10-Day Ultimate Small-Group Tour of Ireland from Dublin

10-Day Ultimate Small-Group Tour of Ireland from Dublin

Your Irish Experience begins here. The Ultimate 10 day small group tour (max 15 people) of Ireland covers the length and breadth, north and south of our magical Emerald Isle.

Spoil yourself on this ten day tour with unrivaled scenery, a feast of tradition, history, culture, castles and the great outdoors. You will have an unforgettable experience on your tour exploring everything from kayaking with dolphins in Dingle Bay to the magnificent sights on the Ring of Kerry.

Prepare to be awestruck by Ireland’s most famous landmark – The Cliffs of Moher, fall in love with the bustling bohemian Galway City and the Aran Islands. Cross the border to Northern Ireland and lose yourself at the Giants Causeway and be blown away at the Titanic Belfast.

This is a trip of a lifetime.

Itinerary

Day 1: Newgrange Tomb and Belfast

Stop At: Newgrange, Donore Ireland
From Dublin we head to Newgrange, a monumental passage tomb, where if its walls could talk, they’d tell you stories older than the Egyptian pyramids. After this grand opening, cue drum roll, as it’s full tilt ahead for the
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Titanic Belfast, Queen's Road 1 Olympic Way, Titanic Quarter, Belfast BT3 9EP Northern Ireland
Titanic experience at Titanic Belfast.
Voted the world’s leading tourist attraction in 2016, descend the famous staircase, peruse a first-class menu and explore the shipyards in this splendid interactive experience, where the ill-fated ship was built.
There’s an optional but must-see ‘Black Cab’ Tour; an intimate way to see this beautiful city, once bomb-ravaged during the ‘Troubles’. Hear first-hand accounts of the conflict as you navigate former political hotspots and murals. If you’d rather do your own thing, go rogue and check out the busy shops, The Ulster Museum or the Parliament Buildings at Stormont.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: We will be staying in the lovely Benedict's Hotel in Belfast.

Day 2: Fionn MacCool Giants Causeway and the walled city of Derry

Stop At: The Dark Hedges, off Bregagh Road, Ballymoney Northern Ireland
Game of Thrones country is calling as we head to the ‘dark hedges’, a great chance to see these 240 year old beech trees before they come to the end of their life, (average life span of this species is 250 years).
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, 119A Whitepark Road, Ballintoy BT54 6LS Northern Ireland
The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is not for the faint hearted. Swaying 30 meters above the churning Atlantic, we’ll walk the creaking wooden slats to tiny Carrick Island.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Giant's Causeway, Causeway Road, Bushmills BT57 8SU Northern Ireland
Then it’s off to the Giant’s Causeway, a world heritage site, formed by a volcanic eruption, 60 million years ago. Legend has it that the burly giant, Finn MacCool used the stones to get to Scotland to prevent his feet getting wet.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Derry, Derry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
It’s on to Derry, the last walled city to be built in Europe and home to some very famous walls such as the Bogside Murals and Free Derry Corner. Explore the city by night as the lights shimmer on the River Foyle, before heading for a cocktail in Granny Annie’s or some toe-tapping jazz, in Bennigans.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Admire the victorian architecture of ShipQuay Boutique Hotel before getting a great night's sleep!

Day 3: History of Londonderry and the mighty scenery of Donegal

Stop At: City Walls, City Centre, Derry Northern Ireland
After the Full Irish, (cooked breakfast) we’ll take on a walking tour of the city, its bog-side murals and its 6th century, monastic past.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Glengesh Pass, Glengesh, Ardara Ireland
The Hills of Donegal are calling and after a jaw opening drive over the Glengesh Pass, we’ll visit the Assaranca Waterfall, which on a rainy day, the cascading water trebles.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ardara Heritage Centre, Ardara Ireland
Last stop for the day is Ardara in the Gaeltacht, (Irish speaking area) a cosy village which is home to the famous ‘Cup of Tea Festival’; a homage to the traditional Irish reel which alludes to the cheeky drop of Poitín added to your tea.
Before we ‘lay our hat’, we might try the local Portnoo crab, before hitting Nancy’s on Front Street, to learn a cúpla focal (few words of Irish) and down a champagne and oyster shot, (yes, it’s a thing).
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: The beautifully boutique, Nesbitt Arms Hotel nestled in the Hills of Donegal is where we catch some Z's.

Day 4: An Irish Fjord, Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey

Stop At: Westport House & Gardens, Church Lane, Westport Ireland
We will ‘arise and go now’ through Yeats’ country before heading for Westport, nestled between the Carrowbeg river and in the shadow of Croagh Patrick.
Connemara National Park is calling and The Lost Valley, a deserted famine village where the road literally runs out.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden, Connemara On the N59 between Clifden and Westport, Kylemore Ireland
As we plough through rugged Connemara, we’ll make for Kylemore Abbey, a working Benedictine abbey built 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: Connemara National Park & Visitor Centre, Connemara National Park Connemara National Park Connemara, Co Galway Near the village of Letterfrack, Galway Ireland
It’s onto Cilfden, ‘the Capital of Connemara’ for the night and it’s time to relax, as you’re officially on West of Ireland time. Why not shuck some Dooncastle oysters or devour a whole Cleggan crab while the stout is settling?
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 in an 18th century Castle, feeling like Royalty because you’ve the added option of staying in Ballynahinch castle.
Duration: 2 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: All The Twos, Twenty Two! All the Twos B&B in Clifden is where we stay or upgrade to Ballynahinch Castle!

Day 5: Mystical Aran Islands and Bohemian 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 Aengus, a prehistoric hill fort which dominates the edge of a vertical cliff, 300 ft above the choppy waters of the Atlantic.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Aran Sweater Market, Lower Kilronan, Province of Connacht Ireland
Refresh with an cupan tae and island porter cake and shop for an original Aran Sweater, perfect for shearwater and other seabird watching.
Duration: 30 minutes

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.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We will stay in the very central Victoria Hotel - right on Eyre Square in the centre of Galway!

Day 6: The Burren National Park, dolmen and the mighty Cliffs of Moher

Stop At: Galway Bay, Galway Ireland
Now that you’ve a ‘feel’ for Galway, our guide will take you down its narrow medieval streets where you can duck in and out of brightly coloured shops.
Try on Claddagh rings and Galway shawls, pass through The Spanish Arch and hear tales of Gaelic bards and visit Galway's ancient fishing village.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: The Burren House Farm County Clare, Ireland Ireland
Then it’s Southwest to The Burren, 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
The Cliffs of Moher is next; 14 km of dramatic coastline standing 300 metres above the churning Atlantic. Standing at the ledge, you’ll feel like you’re at the very edge of the world.
We’ll also swing by the 12th century Corcomroe Abbey and Dungaire 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, including its very own Fairy Shop.
As evening draws in, we’ll spend it in Doolin, The Capital City of Irish music and between the music and the foot-tapping, the blackstuff and the company, ‘the craic will be ninety’!
Duration: 2 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Doolin is the home of Irish Music, so lets check into the Doolin Lodge for the night!

Day 7: Sheepdog Demonstration and we enter the Kingdom of Kerry

Stop At: Poulnabrone Dolmen, R480, The Burren, County 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.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Caherconnell Stone Fort & Sheepdog Demonstrations, R480 Road, Ballyvaughan, Caherconnell Ireland
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 round the sheep.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
The rest of the day belongs to Dingle, home to a very famous dolphin and where Inch is a strand with miles of blue flag beaches.
Tóg go bog é (take it easy) and wander round its craft shops selling Irish flutes and seaweed cheeses. As evening draws in, take a trip to hardware store, Foxy John’s. But 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 a very loquacious barman.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 8: Scenery of the Slea Head Drive, beehive hits and Dingle Distillery

Stop At: Mount Brandon, An Daingean Co. Kerry Ireland
Fungie, the dolphin arrived in Dingle in 1984 and has been the town’s most Instagrammed celebrity ever since. We’ll go in search of the A list star in kayaks and explore the nearby caves too. If you haven’t got sea legs, stay on terra firma with a hike up Mount Brandon, where panoramic views of the bay and Castlegregory, will be your reward.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Slea Head Drive, Ireland
Heading for Slea Head Drive, we’ll go on a journey through Irish-speaking villages, famous Hollywood film locations on our search for the water of life (Uisece Beatha) at The Dingle Whiskey Distillery. Here, 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.
Then it’s back for another night in Dingle and a spot of DIY in the local hardware store, Foxy Johns (wink, wink).
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: We overlook Dingle's gorgeous marina in the Dingle Marina Lodge

Day 9: Sights of the Ring of Kerry and culinary delights in Kinsale

Stop At: Killarney National Park Cork Road, Killarney Ireland
It’s bye-bye Dingle and hello to some of the sights 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.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ross Castle Ross Road, Killarney Ireland
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: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Historic Stroll Kinsale Walking Tours, Tourist Office,, Pier Rd.,, Sleveen, Kinsale, Co. Cork, Ireland
Sightseeing and ghost-hunting over, it’s time for a spot of lunch in Kenmare, a village full of treacle scones, Guinness breads, quirky shops and curiosities.
It’s off for our last night, (boohoo) and to historic Kinsale, 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: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Tonight is Blindgate house Kinsale, you would need to be blind not to appreciate its great decor

Day 10: Kiss the Blarney Stone and see the famous sights of the Rock of Cashel

Stop At: Blarney Castle & Gardens, Monacnapa, Blarney, Cork T23 Y598 Ireland
The full Irish (cooked breakfast) will set you up for a guided historical amble through the narrow streets of Kinsale. Then it’s off for a bit of kissing and to the famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that whoever kisses it, gets the gift of the gab, and your fellow bus buddies will be sure to tell you if it works!
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Rock of Cashel, Rock Vista Moor Lane, Cashel Ireland
Our final stop before returning to Dublin and her sweet Molly Malone is The Rock of Cashel.
Is 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: 1 hour 30 minutes

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