Ireland Explorer Small Group Tour: Dublin, Galway, Killarney & More

Situated only minutes from Grafton Street in the fashionable heart of Dublin city, Brooks Hotel is the perfect place to stay, whether for business or pleasure. Most of the city's key attractions are within walking distance to the hotel and include: the best shopping streets in the capital, St. Stephen's Green, the Guinness storehouse the Irish parliament building, Dail Eireann, Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Trinity College and many popular art galleries, theatres, museums and entertainment venues. The Luas servicing Dundrum shopping centre is just a few minutes' walk away and the Dart station is only 10 minutes' walk from the hotel.

Please make your own way to the starting point - opposite the Kilkenny Shop (Nassau St, Dublin) - for the 9:00am departure. Ensure you arrive at least 30 minutes early. This morning, you will meet your tour guide in Dublin for the first leg of the Journey and take off for Belfast. You will have a tour of some of the key areas in the city and visit the redeveloped Titanic Quarter.

In the afternoon, head to the Antrim Coast and Glens. You will ride along the coastline from Ballycastle to the famous Giant's Causeway, which you can explore before heading to Portrush.

Overnight in Portrush.

Today the first stop is in Derry, designated a UK City of Culture. Spend some time exploring the old city or one of the many museums or galleries before crossing the border back into the People's Republic of Ireland. Travel into one of the most remote parts of the country, County Donegal, with its stunning scenery and strong Gaelic culture.

You will travel through national parks and fishing villages. It may be possible to drive around the Sliabh Liag peninsula before arriving at your overnight stop in Donegal.

Travel south from Donegal into County Sligo and to the resting place of the famous poet, W.B Yeats. Take in the mountain scenery of Ben Bulben and the largest collection of megalithic tombs in Carrowmore. The route turns westward into County Mayo, an area hit hard by the great potato famine. You arrive at the edge of Europe at Achill Island, an area of majestic peace and quiet. After a time here, you will travel to Westport where the evening is at your leisure.

Overnight in Westport.

Today is a relatively flexible day in the Connemara region, and will depend on the weather or your group's preferences. Possibilities include Connemara National Park, a Killary fjord boat trip, Clifden, Sky Road, and the Twelve Bens of Connemara. Tonight in Westport, it is highly recommended you sample some local seafood.

Overnight in Westport.

You leave Westport this morning and head inland through the heart of the Connemara to the village of Cong. Visit Cong Abbey, or the Quiet Man Museum, then pass through the Maam Valley to Galway city. Here, your guide and some group members will leave you. You have the afternoon and evening at your leisure in Galway, and will be met at your accommodation by your next guide in the morning.

Overnight in Galway.

This morning, you will be met by your guide and travel along the coast to the Burren. This is a land of limestone pavements, barren hillsides, rare flora, early Christian settlements and ancient stone monuments. You will spend most of the morning exploring this unique area before going on to Kilfenora, for a visit to the old cathedral and lunch in the village.

Visit the Cliffs of Moher, which drop almost 700 feet straight into the crashing Atlantic waves. Walk the cliff top trails, watch numerous seabirds or visit the award winning environmental exhibition. Your journey this afternoon will be scenic and take you on a ferry ride, ending up in charming Killarney. The pubs here are great for food and most have live music in the evenings.

Overnight in Killarney.

Spend today exploring the wonderful Dingle Peninsula, one of the most scenic parts of Ireland and a heartland of Gaelic culture and tradition. The first stop of the day is the beach at Inch, a vast expanse of sand facing out into the Atlantic, then on through the town of Dingle and to Slea Head. Here, you will see impressive views of the nearby Blasket Islands and the mountains in the Ring of Kerry.

You may be able to walk on beaches and clifftop trails while enjoying the scenery. The circuit of Slea Head leads back to Dingle town with its brightly coloured buildings and busy harbor. You will return to Killarney for the afternoon where you may spend time in town or visit the national park.

Overnight in Killarney.

Today, you will drive along the Ring of Kerry a classic route consisting of views of Ireland's highest mountain, Daniel O'Connell's birthplace and the Cahersiveen ring fort. Eventually you will reach Portmagee, a great place to sample local seafood for lunch. From here, the road drops to sea level and you pay a visit to Derrynane House. The tour then continues on around the Ring with stops at Moll's Gap and the Ladies View. There will just be time for a short walk to the Torc Waterfall before arriving back in Killarney.

Overnight in Killarney.

You head back to Dublin today, with some interesting stops along the way. Visit the market town of Macroom and the Blarney Castle. You may get the chance to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. Continue to the Rock of Cashel with its medieval monastery complex and finally Killkenny, a bustling and famed city with plenty to see. Enjoy your last Guinness here before returning to Dublin.

The tour ends back at the meeting point - opposite the Kilkenny Shop (Nassau St, Dublin) - around 7:30pm. You are free to make your own arrangements from here.

Situated only minutes from Grafton Street in the fashionable heart of Dublin city, Brooks Hotel is the perfect place to stay, whether for business or pleasure. Most of the city's key attractions are within walking distance to the hotel and include: the best shopping streets in the capital, St. Stephen's Green, the Guinness storehouse the Irish parliament building, Dail Eireann, Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Trinity College and many popular art galleries, theatres, museums and entertainment venues. The Luas servicing Dundrum shopping centre is just a few minutes' walk away and the Dart station is only 10 minutes' walk from the hotel.