10 Day Wild Irish Experience - Small Group Tour

10 Day Wild Irish Experience - Small Group Tour

It’s an intimate small group journey, which transforms from a bus trip to road trip, complete with like-minded travellers that become friends. Unlike the big groups, we can easily get to those magical, hard to reach places, such as secluded beaches or dramatic cliff tops.

Itinerary

Day 1: Dublin to Connemara/Westport

Stop At: Connemara National Park & Visitor Centre, Connemara National Park Connemara National Park Connemara, Co Galway Near the village of Letterfrack, Galway Ireland
Failte Romhat; (Welcome), Your tour starts when we leave the capital city of Dublin and make our way to the Boyne Valley, for The Kings boat tour along the Boyne river in a ‘currach’, ancient small sized boats that has featured many times in Game of Thrones.
Onwards through the stunning Boyne Valley area, we’ll head for Galway city. Here you'll have some free time to wander around this medieval city.
From there it is then through the ‘savage beauty’ of the Connemara region. Here we will settle into our accommodation at the foot of Croagh Patrick on the edge of Connemara. Before a tasty evening meal in a local pub (optional) we will go for a wee stroll around some of the coastal path of Murrisk loop, followed by a pint of the black stuff.
Overnight in Murrisk
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Murrisk - at the foot of Croagh Patrick

Day 2: Full Day Croagh Patrick & Westport

Stop At: Croagh Patrick, Murrisk Ireland
Enjoy a free day and get out and explore the savage beauty of the Connemara Region. There are many excellent outdoor activities available in the region, with your guide you can navigate the stony path to the summit of Croagh Patrick, or if climbing a mountain is not your thing , at your own expense, go kayaking along Clew Bay, or bike along The Great Western Greenway or just spend some time around the historic Westport town and visit it's attractions. Return to our wilderness accommodation, via ‘savage beauty’ of the Connemara region and its lakes and valleys.
If you don't fancy doing any of the activites, you can spend the afternoon in Westport, take a guided walking tour, visit Westport house or catch a trad session in a local pub.
Overnight in Murrisk
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Murrisk - at the foot of Croagh Patirck

Day 3: Day 3: Inis Mor & Doolin

Stop At: Dun Aonghasa, Cill Mhuirbhigh, Province of Connacht Ireland
Today we catch a boat from Rosseveal to the largest of the Aran Islands, Inis Mor. Travel back in time as we spend a whole day on the Gaelic speaking island of Inis Mor. Miles of stone walls wait as you explore the island by bike.
This morning we will catch the ferry to Inis Mor, the largest of the 3 Aran Islands. After the 40 mins boat trip, you can choose to explore the island by foot, bike, bus or horse and cart. Travel back in time as we spend a whole day on the Gaelic speaking island of Inis Mor. Miles of stone walls wait as you explore the island by bike. After lunch and visits to the islands main attractions, such as Dun Aongas and the wormhole, home of the Red Bull diving experience.Inis Mór is the largest of the three Aran Islands (7,635 acres) and includes several ancient stone forts and churches among its antiquities. Most impressive of the stone forts is Dun Aengus. It is semicircular, resting on the edge of a perpendicular cliff rising 100 metres out of the ocean.
The fort consists of an inner court 50 metres across surrounded by a wall six metres high and five metres thick at the base. Outside is a rampart, a defence formed by sharp-pointed stones set closely together. Dun Aengus superb position and it’s structural perfection, have prompted many experts to pronounce it one of the finest prehistoric monuments in Europe. There are about 1100 inhabitants on Inis Mor making it by far the most populated of the islands. The main village on the island is Kilronan, which has a quite large new harbour that accommodates a vast amount of tourist travel to the island. The best way to see Inis Mor is to hire a bike or take a Pony & Trap. You can also go bus tour which is also recommended.
In the evening we will catch the ferry back to Doolin
Overnight in Doolin
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Doolin Village

Day 4: Day 4: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney National Park

Stop At: Cliffs of Moher, Lislorkan North, Liscannor Ireland
This morning we will have time for a pleasant stroll along the Atlantic edge to the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher standing 214m (702 feet) above sea level. You will see the gradual rise of the cliffs in the distance, depending on the weather, the waves of the Atlantic crashing below at the base of the cliffs. The walk is along a gravel path with flagstone steps cut out of the terrain to cross the drains and streams and on the steeper inclines.
You will walk along until you reach the highest point of the Cliffs of Moher standing 214m (702 feet) above sea level, where views of the Dingle Peninsula and Loop Head in the South, the Aran Islands to the West with the Twelve Pins and mountains of Connemara to the North can be seen on a clear day. O’Brien’s Tower is near the highest point and serves as an excellent viewing platform, as has been the case for hundreds of years.
From there we will take a ferry crossing over Ireland’s longest river, The Shannon, before arriving at your accommodation in Killarney located near to the National park.
You will have a full day and half to explore everything on offer. Killarney is a great place to spend a few days, no matter what your past-time of choice is. Options include: kayaking on the lakes of Killarney, boat trip on the lakes with a bike ride or hiking through glaciated valleys, biking through the National park, climb Torc Mountain for amazing views, or just enjoy the stunning scenery and do nothing. Optional activities are at your own expense.

Accommodation located close to the town and park.
Overnight in Killarney
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Killarney town - at the edge of the National Park

Day 5: Day 5: Full day Killarney National Park

Stop At: Killarney National Park Cork Road, Killarney Ireland
You have a full free day to fully explore everything on offer. Killarney is a great place to spend a few days, no matter what your past-time of choice is. Options include: kayaking on the lakes of Killarney, boat trip on the lakes with a bike ride or hiking through glaciated valleys, biking through the National park, climb Torc Mountain for amazing views, or just enjoy the stunning scenery and do nothing.
Optional activities are at your own expense.
Accommodation located close to the town and park.
Overnight in Killarney
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Killarney town - at the edge of the National Park

Day 6: Day 6: Ring of Kerry / Valentia Island to Dingle

Stop At: Ring of Kerry, Ireland
Early this morning we travel to Valentia Island around the Ring of Kerry, a journey through County Kerry with amazing views at high altitude with stops regularly for spectacular photos. See Dingle bay where not only nature but also Dingle itself is incredibly beautiful. We stop at Sheep dog demonstration for an excellent exhibition of sheep herding.
From there we will arrive on Valentia Island. You can either opt to explore the trail to Valentia Island and Bray Head with your guide (included), take a Eco boat trip around the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Skellig Islands ( €50 extra – very weather dependent ) or opt to hire a bike and discover the island at your own pace (€15 extra).
After a full day of discovery, we spend the night on the edge of Dingle town, which is an excellent place with lots of restaurants and lively pubs.
Overnight in Dingle
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Dingle town - at the mouth of the harbour

Day 7: Day 7: Full day Dingle Peninsula

Stop At: Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
This morning you will be able to opt at your own expense to take part in a few optional activities such as boat trip with Fungie the dolphin, sea kayaking, paddle boarding or horse riding. Or just wander around the town and visit the colourful shops.
After lunch you will meet up with your guide and take the famous Slea Head drive. Isolated from the rest of Ireland by the impressive landscape, this tour of the Dingle Peninsula will take you where the locals go. We will follow a coastal trail on windswept cliffs, perched above beautiful coastlines. Once described by National Geographic as the most beautiful place on earth, we drive along the edge of the peninsula with the wild Atlantic ocean to our left and the patchwork green fields to our right.
You’ll discover local secluded beaches, ancient stone huts and have plenty of free time to take photos and experience the majestic surroundings.A gentle loop walk gives wonderful views over Clogher Beach, Ceann Sibeal, the headlands of Ceann Sratha, An Dun Mor, Mount Brandon, Eagle Mountain and the Blasket islands. On minor roads, sandy paths and coastal tracks it is uphill initially then downhill or on the flat and includes a cliff top stretch, passing the schoolhouse built for the film Ryan’s Daughter.
After the walk we will visit the Dingle Whiskey Distillery (included), a small local distillery which includes generous samples of whiskey, vodka and gin.make our back to Dingle town where you will have time to relax and unwind in a nice cosy pub. Enjoy the fresh catch of the day while sipping on some locally brewed beer or whiskey. Top it all off with some local Murphys Ice Cream , made from the fresh milk of the Kerry cow. You will also have some time to walk the towns colourful streets and go souvenir shopping.
Overnight in Dingle
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Dingle Town - at the mouth of the harbour

Day 8: Day 8: Dingle to Kilkenny

Stop At: Rock of Cashel, Rock Vista Moor Lane, Cashel Ireland
This morning we leave Dingle and travel in the direction of County Kilkenny. We will drive the famous Connor Pass road, Ireland's highest mountain road towards Tralee.
En route we will take in Cahir Castle, An imposing 13th-15th Century structure, Cahir Castle was skilfully designed by Conor O’Brien to be a state-of-the-art defensive castle. Appearing to grow from the actual rock on which it stands, the castle has been the scene of sieges and bombardments for centuries.
From there, we will take in the imposing Rock of Cashel, once the seat of the Kings of Munster. For more than 1,000 years the Rock was a symbol of royal and religious power; until rivalries saw Brian Boru, future High King of Ireland, take over in the 10th century.
Arriving in the medieval city of Kilkenny in the evening you will have plenty of free time to discover the city’s many attractions, such as the castle, the Canice cathedral, take a guided tour of the Smithwicks brewery or just simply relax and enjoy the sights and sounds from a nearby coffee shop. Overnight in Kilkenny.
Ovenright in Kilkenny
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kilkenny city - the medieval capital of Ireland

Day 9: Day 9: Full Day Kilkenny

Stop At: Kilkenny Castle, The Parade, Kilkenny R95 YRK1 Ireland
This morning you can choose to enjoy a unique Cultural & Heritage Experience where you will experience first hand the ancient Celtic game of Hurling, the world’s oldest and fastest field game. Learn the skills of the worlds oldest and Fastest field game (3000 years old).
In the afternoon you will be greeted by a local tour guide who will bring you on a walking tour around the medieval mile. Meet the witch Dame Alice Kyteler, rhymes, taverns, crime, punishments and much more.
Overnight in Kilkenny
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kilkenny city - the medieval capital of Ireland

Day 10: Day 10: Kilkenny to Dublin

Stop At: Glendalough Monastic Settlement, Ireland
This morning we will make our way to the monastic city of Glendalough. Wander the valley and lakes, touching haunting medieval remains that stand long after Viking raids and the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
In the evening we arrive back in the city of Dublin. This is where your tour comes to an end – we hope you had a blast on your Irish journey!
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.