Join one of our unique small group Back-Roads touring experiences (maximum 18 participants) that includes specially selected accommodations, transportation in purpose built Mercedes Benz Sprinters, sightseeing, special culinary experiences and a knowledgeable Tour Leader.
This 7-day round-trip from Dublin includes the best sights of the country’s south, including Kilkenny, Killarney, and the Cliffs of Moher.
Leave Dublin in the early morning (we highly recommend at least one pre-night to experience the capital) and set out for County Kerry. Visit Birr Castle and its gardens, overnighting at Ennis in County Clare. Take a morning tour of the town, learning about its triumphs and tragedies dating back to medieval times. Then it’s on to Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, enjoying a one hour cruise to get the best view. Native bird sightings are a given as you explore the coast, with the distinct possibility of spotting a puffin.
The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland’s most famous drives and with good reason, combining history and scenic landscapes. Visit the Skellig Experience, and Portmagee, a colourful fishing village that continues to thrive today. Let a visit to the Staigue Fort take you back to 400AD, and explore the streets of Sneem before going on to Kenmare. Fancy a cheeky drop? You’re about 200 years too late to sample Molly Gallivan’s famous bootleg whiskey, but you will visit her cottage and enjoy a glimpse of Irish life during this period.
Enjoy a seaside break at Kinsale, with a walking tour of the historic streets, then continue on to Cork, home to Cobh, the departure port of the Titanic’s fateful voyage. Still up for that tipple? Stop in at the Jameson Midleton Distillery for a tasting and short course in whiskey production. Finally, stop in at Killarney, home to one of the most famous castles in Ireland.
Enjoy the scenic drive back to Dublin via the Wicklow Mountains and Avoca (Ballykissangel fans, this stop’s for you). Your drop-off is in the late afternoon to early evening, so consider staying an extra night.