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Classic Ireland Self-Drive: Dublin, Galway, Kerry & More

Duration
8 Days
Prices:
On request

MODERATE | SELF-DRIVE: On this eight day adventure, discover Ireland at your own pace by way of a leisurely self-drive program that will take you through the beautiful and rugged west coast of the country, including Galway, Connemara, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula. With plenty of time in Dublin, it is an excellent way to acquaint yourself with the Emerald Isle.


This super idea features 3 and 4 star accommodations. Car rental is not included but we can arrange it for you.

Pick up your self drive car at Dublin airport and then check into your hotel for overnight accommodation. While in Dublin, consider getting to know some of the highlights of this fair city.

The North Side offers striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on O'Connell Street & Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The South Side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares and is home to Trinity College, Dublin Castle and two Anglican Cathedrals. You can visit Trinity College, Ireland's oldest university and home to the Book of Kells. Later, consider an optional evening’s entertainment at Taylor's Three Rock (or similar), a lively pub in Rathfarnham for an excellent night of traditional music and dance.
The next day at your leisure depart from Dublin and drive to Galway, a 200 kilometre/125 mile drive. Spend 2 nights in Galway.

The next morning drive to Connemara, the land of mountains, rivers, lakes and small villages where the Gaelic language is still widely spoken. This area is the wildest and most remote part of the country. Travel through granite mountains and see stone walls and thatched roof cottages. Return via Clifden, Connemara’s largest town on the coast. before returning to Galway

Drive south to Killarney, 200 kilometres/125 miles from Galway. Visit the Burren Region, a high plateau of porous limestone, a karsts landscape with some interesting plant life. Then travel to the Atlantic Coast to view the immense and awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher which rise sheer out of the sea to a great height and are 8 kilometres/5 miles in length. Spend 2 nights in Killarney.

Enjoy here a drive around the exceptional Ring of Kerry on the Iveragh Peninsula with its mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent coastal scenery with views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay to the north. Have stops in Waterville and the village of Sneem famous for its coloured houses. Later return to Killarney.

The next day, drive back up north to Limerick deviating for a tour of the Dingle Peninsula. This area was made famous by the scenery from films like 'Ryan's Daughter'. There are a number of ring forts and interesting ancient monuments in the region. The area just west is historically rich with the highest concentration of ancient sites and a genuine Irish-speaking community. Overnight in Limerick.

The following day, drive back to Dublin through the lush and green countryside of Ireland. On arrival, stay in Dublin overnight.

The next day, return your self drive car back to Dublin airport.

Click here for more information on Ireland Vacations, Tours, Travel Packages & Experiences

 

At Goway we are experts at designing personalized itineraries to suit your special interests, tastes and budget. Let us arrange your ultimate travel experience today.
Duration
8 Days
Prices:
On request

Itinerary View Trip Map

Day 1

Dublin Arrival

Arrive at Dublin Airport today, pick up your car rental and transfer to your hotel. Depending on the time of arrival enjoy a tour of the highlights of Dublin, which could include a visit to Trinity College to view the beautifully illuminated Book of Kells and the National Museum of Ireland (entry free of charge). 

Duration1 Night
Accommodation

Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross

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Location View map
  • starstarstar

    Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross



    Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross is located on the N7 Naas Road and beside the M50 junction 9. Situated on the main route in and out of Dublin for those travelling to and from the south and west of Ireland making it an ideal base for …

    Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross is located on the N7 Naas Road and beside the M50 junction 9. Situated on the main route in and out of Dublin for those travelling to and from the south and west of Ireland making it an ideal base for business and leisure guests alike.

    Facilities

    • Family Room
    • Fitness Centre
    • Free Parking
    • Free WiFi
    • Meeting Facilities
    • Reception

    More Details

Day 2

Dublin to Galway

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Dublin today. You could visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ireland's largest church, where Jonatha Swift, author of "Gulliver's Travels" was once Dean. Stop off at the old markets area of the city, Smithfield. An audio-visual tour explains the process by which whisky is made and this is followed by a whisky tasting by all in the "Ball o' Malt Bar". A special tasting is organized to compare the most popular Irish whiskies with bourbon and scotch whisky. This afternoon depart Dublin for your next stop, County Galway.

Meal Plan Breakfast
Duration2 Nights
Accommodation

Lady Gregory Hotel

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Location View map
  • starstarstar

    Lady Gregory Hotel



    This Galway hotel is fortunate with its choice of location, perfectly positioned for easy access to Galway and Connemara to the north and Clare - with the Burren and Cliffs of Moher - to the south. The hotel caters to conferences, and is one of …

    This Galway hotel is fortunate with its choice of location, perfectly positioned for easy access to Galway and Connemara to the north and Clare - with the Burren and Cliffs of Moher - to the south.
    The hotel caters to conferences, and is one of the very best wedding venues in Galway. Guests can also avail themselves of the 18 Metre Deck Level Pool, Herb Sauna & Floral Steam Room.

    Facilities

    • Conference Facilities
    • Fitness Centre
    • Leisure
    • Restaurant(s)
    • Spa

    More Details

    Preferred Hotel
Day 3

Connemara

Spend today exploring the country of the "Quiet Man" and "The Purple Taxi" - Connemara, an era full of contrast, Granite Mountain populated only by sheep with hundreds if lakes forming a fisherman's paradise. Its stone walls, small farms, thatched cottages in isolated splendour with its heather covered hills create an unforgettable scene for all its visitors. The route takes us from Galway to the lake dotted centre of Connemara at Maam Cross. The road continues through the Irish speaking low-lying part of Southern Connemara with countless beautiful lakes. 

Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 4

Galway to Kerry

Depart for Kerry this morning, and travel through the heart of County Clare - the Burren Region. The Burren is geological paradise boasting over 2,000 plants and many rare flowers. Continue along coast of Clare to view the spectacular Cliffs of Mother (option) which form a 200m wall that plunges into the Atlantic Ocean, from which you can see the Galway Bay. Continue though the farming countryside of Limerick to Kerry. 

 

Meal Plan Breakfast
Duration2 Nights
Accommodation

Ballyroe Heights Hotel

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Location View map
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    Ballyroe Heights Hotel



    The award-winning Ballyroe Heights Hotel is set in six and a half acres of sloping gardens with spectacular views of the Sliabh Mish Mountains and Tralee Bay. They are delighted to have been awarded a "Loved by Guests" award for delivering exceptional customer service in …

    The award-winning Ballyroe Heights Hotel is set in six and a half acres of sloping gardens with spectacular views of the Sliabh Mish Mountains and Tralee Bay. They are delighted to have been awarded a "Loved by Guests" award for delivering exceptional customer service in 2018, from Hotels.com.

    From its elevated location, the hotels' floor to ceiling windows capture uninterrupted panoramic views and make it one of the most sought-after hotels in Tralee.

    The coastal route for the Wild Atlantic Way is on their doorstep, while Tralee town centre is located a mere four kilometres away. This scenic hotel at the Gateway to the Dingle Peninsula is the perfect escape in Kerry.

    Facilities

    • Free Parking
    • Free WiFi
    • Laundry Service
    • Meeting/ Banquet facilities
    • Restaurant
    • Room Service
    • Wedding venue

    More Details

Day 5

Ring of Kerry

A superb tour of the Iveragh Peninsula (170kms) taking its spectacular scenery - mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean as one travels along the coast road. Leaving Killarney you travel through Killorglin, famous for its Puck Fair, then to Glenbeigh where the cliff road affords panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay. Continue to Cathersiveen, the birthplace of National Hero, Daniel O' Connel, drive through the peat bogs to the sea town of Waterville. Continue to Sneem Village, famous because of its brightly coloured houses. The road continues with superb views of the famous Lakes of Killarney. 

Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 6

Dingle Peninsula and Limerick

Depart for a tour of the Dingle Peninsula, where movies such as "Ryan's Daughter" and "Far and Away" were filmed. The Peninsula has an extraordinary number of ring forts, high crosses and other ancient monuments. The area west of Dingle has the greatest concentration of ancient sites in Kerry. This area is also genuine Irish-speaking region. The landscape here is dramatic and there are striking views of the Blasket Islands from Slea Head.

Meal Plan Breakfast
Duration1 Night
Accommodation

Limerick City Hotel

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Location View map
  • starstarstar

    Limerick City Hotel



    Located on the banks of the River Shannon, The Limerick City Hotel (formerly Jury's Inn) encompasses breathtaking views of the Shannon and Limerick City.Limerick City Hotel is walking distance from Limerick Colbert Train & Bus Station. Close to the home of Munster Rugby, Thomond Park …

    Located on the banks of the River Shannon, The Limerick City Hotel (formerly Jury's Inn) encompasses breathtaking views of the Shannon and Limerick City.Limerick City Hotel is walking distance from Limerick Colbert Train & Bus Station. Close to the home of Munster Rugby, Thomond Park Stadium and the Gaelic Grounds, we are located just 25 minutes drive from Shannon Airport, and 20 minutes from Bunratty Castle and a host of Irish heritage sites including the picturesque towns of Adare, Foynes, Lough Gur and Grange. Explore Clare's Burren district, Cliffs Of Moher and Ailwee Caves, all just a short 40 minute drive from the Hotel.

    Facilities

    • Bar
    • Disabled Facilities
    • Laundry Service
    • Luggage Room
    • Meeting/ Banquet facilities
    • Parking facilities

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Day 7

Limerick to Dublin

Return to Dublin with a free afternoon to explore the city or to do your last minute shopping. 

Meal Plan Breakfast
Duration1 Night
Accommodation

Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross

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Location View map
  • starstarstar

    Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross



    Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross is located on the N7 Naas Road and beside the M50 junction 9. Situated on the main route in and out of Dublin for those travelling to and from the south and west of Ireland making it an ideal base for …

    Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross is located on the N7 Naas Road and beside the M50 junction 9. Situated on the main route in and out of Dublin for those travelling to and from the south and west of Ireland making it an ideal base for business and leisure guests alike.

    Facilities

    • Family Room
    • Fitness Centre
    • Free Parking
    • Free WiFi
    • Meeting Facilities
    • Reception

    More Details

Day 8

Dublin Departure

Travel to Dublin Airport for return flight home.

Meal Plan Breakfast

Other Information

DEPARTURES:

Daily

PRICE INCLUDES:

  • 7 nights in moderate accommodations
  • 8 day vehicle rental with CDW, mileage, VAT, GPS system with one driver (F Category - Mazda 3 Automatic or similar)
  • Breakfast daily (excluding day 1)

PRICE EXCLUDES:

  • Travel insurance
  • International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
  • Meals and beverages not mentioned
  • Gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Visa fees if applicable

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Hotels are not guaranteed and are subject to change until 3 weeks prior to departure. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Vehicle and program upgrades are available - please inquire. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.

TB ABBEYTODUB0123SD: ICSD H
15 Dec 2024
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