The two-week duration of this tour offers enough time to absorb the richness of Irish cultures and customs at a pace that is comfortable for all. From the stunning coastal landscapes of Antrim to the craggy inlets of Kerry's southern shores, discover Ireland in all its hues and shades on this 14-Day all-Ireland adventure.
This tour is also available as a 6-Day Version, an 8-Day Version and a 10-Day Version.
Allow Ireland to seep through you on this two-week tour. The 14-Day Iconic Scenes charts a path through the quintessential destinations of both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Click on the days below to find out what adventures you can look forward to on each day of your tour.
On arrival in Dublin Airport, reclaim your baggage and enter the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will meet your tour guide (who is also your driver). 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 Dublin Airport before 11:00 am, as clearing immigration and reclaiming baggage typically takes around 1 hour.
Board your luxury air-conditioned coach and transfer to the Dunboyne Castle Hotel. This afternoon you might like to take a stroll around the grounds of the hotel.
At 6:00 PM this evening, all participants will gather for dinner in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel restaurant where you will become acquainted with your fellow travellers and the coming days can be discussed at leisure with your tour guide.
Time | Arrival Transfer details |
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Between 07:00 and 12 (noon) | Dublin Airport There are 3 group airport transfers this morning, between 7am and 12 noon, from Dublin Airport to Dunboyne Castle Hotel. |
After some much-needed sleep and a hearty full Irish breakfast, depart for Northern Ireland, also referred to as the six counties of Ulster. The province of Northern Ireland was created with the partition of the island of Ireland in 1921. Your destination today will be Belfast City, the only city in Ireland to fully experience the Industrial Revolution. Linen, rope making, tobacco and most famously shipbuilding including the building of the Titanic Belfast on the Harland & Wolff shipyard, were the main industries. The Troubles took their toll on the economic life of Belfast, but the past fifteen years of peace have returned much prosperity, while the genuine friendliness of the city never left.
Travelling north, your route today will take you through County Meath, the Royal County — owing to its history as the seat of the High King of Ireland. Visit Trim Castle. The largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter built it over a 30-year period and finished it in 1206. Trim Castle was also a film location for the movie "Braveheart".
Continue onto Belfast City via County Louth. On arrival in Belfast City, you will discover the history of the Titanic Belfast in the world's largest Titanic-themed visitor attraction, located on the very slipways where she was built in the heart of Belfast.
Tonight, you will overnight and dine at Clayton Hotel Belfast.
In the morning, continuing on 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.
In the afternoon, travel south of the city to Hillsborough Castle & Gardens. Located in County Down, Hillsborough Castle is the official Northern Ireland residence of the British Royal family during their time in the region. In 2014, the castle and its gardens — set across 100 acres of stunning waterways, lawns and woodlands — were officially opened to the public.
Return to Belfast City. Overnight and dine in Clayton Hotel Belfast.
This morning depart for Derry/Londonderry City. The city fortifications are amongst the best preserved in Europe and were completed in 1618 to defend the city from Gaelic chieftains in Donegal.
Your route today will take you via the spectacular Antrim Coastal Route through the nine Glens of Antrim and picturesque villages of Ballygalley, Carnlough, Cushendall and Cushendun to Ballycastle. Continue onto Bushmills. Here you will visit the Bushmills Distillery. Known around the world as the oldest licensed distillery. We will stop here for a whiskey tasting. Its grant to distil whiskey was given in 1608, but it is believed that the spirit was probably made here 200 years before that!
Further north On the coast, you will 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.
This afternoon you will continue west to Derry/Londonderry City for an overnight stay at the Maldron Hotel Derry. Dine at the hotel tonight.
This morning after breakfast, you will discover the famous Derry City Walls. You will be joined by a specialised local guide at the Derry Guildhall for a walking tour of the historic Derry City Walls.
Later this morning, depart for Enniskillen. This beautiful town is found in the heart of County Fermanagh. It occupies an island between Upper and Lower Lough Erne.
Your route will take you via Strabane and Omagh in County Tyrone to the Ulster American Folk Park. An open-air museum located on the restored boyhood home of Judge Thomas Mellon, founder of the Pittsburgh banking dynasty. The Park's permanent exhibition, called 'Emigrants', examines why two million people left Ulster for America during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.
Dinner and overnight will be in the Westville Hotel, located in the heart of Enniskillen's historic waterside quarter.
After breakfast, you will venture on a Lough Erne Cruise. Boasting a rich combination of natural and historic sights, a haven for many species of water birds. You will visit Devenish Island. Here you will see the monastery founded by St. Molaise in the 6th Century. The most spectacular sight on this tiny, windswept island is a perfectly preserved 12th Century round tower that stands 82ft high.
Depart for Galway City, known as the "City of the Tribes". Today, it is a vibrant bustling harbour town with medieval origins and with a long tradition of Irish language, music, song, and dance.
Travelling south, your route today will take you via Leitrim, Sligo and Mayo. Visit Drumcliffe County Sligo, where you can read the epitaph on the grave of W.B. Yeats. Continue onto Galway.
Tonight, you will overnight and dine in the Menlo Park Hotel.
Today you will tour the sights of wild Connemara via the villages of Moycullen, Oughterard, 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 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 travel to 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. Further south in County Limerick, take time to stroll the main street of the beautiful thatched village of Adare, before travelling on 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.
Enjoy 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 the town of Killarney Town.
Tonight, you will dine in the family-owned Dromhall Hotel.
After a hearty Irish breakfast, this morning you will depart for Cork City. Founded on the banks of the River Lee. The rebel city is home of Murphy's Original Irish Stout, and is considered by many Corkonians to be the real capital of Ireland!
Journey west through the "county bounds" via the wild Derrynasaggart Mountains, sometimes referred to as the Cork/Kerry Mountains and made famous in the ballad - "Whiskey in the Jar".
Travel on to the village of Blarney via the valley of the River Lee. 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. Continue onto Midleton to visit the Visit Midleton Distillery Experience. You will experience a fully guided tour. Here you will find the world's largest pot still, with a capacity of over 30,000 gallons.
Continue onto Cork City.
Dinner and overnight tonight in the Maldron Hotel South Mall in the heart of Cork City.
After breakfast this morning, take time to wander through some of the quaint streets of Cork City.
Later this morning, you will travel to the historic town of Kinsale. The Gourmet Capital of Ireland. Originally a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale is one of the most picturesque towns on the southwest coast of Ireland. Boland's Craft Shop is just one of the many unique stores that are well worth a visit. Here you will also visit Charles Fort. This star-shaped fort was built in the 1670s by the English to protect Kinsale harbour against foreign naval forces.
Dinner & overnight in the Maldron Hotel South Mall.
This morning, after breakfast, you will depart for Dublin, Ireland's capital city.
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.
Enjoy a Traditional Farm Lunch. This will be on a Family Farm outside Kilkenny. You can chat with your hosts and hear about their life and times farming in this rural part of Ireland.
For those that start their tour on the 11th of May, 8th of June, 13th of June, 17th of August, 31st of August and the 28th of September you will enjoy lunch at Mikey Ryan's Bar & Kitchen. With a focus on local and traditional fare, this distinctly Irish bar and restaurant is a treat in the town of Cashel, County Tipperary.
You will visit the Irish National Stud. This is a state–run bloodstock farm, which was founded in 1900 by an eccentric Anglo–Irish man by the name of Colonel William Walker. On finishing the tour of the stud farm, take a walk through the Japanese Gardens—laid out in 1906 to represent the "Life of Man".
This afternoon you will once again be back in Dublin City.
Overnight and dine tonight in the Clayton Hotel Charlemont.
After breakfast this morning, you will explore Dublin City.
Take a journey to 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.
Your farewell dinner and evening entertainment includes a Traditional Music Night at The Merry Ploughboy Pub—one of Dublin's iconic trad music venues.
Overnight: Clayton Hotel Charlemont.
Today marks the end of the 14 Day Iconic Tour of Ireland.
After a final great Irish breakfast this morning, there will be 3 group airport transfers between 0500 and 1100 to transfer 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 Charlemont There are 3 group airport transfers this morning, between 5am and 11am, from Clayton Hotel Charlemont to Dublin Airport. |
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This tour features both of the iconic Irish regions of The Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East.
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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 Iconic Scenes of Ireland Tour 2025 is €650 per person.
For guests who are travelling alone and are therefore not sharing a room, the single occupancy supplement for the 14 Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland Tour 2025 is €600.
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 |
---|---|
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 |
Just a quick heads-up: before you arrive on the The 14-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland Tour 2025, a UK ETA (electronic travel authorisation) will be required to visit Britain.
The application process is simple. It takes about 5 minutes, via their app or their website, and costs £10 per person. And, don't worry, we'll send you a reminder about this closer to your arrival date.
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 1881 five-star reviews out of a possible 1933.
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 14-Day Iconic Scenes Of 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) | Dublin Airport There are 3 group airport transfers, between 7am and 12 noon, from Dublin Airport to Dunboyne Castle Hotel. |
Time | Departure Transfer details |
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Between 05:00 and 11:00 | Clayton Hotel Charlemont There are 3 group airport transfers, between 5am and 11am, from Clayton Hotel Charlemont 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.
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.
In the village of Bushmills, you will visit the old distillery, which was first permitted to distill whiskey in 1608 by King James I. Enjoy a whiskey tasting in what is thought to be the oldest licensed distillery in the world. Although its grant to distill was given in 1608, it is believed that the spirit was probably made here 200 years before that!
At the southern-most tip of Summer Cove, on Kinsale Harbour in Co. Cork, awaits the unyielding presence of Charles Fort, a star-shaped stronghold protecting the harbour from sea invaders since its completion in 1682. In recent decades, Irish heritage organizations have restored the fort to the impressive standards it now displays.
Kinsale marks the beginning of the Wild Atlantic Way, if you are starting in the south, and the end if you are starting in the north.
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.
It's the second-largest city in the Republic but the locals call Cork "the real capital of Ireland". They might not be the most impartial judges, but many visitors are inclined to agree, leaving this compact and alluring destination with an enduring fondness and a full belly: Cork is known throughout Ireland for its exceptional food.
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.
Although Derry's recent transformation is perhaps less dramatic than that of Belfast, visitors who come to Derry expecting a city still darkened by the long shadows of The Troubles will almost certainly be pleasantly surprised. In anticipation of the city's status as UK City of Culture 2013, Derry received considerable investment and underwent a rejuvenating makeover. The famous city walls are up to 8 metres in height and, in places, are 9 metres wide. They were completed in 1618 and were never breached.
You will be joined by a local specialist guide on a city tour of Derry and the famous city walls. The city fortifications are among the best-preserved in Europe and were completed in 1618 to defend the city from Gaelic chieftains in Donegal. Standing at up to 25 feet tall and thirty feet wide, it is little wonder that these fortifications were never breached.
Travelling by boast across Lough Erne, you will reach Devenish Island and the ancient monastic settlement which was founded there some 1500 years ago.
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.
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.
After seeing a real Irish farm in operation, take time to sit and enjoy the fruits of their labour. You will even learn how they make their delicious home-made scones!
Farms and rural life have always been at the heart of Irish cultural life. And they have remained largely unspoiled by the ravages of time. Compared to the modern, large-scale farming of North America, this visit will feel like a step back in time! We invite you to enjoy a home-cooked lunch on a traditional Irish farm, meeting the local people whose families have worked this land for generations.
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.
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.
First built in the 18th century by the prominent Hill family, Hillsborough Castle is a Georgian country house located outside the town of Lisburn. It is the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, as well as the location of numerous political meetings along Northern Ireland's journey to peace.
Ireland's Ancient East is a touring region featuring some of the Emerald Isle's best-loved attractions. Running from Co. Monaghan in the north to Co. Cork in the south, it was created by Fáilte Ireland to showcase the top tourist destinations from its broad sweep of 17 eastern counties.
The Midleton Distillery Experience is home to Ireland's other globally-recognizable tipple, Jameson's Whiskey. While Jameson's is enjoyed by millions worldwide, you don't need to be a whiskey-drinker to enjoy this fascinating visitor experience. There is much to discover here for everyone.
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. Â
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.
Kinsale is found on the southern coast of County Cork. It is a port and fishing town that attracts large numbers of tourists, especially in the summer months. The main activities in Kinsale include yachting, sea angling, and golf. in 1601 a Spanish Armadas landed in the town in the hopes of combining with Irish rebel forces to take on the British. Eventually, The British won and continued to rule over Kinsale and Ireland for another 300 years.
Kinsale marks the beginning of the Wild Atlantic Way if you are starting in the south, and the end if you are starting in the north. Kinsale is also home to the Old Head Golf Links, the world-famous golf course based on the headland where a lighthouse was first established in the 17th century. The Old Head of Kinsale is also the closest point of land to where the RMS Lusitania was sunk in 1915. The Old Head of Kinsale is also a Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way.
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.
To reach the Devenish Island monastic site, we will be travelling by boat across the beautiful Lough Erne, a journey taken by all visitors to this sacred place across the centuries, from faithful pilgrims to marauding invaders.
The Midleton Distillery Experience is home to Ireland's other globally-recognizable tipple, Jameson's Whiskey. While Jameson's is enjoyed by millions worldwide, you don't need to be a whiskey-drinker to enjoy this fascinating visitor experience. There is much to discover here for everyone.
Mikey Ryan's Bar & Kitchen is located in Cashel, County Tipperary and is renowned for its laid back atmosphere and locally sourced and seasonal menus.
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.
Just over a mile south of Kildare town, The Irish National stud is perhaps the biggest tourist attraction in this part of Ireland. In her historic 2011 visit to Ireland, Queen Elizabeth II fed her passion for all things equestrian by visiting the stud which is home to some of the world's finest horses. Owned by the Irish government, the stud breeds competition-quality stallions for breeding programs the world over.
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.
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.
An extensive multimedia tribute to the world's most famous ocean liner. The Titanic Experience is located at the top of the slipway from which the ship made its first and only descent into the Belfast Lough and the waters of the Irish Sea beyond. Opened in 2012 for the centenary of the ship's launch and tragic demise, the museum has rapidly become Ulster's most visited tourist destination, outstripping even The Giant's Causeway.
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.
Located in County Meath, Trim Castle is the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter built it over a 30 year period, finished in 1206.
Ulster American Folk Park, in County Tyrone, is an open-air museum located on the restored boyhood home of Judge Thomas Mellon, founder of the Pittsburgh banking dynasty. The Park's permanent exhibition, called 'Emigrants', examines the reasons why two million people left Ulster for America during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.
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.
Clayton Hotel Belfast is located a short walk from the centre of Belfast City, close to the Botanic railway station and the Grand Opera House. Warmly decorated rooms and a fitness centre with an indoor pool and hot tub.
With a location along the Grand Canal and a short walk to the city centre, Clayton Hotel Charlemont is a modern hotel in an ideal location for visitors to the city. Warm, comfortable rooms, a chic bar and a top class restaurant.
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.
The grand estate of Dunboyne, dating back to 1764, is the unique setting for one of Ireland's most in-demand hotels. Dunboyne Castle Hotel features contemporary rooms and suites, world-class spa facilities and high-end food service, all in a fairytale setting.
Maldron Hotel Derry is a laidback, casual hotel in the centre of Derry City. Ideal for a quick stop or for a relaxing weekend stay. It's also the ideal location for anyone exploring the attractions of the city.
Set alongside the River Lee, in the heart of Cork City. Maldron Hotel South Mall is a new hotel in an ideal location. A two-minute walk to the 18th century indoor English Market and a short walk to all of Cork City's main attractions.
Menlo Park Hotel is located just outside Galway City. Featuring a sleek restaurant & bar and large modern bedrooms.
Located just outside the idyllic town of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, Westville Hotel is a modern, stylish hotel with a relaxed atmosphere, a cosy bar and a chic terrace restaurant.
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.
Discover the best of Ireland and Scotland with this unforgettable 14-day tour. Compare the cultures of these historic Gaelic nations during a magical fortnight.
Discover the Island of Ireland, North and South with this unforgettable 14-day tour. Spend 4 days in Ulster, and 10 more in Eire.
Experience all that is Ireland in this 10-day adventure. Ireland's best-loved attractions and its best-kept secrets, including the Wild Atlantic Way.
Take in the essence of captivating Ireland as you embark on an unforgettable 8-day adventure, immersing yourself in the Emerald Isle's beauty and charm.
Experience the true essence of Ireland in under a week. Ireland's unmissable destinations and the Wild Atlantic Way in one unforgettable tour.
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.
Live like royalty for 10 days across Ireland, staying in real Irish castles and country manors. Enjoy the finest all-inclusive tour Ireland has to offer.
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.