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Summary

Ireland tours are what travel dreams are made of! Beautiful natural scenery, historic cities, friendly locals and hidden gems are waiting to be explored. Experience the must-see sights in Dublin, Belfast and Galway. Visit the breathtaking and legendary Giant’s Causeway. Explore the cities of Belfast and Galway. Admire the views from the Ring of Kerry and marvel at the world-famous Cliffs of Moher. Tours to Ireland are nothing short of spectacular! Explore Ireland over one week and the “Emerald Isle” will have a special place in your heart. You’ll be a true Irish explorer! 

If you'd like to explore Great Britain in addition to Ireland, consider the Best of UK & Ireland tour - click here.

Highlights

  • Explore the natural wonder of Giant's Causeway
  • Visit the capitals of  the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland; Dublin & Belfast
  • Experience Blarney Castle, the Ring of Kerry and the Cliffs of Moher
  • Visit Galway, Adare and Killarney  

Itinerary View Full ItineraryDownload PDF

Start Point

Hotel in Dublin | 10:00 AM

End Point

Hotel in Dublin | 10:00 AM
DAY 1: Start of tour in Dublin

Céad míle fáilte! (Or, should we say, a hundred thousand welcomes!) Welcome to Ireland and the start of your tour! Meet your tour leader and the group at the hotel this morning before it’s time to explore this wonderful city! Embark on a driving and walking tour of Dublin with your tour leader and see the highlights of Ireland’s capital city. This afternoon is free to explore as you wish. Why not join the fascinating Discover Dublin excursion for an exciting taste of Irish culture and some of Dublin’s top sights? Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with the group.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 1: Start of tour in Dublin

Céad míle fáilte! (Or, should we say, a hundred thousand welcomes!) Welcome to Ireland and the start of your tour! Meet your tour leader and the group at the hotel this morning before it’s time to explore this wonderful city! Embark on a driving and walking tour of Dublin with your tour leader and see the highlights of Ireland’s capital city. This afternoon is free to explore as you wish. Why not join the fascinating Discover Dublin excursion for an exciting taste of Irish culture and some of Dublin’s top sights? Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner with the group.

Experiences

Dublin driving and walking tour: Enjoy a driving and walking tour of this vibrant capital city! See Dublin’s top sights including St Patrick’s Cathedral, the General Post Office building, the many bridges over the River Liffey and more.

Welcome dinner: Tonight, sit down for a wonderful welcome dinner in Dublin. Get to know more about the rest of your fellow travellers and get excited for the exciting days to come on this incredible tour of Ireland!

Meals

Dinner

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions
Discover Dublin

Visit Dublin’s top sights and taste local Irish food and beer. Discover the Temple Bar area, the Irish Emigration Museum and the Guinness Storehouse!

€ 85

DAY 2: Belfast - Giant's Causeway - Derry

Today, head into Northern Ireland. Your tour leader will share insight on topics like the Rising, the Civil War and the Fight for Independence, along with The Troubles. Although peaceful now, this is an important part of Ireland’s history, particularly the north. Stop in the famous city of Belfast and enjoy a combined driving and walking tour. Then, it’s onto Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge for a photo stop. Get your cameras ready for the famous Giant’s Causeway. Legend has it that the causeway was built by an Irish giant named Finn McCool so that he could challenge his Scottish rival Benandonner to a battle. Today’s last stop is the riverside city of Derry, where the tour will spend the night.

Experiences

Visit Belfast: Your tour leader will introduce you to some of Belfast's highlights on a driving tour, including Shankill Road and the Falls Road. These roads are associated with loyalist and republican communities respectively and are separated by peace walls.

Photo stop at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: Enjoy a Photo stop at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which links the mainland with the tiny island of Carrick-a-Rede. Spanning 20 meters, the bridge is suspended 30 metres above the rocks below. Enjoy the spectacular Cliffside views!

Marvel at the Giant’s Causeway: The Giant’s Causeway is one of Ireland’s most famous sights, a natural geological wonder that is the result of ancient volcanic activity in the area. Or perhaps a giant did actually build it as the legend suggests!

Meals

BreakfastDinner

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions
Titanic Belfast Experience

Experience the fascinating history of the Titanic with impressive interactive galleries, full-scale reconstructions and innovative special effects.

€ 25

DAY 3: Derry - Galway

Heading out from Derry, travel to Galway, joining up with the famous Wild Atlantic Way - the longest coastal drive in the world, and probably the most scenic! After a comfort stop along the way, arrive in Galway in the early afternoon. Enjoy some free time in this arty, bohemian city that boasts a vibrant ambience, thanks to its large student population. With students making up a quarter of the population, you’ll find plenty of bars and cafés, some of which will feature live music. Check out the remnants of the medieval town walls, or take a stroll down the promenade to Salthill, on Galway Bay, source of the area’s delicious well-known oysters.

Experiences

Visit Galway: Enjoy the bohemian vibe of this lively town, where you’ll find plenty of bars and cafes. Look out for live music! Alternatively, find the remnants of the medieval city walls or walk down the promenade to Salthill on Galway Bay.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions
Galway Cruise

Embark on a cruise and admire the harbour sights of Galway! Learn about the city’s history and culture with onboard commentary. 

€ 20

DAY 4: Cliffs of Moher - Limerick - Adare - Killarney

First up today is one of the highlights of the tour – the world-famous Cliffs of Moher. This natural wonder rises over 200 metres above the churning sea! Then, it’s onto Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The present version of Bunratty Castle was erected in the early 1400s, however, it dates back to the 10th century. Adjoining the castle is Folk Park, a reconstructed traditional Irish village. Enjoy a photostop in Limerick, with its fascinating castle, traditional pubs, art museum and thriving café culture. Take the opportunity to wander through Adare, which is often called ‘Ireland’s prettiest village’ - catch a glimpse of the perfectly-preserved thatch cottages. Finally, arrive in Killarney for the night.

Experiences

Marvel at the Cliffs of Moher: Get those cameras ready for these awe-inspiring views of rugged cliffs and crashing waves.

Explore Bunratty Castle: A beautiful 15th century tower house in County Clare, Bunratty Castle is a piece of Irish history, with the original structure on this site dating back to the 10th century. Folk Park adjoins the castle, and here you’ll get a peek at a traditional reconstructed Irish village, complete with cottages, weavers, pie-makers, a forge and a working blacksmith.

Visit Limerick: Stop at the Treaty Stone, where legend says the Treaty of Limerick was signed, which ended the Williamite War in Ireland between the Jacobites and the supporters of William of Orange and concluded the Siege of Limerick. You can also take great photos of King John’s Castle from across the river.

Enjoy a photo stop at Adare: Take a few photos as we stop in the “prettiest village in Ireland”. This village has perfectly preserved thatch-roofed cottages that are being used as craft shops and restaurants.

Meals

BreakfastDinner

Accommodation

Hotel

DAY 5: Kerry Region: Free Day

Enjoy a free day in the Kerry region. Take the time to explore the hiking trails, golf courses and picturesque churches of Killarney. Or join the optional excursion - a drive and various stops along the Ring of Kerry. This iconic route takes you along the Iveragh Peninsula. Experience charming stops along the way - such as Kerry Bog Village and a Sheepdog demonstration. Sit back and relax on a jaunting (carriage) ride through Killarney National Park. This excursion immerses you in all that this iconic route has on offer.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions
Ring of Kerry Day Trip

Take a scenic drive of the Ring of Kerry, learn about Irish history, watch a sheepdog show and take a jaunting ride through Killarney National Park!

€ 50

DAY 6: Blarney Castle - Kilkenny - Dublin

Journeying back to Dublin and leaving the Wild Atlantic Way, enjoy a stop at Blarney Castle, where you’ll have the chance to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and gain the ‘gift of the gab’. Next up is the medieval town of Kilkenny. Here, join your tour leader on an orientation tour of the historic centre, known as the 'Medieval Mile'. Arriving back in Dublin later today, celebrate the last night of your tour with an optional Irish music evening, including dinner and a show. It’s a fantastic way to finish off this wonderful tour of the Emerald Isle!

Experiences

Visit Blarney Castle: Kiss the famous Blarney Stone and you might ­­­­­­gain the ‘gift of the gab'!

Kilkenny orientation tour: Join your tour leader through the sights of Kilkenny. Explore places like the National Design & Craft Gallery, the Medieval Mile, Dominican Black Abbey and St Mary’s Cathedral.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel

On Tour Excursions
Irish Music Evening

Experience an unforgettable evening filled with traditional Irish food, music and dancing at an award-winning pub in Dublin.

€ 65

DAY 7: End of tour in Dublin

After breakfast, it's time to say goodbye as the tour concludes. We hope you’ve enjoyed the scenery, the culture, the sights and the history of this incredible part of the world. Don’t forget to share your details with your fellow travellers. Farewell, Ireland!

Meals

Breakfast

What's Included

Accommodation

  • 6 nights in 2, 3 & 4* hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms
  • Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room

Meals

  • 6 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners 
    *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request

Transport

  • Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard 
  • Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) 

Tour Leader

  • Fully guided tour with experienced tour leader
  • Tour leader will accompany group throughout and manage all logistical details

12 Experiences!

  • See Dublin on a walking and driving tour!
  • Welcome dinner in Dublin
  • Driving tour of Belfast 
  • Stop at Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
  • Explore the Giant's Causeway
  • Free time to enjoy Galway
  • See the iconic Cliffs of Moher
  • Visit Bunratty Castle, a 15th Century tower house
  • Visit Limerick; see the treaty Stone and King John's Castle
  • Stop off in "Ireland's prettiest village", Adare
  • Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone
  • Orientation tour through Kilkenny

Accommodation

Hotels are chosen closer to departure date. We do use a variety of hotels in each destination, so you may stay in a hotel different to that listed here.

Dublin
Clayton Hotel LeopardstownClayton Hotel Leopardstown
Clayton Hotel LeopardstownClayton Hotel Leopardstown

Photos of the tour

Discover Dublin

Discover Dublin’s top sights on a guided excursion with your tour leader. Begin at the city’s popular Temple Bar area where the excursion kicks off with a pub lunch. Enjoy traditional Irish food and fuel up before heading across town to EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, to learn about the Irish diaspora and the Irish influence across the world. Next, catch a coach to the Guinness Storehouse to enjoy the full Guinness experience! Finally, say sláinte with a pint of Guinness, Ireland’s most iconic beer, at the Guinness Storehouse’s rooftop Gravity Bar. 

Please Note: This excursion must be pre-booked prior to your tour starting - please email us to book.

Optional Excursions

Unless marked as “Pre-Book”, all optional excursions can be booked on tour and paid for in cash (in the stated currency) to your tour leader.
Prices and availability are subject to change

Discover Dublin

Visit Dublin’s top sights and taste local Irish food and beer. Discover the Temple Bar area, the Irish Emigration Museum and the Guinness Storehouse!

€ 85
More Info
Titanic Belfast Experience

Experience the fascinating history of the Titanic with impressive interactive galleries, full-scale reconstructions and innovative special effects.

€ 25
More Info
Galway Cruise

Embark on a cruise and admire the harbour sights of Galway! Learn about the city’s history and culture with onboard commentary. 

€ 20
More Info
Ring of Kerry Day Trip

Take a scenic drive of the Ring of Kerry, learn about Irish history, watch a sheepdog show and take a jaunting ride through Killarney National Park!

€ 50
More Info
Irish Music Evening

Experience an unforgettable evening filled with traditional Irish food, music and dancing at an award-winning pub in Dublin.

€ 65
More Info

Dates & Rates

Our Price Beat Promise is to give you the lowest prices for our tours - guaranteed! Show us the lower price and we’ll do more than match it, we’ll beat it! Learn More

Our pricing model: Lowest-priced seats are sold first, then the price increases slightly. The quicker you book, the less you pay. Select a date below to secure your seat.
Years
Start Date / End DateFlexible BookingStatusPrice Per Person
24 Mar 2024 - 30 Mar 2024Flexible booking date for 24 Mar 2024 - 30 Mar 2024Only 4 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 1,030
14 Apr 2024 - 20 Apr 2024Flexible booking date for 14 Apr 2024 - 20 Apr 2024Only 2 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 975
21 Apr 2024 - 27 Apr 2024Flexible booking date for 21 Apr 2024 - 27 Apr 2024Only 3 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 975
28 Apr 2024 - 04 May 2024Flexible booking date for 28 Apr 2024 - 04 May 2024Only 2 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 975
12 May 2024 - 18 May 2024Flexible booking date for 12 May 2024 - 18 May 2024Only 3 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 1,030
26 May 2024 - 01 Jun 2024Flexible booking date for 26 May 2024 - 01 Jun 2024Only 3 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 1,030
09 Jun 2024 - 15 Jun 2024Flexible booking date for 09 Jun 2024 - 15 Jun 2024Only 1 seat left at this price€ 1,280 € 1,075
23 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024Flexible booking date for 23 Jun 2024 - 29 Jun 2024Only 4 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 1,030
07 Jul 2024 - 13 Jul 2024Flexible booking date for 07 Jul 2024 - 13 Jul 2024Only 6 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 910
21 Jul 2024 - 27 Jul 2024Flexible booking date for 21 Jul 2024 - 27 Jul 2024Only 5 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 975
04 Aug 2024 - 10 Aug 2024Flexible booking date for 04 Aug 2024 - 10 Aug 2024Only 5 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 1,075
18 Aug 2024 - 24 Aug 2024Flexible booking date for 18 Aug 2024 - 24 Aug 2024Only 6 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 975
08 Sep 2024 - 14 Sep 2024Flexible booking date for 08 Sep 2024 - 14 Sep 2024Only 2 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 975
15 Sep 2024 - 21 Sep 2024Flexible booking date for 15 Sep 2024 - 21 Sep 2024Only 4 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 975
29 Sep 2024 - 05 Oct 2024Flexible booking date for 29 Sep 2024 - 05 Oct 2024Only 3 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 975
13 Oct 2024 - 19 Oct 2024Flexible booking date for 13 Oct 2024 - 19 Oct 2024Only 6 seats left at this price€ 1,280 € 1,030

Number of travellers

Payment option

Flexible booking: flexible booking

Additional Information

For pre-departure and visa information, as well as frequently asked questions regarding preparing for and travelling on this tour, please visit our Help Centre.

Help Centre
Additional Information Help Centre

Reviews

Reviews powered by: Power Reviews

286 reviews
L
Living Life Verified Buyer 2023-10-02
Great Experience
This was our first tour. We saw much more than we could have if planning our own vacation. It was fast moving and the days were packed with interesting things to do and information about Ireland. We enjoyed meeting the many members of our group and were please that they were of all ages and from many locations. We did find that our tour bus was not very comfortable, although our driver was fabulous, as was our tour leader. We did wish for more time to see some of the locations. We realize that we need to extend our trips by a few day to a week to go explore more at the completion of a tour.
S
Scooter Verified Buyer 2023-10-02
Wonderful tour
Our tour leader Aileen & driver Sam were excellent and the tour was comprehensive and thorough.
J
JayFromCanada Verified Buyer 2023-10-01
Whirlwind week of Irish sights and experiences
I loved this tour! Our guide Aileen was always very bright and cheerful, full of knowledge, and informative. Our driver Sam was excellent. The hotels were decent, the breakfast at the hotels were always good. Some of the stops were kinda too quick, not enough time to really do anything, but, still nonetheless nice to stop and say you visited that city, even if briefly!
C
Chris Verified Buyer 2023-09-30
Unbelievable Ireland experience!!
Having done the Irish Explorer trip as a single guy in 2017, I had an idea of what to expect, and could not wait for my wife to experience Ireland for the first time. This trip blew all expectations out of the water! The second time was exponentially better than my first, and my wife said it was one of the best trips she had ever been on. Diarmaid was just absolutely amazing as our tour leader! He was so friendly, and accommodating, and he told us so much about the history of Ireland. Total class act! I learned so much more than I ever expected! I have recommended this trip to my friends who are curious to experience Ireland for the first time. We met others who have done more than one Expat trip, and there was nothing but positivity. Expat makes exploring fun, and what a great way to see the world! We can't wait to book another Expat tour in a different country for next year!!
T
Travelling Coach Verified Buyer 2023-09-30
Ireland Explorer
Very Good

Why this tour?

Tours of Ireland are great for travellers seeking a holiday filled with bucket-list sites, history, beautiful natural scenery and great local culture. This Irish Explorer tour is one of our best immersive group tours which fits a number of fantastic activities and destinations into one week. Ireland is a great place for tourists from all over the world thanks to the abundance of great things to see and do, as well as the warm, welcoming and friendly locals. Seven days is the best amount of time to spend on your Ireland trip for a full taste of what the “Emerald Isle'' has to offer!

The tour begins and ends in vibrant Dublin, which you can spend some time getting to know before and after the trip. Our coach tours of Ireland from Dublin are your best option for seeing the best of Ireland. They cover the entire isle; travelling from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland, along the Wild Atlantic Way and back. 

The best tours of Ireland should include  must-see sights, interesting cities that offer you a taste of local life and culture, historic towns, castle tours and, of course, the unmissable natural sites. You can look forward to all of this and more with our Ireland tour packages! 

Over seven days, you’ll get to see the cities of Belfast, Derry, Galway, and Kilarney. Your group will learn about the history of the fight for independence and the times of “The Troubles” and enjoy guided walking tours of Belfast and Kilkenny with your Tour Leader. You’ll even get to make a stop in Adare, which is known as the prettiest town (village) in Ireland! You’ll also be spoiled for choice at the amount of beautiful places you’ll see! From rolling green hills and sweeping cliff top views, to traditional Irish villages and ancient landmarks. 

Our highlights include all the iconic sights and landmarks which should not be missed when visiting Ireland, including the Giant’s Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry and Blarney Castle - where you’ll have the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone and see if the legends are true about the gift of the gab!  

Make your Ireland trip even more memorable with optional extras like the Ring of Kerry Day trip and the Titanic Belfast experience. 

This escorted tour showcases top sights across Ireland thanks to an expertly designed itinerary. There are a number of inclusions plus free time and free days to enjoy destinations at your own pace. Whether you are looking for tours of Ireland for seniors, singles, friends or family, this is an excellent option that is packed full of fun! 

The best time to visit Ireland with us is throughout most of the year. Summer brings warmer weather and leisurely days in the outdoors. If you’re looking for a festive getaway, our Christmas and New Years tours are the best time to travel for holiday cheer! Love the sound of Ireland? Why not combine it with one of our England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland tours to see more of Great Britain and all that it has to offer?

Irish Explorer
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Was€ 1,280
From € 910
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