Ireland travel update | New Guided small group tour for 2023!

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The Rock of Cashel ©Tourism Ireland

Classic Ireland

(10 days / 9 nights)

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Discover the best of Ireland

Take the wheel to discover the gems of Ireland on this independent self-drive tour. You’ll see the classic sights of the Emerald Isle on this road trip, taking you from Dublin to the rugged west coast, visiting ancient sites to bring Ireland’s history to life. Not only will you get to admire and experience the iconic Irish landscapes, like the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry, but you’ll also discover plenty of hidden gems along the way.

Would it suit you better to enjoy this trip as a private tour?

10 days / 9 nights

Price p.p. from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2097 EUR

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— Why book with Nordic Visitor

  • Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
  • Flexible & customisable tour options
  • Quality & value for your money
  • Specialists in Ireland self-drive holidays
  • Great customer reviews

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— Book With Confidence

  • Optional cancellation insurance
  • Affordable deposits from 10%

Terms and conditions apply

Tour Highlights

  • Explore the historic and vibrant Irish capital Dublin
  • Explore the magic of the lunar-like area of The Burren
  • See the gems of Ireland’s most iconic driving route, the Ring of Kerry
  • Immerse yourself in traditional Irish culture and music in Galway
  • Walk along gigantic sea cliffs to take in the beauty of the renowned Cliffs of Moher
  • Discover ancient castles and medieval sites such as Bunratty Castle and The Rock of Cashel
  • Kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle and receive the Gift of Gab
  • Enjoy a road trip with peace of mind with your personal itinerary from a local travel expert

Travel style

Self-Drive i

Interest

Best Seller i, Castles and Royalty i, Classic i, Countryside and natural scenery i, Culture and History i, Heritage i, Hiking i

Season

Apr - Oct

Departure

Daily

Interest

Best Seller i, Castles and Royalty i, Classic i, Countryside and natural scenery i, Culture and History i, Heritage i, Hiking i

Driving distance

1522/945 km/mi

Itinerary

A day-by-day plan to guide your journey.

  • Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY IN DUBLIN

    Upon your arrival in Dublin, make your way to your accommodation in the city centre. You may choose to take a taxi or use public transport, but for a more direct and comfortable ride, we will be happy to organise a private airport transfer for you.

    Immerse yourself in the eclectic mixture of heritage sites, museums and historic pubs. Take a stroll along the cobbled streets of the Temple Bar district, grab a pint at the Guinness Storehouse for a taste of the world-famous beer or visit the historic Trinity College to see the ancient Book of Kells. You could enjoy an afternoon tea sightseeing tour of the city on a vintage bus or stroll along the characterful O’Connell Street filled with interesting shops and landmark buildings.

    Spend the night in Dublin.

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 2: TOWARDS THE IRISH WEST COAST

    Today, start your road trip towards the west coast, passing through the beautiful midlands. Your first stop is Trim Castle where you can learn about Irish history at the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. You could also make a pit stop at Kilbeggan Distillery to see how the local whiskey is made. Later, we recommend roaming around the atmospheric ruins of Clonmacnoise. Finally, arrive in Galway, a lively city by the Atlantic Ocean. The colourful city is the perfect place to taste some Irish delicacies with its famous food scene and numerous pubs.

    Spend the night in the Galway area.                                       

    Driving distance: 229 km / 142 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 3: DISCOVER RUGGED CONNEMARA

    Visit the striking region of Connemara with its landscapes characterised by rugged mountains, white sand beaches, picturesque lakes and heathlands. Stop by Killary harbour, Ireland’s only true fjord with a length of 16km (9.9miles). Further along, visit Kylemore Abbey where you can admire spectacular Gothic architecture and take a stroll in the Victorian Walled Garden.

    For a more leisurely day, you can opt for a boat trip to the Aran Islands. These three windswept islands are one of the few places where the Gaelic language, culture and music still truly thrive.

    Spend another night in the Galway area.

    Driving distance around Connemara: 214 km / 133 miles
    Driving distance to Aran Islands: 76 km / 47 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 4: CLIFFS OF MOHER & LIMESTONE LANDSCAPES

    Start the day by visiting Dunguaire Castle. Sitting on a rocky outcrop overlooking Galway Bay, it is one of the most photographed castles in Ireland. Further ahead, explore the unique, lunar-like landscape of The Burren. Here you can visit the iconic portal tomb Poulnabrone Dolmen, one of Ireland’s oldest megalithic monuments.

    Next stop is the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s top tourist attraction, showcasing some of the country’s most iconic coastal scenery. On a sunny day the views are expansive, but even a stormy day can be exhilarating with the powerful Atlantic below.

    Spend the night in the Doolin/Lisdoonvarna area.

    Driving distance 111 km / 69 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 5: MEDIEVAL CASTLES & PICTURE-PERFECT VILLAGES

    Start the day visiting the 15th-century Bunratty Castle. Here you’ll also find the Bunratty Folk Park, where you can experience Irish rural life from the 1800s. We then recommend stopping at Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages with its thatched cottages housing craft shops and restaurants. In the afternoon, explore Killarney National Park set beneath Ireland’s highest mountains. Here, you can visit the 19th-century mansion of Muckross House, take an optional Jaunting Car tour of the park or a boat trip on the peaceful Lough Leane, departing from the medieval Ross Castle.

    Spend the night in the Killarney/Tralee area.

    Driving distance: 206 km / 128 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 6: RING OF KERRY

    Take in the magic of the Ring of Kerry, a classic “must do” scenic drive of the Irish countryside. Stop at Kells Bay House, to see its primeval forest of planted giant ferns. Other highlights include the ancient stone forts of Caherdaniel and Staigue, and Derrynane Bay with its beautiful white sand. Complete the circle with a visit to the picturesque Torc Waterfall. Today, you could also take an optional boat tour from the coast to see the Skellig Islands from up close. These otherworldly islands were recently featured in the Star Wars movies.

    Spend another night in the Killarney/Tralee area.

    Driving distance: 198 km / 123 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions See Activities for this day

  • Day 7: GARNISH ISLAND & IRELAND’S SOUTH COAST

    Today, you will travel over the scenic, winding Caha Pass to the colourful village of Glengarriff. From here, we recommend taking a short boat trip, with the opportunity to spot a seal colony on the way, to Garnish Island, which features a world-renowned garden. You could also visit the 18th-century Bantry House.

    Later, travel via Kinsale, a popular resort town with its picturesque yachting harbour and historic forts. Continue to Cork, a buzzing city with a vibrant cultural scene.

    Spend the night in the Cork area.

    Driving distance: 191 km / 119 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 8: ANCIENT CASTLES & THE BLARNEY STONE

    Today, you can visit Blarney Castle, a legendary medieval stronghold that houses the Blarney Stone, surrounded by many myths and tales. Then we recommend stopping at the photogenic harbour town of Cobh. It is known as the last port of call of the Titanic in 1912! Continue to Cashel, where you can visit the spectacular Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most visited attractions. The historic site is a fantastic collection of medieval buildings that span over 1000 years of history. Later, drive to Kilkenny, a medieval town nestled around a majestic 12th-century castle.

    Spend the night in the Kilkenny area.

    Driving distance: 208 km / 129 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 9: THROUGH THE WICKLOW MOUNTAINS TO DUBLIN

    If you wish to spend more time exploring Dublin, you can head straight to the city this morning.

    Alternatively, we highly recommend a drive through the scenic Wicklow Mountains to take in the beautiful views. In the area you could visit Glendalough, a 6th-century monastic settlement, and the Powerscourt Estate, featuring the restored mansion Powerscourt House. On the estate, you will find Ireland’s highest waterfall as well as magnificent gardens. Back in Dublin, enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure, perhaps with a fine Irish dinner to top off your amazing journey.

    Spend the night in Dublin.

    Driving distance to Dublin: 123km / 77 miles
    Driving distance via Wicklow Mountains: 165km / 102 miles

    Attractions Attractions Attractions

  • Day 10: DEPARTURE

    To get to Dublin Airport, you can take a taxi, or we can arrange a convenient private transfer directly from your hotel. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can use the morning to enjoy some last-minute shopping, visit one of the many attractions or simply relax and take in the atmosphere of the city one last time.

    See Activities for this day
View full itinerary

Optional extras

Customise your adventure with these Optional Extras.

We recommend adding your extra activities to the tour now for the best booking experience and to secure your spot, as activities are likely to sell out.

Map

Here’s a map of your travel route, to help put things in perspective.

What's included

Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered.

Included

Not included

Optional Extras

10 days / 9 nights

Price p.p. from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2097 EUR

See Book With Confidence terms
Find your price
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Accommodation

Sleep soundly, in the accommodation type of your choice, and wake up ready to enjoy another day of exploration.

Comfort Plus

Standard rooms in good quality and comfortable three-star hotels in combination with well-appointed guesthouses or country hotels.

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Superior

Standard rooms in four-star hotels or boutique guesthouses in combination with Superior rooms in premium three-star hotels.

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Rental car

Enjoy your journey with free GPS and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) to reduce liability.

Opel Astra (Manual)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x2
  • M
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Opel Astra (Manual)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Manual
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Kia Picanto (Automatic)
or similar

  • x4
  • x5
  • x2
  • A
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Kia Picanto (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Economy
  • Passengers: 4
  • Luggage: 2
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Toyota Corolla (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x3
  • A
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Toyota Corolla (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Compact
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Skoda Octavia (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x4
  • A
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Skoda Octavia (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Standard
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Volvo S90 (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x5
  • x3
  • A
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Volvo S90 (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Premium
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 4
  • Doors: 5
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Nissan Qashqai (Automatic)
or similar

  • x5
  • x4
  • x3
  • A
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Nissan Qashqai (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Intermediate SUV
  • Passengers: 5
  • Luggage: 3
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Ford Transit (Automatic)
or similar

  • x8
  • x4
  • x6
  • A
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Ford Transit (Automatic)
or similar

  • Description: Luxury Passenger Van
  • Passengers: 8
  • Luggage: 6
  • Doors: 4
  • Transmission: Automatic
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Price per person from

EUR

The amount will be charged in EUR

Approx 2097 EUR

Book with confidence
Request info

Monthly price comparison

Our best price per person when booking for two.

2023
2024

Tour Information

We recommend that all our travellers read through the following information about driving in Ireland, what the tour includes, the accommodation, and other useful information for your travels.

ABOUT OUR SELF-DRIVE TOURS
This is a self-drive tour, which means you will follow a detailed and personalised itinerary during your road trip in Ireland. No dedicated driver or tour guide is included. All accommodation, rental vehicle, and other planned activities or added services will be pre-booked by Nordic Visitor (as specified in the itinerary). As this is a self-drive tour, you are welcome to stop when and where you wish on your drive. Except for accommodation and booked activities, other highlights we’ve listed in the itinerary are suggestions based on Nordic Visitor favourites.

ACCOMMODATION AND ROOM TYPE
Our team of local travel experts carefully selects hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses around the country based on excellent ratings, personal experience and comfort. Generally, in Ireland, whilst room sizes may vary, our room types are based on European standard sizes. Please note that twin rooms, triple and family rooms are not commonly available in Ireland, so please contact us for booking assistance if that is something you would like. Please also be aware that, due to the historic nature of some of the properties we select, sometimes rooms are only accessible by going up stairs, with no lifts available. Please contact us if you are not able to walk up stairs.

SAFE DRIVING IN IRELAND
The roads in Ireland are usually in good conditions all year long and are renowned for their road trip worthiness. Please be aware that motorists drive on the left side of the road (and on the right side of the car). If you are not used to driving on the left, we highly recommend choosing a vehicle with automatic transmission for your self-drive tour. If you want a manual transmission vehicle, keep in mind that you will need to shift gears with your left hand (floor pedals are the same). Drivers will also have to get used to the narrower roads of Ireland as well as the rural single-track roads with passing places and be careful of animals on the road.

SAFETY & WEATHER CONDITIONS
Please note that sightseeing and transport is dependent on weather and road conditions and might need to be altered if conditions are not favourable. This includes ferries and drives. If something unexpected occurs, you can call our 24-hour helpline to speak directly with a Nordic Visitor staff member.

CURRENCY RATE
All bookings are charged in Euros (EUR). Prices displayed in other currencies are indicative only and based on the daily exchange rate. Therefore, conversions from EUR to other currencies will fluctuate from day to day.

AFTER BOOKING WITH NORDIC VISITOR
After booking your package with Nordic Visitor, you will be contacted within two business days by one of our travel consultants who will serve as your dedicated contact person for all your travel needs before, during and even after your holiday. Your travel consultant will provide you with details about your booking and your remaining payment (if not paid in full). You will also receive more information about what to expect during your holiday.

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