South by West Explorer - 7 Day Tour
From the Ancient East to The Wild Atlantic Way
Travel to some of Ireland's signature travel destinations whilst exploring the hidden gems along the way with your own private driver guide. From the majestic Ring of Kerry to the awesome Cliffs of Moher this tour takes you on an exhilarating journey from Ireland's ancient past to the scenic present.
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Including...
Professional Driver Guide - Luxury Private Tour Transport - 6 Nights Boutique & Luxury Style Accommodation with full breakfasts - A selection of activities and sightseeing each day - Off the beaten path & away from the crowds.
The Ancient East to
The Wild Atlantic Way
7 Day Private Tour of Ireland
Distance Travelled:
Approx 1,200km
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Highlights:
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The Wild Atlantic Way
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The Ring of Kerry Highlights
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Killarney National Park
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The Cliffs of Moher
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Dingle Town
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Kinsale
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West Cork
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The Burren National Park
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The Dingle Peninsula
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Meet the Locals:
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Local Sheep Farmer
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Local Historian
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Local Farmer
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Tour Pace: Medium Pace
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Choose Your Style...
Remember you can always change this tour to suit your own pace, interests and requirements. Just contact us and tell us what you would like.
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South by West Explorer
7 Day Private Tour of Ireland
The Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Dublin City to Kinsale
via Ireland's Ancient East
We will begin our adventure by meeting you at your hotel in Dublin and taking a journey west, out of Dublin and into the rolling green scenery of Ireland’s east midlands. Our first stop of the day will be at the stunning Rock of Dunamase where you can explore the ruined castle and enjoy the panoramic views. After this we will continue our journey to the famous Rock of Cashel where you can take a tour of the ecclesiastical site and castle perched on Patrick's rock. We will then continue our journey through the agricultural heartland of Ireland known as the Golden Vale before arriving in the rebel county of Cork. Here you have the option of exploring Cork City or taking a drive to Cobh coastal town where you can enjoy the emigration museum and walk the boardwalk which was the Titanic’s last port of call. Finally we will arrive in our overnight destination, the quaint foodie village of Kinsale by the ocean where you can enjoy the many bars and great seafood restaurants of this coastal delight.
Activity Options - Rock of Cashel, Cobh Town, Cahir Heritage Town,Jameson Whiskey Distillery, Blarney Castle
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
Overnight - Kinsale
Day 2
Kinsale to Dingle Town
via The Killarney National Park
Todays journey will take us from The Rebel County of Cork into the magical Kingdom of Kerry. This day of exploring will bring us on an adventure through quaint towns and villages of West Cork and across the Cork & Kerry Mountains. We will enjoy a spectacular stop at the Killarney National Park where you can walk the lakes or take a horse and cart trip around the park. You will also enjoy some beautiful heritage sites such as Muckross House, Muckross Abbey and lots more. We will end the day with a drive across to the Dingle Peninsula where you will enjoy a fun filled evening listening to live Irish music and enjoying the atmosphere of the ample pubs and bars.
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Activity Options - Cobh Titanic Experience, Charlesfort Fortress, Michael Collins Exhibition, Torc Waterfall Walk, Muckross House and Abbey Walk
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
Overnight - Dingle, County Kerry
Day 3
Exploring The Dingle Peninsula
& The Slea Head Drive
Today we will continue our journey around the incredible Dingle Peninsula. We will explore the area with a stunning coastal drive around Slea Head, along the way encountering a number of archaeological sites such as beehive huts, ring forts, ogham stones and lots more. This is a day of incredible stonework masterfully created by our ancestors. There are also plenty of options for activities including brewery’s, whiskey distilleries, ancient archaeological sites and a boat trip to meet the famous resident Kerry dolphin - Fungi. Being in the bay since 1983 he is everyone's favourite along the Wild Atlantic Way. After exploring Dingle Town with it’s many craft galleries and excellent eateries we will retire to our hotel for our second night stay in Dingle town.
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Activity Options - Whiskey Distillery Tour, Brewery Tour, Boat Trips, Island visits
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
Overnight - Dingle, County Kerry
Day 4
The Dingle Peninsula to Clare
via The Wild Atlantic Way
Today we will leave the beautiful Dingle Peninsula for a drive north across the stunning Connor’s Pass. This mesmerising drive offers plenty of photo opportunities of the landscape where the mountains reach the sea. We will then take a stop at the Blennerville Windmill, a remnant of Ireland’s past before we continue through the town of Tralee and onto the Shannon Estuary. Here we will take a boat trip across the mouth of the Shannon arriving in The Home of Irish Music - County Clare. We will take a trip around the Loop Head Peninsula where we will discover hidden gems such as The Little Ark and Loop Head Lighthouse before we end our day with a picturesque drive to Spanish Point where you will overnight alongside the crashing waves of the Wild Atlantic Way.
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Activity Options - Loop Head Lighthouse, Adare Village, Horse Riding on the Beach Blennerville Windmill, Listowel Castle, The Writers Museum Listowel.
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
Overnight - Spanish Point, County Clare
Day 5
Clare to Galway
via The Cliffs of Moher & The Burren GEOPARK
After breakfast we will avoid the main tourist crowds with an early visit to one of the highlights of our trip - The Cliffs of Moher. Standing over 220 meters high this stunning coastal attraction offers some great cliff walks along the atlantic edge. After taking in the best of the cliffs we will continue our Wild Atlantic Way journey this time heading towards the home of the Irish language - County Galway. We will pass through one of the national parks of Ireland - The Burren. This moonlike landscape offers a host of great activities for you to fill the day including Cliffs of Moher Boat Trips, Nature Walks, Caves and local perfumeries and chocolatiers. The journey continues with more stunning coastal drives before we arrive in County Galway passing the quaint fishing village of Kinvara and along the way and finally ending in your nights destination of Galway City.
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Activity Options - Ailwee Caves, Burren Perfumery, Burren Chocolatier, Kinvara Village, Dunguaire Castle,
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
Overnight - Galway City
Day 6
Galway to Rural Mayo
via The Connemara Region
This day takes us deep into the western frontiers of Ireland and into another National Park - Connemara. This remote and desolate environment showcases some of the most dramatic scenery on the island with its rolling hills, stone walls, rivers & lakes. Our drive will take us to the floating village of Cong where you can enjoy the tranquil surrounds, lakes and rivers before continuing our journey across the beautiful Joyce Country Drive. Here you can take in a fascinating Sheepdog demonstration with local farmer Joe Joyce. After enjoying the best of Connemara we will continue our drive to the Killary Fjord where we will leave Galway and pass into Mayo. We will then arrive in the evening at your homely boutique family farm cottage stay in the remote village of Carracastle in rural Mayo for a stay off the beaten path and away from the crowds.
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Activity Options - Private Hawk Walk, Sheep Dog Demonstration, Heritage Farm Visit, Kylemore Abbey Tour, Cong Visit, Quiet Man Cottage
Tour Length - 9:30 to 5:30pm
Overnight - Ireland West Farm Stay - Rural Mayo - www.irelandwestfarmstay.com
Day 7
Rural Mayo to Dublin City
via an Irish Heritage Experience
Today you will rise early on the farm to meet some of the local villagers. Farmer and heritage expert - Eddie Joe will take you on a short walk through his farm to the blanket bogs of Mayo. Along the way, you will learn of the old and new Irish farming traditions including working the bogs, cutting the peat and you will hear Irish folklore and rural history along the way. Our next stop is at the cosy Barroe Rock Forge where Pat, the local blacksmith will recreate for you the old Irish amulet of the Nine Irons, used by our ancestors for good health and good harvest. This is a day away from the tourists and off the beaten track in real rural Ireland. After a day in Carracastle we will continue our journey back to Dublin City across the River Shannon and through the midlands stopping at the ancient capital of Connaught - Rathcroghan along the way to learn of Queen Maebh and ancient Ireland’s mythology. You will finally arrive back in Dublin City in time to enjoy the bars and live music of the modern capital of Ireland - Dublin City.
Activity Options - Choice from:
Blacksmith Workshop with Pat / Artisan Cheese Factory with Helen & Danilo / Music by the Fireside / Sheepdog Demo
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
Overnight - Return to Dublin City
Accommodation Options
on the 7 Day Ireland Private Tour
Where would you like to stay?
We offer a varied portfolio of boutique and luxury options of accommodation from the exclusive to the less expensive. We believe variety is the spice of life and we encourage a mix style of accommodations to enhance your private tour experience. All of our partner accommodations are of the highest standard and offer a special, memorable, local experience.
Below you will find some examples of our partner accommodations.
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5 Star - Castles, luxury hotels & city hotels
4 Star - Manor houses, deluxe hotels and city hotels
3 Star - Country houses, gourmet hotels & retreats
Speciality Lodgings - B&B's, guesthouses & farmhouses
Others - Hostels, Private Rentals, Camping, Glamping & Quirky
We will tailor the tour using your accommodation option.
Why not add a
Full Package Upgrade?
Why not let Little Gem handle your entire vacation in Ireland!
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Just add an airport to airport upgrade...
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We will greet you at the arrivals of whichever airport you arrive into in Ireland and take you to your hotel. We will cover all accommodations during your time in Ireland and we will drop you back at the airport to wave goodbye at the end of your travels :)
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