4-Day South West Ireland Tour from Dublin

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Day 1: Dublin - Connemara - Galway⌄

   To begin our amazing experience we depart Dublin and make our way to the West of Ireland and tour beautiful Connemara. we willmake a short comfort stop on route to Cong

   Visit Glengowla Family Farm and Show Mines or Cong Village. Glengowla offers fascinating insight into traditional farming methods and silver mining. Cong is a nice village made famous by Hollywood classic Quiet Man featuring Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne. It is also famous as the home of Ashford Castle hotel. From 1st November to 31st March, on the Connemara leg of this tour, we visit Cong every day. There will be no visits to Glengowla Mines during winter season. From 1st April to 31st October, on the Connemara leg of this tour, we visit Glengowla on Wednesday. We visit Cong on Sunday.

   We arrive in Galway mid afternoon to ensure that we get the most out of this cultural city. We have time to explore the Spanish Arch and ramble around colorful shop street with its many street performers, seafood eateries, and quaint Irish bars with wonderful musicians. A great night of real Irish entertainment is always a highlight of Ireland's traditional music capital.

   Overnight: Overnight in Galway

2. 2Day 2: Galway - Burren - Doolin - Cliffs of Moher - Dingle⌄

   Today you will have the wild Atlantic ocean by your side as we cruise down the West coast. See beautiful beaches, golden sand, maybe even a few dolphins and whales.

   Run around the lunar landscape of the Burren, the only place on earth where Alpine, Arctic and Mediterranean flowers grow side by side, and hear your guide tell inspiring tales of how our ancestors overcame the horrors of the great Potato Famine of 1845-49, sending over a million of our ancestors to the four corners of the globe and in particular Britain, North America, and Australia.

   We'll stop in the village of Doolin for lunch and maybe a pint before continuing to the nearby Cliffs of Moher.

   Over 700 ft tall, the cliffs are perhaps the most spectacular in Europe and are home to some of nature's most majestic birds including puffins and gannets

   Afterwards, we'll cross the River Shannon in historic Limerick. Our last stop today is the beautiful heritage town of Adare with its fabulous thatched cottages, renowned for being regularly voted Ireland's tidiest town.

   We spend the night on the rural Dingle Peninsula.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight in Annascaul on Dingle Peninsula

3. 3Day 3: Dingle - Killarney⌄

   Today we embark on the world famous Dingle Peninsula. We visit Ireland's longest beach at Inch, and then we take the short drive to Dingle

   Famed in many films like Far and Away and Ryan's Daughter, Dingle is celebrated for having most pubs in Ireland for a town of its size, 52 pubs and 2000 people. We cannot forget Dingle's most famous resident, Fungi the Dolphin who we shall have time to visit in the early afternoon. Then it's off on a wonderful pleasant drive around Slea Head with amazing views of Sleeping Giant Island, the Blasket Islands, and Beehive Huts dating back to 2000 B.C. Regarded as the most beautiful Peninsula in the world by many photographic magazines, Slea Head has some of Ireland's most fabulous beaches and is definitely the highlight of Ireland's famed Wild Atlantic Way. This area is completely Gaelic speaking, and you may even get to hear some of the locals converse in this ancient language.

   Then it's back to Dingle where there is ample time for shopping in traditional arts and crafts stores, and some refreshments in one of the many colorful pubs with local musicians playing some mystic tunes.

   Tonight we stay in Killarney, Co. Kerry's premier town. Here we mix with the locals, and enjoy the characteristics of a genuine Irish county town, away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. Pull up a stool by the fire or enjoy a relaxing post dinner stroll in the nearby National Park.

   Meals: Breakfast

   Overnight: Overnight in Killarney

4. 4Day 4: Killarney - Dublin⌄

   The day begins with a horse and cart ride through Killarney National Park (optional) or horseback ride through the park for the energetic and adventurous (optional).

   Afterwards, we'll regroup to cross the Cork and Kerry mountains, heading for the world renowned Blarney Castle. Enjoy plenty of time (2 hours) visiting the Castle where you can kiss the Blarney Stone if you wish (to receive the gift of eloquent speech also known as the gift of the gab). The beautiful gardens offer a chance to relax in the fresh air whilst those seeking last minute souvenirs can explore the excellent Blarney Woolen Mills, the world's largest Irish shop. After lunch we take a leisurely drive through the Golden Vale region, Ireland's finest agricultural land and home to some of the best livestock in the world.

   Before we reach Dublin, we'll pause at the Rock of Dunamase - a ruined castle perched high on a hill overlooking the province of Leinster - amazing photo opportunities and vistas await you.

   Arrive back in Dublin late afternoon in time for dinner reservations and evening entertainment.