Small-Group Tours From Dublin - Irish Experience Tours

Like as many of our small-group tours from Dublin, this tour takes you through centuries of Irish history and to some of the most stunning natural highlights that southern Ireland has to offer. Discover the rugged beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way, the world-famous Cliffs of Moher, and the Dingle Peninsula. You also get the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone, admire the impressive Rock of Cashel and overnight in Ireland’s Ancient East.

This 8 or 10-day itinerary is packed full of gentle activities, that includes two nights stays in Connemara, Dingle and Killarney giving you plenty of room for spare time, allowing guests to head off on their own journeys of discovery. If you’re looking for something more active and action-packed, check out our Adventure Tours of Ireland.

Our tours include everything you need for a stress – free trip: accommodation, transport, Irish tour guide, breakfast, and a few key cultural inclusions that are simply not to be missed.

DEPARTURE POINT: 8.30 am Jurys Inn, Moore St Plaza, Parnell St, Store Street, Dublin, Ireland

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Enjoy a sheepdog demo on a working Irish sheep farm.
Take a boat trip around the amazing Skellig Islands.
Feel the magic and see stunning sights on the world-famous Ring of Kerry.
Experience the Gaelic speaking island of Inis Mor by bike, bus or pony & trap
Visit the impressive Cliffs of Moher & kiss the Blarney stone.
Discover Irish crafts and “the craic” in Dingle, a harbour town of great charm and superb traditional pubs.
Explore the ancient woodlands of Killarney National Park
Visit the ancient settlement of Glendalough*
Walk in the footsteps of witches on the medieval mile in Kilkenny City or Vikings in Waterford.*
Catch fantastic live Irish music performances and meet friendly locals.

*Not included on the 8 Day Itinerary

Sturdy walking shoes (ankle high), swimming gear, hat and sunscreen, rain jacket/trousers, warm fleece, hat and gloves, towel, motion sickness tablets, water bottle, towel and toiletries, warm clothing and waterproof jacket, insect repellent, camera.

We’ve chosen high-quality accommodation in a variety of bed and breakfasts, Guesthouses, wilderness lodges and quality hostels.

OPTION 1

Classic – Bed & Breakfast & House Hotels

Enjoy a warm Irish welcome in charming and locally owned Bed & Breakfast & Hotel accommodation.

Please note:

B&B Single Supplement – is mandatory for solo travellers – Solo travellers must pay extra to have their private room.

B&B – Twin/Double Room Share – is automatically included when 2 travellers book together

OPTION 2

Quality – Hostel & Lodge:

Rest up for the next day’s adventure in atmospheric and centrally located hostel & lodge accommodation. All prices are based on per person sharing. Multi-shared room accommodation is included with your tour.

Please choose your accommodation type on the Booking Form displayed on the right-hand side on desktop or below on mobile

Irish Experience Tours are small group tours based on a fixed but flexible itinerary where you stay with the same guide and group of travellers.

Unmissable activities are included. Where there are great options, we’ve left the final decision up to you. Feel free to choose your evening meals and lunches. All additional tour options are marked clearly below.

TOUR INCLUSIONS:

Transportation throughout in our comfortable mid-sized buses
Experienced tour guide with local knowledge & entertaining commentary
8 or 10 full days on tour
7 or 9 nights’ accommodation
7 or 9 delicious and filling hot Irish breakfasts (B&B option only see below)*
A working Irish sheep farm experience
2 Nights Accommodation in Connemara, Dingle & Killarney
1 Night Accommodation in Waterford, Kilkenny & Doolin**
A ferry ride across the River Shannon
Return boat trip to Inis Mor – Aran Islands
Entrance fee to Cliffs of Moher & Blarney Castle/Gardens
Explore the ancient woodlands of Killarney National Park
Explore scenic film locations such as Harry Poter, Braveheart, Excalibur & Ps I love You
Old Monastic City of Glendalough**
Walk the medieval mile of Kilkenny City & Viking Triangle of Waterford**
Most daily activities and visits (see Tour Options below)

Notes:

*7 or 9 breakfasts. Continental breakfast in Hostel/Lodge. A mix of cooked & continental in B&B’s/Hotel.

**The 8-day tour does not include an overnight stay in Kilkenny or Waterford

All details of prices and suppliers listed here are correct at time of publication. Our suppliers occasionally increase prices for optional tour activities during the touring season. This is a rare occurrence. In the unlikely event of a major price increase, we will do our utmost to update you.

Walking Tour of Kilkenny City

€10.00
Guided walking tour of Ireland’s medieval capital.

Dingle Distillery Tour

€15.00
Guided tour of the distillery with craft whiskey, vodka and gin tasting.

Boat Trip Dingle

€15.00-€20.00
Boat trip across Dingle Bay to meet Fungie the Dolphin.

Skellig Islands Cruise

€40.00
Cruise around Skellig Michael and Little Skellig. 2hr 30 mins

Horse-Drawn Jaunting Tour

€15.00
A horse-drawn carriage ride around Killarney National Park.

St Canice’s Cathedral

€7.00
Self-guided tour of historic cathedral and round tower.

Smithwicks Brewery Tour

€15.00
Guided tour of Smithwicks brewery in Kilkenny. Estd. 1710.

Medieval Museum

€7.00
Historic exhibition including a 13th century chamber.

Viking Museum

€5.00
Waterford’s Viking history in Ireland’s oldest civic building.

House of Waterford Crystal

€14.00
Guided tour of glass-making factory and craft workshop.

King of the Vikings 3D

€7.00
Virtual reality experience depicting Waterford’s Viking history.

Bishop’s Palace Musum

€7.00
Museum of 18th century Georgian Waterford.

Ros Tapestry

€8.00/€7.00 Seniors
Exhibition of a large-scale embroidered tapestry depicting Norman history

Kilkenny Castle

€8.00
Self-guided tour of 12th century Kilkenny Castle.

Day 1: Dublin to Connemara

Leave the capital, and enjoy the scenic drive to of Ireland’s most beautiful regions, Connemara.

Stroll around the tribal city of Galway and take it all in – the busker music, the cobblestone lanes, the contemporary flair that blends well with its medieval past, and of course, the oysters
Visit the ruins 6th-century Cong Abbey and stroll around the grounds of Ashford Castle.
Drive along the cliff edge of Killary Fjord.
Overnight in Connemara

The average driving time today is 3 hour 30 minutes.

Day 2: Full Day Connemara Region

We spend another day and night in the wilderness of Connemara, so you don’t need to repack your suitcase. Just relax and enjoy.

Admire Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland’s most beautiful buildings
Wander Kylemore’s wonderful landscaped gardens.
Discover the picture-postcard beauty of the Inagh Valley & Sky Road.
Drop by Clifden, a quaint town at the heart of Connemara.
Accommodation tonight is once again in Connemara

The average driving time today is 2 hours.

Day 3: Inis Mor & Doolin

Travel back in time as we spend a whole day on the Gaelic speaking island of Inis Mor. Miles of stone walls awaits

Enjoy a 40 min boat trip to the island & choose to explore the island by bus with a local guide or on pony & trap
Discover the most impressive stone fort in Ireland at Dun Aengus.
Drop by local market shops for the famous Aran sweaters.
Pass by the remaining two Aran Islands en route back to Doolin in County Clare
Visit a nice cosy Pub for food and traditional Irish music experience.

The average driving time today is 2 hours.

Day 4: Cliffs of Moher & Dingle Peninsula

From the mighty cliffs to the magical kingdom as we move from Clare to Kerry.

Don’t look down, It’s the 700ft high Cliffs of Moher.
Watch out for dolphins as we take a ferry across the mighty mouth of the Shannon – the longest river in Ireland or Britain!
Enjoy a spectacular sheepdog demonstration on a locally run farm.
Drive over Ireland’s highest mountain road, The Conor Pass
Roll into bustling Dingle just in time for a creamy pint of Guinness.
Overnight in Dingle

The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Day 5: Full Day Dingle Peninsula

This morning is yours to design. Relax with downtime in Dingle. Or partake of the following options:

Go dolphin spotting by boat in Dingle Bay (Tour Option – €15-20 per person).
Sample craft Irish whiskey and gin at Dingle Distillery (Tour Option – €15 per person).
Stroll Dingle’s streets for a quirky mix of craft studios, lively pubs, fantastic food, and traditional Irish music.
After lunch, jaw-dropping scenery and knife-edge drops are guaranteed on a leisurely drive around Slea Head.

The average driving time today is 1 hour 30 minutes.

Day 6: Ring of Kerry to Killarney

Today we’re touring the scenic Ring of Kerry route, circuiting the Iveragh peninsula from Dingle to Killarney

Explore 1400 years of history on a boat trip around the Skellig Islands (Tour Option – €40 per person). Seasonal departures: May to September.
Get a taste for local Irish culture, history, and ice cream on Valentia Island.
Discover Derrynane, historic home (Tour Option – €5 per person) and golden sand beach.
Your accommodation is at the centrally-located at the edge of Killarney National Park

The average driving time today is 3 hours.

Day 7: Full day Killarney National Park

Explore Killarney at your leisure

Take a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride around Killarney National Park (Tour Option – €15 per person).
See the magical 1,000-year-old yew tree growing at the heart of ruined Muckross Abbey.
Catch traditional Irish music and outstanding local food in picturesque Killarney.
Scenic, short hike to Torc Waterfall.
Admire charming 19th century Muckross House Gardens.
Your accommodation is at the centrally-located at the edge of Killarney National Park

The average driving time today is 1 hour.

Day 8: Killarney to Kilkenny

We’ll leave Killarney behind and head for Kilkenny via Tipperary.

Trace the Lee Valley downriver, passing patchwork fields, stone bridges and charming cottages.
Kiss the Blarney Stone in the lush surroundings of Blarney Castle Gardens.
Tour the epic Rock of Cashel with its stunning natural setting and historic architecture.
Explore the charms of historic Kilkenny.
Overnight in Kilkenny

For those of you on the 8 Day Tour, this is where it ends, we hope you enjoyed your trip with us. Your guides will direct you back to Dublin, via Dublin coach (price included in the tour) and will arm you with tips and recommendations, if you plan to stay on in the Capital. But if you’ve developed a grá (love) for Kilkenny, you can always get a later bus. Estimated driving time 2 hours 30 minutes Excluding stops

The average driving time today is 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Day 9: Kilkenny to Waterford

Always happy to stop and take in the beauty of the Irish countryside, your guide will lead your tour from medieval Kilkenny to Viking Waterford.

Enjoy some free time in Kilkenny to explore craft studios, cafés and numerous quaint independent shops.
Take a guided craft beer tour at Smithwick’s (Tour Option – €16 per person, €14 seniors) or a self-guided cathedral tour at St. Canice’s (Tour Option – €7 per person).
Discover the delights of Waterford – Ireland’s oldest city, established by Vikings in the 10th century.
Admire the pinnacle of Irish crafting excellence with a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal (Tour Option – €14 per person).
Meet the Norsemen at the Viking Museum, housed in an 800-year-old tower (Tour Option – €5 per person, €4 seniors). There’s so much more to Ireland’s history than you might think!
Overnight in Waterford

The average driving time today is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Day 10: Waterford to Dublin

Before we say goodbye, there’s still time for some of Ireland’s top highlights, your tour takes in some amazing sights on the journey from Waterford back to Dublin.

Explore the 6th-century monastery of Glendalough.
Cross the wilderness of Wicklow Mountains National Park.
Disembark your tour vehicle back at the Jury’s Inn Hotel in Dublin between 5-6 pm
This is where your tour comes to an end – we hope you had a blast on your Irish journey!

The average driving time today is 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Please book this tour through the Booking Form displayed on the right-hand side on desktop or below on mobile [/tab_item]

Please contact us via the enquire form below about remaining 2020 dates

2021 DATES	HOSTEL 8 DAY/10 DAY	B&B TWIN/DOUBLE 8 DAY/ 10 DAY	B&B SINGLE 8 DAY/10 DAY
March 14th	€1039/€1,299	€1,269/€1,599	€1,479/€1,869
April 11th & 25th	€1,169/€1,499	€1,369/€1799	€1,769/€2,119
May 9th & 23rd	€1,169/€1,499	€1,369/€1799	€1,769/€2,119
June 6th & 20th	€1,169/€1,499	€1,369/€1799	€1,769/€2,119
July 4th &18th	€1,169/€1,499	€1,369/€1799	€1,769/€2,119
Aug 1st, 15th & 29th	€1,169/€1,499	€1,369/€1799	€1,769/€2,119
Sept 12th & 26th	€1,169/€1,499	€1,369/€1799	€1,769/€2,119
Oct 10th & 24th	€1,039/€1,299	€1,269/€1,599	€1,479/€1,869