7 Day Emerald Explorer Small Group of tour of Ireland

7 Day Emerald Explorer Small Group of tour of Ireland

This expertly guided road trip, along 1100km of ever-changing landscape, along The Wild Atlantic Way is a great way to explore Ireland.
Take in Clonmacnoise, once a huge monastic city; kiss the Blarney Stone and get the gift of the ‘gab’ (talk); handy for getting to know your small tour group.
Then how about Kinsale harbour where wild, Red Snapper and John Dory fight it out to be your catch of the day and into The Ring of Kerry, with only the Atlantic separating the 40 shades from the 50 U.S. states.
Cool down with Fungie, Dingle’s resident dolphin who came for the fish in 1984 and stayed for the craic or stand on The Cliffs of Moher and feel you’re at the edge of the world.
And in between the heritage and culture, there’ll be ceol agus craic (music and boldness), seafood and banter, city (Galway) and island hopping (Aran)and an epic road-trip you’ll never forget.

Itinerary

Day 1: Clonmacnoise - Kylemore Abbey - Connemara

Stop At: Clonmacnoise, Shannonbridge Ireland
Leaving Dublin’s Fair City, you’ll travel back in time to Clonmacnoise, a 6th centuary Monastery city on the banks of the River Shannon. This holy place became a beacon for learning and boasts excellent examples of Celtic stonework.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden, Connemara On the N59 between Clifden and Westport, Kylemore Ireland
It’s off to Co. Galway and green fields turn into a lunar landscape, as we plough through rugged Connemara, heading for Kylemore Abbey. A working Benedictine abbey constructed on the grounds of an 18th century castle, it has had more than a few past lives and boasts an imposing position at the foot of Druchruach Mountain, overlooking Kylemore Lake.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Clifden, Clifden, County Galway, Western Ireland
At the end of the day, it’s onto Cilfden, ‘the Capital of Connemara’ and it’s time to relax as you’re officially on West of Ireland time. Now it’s time for Dooncastle oysters or a whole Cleggan crab, washed down with pints of the Blackstuff.
Cock an ear and listen out for ‘the session’, (traditional music) coming out of the many pubs and settle yourself in.
After the ceol agus craic (music and merriment) you could always wake up feeling like royalty, in an 18th Century Castle, as you have the added option of staying in Ballynahinch castle.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: All the Twos, Twenty two! We stay at All the Twos Guesthouse or upgrade for a night in Ballynahinch castle.

Day 2: Explore the rugged Aran Islands and Galway

Stop At: Dun Aonghasa, Cill Mhuirbhigh, Province of Connacht Ireland
Fed and watered, it’s off to nearby Rossaveal Pier to catch the ferry to Inis Mor (literally ‘big island’), the largest of the Aran Islands.
Here you can explore the 6km by 2km island by bike or by special request, a jaunting cart with your very own driver and pony. It’s off to Dún Aonghasa, a prehistoric hill fort which dominates the edge of a vertical cliff, 300 ft above the choppy waters of the Atlantic.
Refresh "le cupán tae" (with a cup of tea) and island porter cake and shop for an original Aran Sweater.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Galway Bay, Galway Ireland
Then we’re off to Galway, the City of the Tribes and the home of the Claddagh Ring to chase down the ceol agus craic, (music and fun), street performers, artists, buskers and the last of the Bohemians.
Total driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We will spend our overnight in the centrally located Victoria Hotel (could change depending on availability).

Day 3: The Jaw dropping Cliffs of Moher and Traditional Irish Music in Doolin

Stop At: Galway Bay, Galway Ireland
Wake up and enjoy a delightful breakfast and have some time to shop around. You will be treated to a tour of Galway and a taste of some of the local delicacies. Our local guide will bring you to the best eateries and watering holes while you take in the history of this fantastic town. How better to digest a history lesson of mutiny's and aristocrats than with some craft beer and locally caught seafood.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: The Burren National Park, Clare Heritage Centre, Corofin Ireland
We’ll take in the 12th century Corcomroe Abbey and Dunguaire Castle, a 16th century tower house which sits on a rocky outcrop on Galway Bay before heading for Kinvara, a colourful fishing village full of cafes and curiosities.Then it’s Southwest to The Burren national park, 125 square miles of limestone rock and The Burren Centre where you’ll see dolmens and megalithic tombs, some older than the Egyptian pyramids.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Cliffs of Moher, Lislorkan North, Liscannor Ireland
For our next stop no introduction is needed, explore the Cliffs of Moher by foot. The cliffs are one of the most spectacular natural features in Ireland and are sure to leave you lost for words as we look down at the Atlantic churning 300 metres below.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Doolin, Doolin, The Burren, County Clare
As evening draws in, we’ll spend it in Doolin, The home of Irish music and between the music and the foot-tapping, the blackstuff and the company, ‘the craic will be ninety’!
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We will spend the evening in Doolin Lodge, right in the heart of Doolin

Day 4: Travel to the Kingdom of Kerry

Stop At: Poulnabrone Dolmen, Clare, Poulnabrone, Co. Clare, Ireland
We’ll take in a portal tomb at Poulnabrone, locally referred to as ‘Hole of the Sorrows’, the oldest megalithic burial site in Ireland, dating back to 3000BC. From the long-time dead, we’ll meet up with the lively farmers of Caherconnell who’ll treat you to a sheep dog trial. With a whistle here and a whistle there, watch as they direct the collies to run rings around the sheep.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Dingle Distillery, R559 Milltown, Dingle Ireland
Next up, a little light refreshment, as we go on a quest for Uisce Beatha, (water of life), or whiskey, as it’s known as. Arriving at The Dingle Whiskey Distillery, you’ll get a flavour of how our ‘nectar’ is made and even savour a drop of their single pot still whiskey, matured in aged bourbon casks.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
The evening belongs to Dingle and how about a trip to hardware store, Foxy John’s? Don’t be alarmed, the only DIY you’ll be doing is ordering a drink from its fully stocked bar. And did we tell you about the Leather Shop, Dick Mac’s? It comes with a pub, a gang of lively locals and some charming bartenders.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: The Dingle Marina Lodge is our overnight location in Dingle (could change depending on availability)

Day 5: Meet our friendly dolphin on the Dingle Peninsula

Stop At: Mount Brandon, An Daingean Co. Kerry Ireland
We spend another day and night in the buzzing town of Dingle, so you don’t need to repack your suitcase. Just relax and enjoy.
We have a few choices for your this morning. If you would like a more relaxed start to your day we invite you to explore Dingle town for some retail therapy. Alternatively, if shopping isn’t your thing we will take you on a hike up Mount Brandon where you will be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views of Dingle Bay. We have another delight. We take our kayaks to visit the town’s biggest celebrity – Fungie the Dolphin and explore the caves in the bay.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Slea Head Drive, Ireland
After lunch your expert Overland guide will take you on an impressive trip along one of Ireland’s most scenic roads - The Slea Head Drive. If you are lucky enough you might get to meet a couple of our local fluffy friends – baby lambs!
We spend another night in the buzzing town of Dingle, so you don’t need to repack your suitcase. Just relax and enjoy.
Estimated Driving Time: 2.5 hours
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: The Dingle Marina Lodge is our overnight location in Dingle (could change depending on availability)

Day 6: Explore Castles, Epic scenery at the Ring of Kerry and Kinsale

Stop At: Ross Castle Ross Road, Killarney Ireland
It’s bye-bye Dingle and up to see parts of the Ring of Kerry; Have your phones fully charged to take photos of Moll’s Gap, Torc waterfall and Ross castle in Killarney National Park. Built in the 15th century, this stronghold is said to have a resident ghost, that of O’Donoghue Ross, the chieftain who came to an untimely end, when he allegedly fell out of one of its windows!
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Moll's Gap, 3 Kenmare Innovation Centre N 71 Road, Killarney Ireland
We will stop for some shopping and lunch in the beautiful heritage town of Kenmare, learn about the stone circles of Ireland. The residents claim that Kenmare is one of Ireland's most idyllic towns, but you may be the judge of that!
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kinsale, Kinsale, County Cork
Sightseeing and ghost-hunting over, it’s time for your last night, (boohoo) and its off to historic Kinsale and a gourmet’s utopia. Head to The Spaniard, an olde world inn perched high above Kinsale, serving up Spanish Ruby Ports and West Cork black pudding or if it’s all fish you want, how about Fishy, Fishy? Meander the picturesque streets and find silversmiths, galleries and antique shops before settling in for the evening at The Armada bar or The Silent Banjo, which unlike the name suggests, is jumping with music and ‘jammers’ (packed) with locals
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Blindgate House in Kinsale (could change depending on availability)

Day 7: Kiss the Blarney Stone and Receive the Gift of Eloquence

Stop At: Historic Stroll Kinsale Walking Tours, Tourist Office,, Pier Rd.,, Sleveen, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
Get your walking shoes on and follow your Guide who will take you for an historical amble through the narrow streets of Kinsale. Admire its quirky architecture and learn of the siege of the Spanish Armada!

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Blarney Castle & Gardens, Monacnapa, Blarney, Cork T23 Y598 Ireland
Nobody should leave Ireland without giving the Blarney stone a big fat kiss to receive the ‘gift of the gab’. Explore the spectacular gardens as well with its many hidden treasures.
Our guides will journey back with you to our bustling capital city, Dublin, armed with recommendations of things to see and do.
Estimated Driving Time: 3.5 hours
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Rock of Cashel, Rock Vista Moor Lane, Cashel Ireland
s it a Chapel? Is it a Palace? Is it a Cathedral? You’ll find its all three and it’s an open-mouthed moment and a truly historic way to end the tour.
As our guides take you back to The Capital, they’ll give you tips and recommendations if you plan to stay on in Dublin. Goodbyes will have to be said but it’s slán go fóill, (see you soon), from all of us at Overland Ireland
Duration: 30 minutes

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