Wild Atlantic Way6 Day Private Tour of Ireland
This is a sample 6 day tour of some of Ireland’s Southern highlights. Each tour will be designed individually to your wishes.
Ireland Hops also runs tour to Northern Ireland.
Day 1
Dublin City to Kilkenny via Ireland’s Ancient East
We will begin our adventure by meeting you at your hotel in Dublin and taking a journey South of Dublin to Co Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland.
The Powerscourt Gardens and Estate have been voted third best gardens in the World by National Geographic. Immerse yourself in the formal gardens, terraces, statues and ornamental lakes as you take it all in.
Visit Glendalough in Wicklow Mountain National Park, the valley of 2 lakes offers a scenic stroll between both lakes with plenty of photo opportunities over the glacial valley.
Glendalough’s original settler was St Kevin who lived as a hermit but Glendalough became a monastic city dating back to the 6th century. St Kevin’s round tower is fully intact, the cathedral are church ruins tell their own story.
Scenic drive over the Wicklow mountains to the medieval city of Kilkenny.
Visit Kilkenny Castle, St Canice’s Cathedral, Black abbey and the Medieval Mile.
Shop for local arts and crafts in Kilkenny, well known for its Irish designers.
Day 2
Ancient East meets Wild Atlantic Way
Kilkenny to Kinsale
We will continue our journey to the famous Rock of Cashel where you can take a tour of the ecclesiastical site and fortress perched up high on a limestone outcrop over the town.
A place of power fitting for the King of Munster, the Rock of Cashel is home to the very first Romanesque style architecture in Ireland.
We will drive through the agricultural heartland of Ireland known as the Golden Vale before arriving in the rebel county of Cork. Lunch in Cork City, you have the option to explore the English market serving Cork’s culinary delights. After lunch, it’s a short drive to Kinsale, our overnight destination. There will be free time to wander this quaint village and harbour. Charles fort is an impressive heritage site to tour after which you can take a walk along the Scilly path. Taste Irish mead in Kinsale meadery, take a scenic trip on the harbor by boat.
In the evening, enjoy the many bars and great seafood restaurants of this coastal delight. It’s always a firm favourite and gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way.
**If castles are your thing, it’s possible to add in Cahir castle or Blarney Castle.
Day 3
Go West
We travel to West Cork to experience hidden beaches and colourful towns and villages.
Skibbereen Heritage Centre, housed in the Old Gasworks Building is an excellent visit to learn about the Irish famine story. If you have Irish genealogy from West Cork, the in house genealogist will help you to trace your roots.
We travel on the scenic route to the town of Bantry which is rich in history. If gardens and estate houses are your thing, Bantry house and gardens is a fabulous place to step back in time. Still in the 9th generation of the White family, the house tells a wonderful story. Garden views over Bantry Bay are very impressive.
Round the bay we go to the cute town of Glengariff. An optional boat trip to the Garinish Islands await. This is a 15 minute gentle trip with opportunities to spot seals and white tailed eagle on the crossing. Ilnaculin island offers an oasis of beauty complete with Grecian temple, Italian cassata, Martello Tower and walled gardens. It really is a sight to behold.
Next, its up and over ‘the Cork and Kerry mountains’, as the song Whiskey in the Jar goes…. via the Caha pass. Arriving in the town of Kenmare for a stroll, maybe a stone circle awaits. There’s also a working sheep farm to visit on our way to Killarney.
Overnight in the lively town of Killarney. So many places to enjoy the evening entertainment.
Day 4
Peninsula Day
A stop at the Killarney National Park is a must, it has the most diverse ecology in Ireland. Walk the lakes or take a horse and cart trip around the park to see Muckross Abbey. Take a guided tour of the beautiful Muckross House to learn about its incredible history.
On we go to the Dingle Peninsula where you will enjoy an amazing drive with photos stops at every turn. Beaches, beehive huts, breath taking scenery awaits you on the Slea Head drive, one of Ireland’s most scenic drives.
The town of Dingle is one that captivates many. Dingle is a colourful town with the friendliest locals, it has highlights for everyone – the outdoor adventurer, the epicurean, the whiskey lover, the shopper. No better place than to grab a high stool and a pint and enjoy some live traditional music. Some groups wish to spend 2 nights in Dingle in order to fit it all in!
Day 5
Off the Beaten track…Ferries & Lighthouses
Drive North through Co Kerry to the Shannon Estuary. Here we will take a boat trip across the mouth of the Shannon arriving in County Clare. We will get right off the beaten track on the Loop Head Peninsula where we will arrive to Loop Head Lighthouse at the edge.
Enjoy a walk to the Bridges of Ross and the Cliffs of Kilkee, see impressive sea stacks and natural sea arches.
Overnight right on the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way in Spanish Point.
Day 6
Cliffs Day
After breakfast we will avoid the main tourist crowds with an early visit to one of the highlights of our trip – The Cliffs of Moher. Standing over 220 meters high this stunning coastal attraction offers some great cliff walks along the Atlantic edge.
Continue our Wild Atlantic Way journey via the Burren region of Co Clare, a unique landscape like no other with exceptional botany to exlore.
Arrive to County Galway passing the quaint fishing village of Kinvara with it’s thatched cottages and picturesque Dunguaire Castle along the way, stroll and enjoy Galway City for a few hours to round off your trip before returning to Dublin city for drop off at your hotel.
What Are You Waiting For?
Lets Go!
Let’s shake off the isolation, worry and fear to go and explore the wonderful Wild Atlantic Way!