Explore Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way 11 Days
Ireland is one of the most beautiful countries on earth with people often impressed by the good natured, warm and hospitable inhabitants, not to mention their humour and enjoyment of life. Ireland is a country of living history with more Irish passport holders outside the country than inside with emigration playing a huge role in the development of the country over the last 150 years. Countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have been bastions of hope for Irish people hoping for a bright new future and this is also part of our experience on the Wild Atlantic Way. We'll discover the West Coast of Ireland, the most beautiful part of the country by far, and understand the dynamics that have shaped Irish history over the past 6,000 years.
What many people like seeing in Ireland are the cliffs, the wild Atlantic, the Aran Islands, traditional life, listening to live music in a pub, enjoying the best pint of Guinness they'll ever have, sharing family moments together in very unique and relaxing places, and enjoying the build heritage which overlaps an already scenic topography beneath. With Round Towers, Monasteries, Dry Stone Walls, Castles, Historic Farms and Neolithic Settlements all sharing the landscape, there is something for everyone to talk about.
Ireland has some of the best golf in the world and you'll see why when we pass by these stunning areas. We start in Kinsale and finish in Donegal doing the entire length of the Wild Atlantic Way and giving you time to enjoy and relax in the bountiful beauty of Ireland. By the way, the food is top class! Galway Bay Oysters, fish and chips, Irish stews, shephards pie, top class fresh, seafood and some of the finest whiskeys and beers in the world can be found here.
So welcome to the land of Saints and Scholars.
Itinerary and Specifics
Highlights:
- Enjoy the best landscapes of Western Europe
- Escape from all the crowds and see the hidden gems
- Relax and enjoy the history, beauty and people
- Let your taste buds savour the magical flavours and incredible food of the West of Ireland
- Enjoy many seascapes - cliffs, sea stacks, columns, sandy beaches, bays and harbours. The West is the land of the sea.
- Explore the splendours of Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal.
Included:
- 4 Star Accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast Basis
- Meet and Greet at Airport
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Expert driver/guide
- Comfortable touring vehicle
- Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
- Porterage - 1 piece per person in and out of hotels
Not included:
- Flights - purchase your own flights in and out of destination
- Gratuities - minimum recommended $10 per person per day
- Lunches and Dinners - we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options
- Any entrances to museums, attractions and concerts - most of what you're looking for will be free entrance anyway.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
Land at Dublin International Airport, Meet and Greet with your driver guide who will be with you for the length of the entire trip. Head immediately south west and away from Dublin. This trip is not about cities, it's about getting away from that and enjoying the joys of rural life. We'll stop in Tipperary for lunch and a visit to the Rock of Cashel. Arrive in Cork and drive south to Kinsale for one night.
Day 2
We will start the day quite late today to allow you to rest and relax and regain your energies after your flight yesterday. Once your energy is back we visit Charles Fort with a private guide. You'll also explore the town of Kinsale and enjoy the cafes and restaurants here before we head for Kenmare, County Kerry. You'll have two nights in Kenmare, welcome to the Kingdom County.
Day 3
Today we're on the Ring of Kerry experiencing some of the most beautiful sights in Western Europe. Your expert guide will know every nook and cranny to inform, educate and humour you for the day. You'll stop in scenic locations, rest in picturesque villages and explore at leisure. There's opportunity to see a sheepdog performace if that interests you. We love Kerry, people from Kerry and the landscapes. It's probably the most mountainous Irish county, and the hightest peak is here, just outside Killarney, where you'll spend some time at the end of the day.
Day 4
Today you'll cross the mighty River Shannon and arrive into the Banner County, Clare. This county is known for its music, scenery and calmness, as well as some spectacular geographical features. Stop at the Cliffs of Moher for spectacular views and do the Foynes Aviation Musuem with Maureen O'Hara exhibit if you wish, we love it. Arrive in Galway City for two nights.
Day 5
Today will be spent admiring the beautiful offerings of the city - JFK Square, Shop Street, The Latin Quarter, Spanish Arch, Galway City Musuem, the Corrib Walk. Enjoy a cruise on the Lough Corrib, the largest fresh water body of water in Ireland with an island for every day of the year. The commentary is great and you can try an Irish coffee aboard. Enjoy the evening in some of the great pubs and restaurants, this is where you'll get great traditional Irish food and music.
Day 6
Connemara is always a highlight and today we're venturing out west of the City of the Tribes to visit "The Land of the Sea." Some of the region is a National Park, one of five in Ireland, as it's so scenic. There are two mountain ranges, thousands of lakes, peat bogs and an ever-changing sky interacting with one another in a dance of scences from Irish watercolour paintings. Learn about the Quiet Man, see the film locations and delve deeper into Irish mythology. Finish the day with a great visit to Victorian Walled Gardens and Kylemore Abbey run by the Benedictines. It's an incredibly scenic area and one of our favourite visitor attractions. Sleep in Heritate Town Westport tonight.
Day 7
Explore Wesport this morning with some free time to enjoy the stunning flowers, river and Georgian architecture. We'll then visit the amazingly interesting Westport House, one of the highlights of the trip. It's a Georgian Mansion showing how the Anglo-Irish Aristocracy lived in an area most impacted by the famine. Continue north and overnight on Achill Island, a stunning location reached over the bridge.
Day 8
Explore Achill this morning and then head north to Sligo town where you'll head out to a great accommodation at the foot of Ben Bulben, the beautiful table topped mountain with links to Irish poet WB Yates and his celebrated artist brother Jack Yates. Visit the chapel nearby at Drumcliffe. Visit Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetary before overnighting in the town.
Day 9
Today we'll stop off in Donegal Town, heading west to Slieve League to see the highest Cliffs in Western Europe and Glencolmkille Folk Village. Head north to Glenveagh National Park and spend the night in Letterkenny.
Day 10
We enter Northern Ireland today on our way back to Dublin as we come to the end of this great trip. Visit Armagh and learn all about St. Patrick. Visit the Orchard County and understand the importance of the 5th century Patron Saint to all communities in Ireland. We overnight on stunning Carlingford Lough.
Day 11
We'll drive back into the Republic of Ireland and you're back to the Republic of Ireland today. This has certainly been the Trip of a Lifetime and we're sure you'll be absolutely delighted you chose to see the natural wonders of the Emerald Isle. We'll drop you to Dublin Airport or Dublin City Centre if you want to extend your own stay.