


Get set for 8 days of incredible Irish castles, culture, islands and villages. This 8 day off the beaten track itinerary is a fully-guided Driftwood Journey of Discovery, departing Dublin.
Highlights include historic Kilkenny, the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, Kerry and Clare. Expect serene landscapes, such as beautiful Killarney National Park, mixed with cultural experiences, like whiskey tasting at the Jameson Distillery in Cork. You'll encounter friendly locals, surprisingly delicious food and incredible natural landscapes.
Our 8 Day Wild Atlantic Way guests rave about the expertly guided excursions to hidden beaches and scenic strolls in charming villages that larger tours often miss.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "It was such a fun trip! For me, traveling off the beaten path was the best way to experience Ireland. I have so many wonderful memories of this incredible trip and I highly recommend this tour." Guest Review MAY 2024
Find answers to questions about the 8 Day Driftwood Wild Atlantic Way 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 MoreWhether you're planning to land on Skellig Michael or simply cruise around both Skellig Islands, the boats you travel on will be similar in size and oceangoing ability.
They measure roughly 9 metres or 30 feet in length. Though they have powerful engines, they are open-decked vessels with little or no protection from rain, waves and water spray.
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 MoreGarnish Island features a beautiful formal garden, warm microclimate and Martello Tower. This amazing destination is located in a sheltered bay near Glengarriff in deepest West Cork.
The following Driftwood Journeys of Discovery feature a Garnish Island Boat Trip Option:
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 QuestionsWe put great effort into selecting accommodation on Driftwood 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!
🛗 Please note there is no elevator available at The Moorings Guesthouse in Portmagee.
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.
The Garryvoe Hotel welcomes you to a haven of Irish hospitality.
Nestled along the stunning coastline, the hotel offers guests a unique opportunity to experience the charm of Ballycotton, a picturesque village steeped in history.
As you step outside, the golden, sandy stretch of a five mile beach unfolds before you, inviting you to take in its breathtaking beauty.
You’ll enjoy panoramic views of the dramatic coastline with the iconic Ballycotton lighthouse standing tall against the horizon.
Enjoy the high life at Ballyseede Castle Hotel.
With a history dating back centuries, Kerry's only castle hotel will make you feel like royalty.
Step into a realm of elegance and heritage, with delicious dining, well-appointed rooms and an oak-lined bar area to relax and recharge your batteries.
You may even bump into Molly the wolfhound, a friendly giant often found standing guard at the ornate entrance hall.
Sandwiched between gorgeous Spanish Point and the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch is perfectly placed for you to enjoy the Wild Atlantic Way.
The Lahinch Coast Hotel is a bright, spacious and contemporary space located only a stone's throw away from a beautiful sandy beach.
Dine on delicious Irish food, avail of the hotel swimming pool and then fall asleep in your cosy room to the sound of crashing Atlantic waves.
The Galway to Clifden railway first opened in 1895.
The original railway station buildings have been thoughtfully restored to house the Clifden Station House Hotel & Spa.
This charming, family-run hotel features a railway theme. The red-brick buildings incorporates many of the original Victorian features, including the old railway platform.
It’s a fantastic example of old world Ireland.
All Driftwood tours are flexible. Your 8 Day Driftwood Wild Atlantic Way 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.
Board your vehicle and meet your VagaGuide in Dublin for 8 days of magical touring on the Wild Atlantic Way!
Accommodation tonight is at The Bayview Hotel or The Garryvoe Hotel.
The average driving time today is 4 hours 30 minutes.
Venture through stunning West Cork, crossing the remote Beara Peninsula, to finish up in County Kerry.
The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.
Embark on a captivating journey on the beautiful Ring of Kerry.
The average driving time today is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Today we meander through Kerry to Tralee, via Killarney National Park.
Accommodation tonight is at The Ballyseede Castle Hotel.
The average driving time today is 2 hours.
Leaving Ballyseede behind, the Dingle Peninsula and stunning County Clare await today.
Accommodation tonight is at The Lahinch Coast Hotel.
The average driving time today is 4 hours.
Enjoy some downtime in Lahinch or spend the day exploring the Clare coastline and the stunning Aran Islands.
Accommodation tonight is at The Lahinch Coast Hotel.
The average driving time today is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Today we venture through the rugged, remote and picturesque region of Connemara, on the west coast of Ireland.
Accommodation tonight is at The Clifden Station House Hotel.
The average driving time today is 4 hours.
Before we wave farewell on our final day touring together, there’s still time for some of our absolute favourites on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Take a guided castle tour of historic 16th century Aughnanure Castle (Fee Included).
Visit the City of the Tribes - buzzy and bohemian Galway.
The average driving time today is 4 hours.