The two-week duration of our Ireland and Scotland Tours allows enough time to absorb the richness of both the Irish and Scottish cultures at a pace that is comfortable for all. From the historic skyline of Edinburgh to the craggy inlets of Kerry's shores, uncover all that Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland have to offer on this 14-Day Gaelic adventure.
This tour is also available as a 9-Day Version.
Please note, this tour used to be called the Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour, so you may see Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour in the reviews of this tour.
Become immersed in Celtic culture throughout this two-week tour of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. The 14-Day Discover Scotland & Ireland Tour awaits. Click on the days below to find out what adventures you can look forward to on each day of your tour.
On arrival in Edinburgh Airport reclaim your baggage and enter the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will meet your professional Tour Director (1 Person). There will be 3 group airport transfers this morning between 7:00 am and 1200 noon. To ensure a smooth start to your tour, it is advisable to aim for an arrival time in Edinburgh Airport before 11:00 am, as clearing immigration and reclaiming baggage typically takes around 1 hour.
Board your luxury air-conditioned coach with WI-FI on board and transfer to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh City.
This afternoon you might like to take a stroll on the streets of Edinburgh. At 6:30 PM this evening all participants will gather for dinner in the hotel restaurant where you will become acquainted with your fellow travellers, the coming days can be discussed at leisure with your Tour Director. Overnight DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh City.
For guests arriving in Edinburgh on the 9th and 16th of August, we have included a ticket to the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Time | Arrival Transfer details |
---|---|
Between 07:00 and 12 (noon) | Edinburgh Airport There are 3 group airport transfers this morning, between 7am and 12 noon, from Edinburgh Airport to DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. |
After a hearty Scottish breakfast, depart on a panoramic tour of Edinburgh City, with a local Edinburgh Step-on Guide. Visit the Holyrood Palace. Known as the official Scottish residence of the British Royal Family. Adjacent to the palace is Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat — a volcano that has been extinct for millions of years.
Take a visit to the Scottish Parliament. This modern building was opened in 2004 after decades of Scottish calls for self-determination. Enjoy an afternoon visit to Edinburgh Castle, dating from the 12th century that has been a fortress, royal palace and prison through its turbulent past. It houses the oldest crown jewels of Britain - The Honours of Scotland.
Enjoy the afternoon free as you explore The Royal Mile, the main thoroughfare of medieval Edinburgh. Overnight and Dine in DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh City.
Depart for the picturesque town of Pitlochry, nestled amongst the stunning forested hills of Highland Perthshire. Enjoy a Kingsbarns Distillery Tour. Located in the majestic kingdom of Fife, Scotland, this tour takes you into the history and heritage of one of Britain's most celebrated spirits. Travel on via St. Andrew's. Scotland's oldest university town. Also referred to as the Home of Golf, the Old Course at St Andrew's Links is the oldest golf course in the world. Enjoy some free time walking its historic cobbled alleyways.
Continue onto the beautiful burgh of Pitlochry, lying on the River Tummel via Perth.
Travel onto the historic Atholl Palace Hotel for your overnight stay.
Evening free on the extensive grounds of the hotel. Dinner this evening will be served at the Atholl Palace Hotel restaurant with stunning views over the Tummel Valley.
Depart for the Scottish Highlands via Cairngorms National Park and Aviemore.
Visit the Capital of The Highlands- Inverness. Travel along the western shores of Loch Ness to Fort Augustus via the scenic Great Glen.
Enjoy a leisurely cruise on Loch Ness. Here you see the sights, wildlife and history of the famous loch.
Return to Pitlochry via the rugged terrains of Spean Bridge and Dalwhinnie and the backdrop of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.
Overnight and dine at Atholl Palace Hotel.
Depart for Glasgow via Stirling & the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.
Travel via Perth to Stirling to visit one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland – Stirling Castle. Travel on via Crianlarich and journey south along the western shores of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
The area is renowned for its natural beauty, history and tranquillity. Stop in the village of Luss before continuing onto Glasgow.
Overnight and dine tonight in Clayton Hotel Glasgow City.
Depart on a morning tour of Glasgow City. Enjoy a panoramic tour of Glasgow City with a local Glasgow Step-on Guide. With its pre-industrial roots, Glasgow is now a modern and vibrant city. The great inventors James Watt and Charles Macintosh were born here, to name a few.
Visit Glasgow Cathedral. A truly rare example of an almost complete 13th century church.
Continue to Cairnryan Ferry Port located in Dumfries and Galloway.
15:30 Wave goodbye to Scotland as you board the ferry at Cairnryan for Belfast City, Northern Ireland.
17:45 Arrive in Belfast Port. Continue on to Belfast City.
Overnight and dine in Europa Hotel Belfast.
This morning, for your tour of Belfast City, you will be joined by a specialised step on local Belfast City Guide to see and hear all about the history of this once troubled city — including the Belfast Murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road and Nationalist Falls Road.
Depart for Donegal via the North Antrim Coast. Visit Giant's Causeway. This prehistoric geological phenomenon is the subject of many myths and legends. There are an estimated 37,000 basalt columns extending from cliffs down into the sea.
Continue onto Donegal. Dinner & Overnight in Lough Eske Castle.
Depart for Galway via Fermanagh and Sligo.
Visit Belleek Pottery, one of the oldest potteries in the world, and has been in operation since 1857.
Continue on via Drumcliffe. Located in County Sligo, this is the picturesque final resting place of W.B. Yeats. Here you can read the epitaph on the grave of one of Ireland's greatest poets.
Continue onto Galway.
Tonight, you will overnight & dine in the Menlo Park Hotel.
Today you will tour the sights of wild Connemara via the villages of Moycullen, Oughterard. At Oughterard, enjoy a Sheepdog Demonstration in Glengowla Mines, where you will also have the opportunity to explore the abandoned silver and lead mine.
Continue through the villages of Maam Cross and Recess, before travelling up the spectacular Inagh Valley with the 12 Bens of Connemara on your left and the Maumturks Mountains on your right as you travel to Kylemore.
You will visit Kylemore Abbey. An historic building nestled at the base of Duchruach Mountain, on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul — in the heart of the Connemara Mountains. It is regarded as one of Ireland's most romantic buildings.
Travel on via the shores of Killary Fjord. This is Ireland's only fjord and is a Wild Atlantic Way signature discovery point, on the Mayo - Galway border, Ireland's only fjord, before crossing into Mayo and continuing on to the village of Cong, the film location of "The Quiet Man" for a brief stop.
Return to Galway City via the shores of Lough Corrib, the largest lake in the Republic of Ireland and is considered by many as the best fishing lake in Europe.
Tonight you will overnight & dine in the Menlo Park Hotel.
This morning bright and early, your route will take you down the Atlantic seaboard on the west coast of Clare to Killarney Town.
Travel via the famous Galway Bay, Dunguaire Castle and the fishing village of Kinvarra. You will see The Burren, which is Gaelic for rocky land—an apt name for this vast limestone plateau. In the 1640s, Cromwell's surveyor described it as "a savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury".
On the coast, you will visit the Cliffs of Moher. Braced against the ocean, on the coast of County Clare. Here you will stand on the dramatic 702ft (214m) high and 9 miles (14km) long cliffs, a Wild Atlantic Way signature discovery point, to gaze out on the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.
Continue on via County Limerick to Killarney Town.
Tonight, you will overnight & dine in Dromhall Hotel.
This morning, after breakfast, you will set off on the world-famous Ring Of Kerry. It is officially known as the Iveragh Peninsula. You will travel via Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Coomakesta Pass with its magnificent views over Derrynane, home of Daniel O' Connell, known as "The Liberator", to Caherdaniel. Travel on via the hamlet of Castlecove, the colourful village of Sneem and on via Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, Killarney National Park and along the Lakes of Killarney to Killarney town.
Take a break at the Blind Piper Pub. Here you will have a traditional Irish Pub Lunch. Located in the village of Caherdaniel, locals and visitors alike have been drinking here since 1865. Who is the Blind Piper, you may ask? The Blind Piper is Mici Cumba O'Sullivan, who was born nearby in 1835 and became one of Ireland's most famous pipers.
Continue via the pretty village of Sneem, Moll's Gap, Ladies View and along the Killarney Lakes to Killarney Town.
Tonight, you will overnight & dine in the family-owned Dromhall Hotel.
This morning after breakfast, you will depart for Dublin, Ireland's capital city via the village of Blarney. Visit Blarney Castle. Built on this site in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy. You will have the chance to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone. You will also have an opportunity to shop at Blarney Woollen Mills, boasting a huge selection of Irish arts, crafts and produce.
Today, visit The Rock of Cashel. Rising dramatically from the grassy plains of county Tipperary. This was the seat of kings and medieval bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. Brian Ború was crowned King of Munster here in 977, before becoming High King of Ireland in 1002.
Continue on to Dublin City.
Overnight and dine in the Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane.
After breakfast this morning, you will explore Dublin City.
Visit EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum. Voted, recently, as "Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction", this museum tour tells the story behind the millions of people who fled, or were forced from, Ireland over the past three centuries. Located in Dublin's Docklands.
You will also visit Christ Church Cathedral. Founded by the Viking King Sitric almost 1000 years ago in 1034. The cathedral crypt is one of the largest in the UK and Ireland, dating back to the 12th Century. Here, in the crypt, you can see the mummified remains of the Cat and the Rat which were found in the cathedral organ, and a rare 14th century copy of the Magna Carta.
Visit Guinness Storehouse. With an address at the world-famous St. James's Gate. Here you will tour the world-renowned brewery and enjoy a perfect complimentary pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar — located at the top of a glass tower that commands spectacular views of Dublin City.
Enjoy a farewell dinner and a Traditional Music Night at The Merry Ploughboy Pub—one of Dublin's iconic trad music venues.
Overnight in Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane.
Today marks the end of the Iconic Tour of Ireland & Scotland.
After a final great Irish breakfast this morning, there will be 3 group airport transfers between 0500 and 1100 to get you to Dublin Airport for your return flight home. The confirmed transfer times will be advised 10 days prior to the tour start date.
Time | Departure Transfer details |
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Between 05:00 and 11:00 | Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane There are 3 group airport transfers this morning, between 5am and 11am, from Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane to Dublin Airport. |
Please note when booking flights for this tour: The 14-Day Discover Scotland & Ireland Tour starts in Edinburgh (Scotland) and ends in Dublin (Ireland).
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We are still Ireland's best-reviewed tour operator, with 97.3% five-star reviews.
Please note, this tour used to be called the Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour, so you may see Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour in the reviews of this tour.
Journey along Ireland's most famous route and see its most popular destinations on The Wild Atlantic Way.
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Arrival | Departure | Price Per Person | Availability |
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Sat 26 Apr 2025 | Fri 09 May 2025 | - | fully booked |
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For payment terms click here. Alternatively, you can also view our full terms and conditions.
We have added extra flexibility to our cancellation timeline. This means you can now make unlimited changes to your chosen tour up to 60 days before your arrival. Our cancellation timeline is as follows. For more details, see our terms and conditions.
The Deposit is non-refundable. However, before 60 days you can make unlimited changes for free, including changing your tour dates (including transferring to a tour in 2026), changing your tour and changing tour participants.
25% of total price is forfeited on cancellation
50% of total price is forfeited on cancellation
100% of total price is forfeited on cancellation
The Deposit for the 14-Day Discover Scotland and Ireland Tour 2025 is €800 per person.
For guests who are travelling alone and are therefore not sharing a room, the single occupancy supplement for the 14-Day Discover Scotland and Ireland Tour 2025 is €900.
The full balance is due 60 days before your tour.
All payments are in Euros.
We do not charge any fees for paying by credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
Children ages 8 yrs - 17 yrs inclusive receive a 10% discount on the prices. Children must share a room with a least 1 adult. Our tours do not cater for children 7 yrs or younger. You must be 18 or over to travel on our adults-only tours.
Once a partial or full payment has been made, cancellations will only be accepted in writing (either by email or standard mail) to My Ireland Tour. Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received and based on the following dates prior to tour commencement. Cancellation fees apply as indicated above. All cancellation fees include the initial deposit.
Cancellation Date | Cancellation Fee |
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Up to 60 days before the start of tour: | Deposit is non-refundable. However, before 60 days you can make unlimited changes for free, including changing your tour dates (including transferring to a tour in 2026), changing your tour and changing tour participants. |
59 to 40 days before start of tour: | 25% of Tour Cost |
39 to 14 days before start of tour: | 50% of Tour Cost |
Less than 14 days before start of tour: | 100% of Tour Cost |
45% of our reviews mention their tour guide by name
Perhaps the most vital ingredient of any tour is your tour guide. Acting not only as your guide but also as your driver, their knowledge and experience, passion and personality form the foundation on which any successful tour is built.
That's why we only work with the very best guides in Ireland. As our past guests know, our tour guides are a big reason why we're Ireland's best-rated tour operator, with 1875 five-star reviews out of a possible 1927.
All of our driver-guides were born in Ireland and have lived here all their lives. What's more, they are passionate about our country, its culture and its heritage.
Our driver-guides are qualified, experienced professionals who are committed to impeccable customer care and making your vacation memorable for all the right reasons.
Our driver-guides are true experts in their field. Their knowledge of Irish history, culture (and where to get the best pint of Guinness) is second to none.
Your safety and comfort are paramount to us and to all our driver-guides. All our guides are experienced coach drivers with impeccable safety records.
On your Discover Scotland and Ireland Tour, you will be staying exclusively in four-star hotels. But not all four-star hotels are the same. We know and trust the accommodation providers we use, and we choose them carefully based not only on their star rating but also on their location, service, value and character. With years of experience in the industry, we have the knowledge, the experience and the local contacts to design the perfect accommodation package for your vacation.
We are very selective in getting just the right accommodation for each specific tour, and we are very proud of the selection of hotels we have put together. Some of these hotels are family-owned, just like ourselves, and we have a long-standing relationship with them all.
On a tour vacation, the journey can be just as important as the destination. That's why our tour buses are all of the highest standards, both in terms of luxury and reliability.
We choose our tour vehicles carefully. All our tour buses offer plenty of space to spread out, tinted windows, air conditioning and on-board fridges. It's what you should expect.
We deliberately leave some seats empty. In fact, we use 34-seater coaches, but limit the number of participants to 26. That's because we want all of our guests to be able to spread out, relax and enjoy the journey. This smaller group size is a core principle in our tours.
Please note: the bus shown in the gallery is one of the 34-seater coaches used on our tours for max. 26 guests. For any reason, should one of these become unavailable for your tour, we will endeavour to provide an equally luxurious and comfortable touring bus.
Adare is a small town in Co. Limerick, known for its quaint and colourful thatched cottages. Adare is considered to be one of Ireland's most beautiful towns so stop and take in the view. Don't forget your camera today - the perfect chance to capture the essence of old Ireland.
Explore Adare Village along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Time | Arrival Transfer details |
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Between 07:00 and 12 (noon) | Edinburgh Airport There are 3 group airport transfers, between 7am and 12 noon, from Edinburgh Airport to DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. |
Time | Departure Transfer details |
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Between 05:00 and 11:00 | Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane There are 3 group airport transfers, between 5am and 11am, from Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane to Dublin Airport. |
En route to The Giant's Causeway, you will travel along the legendary Antrim Coast, a route with views so stunning that it is considered a destination in its own right. Prepare to be amazed: here you will find some of the greatest coastal landscapes any travel photographer could hope to capture.
Since peace returned to Belfast in the late 1990s, Northern Ireland's capital has undergone an astonishing transformation. Once tied in with sectarian violence and, perhaps cruelly, lumped in with Bosnia, Beiruit and Baghdad on the list of places for globe-trotting tourists to avoid, the city is now a modern, thriving and cosmopolitan hub of hotels, restaurants and family-friendly attractions.
You will be joined by a local specialist guide on a city tour of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. You will see and hear all about the history of this once troubled city including the murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road and Nationalist Falls Road.
Travelling along the shores of Lough Erne Upper and Lough Erne Lower, you will reach Belleek Pottery, one of the oldest potteries in the world dating from 1857. Today, the visitor centre still displays pieces which date from those early samples over 150 years ago.
Belleek Pottery can be found just off the trail of the Wild Atlantic Way
Take a journey through this once troubled city. See the murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road & Nationalist Falls Road. The Troubles took their toll on the economic life of Belfast, but the past ten years of peace have returned much prosperity while the genuine friendliness of the city never left.
Situated five miles north-west of Cork city, Blarney Castle is a solid fixture on almost any tour of Ireland. It is best known for the famous "Blarney Stone" of which visitors are encouraged to kiss, in accordance with a tradition that spans centuries.
Originally built in 1823, Blarney Woollen Mills was mainly used for the spinning and weaving of wool. After it closed in 1973, it reopened in 1975 — as an Irish heritage shop.
A limestone plateau covering 250 square kilometres, The Burren takes its name quite aptly from the Gaelic for "rocky land" or "great rock". While in one sense very fitting, the name does not do justice to what experts have more justly termed "one of the world's most stunningly unique natural heritage regions
".
The Burren runs alongside the Wild Atlantic Way.
A limestone plateau covering 250 square kilometres, The Burren takes its name quite aptly from the Gaelic for "rocky land" or "great rock". While in one sense very fitting, the name does not do justice to what experts have more justly termed "one of the world's most stunningly unique natural heritage regions
".
The Burren runs alongside the Wild Atlantic Way.
A limestone plateau covering 250 square kilometres, The Burren takes its name quite aptly from the Gaelic for "rocky land" or "great rock". While in one sense very fitting, the name does not do justice to what experts have more justly termed "one of the world's most stunningly unique natural heritage regions
".
The Burren runs alongside the Wild Atlantic Way.
Christ Church Cathedral, founded by the Viking King Sitric almost 1000 years ago in 1034. The cathedral crypt is one of the largest in the UK and Ireland, dating back to the 12th Century. Here in the crypt, you can see the Mummified remains of the Cat and the Rat which were found in the cathedral organ, and a rare 14th century copy of the Magna Carta.
One of the most popular and most eagerly anticipated attractions on any vacation in Ireland, and the views will not disappoint. They rise to a height of 702ft (214m) and 9 miles (14km) long, these sheer vertical cliffs hold a steady, undulating line against the tireless advance of the Atlantic below. A better view of the sea and setting sun you will not find.
The Cliffs of Moher are a Signature Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way. For more information click here.
Connemara, in western County Galway, is a rugged and scenic landscape. Once described as a place of "savage beauty" by Oscar Wilde, Connemara is an expanse of bogs, mountains and lakes.
Connemara is also home to two Wild Atlantic Way's Signature Discovery Points in Derrigimlagh Bog and Killary Harbour.
The Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre commemorates the last pitched battle fought on British soil, in April 1746. Learn more about the Jacobite intent to overthrow the House of Hanover and return the House of Stuart to the British throne.
Visit Drumcliffe Cemetery in County Sligo where you can read the epitaph on the grave of W.B. Yeats. Found nestled between Ben Bulben mountain and Drumcliffe bay.
Explore Drumcliffe along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Dublin is Ireland's capital city. It is known as being a friendly and vibrant place to visit — with an endless list of activities and destinations available to explore and world-famous nightlife.
Luring over Edinburgh from its position on Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle has been a fixture of the skyline since the 12th century. The location of Castle Rock, formed on top of an extinct volcano, made it the ideal location to build a defensive fortress. Edinburgh Castle, over the years, has been used as a place to burn 'witches' at the stake, foil rebellions and house prisoners of war. Today it is Scotland's number 1 tourist attraction.
Edinburgh has been Scotland's capital city since the 15th century. It is Scotland's second most populous city, after Glasgow, and is the location of both the Scottish government and monarchy. Edinburgh is seen as the cultural hub of Scotland, with its thriving festival scene attracting 4.4 million visitors to the city in the month of August alone.
EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum, tracks the harrowing history of the 10 million Irish people left the island, for a variety of reasons, over the past 300 years.
Galway City is seen as the cultural and artistic hub of Ireland. Take time to enjoy the artisanal food and relaxed, Bohemian vibes of this unique city.
Galway City and Salthill Promenade form part of the Wild Atlantic Way. The county of Galway also includes the Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Points of Killary Harbour, Cleggan Harbour and Sky Road. For more information click here.
Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage site, known in Gaelic as Clochán na bhFomhórach or Clochán an Aifir, The Giant's Causeway is an area of 40,000 basalt columns, formed into a regular interlocking pattern by an ancient volcanic lava flow.
Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest building in Glasgow and the oldest cathedral on the Scottish mainland (Built in the 12th century). It is located where the patron saint of Glasgow, Saint Mungo, is thought to have built his church. Saint Mungo's tomb is found in the cathedral's lower crypt. Today the cathedral is publicly owned and is the responsibility of the Historic Environment Scotland Group.
With a population of 621,020, Glasgow is Scotland's most populous city (3rd in the UK). The people of Glasgow are known as "Glaswegians" or "Weegies" and are often noted by visitors as have a very distinct, sometimes hard to understand, way of speaking, known as the Glasgow patter. During the industrial revolution Glasgow became a centre of shipbuilding and marine engineering and saw its population and economy grow rapidly. Today Glasgow remains a commercial hub of the UK and a city that continues to attract a large number of tourists every year.
Keith Geoghegan is the owner and operator of Glengowla Mines and Family Farm Experience. The Geoghegan family has been inextricably linked to the mines and farm for many centuries. Their ancestors cultivated the land and worked in the mine. They moved into the Mine Agent's Cottage once the mine shut down and stayed there until 1989.
Located within Glenveagh National Park, Glenveagh Castle was built by Captain John George Adair between 1870 and 1873. Having made his fortune through land speculation in America, Adair return to Ireland and began large amounts of land in County Donegal. The castle was built in the Scottish Baronial style and is surrounded by a garden and commands stunning views of the nearby mountains, lakes, woodlands and valleys.
Guinness is more than just a brand, indeed, more than just a beer. And that's not just for the Irish, but for the many millions of Guinness-drinkers worldwide. The site of the brewery itself is massive, at a staggering 26 hectares, but it will be the old grain storehouse that you visit. Shaped like a giant pint of the black stuff, this most popular of Dublin attractions towers over the surrounding neighbourhoods, with the top-floor Gravity Bar offering a delightful panorama across the Dublin cityscape which can only be enhanced by a well-earned pint to cap-off your visit.
About Highland Folk Museum is a museum and open-air attraction located in the Scottish Highlands. It is designed to showcase the domestic and working lives of the early highland people.
Holyrood Palace, officially known as The Palace of Holyroodhouse is located at the opposite end of The Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle. It is the official residence of the British Royal Family, and is often the setting for state occasions in the area. It has been the main residence of the Kings and Queens of Scots since the 16th century.
Muckross Estate, in the town of Killarney, County Kerry was donated to the Irish Free State in 1932. Its grounds became Ireland's first national park and, over time, it has expanded to encompass nearly 25,500 acres. The jewel in the crown of the park is its majestic lakes, Lough Leane (the lower lake), Muckross Lake (the middle lake), and the Upper Lake. These lakes make up a quarter of the park's area and continue to draw admirers in huge numbers ever since the park first opened.
Killarney National Parks & Lakes are located a short distance from the town of Kenmare on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Though perhaps offering fewer historical and cultural attractions than its west-coast counterparts, Killarney more than makes up for this with the welcoming bustle of the town itself and the staggering natural beauty of its neighbouring namesake, the Killarney National Park just five-minutes' drive away.
Ireland's only true fjord, Killary Harbour, stretches 16 kilometres from the Atlantic coast to its head at the magnificent Aasleagh Falls. It forms a dramatic border between the counties of Galway and Mayo and is strikingly beautiful the entire way along.
Killary Harbour is also one of the Signature Discovery Points found along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Located alongside the River Shannon in County Limerick, on King's Island. Dating back to 922, to a time when Vikings were the inhabitants of the island (Thormodr Helgason, the Viking sea-king, built the first settlement here. The castle itself was built in 1200, under the instruction of King John of England.
Located alongside the River Shannon in County Limerick, on King's Island. Dating back to 922, to a time when Vikings were the inhabitants of the island (Thormodr Helgason, the Viking sea-king, built the first settlement here. The castle itself was built in 1200, under the instruction of King John of England.
Celebrating the craft and heritage of Scottish whisky making, Kingsbarns Distillery is a family-run distillery dating back to the 19th Century.
Kylemore Abbey is not only one of Ireland's most attractive buildings; since 1920, it has also been home to the Sisters of the Benedictine Order in Ireland. Even today, Kylemore continues to operate as a working Abbey: here, the sisters live, work and pray, as well as welcome visitors from across the globe. Kylemore Abbey's greatest attraction is its location. Nestled at the base of Duchruach Mountain on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul, in the heart of the Connemara Mountains, it is regarded as one of Ireland's most romantic locations.
Kylemore Abbey can be viewed along the Wild Atlantic Way.
Loch Ness is the second largest loch (lake) in Scotland, after Loch Lomond and the deepest on the British Isles. It is most famous for the alleged presence of a creature known as the Loch Ness Monster or "Nessie". Nessie came about through stories past down from generation to generation, a few dodgy photos from the 1930s and an "official" sonar reading from around the same time. It is the U.S equivalent of Big Foot, real only in the minds of those who choose to believe... or is it?
Located close to the Killarney National Park, Moriarty's is an Authentic Irish Gift Store and Restaurant. Hand crafted Irish jewellery, Waterford Crystal and classic and modern tweed fashions and furnishings are all on offer at the gift store. The restaurant is an 85 seater offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Mount Congreve Gardens. Located in Kilmeaden, County Waterford, Mount Congreve Gardens is an 18th century Georgian estate and mansion. It was designed by the same architect that created both of Waterford's cathedrals, John Roberts.
Recently recognised as being one of the top 10 gardens in the world, Mount Stewart is a rich tapestry of planting plant life and stunning walking trails. The house dates back to the 19th century, and was the Irish seat of the Vane-Tempest-Stewart family.
Located on the grounds of the expansive and idyllic Killarney National Park. Muckross House, and its 11,000-acre grounds, was donated to the Irish state in 1932.
Located on the grounds of the picturesque Muckross House and its impeccable gardens. Take a step back in time and see the Irish farming lifestyle of the 1930s and '40s. A time when the horse was responsible for much of the labour and the weather was the be all and end all in terms of production.
A Victorian town located 56 miles north of Edinburgh. The town is kept in an impeccable condition throughout the year and still maintains the charm and aesthetics of its Victorian heritage.
While the Pub Lunch is a relatively new phenomenon in the Irish food service industry, the tradition of serving food in an Irish pub has been around for centuries. It usually consisted of the household, connected to the pub, cooking up a huge batch of stew and serving it to its patrons. As the market changed, so too did the menu. For decades, all you could expect for an Irish pub lunch was a toasted cheese sandwich and/or a bowl of soup. Today, most pubs in Ireland will serve an extensive selection of international dishes as well as traditional Irish favourites such as lamb stew and bacon & cabbage.
The Ring of Kerry is located on the Iveragh Peninsula of southwest County Kerry. It is a circular driving route that takes in a number of seaside villages and picturesque coastal landscapes.
The Ring of Kerry towns of Kilorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Caherdaniel, Sneem and Kenmare also feature on the Wild Atlantic Way. You can also visit the Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point of Skellig Michael, an abandoned 7th century Christian island monastery, from the town of Portmagee during the warmer months of the year.
Ireland has more than its fair share of outstanding archaeological sites, but the Rock of Cashel is arguably the most impressive. The 'rock' from which it takes its name is, in fact, a limestone hill, covered in luscious green, rising from the plain which characterises the surrounding area. The word 'cashel', by contrast, is derived from the Irish Gaelic word caiseal, meaning stone fortress. It was the seat of kings and medieval bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. Brian Ború was crowned King of Munster here in 977 and he became the High King of Ireland in 1002.
Held annually on the sprawling slopes of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo brings together bands from the British Armed Forces, the armies of the Commonwealth and international armies. The term 'tattoo' here is taken from the old Dutch phrase doe den tap toe meaning 'turn off the tap' or last call, which in turn became the name for evening entertainment at an army barracks.
Scotland's oldest university town. Also referred to as the Home of Golf, the Old Course at St Andrew's Links is the oldest golf course in the world. Enjoy some free time walking its historic cobbled alleyways.
A symbol of Scotland's national pride and independence, Stirling Castle sits atop Castle Hill in the Southeast of the town of Stirling. The main structure of the castle was built during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. There have been a total of eight sieges of Stirling Castle, most of them occurring during the Wars of Scottish Independence.
A family pub that has become something of a 'must-visit' for anyone travelling through the Ring of Kerry in recent years. Set in the idyllic village of Ballycarnahan, and serving some of the best quality pub food in the country.
The Quiet Man Museum. A reproduction of the quaint thatched cottage from the John Wayne starring, John Ford directed movie of the same name. all costumes, artefacts and furnishings have been recreated in precise detail, to reflect the setting of the 1952 classic. Located in the picturesque village of Cong, County Mayo.
Like much of Irish culture, the best Traditional Music Nights can be found in the local pub. These range from a guy sat in the corner playing guitar to a fully-fledged band on stage. On our tours of Ireland, we often spend the last night at the Merry Ploughboy in Dublin City, enjoying the traditional Irish music and dance they have on offer. No matter what city, town or village you find yourself in you can be sure that a pub nearby will have some sort of music night happening. You can check most pubs schedule online, or by popping in when you're in the area.
The Wild Atlantic Way is a long-distance touring route, the first of its kind in Ireland. It runs the length of Ireland's western coast, facing the Atlantic Ocean, from County Donegal in the northwest to County Cork in the southwest. The initial aim of the Wild Atlantic Way was to give greater visibility to Ireland's west coast in overseas markets. The Wild Atlantic Way is 2,500 km (1,553 miles) long and passes through 3 provinces of Ireland (Ulster, Connacht and Munster). It has given a huge boost to the tourism industry of the region since its launch in February 2014.
Atholl Palace Hotel is the very definition of old-world charm. Nestled in woodland, a mile from the quaint village of Pitlochry. Featuring extensive gardens and an indoor pool.
Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane is a modern hotel in a central location in Dublin City centre. It has a warm, friendly atmosphere, thanks in part to the light wood furnishings and open plan layout.
Clayton Hotel Glasgow is centrally located, alongside the River Clyde. The hotel is walking distance from the shopping districts and city centre attractions.
Located just a 15-minute walk from Edinburgh Castle, DoubleTree by Hilton is the ideal location for anyone looking to explore Scotland's capital. Featuring a chic bar and restaurant and comfortable, stylish rooms.
A family-run, upscale hotel, Dromhall Hotel has been a popular destination in Killarney town since the 1960s. Located within walking distance to both Killarney town centre and the Ring of Kerry. Featuring stunning, old-world decor and modern, world-class spa and dining facilities.
Situated right across the road from the Grand opera House in Belfast City, the Europa Hotel is an historic hotel with modern facilities and old-world charm.
The Lough Eske Castle, as we see it today, was built in 1861. Before that, it was a building entwined in the history of Donegal. In the 14th century, it was the seat of the powerful O'Donnell clan. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was a base for Edwardian royalty to showcase the glamour and decadence of the day. Today, it is home to an award-winning and prestigious five-star hotel.
Menlo Park Hotel is located just outside Galway City. Featuring a sleek restaurant & bar and large modern bedrooms.
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime 18-day adventure as you behold the most famous and captivating attractions that Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England have to offer.
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An exclusive tour capped at max. 8 guests, travelling through the idyllic scenes of The Wild Atlantic Way. Including an overnight stay in an Irish castle.
Embark on a unique and intimate journey through the Celtic heartlands of Ireland and Scotland on this exclusive tour designed for a maximum of 8 guests.
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Northern Ireland's natural beauty awaits on this six-day fully-inclusive tour of Ulster. Picturesque towns, untamed coastlines and friendly locals await.
Explore the wonders of Ireland and Scotland on this remarkable 9-day tour. Immerse yourself in the rich cultures of these historic Gaelic nations as you embark on a captivating journey.