
• Catch fantastic live Irish music performances and meet friendly locals.

⬇️ SCROLL DOWN TO DISCOVER WHAT HAPPENS EACH DAY ON THE COUNTER-CLOCKWISE DIRECTION ⬇️

Begin your tour from Dublin and travel to Antrim's Causeway Coast via Belfast.

• Revel at the medieval tower and monastic ruin of Monasterboice, with its beautiful Celtic high crosses.
• Cross into Northern Ireland (remember, UK £ sterling required).
• Explore Belfast with a guided Black Cab Tour (Tour Option - £15 per person), and enjoy a visit to the fantastic Titanic Centre (Tour Option - £18.50 per person) or follow the Glass of Thrones trail.
• Discover one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives, the Causeway Coastal Route.
• Stay at Ballygally Castle Hotel with its 17th century tower, Game of Thrones door and resident ghost.

The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Start the day on the Antrim coast before heading to Derry/Londonderry.

• Walk in the footsteps of the mythical Irish giant, Finn McCool, on the legendary Giant’s Causeway. Built by giants? Left by lava? Either way, the views are incredible!
• Cross Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge over the ocean (Tour Option - £9 per person). Crossing this historic bridge is a rite of passage for locals and tourists alike.
• Visit the historic ruins of clifftop Dunluce Castle - (Tour Option - £5.50 per person).
• Taste Irish whiskey on a guided tour of Bushmills – one of the world's oldest licensed distilleries (Tour Option - £7 per person)
• Your accommodation and dining tonight is at Beech Hill Country House Hotel.

The average driving time today is 3 hours.

Explore Derry/Londonderry before departing Northern Ireland, visiting Donegal and Sligo and ending the day in Mayo.

• Take a guided walking tour of Derry/Londonderry, Ireland’s only walled city (Tour Option - £4 per person).
• Visit an ancient stone ringfort at Grianán of Aileach.
• Walk the ramparts of 15th century Donegal Castle on a guided tour.
• Honour Irish poet and Nobel Laureate, WB Yeats, in Sligo.
• Accommodation tonight is at the elegant Mount Falcon Estate & Spa.

The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Westward we go, moving from Mayo to Clifden in Connemara.

• Tour a working sheep farm on spectacular Killary Fjord.
• Drive through the breathtaking Doolough Valley.
• Sheep shearing and sheepdog demo on the mountainous shores of Killary Fjord.
• Explore the picturesque towns of Westport and Clifden.
• Get comfortable at the centrally-located Station House Hotel in Clifden tonight.

The average driving time today is 3 hours.

Dive deeper into the region of Connemara, starting and ending the day in Clifden.

• Admire Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland’s most beautiful buildings
• Wander Kylemore’s wonderful landscaped gardens.
• Discover the picture postcard beauty of the Inagh Valley.
• Drop by Roundstone, a quaint village at the heart of Connemara.
• Accommodation tonight is once again at the Station House Hotel in Clifden.

The average driving time today is 2 hours.

Heading south, we'll leave Connemara and circuit Galway Bay to reach Clare by day's end.

• Take a guided castle tour of historic 16th century Aughnanure.
• Visit the city of the tribes - buzzy and bohemian Galway.
• Marvel at the Poulnabrone Dolmen - it's older than the pyramids!
• Explore the Burren National Park with its amazing limestone landscapes and unique flora.
• Your accommodation tonight is the homely Wild Atlantic Lodge in Ballyvaughan.

The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Wake up in Clare, explore the Cliffs of Moher and then watch the sun set over Kerry.

• Start the day in dramatic fashion at the 700ft high Cliffs of Moher.
• Cross the mighty river Shannon by ferry.
• Recount the extraordinary exploits of Tom Crean at the South Pole Inn.
• Roll into bustling Dingle to sample some amazing pubs and live music.
• Enjoy traditional Irish warmth and comfort at the centrally located Dingle Benners Hotel.

The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Free time to explore Dingle or choose from a range of optional activities.

• Take a guided craft tour of a working Irish crystal studio.
• Go dolphin spotting on a boat trip across Dingle Bay (Tour Option - €15-20 per person).
• Sample craft Irish whiskey on a tour of Dingle Distillery (Tour Option - €15 per person).
• Experience one of Ireland's most stunning scenic drives on Slea Head.
• Your accommodation tonight is once again at the Dingle Benners Hotel.

The average driving time today is 1 hour 30 minutes

Starting in Dingle, we'll wend our way across the scenic Iveragh peninsula to Kenmare.

• Take a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride around Killarney National Park (Tour Option - €15 per person).
• See the magical 1,000 year old yew tree growing at the heart of ruined Muckross Abbey.
• Catch traditional Irish music and outstanding local food in picturesque Kenmare.
• Scenic, short hike to Torc Waterfall.
• The Lansdowne Arms at the heart of Kenmare is your accommodation for the night.

The average driving time today is 3 hours.

Expect rugged roads and superb scenery as we move from Kenmare to West Cork, via the Beara peninsula.

• Imagine ancient rituals at a mysterious Neolithic stone circle.
• Watch for seals on the boat trip from Glengariff to Garnish Island and its Italianate formal gardens (Tour Option - €16 per person).
• Tour stately Bantry House and Gardens, still inhabited by the same family who built it in the 18th century.
• Gaze out over stunning lakes and mountains on the Healy Pass – Ireland's twistiest road.
• Home tonight is either the Gougane Barra Hotel or the West Cork Hotel.

The average driving time today is 3 hours.

Your last day. But it's a full one! We'll leave West Cork behind and head for Dublin via Tipperary.

• Trace the Lee Valley downriver, passing patchwork fields, stone bridges and charming cottages.
• Kiss the Blarney Stone in the lush surroundings of Blarney Castle Gardens.
• Tour the epic Rock of Cashel with its stunning natural setting and historic architecture.
• Disembark your Drifter tour vehicle back at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin between 5-6pm.
• Farewell hugs all round for your new Driftwood friends!

The average driving time today is 4 hours and 30 minutes.