Our Tour Experiences in Ireland
Our small-group tours offer a new way to explore the island of Ireland. They combine the independence of solo travel with the convenience of choosing your own optional activities.
We’ve carefully curated a list of must-do experiences, and in destinations where great options abound, the final choice is entirely up to you.
Each Irish Experience tour provides flexibility, allowing you to personalize your trip by selecting your evening meals and lunches.
Additional tour options will be clearly highlighted for your consideration. (Check out our full selection of Small Group Tours in Ireland.)
All pricing and supplier information provided are accurate at the time of publication. While rare, suppliers may occasionally increase prices for optional activities during the season. In the unlikely event of a significant price change, we will make every effort to keep you informed.
Flexible Tour Options for Exploring Ireland: Craft Your Adventure
Ireland Experiences in Breathtaking Locations
Ireland boasts over 650 km² (160,000 acres) of national parks, forests, and reserves. You’ll find an incredible diversity of untouched landscapes and vegetation among our six national parks. With Irish Experience Tours, you’ll explore and stay in or near five of these magnificent national parks.
Over 650 km2 (160,000 acres) of Ireland is covered in national parks, forest areas and reserves. Our 6 national parks contain an amazing variety of unspoiled landscape and vegetation. Irish Experience Tours explore and stay in, or right next to, no fewer than 5 national parks…
Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park, located just outside the town of Killarney in County Kerry, is a rugged wilderness that’s one of Ireland’s natural treasures. This breathtaking area features mountains (including Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil), lakes, woodlands, parklands, and waterfalls. Must-see sites include the picturesque Muckross House, Ross Castle at sunset, the stunning Gap of Dunloe, Lady’s View, and The Black Valley.
Steeped in history and boasting a unique geological profile, the park offers a variety of activities, such as cycling through the park, boat rides on the lakes, or a traditional horse-and-cart trip through the Gap of Dunloe.
Our 13-Day Full Irish Experience Tour visits Killarney.
Connemara National Park
Connemara National Park covers almost 3,000 hectares of mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands, and forests, offering endless opportunities for exploration. This park is known for its scenic beauty, fantastic hikes, and unforgettable views.
Visitors can enjoy pony rides, nature trails, and a multi-lingual exhibition on the Connemara landscape. There’s also a playground for children and much more. Connemara’s boglands are home to unique flora and fauna, making it an off-the-beaten-track destination that shouldn’t be missed.
Glenveagh National Park
Situated in west Donegal, Glenveagh National Park is a remote wilderness filled with mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and an enchanting oak forest nestled in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains.
At the edge of Lough Veagh sits Glenveagh Castle, a stunning 19th-century mansion surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. This protected conservation area offers a range of walking and nature trails for all ages and fitness levels. You can also enjoy fishing and cycling in this magical setting.
Glendalough & Wicklow Mountains National Park
Glendalough, meaning “The Valley of the Two Lakes,” is one of Ireland’s most beautiful and historically significant areas. Located in the Wicklow Mountains, this area is famous for its breathtaking scenery, rich history, and abundant wildlife.
Visit the ancient monastic city founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century, where you’ll see the remarkable 30-meter-high round tower, along with churches and stone crosses. Stop by the visitor center to learn more about this hidden gem, including the best walking trails through this ancient glacial valley. The surrounding area also offers plenty of visitor attractions and amenities.
The Burren National Park
Located in the southeastern corner of the Burren, this national park covers approximately 1,500 hectares. Purchased by the Irish government for nature conservation and public access, the park contains all the major habitats of the Burren: limestone pavement, calcareous grasslands, hazel scrub, ash/hazel woodlands, turloughs, lakes, petrifying springs, cliffs, and fens.
The name “Burren” comes from the Irish word “Boíreann,” meaning “rocky place.” This is an apt description given the vast stretches of exposed limestone pavement. Despite the rocky terrain, the Burren is sometimes referred to as “fertile rock” due to the rich variety of herbs and flora that grow there.
Explore our Small Group Tours of Ireland and discover how you can see these fantastic national parks on a guided multi-day tour. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Great Walks and hundreds of trails will have you navigating a range of landscapes, from rugged mountain ranges and lush farmland and sandy beaches. Ireland’s walking trails traverse natural wonders and offer encounters with wildlife such as deer, hares, seals, and puffins.
No matter what your fitness level, Ireland has walks for anyone and everyone! Your driver guide will be able to advise you on your options and help you make any arrangements as necessary.
Cliffs of Moher Walk from Doolin Village, Clare
The pounding waves of the Atlantic Ocean on one side, the lush green countryside of County Clare on the other… this cliff walk is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Setting off from Doolin village on the Wild Atlantic Way, as you walk you will slowly see the awesome Cliffs of Moher (over 700 feet high) come into view. Though not physically demanding, this spectacular walking trail is not for the faint-hearted as you will need a head for heights.
Dunmore Head Walk – Dingle, Kerry
Dunmore Head is the most westerly point in Europe and arguably has the most dramatic scenery that Ireland has to offer. Located on the rugged Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Dunmore is marked with an Ogham stone commemorating the ancient pagan traditions of the past. This is a beautiful walk as you trek towards the edge of Europe from Couminole Beach and see the raw beauty of the Blasket Islands looking across the wild Atlantic – next stop New York.
Bray Head Walk – Valentia Island, Kerry
Walking to Bray Head along the coastline of Valentia Island, County Kerry is a fantastic way to spend a couple of hours. Part of the Wild Atlantic Way, a UNESCO Heritage site and views of a Star Wars filming location (the Skellig Islands) make the Bray Head loop walk simply unmissable. The route is waymarked and family-friendly, and the Old Bray Head Tower is worth a look from a military and historical perspective.
Slieve League Walk – Donegal
At nearly three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, the Slieve League Cliffs in County Donegal are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Walking the coastal paths of another glorious section of the Wild Atlantic Way reveals amazing views of Sligo, Leitrim, and Mayo. Only experienced walkers should tackle the advanced route to the narrow “One Man’s Pass”. You have been warned!
Derrybawn Woodland Trail (The Orange Trail), Glendalough, Wicklow
Glendalough is a spectacular glacial valley famed for its monastic city and teeming with history, scenery, and great walking trails. This walk begins with a steep ascent beside the picturesque Poulanass Waterfall and continues above the ancient glacial valley through larch and pine woodlands and oak forests over about 8 km. This is a highly recommended route.
Croagh Patrick, Mayo
Leading to the peak of Croagh Patrick Mountain, this walking trail is loved by hillwalkers and pilgrims alike. Located near the town of Westport in County Mayo, the summit is 762m above sea level and takes an average of two hours to ascend. Your reward will be magnificent views of Clew Bay and Mayo, and, depending on your beliefs, maybe even divine inspiration. Some pilgrims ascend barefoot though we do not recommend this.
Diamond Hill, Connemara
Diamond Hill is a scenic loop walk around the beautiful boglands, mountains, and heaths of Connemara National Park. The route leads along a narrow ridge as you ascend the summit for excellent views of the Connemara coastline, the Twelve Bens mountain range, Kylemore Lough, and the islands of Inishturk, Inishbofin, and Inishshark.
Cong Forest Nature Trail
This route is a short nature trail around Cong village, and takes in Ashford Castle, now a luxury hotel that was converted from a Victorian castle. Nearby is the ruined Medieval Cong Abbey where the last High King of Ireland resided. The Cross of Cong, an artistic Celtic Cross can be seen here. There are plenty of walking routes in the area to suit all ages and fitness levels, and the natural environment and wildlife are second to none.
Ballintoy Harbour to Ballycastle – Causeway Coastal Route, Northern Ireland
Leaving Ballintoy village and awesome views of Sheep Island, this route takes you via the famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a 20m suspension bridge from the mainland to Carrick-a-Rede Island where you can see as far as Scotland. The bridge was built to give salmon fishermen access to their nets during the season and taken in every autumn before the gales arrived. Part of the rugged Causeway Coastal Route, this walking trail is up there with the best (even if you skip the bridge walk).
Great Western Greenway – biking route/cycleway in Mayo
The Greenway in County Mayo is a walking and cycling trail (the longest in Ireland at 42kms) between the towns of Westport and Achill. It follows the route of a disused railway line between the two towns. The scenery here is unreal, with classy views of Clew Bay and Achill Island. We recommend this as a cycling route, but you can extend the trail by taking in the unspoiled beaches or stopping for a round of golf. Nearby are attractions like Croagh Patrick and Westport House.
Inagh Valley, Connemara – biking route/cycleway
Located around the stunning Connemara National Park, this cycleway passes Ballynahinch Lough on the way to the scenic Inagh Valley. Lough Inagh and the Twelve Pins Mountain range are on one side and the Mum Turk Mountain Range flank you on the other. This flexible route gives you the option to return to Clifden, or pedal onwards to Kylemore Abbey or Killary Fjord.
