This Irish Spirit Tour is a 7 night tour of Ireland’s most famous locations and attractions.
This self-drive itinerary takes the traveller to world renowned locations where you will be able to visit attractions such as The Ring of Kerry , Cliffs of Moher , Blarney Castle ,Book of Kells and many, many more. This tour also includes a tour of the Guinness Storehouse where you can finish with a pint of the black stuff in the Gravity Bar which has 360 degree views of the Dublin skyline!
Overnight Locations:
- Night 1: Kilkenny
- Night 2 & 3: Killarney , Kerry
- Night 4 & 5: Galway
- Night 6 & 7: Dublin
| Low Season | B&Bs | 3 * Hotel | 4* Hotel |
| Bed & Breakfast for 7 nights and Rental of an Economy Manual car | €446 pps | €647 pps | €809 pps |
| High Season | B&BS | 3* Hotel | 4*Hotel |
| Bed & Breakfast for 7 nights and Rental of an Economy Manual car | €594 pps | €869 pps | €1,053 pps |
*pps=per person sharing
Tour package Includes :
- Economy Manual vehicle eg., Ford Fiesta with unlimited mileage based on a minimum of 2 people travelling together. Inclusive of : Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), theft protection (TP), government tax (VAT) and Location Service Charge (upgrade rates for larger or automatic transmissions are available on request)
- Full breakfast daily except on day one
- All local taxes and hotel service charges
- Confirmation documents for each of your accommodations including driving directions
- All rates above are per adult sharing, child and single supplements apply
- Low Season- November-March
- High Season- April-October
Tour Itinerary :
Day 1 : Dublin to Kilkenny
Once you collect your rental car your first stop is the National Stud and Japanese Gardens where a Horse Museum tracing the history of the horse in Ireland is located. In fact the winner of the 2003 Californian ‘Breeders Cup Mile’ race is a National Stud horse, showing the importance of the stud. The Japanese Gardens are situated in the grounds of the Stud Farm and were created between 1906 and 1910. They were created to show the ‘Life of Man’ from the cradle to the grave. Kilkenny – known as Ireland’s Medieval Capital, the city’s origins date back more than 1,500 years. Filled with beautifully restored old buildings, Kilkenny City is small enough to explore on foot, yet is full of fascinating, historical buildings. Kilkenny Castle is a 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands. Also in Kilkenny is Saint Canice’s Cathedral, the second longest of Ireland’s medieval cathedrals. Built on the site of an earlier church, the major portion of the work that produced the beautiful Gothic structure was carried out in the middle of the 13th Century.
Overnight in Kilkenny
Day 2 : Kilkenny to Killarney, County Kerry
Today’s first stop is the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. Cashel was known as the seat of the Kings of Munster and capital of this southern province.It is said that Kings of Ireland as well as Munster came to this spot and St. Patrick is known to have preached on the rock and converted the local King, Aenghus, here in the 5th Century. 10 miles further on is Cahir Castle, once an important stronghold of the powerful Butler family, which to this day still has its impressive keep, tower and much of its original defensive structure. It is one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles. For those who wish to take a longer route to Killarney, Blarney Castle awaits. Then on to Killarney. Boasting its three famous lakes and majestic mountain ranges, Killarney has been the inspiration of poets and painters over many centuries. In the evening take a walk around the town, find a good restaurant for dinner and have a drink in one of Killarney’s lively traditional music pubs such as Danny Manns or The Laurels.
Overnight in Killarney
Day 3: Full Day Tour of the Ring of Kerry, approx. 250km
Leave Killarney and head for Killorglin , which is famous for the Puck Fair pagan festival dating back as far as 3000 years ago. Only in Ireland would a wild mountain goat be crowned King and reign over a town for three days. Killorglin – where a goat is King and people act the goat!
Next stop for you is Glenbeigh and its majestic 3 mile sandy beach at Rossbeigh. Head back to the N70 to Kells or go over the mountain (cars only) to join the N70. From the mountain there is a great view of Dingle bay, this is a good place to enjoy the view.
Leaving Caherciveen on your right hand side you can see Valentia Island. This is where the first Transatlantic Cable was laid to America in 1857. You can also visit the Slate Quarry and the Light House where there are many remains of old structures including Stone Forts and Churches.
From Valentia you can drive back to the main road and head across the headland to Waterville. Continue along the coast road over the Coomakista Pass where there is a viewing point at 700ft (225m) above sea level affording spectacular views. Travel on through Caherdaniel and Castlecove to Sneem.
The final leg of the tour takes you through some stunning scenery. From Sneem you drive through Parknasilla and Tahilla to Kenmare and then up the mountain road to Moll’s Gap and Ladies View where you will be treated to truly majestic views of the Killarney Valley. You will pass through the Killarney National Park, the Upper Lake and the Middle Lake before you get to Torc Waterfall and then on to Muckross House and Gardens, which is definately worth a visit!
The Kerry international Dark-Sky reserve has designated Ireland’s FIRST international Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky association. It is one of only 3 gold tier reserves on the planet and the only one in the northern Hemisphere. This means that on clear nights, the sky in the south west region of Ireland is simply stunning with many astronomical sights seen through the naked eye as can be seen in the Grand Canyon or the desert plains of Africa. Constellations can be viewed here with many more stars than are shown on the usual sky maps. The beautiful band of the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, Star Clusters and Nebula’s are just some of the naked eye wonders to see without the aid of any astronomical equipment or filters. The reserve is near Sneem, County Kerry, approximately 1 hour from Killarney.
Overnight in Killarney
Day 4 : Killarney to Galway
One of your longest days of your tour brings you from Killarney along the west coast to Galway City, Ireland’s festival capital. First stop will be Adare in County Limerick. Adare is regarded by many as Ireland’s prettiest village with its charming thatched cottages, manicured public park and ancient church. From Adare you continue along the N20 towards Limerick City of ‘Angela’s Ashes’ fame and home to King Johns Castle. Shortly after this, you arrive at Bunratty Castle. Built in 1425, this majestic castle was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour. Within the grounds of the Castle is Bunratty Folk Park where 19th century Irish life is vividly recreated. You then continue on to the magnificent ‘Cliffs of Moher’. The majestic Cliffs of Moher are without doubt one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights and overlook the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of West Clare. Following this you will arrive at the village of Doolin. Doolin is world-famous for its wealth of Irish folk music and in recent years has been attracting crowds to spontaneous sessions in any one of its excellent pubs. Then it’s on to Galway via the lunar like Burren Region and the ancient Poulnabrone Dolmen Tombs.
Overnight in Galway
Day 5: Day trip to Connemara
Today you can travel west of Galway to the beautiful Connemara Region. Situated on the most western seaboard of Europe, this wild region boasts the most amazing scenery. The features of Connemara include its rugged, unpolluted coastline, dramatic mountains, numerous lakes and rivers and woodlands and the renowned Connemara National Park. Visit Kylemore Abbey and the Lough Inagh Valley as well as the spectacular Sky Road near the town of Clifden. You can also visit the fishing village of Roundstone and see how a ‘Bodhran’ (traditional Irish Drum) is made. If this doesnt appeal to you, you can alternatively take the ferry to the Aran Islands. Aran will take you back to an Ireland of Celts and Early Christians. Take a pony and trap, or a guided tour from the pier up the island to the stone fort of Dun Aengus. Dún Aengus fort is located on top of a 300ft high sea cliff and is one of the finest prehistoric monuments in Western Europe.
Return to Galway , with its street entertainers and traditional pubs with great music and in particular, the Quays area of the city centre which is particularly majestic at the evening time.
Overnight in Galway
Day 6: Dublin
Today your journey to Dublin takes in some of Ireland’s most historical landmarks. First of these is the ancient monastic settlement at Clonmacnoise. This is an early Christian site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century on the banks of the River Shannon and includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight, two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs. You will then travel either to Dublin or take a slight detour to the megalithic tombs of Newgrange. One of the great wonders of the ancient world, Newgrange is older than Stonehenge, Mycenae or even the Pyramids of Egypt and is foremost among the passage-tombs of Europe.
You will then travel south to Dublin City. Dublin city centre is a compact area and for this reason there are many walking tours available. The most popular of which include the “Historical Walking Tour” and the “Literary Pub Crawl”.
No trip to the republic would be complete without Dublin’s newest visitor attraction: EPIC Ireland. Over the centuries, some 10 million people have left the island of Ireland. EPIC Ireland tells the dramatic story of how these people have spread around the globe, and how they changed the world. Through 20 state-of-the-art galleries, visitors immerse themselves in the stories of some of the most remarkable tales of sacrifice, endurance, adventure, and discovery the world has ever known. Located in The chq Building in the heart of Dublin‘s docklands, EPIC Ireland brings these amazing stories to life in a unique and spectacular way, never experienced before.
Why not finish up the day in Dublin’s Temple Bar area and enjoy the wonderful pubs and music that it’s famous for.
Overnight in Dublin
Day 7: Dublin
For your last day in Dublin we have included tickets for the open-top tour bus. This is an excellent means of visiting many of Dublin’s most historic locations .The all day ticket means you can hop on and off as often as you wish throughout the day allowing you explore the history and culture of Dublin at your leisure.
With your complimentary tickets to the Guinness Storehouse you will be able to see how Irelands’ most famous export is made and finish with a pint of the black stuff in the Gravity bar .This bar sitting at the top of the Guinness Storehouse has 360 degree views over Dublin skyline.
For your last evening why not attend any one of a number of excellent traditional Irish shows and make your last night in Ireland one to remember.
Overnight in Dublin .
Guinness Storehouse 
Located in the heart of the St James’s Gate Brewery, which has been home to the black stuff since 1759, Guinness Storehouse is Ireland’s Number One Visitor Attraction and you simply cannot leave Dublin without having paid a visit. The massive seven-storey building, a former Guinness fermentation plant, has been remodeled into the shape of a giant pint of Guinness. A visit will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about this world famous beer from how Guinness is made to the ancient craft of Guinness barrel making in the Cooperage. The highlight for many visitors is the Gravity Bar. Here visitors receive a complimentary pint of Guinness and can relax and enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree views across Dublin City.
Newgrange 
Newgrange was constructed over 5,000 years ago (about 3,200 B.C.), making it older than Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Newgrange was built during the Neolithic or New Stone Age by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. Newgrange have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Archaeologists classified Newgrange as a passage tomb, however Newgrange is now recognised to be much more than a passage tomb. Ancient Temple is a more fitting classification, a place of astrological, spiritual, religious and ceremonial importance, much as present day cathedrals are places of prestige and worship where dignitaries may be laid to rest.Newgrange is part of a complex of monuments built along a bend of the River Boyne known collectively as Brú na Bóinne. All admission to Newgrange and Knowth is through the Brú na Bóinne. Visitor Centre as there is no direct access to these monuments. Visitors are brought from the Visitor Centre to the monuments by shuttle bus.
Kilkenny Castle 
A 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. Due to major restoration works, the central block now includes a library, drawing room, and bedrooms decorated in 1830’s splendour, as well as the beautiful Long Gallery. A suite of former servant’s rooms is the Butler Art Gallery, which mounts frequently changing exhibitions of contemporary art. The Parade Tower is the Castle’s conference venue.
Have you decided against our Irish Spirit Car Tour? How about a golf trip instead? Check out our dedicated golf site here.
Or how about an escorted coach tour? Check out our homepage for even more option.
