Experience Ireland - Self Drive

Live like a local as you Experience Ireland on this unique tour

Suggested Touring Itinerary Only - Excludes sightseeing and entrance fees

Supplement applies for travel 10-31 Dec 2023

Rates Based on Category B Manual Vehicle - Opel Corsa or similar

- Itinerary
- Accommodation
- Important Information Day 1: Dublin

Welcome to Dublin, capital city of Ireland! On arrival, pick up your hire car and make your way to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival you may want to explore the city. Why not include a city walking tour with a local guide to learn about the history, live and culture of Dublin. This evening, why not include a traditional Irish evening of food, song and dancing.
Overnight: Dublin area. Day 2: Dublin to Mayo area (B)

This morning head north of Dublin to the Boyne Valley to see some of the world’s most mythical landscapes. Include a visit to Slane Irish Distillery, as part of the Slane Castle Estate, there could be no finer setting in which to discover the nature of whiskey. Housed within the 250-year-old stables of the iconic Slane Castle Estate, the guided
distillery tour uncovers a history like no other, paying homage to the resilient nature of Ireland's heritage and the surrounding lands. Continue to your accommodation.
Overnight: Mayo area Day 3: Achill Island (B)

Today come into the kitchen to have an authentic hands on Irish baking experience. Learn how to prepare traditional foods such as scones, potato cake or traditional Guinness bread. Continue on the coastal road and you may want to also explore
Achill Island off the coast of Mayo– accessible by road. Achill Island is the largest of all islands off the coast of Ireland and not only does the island offer spectacularly beautiful views, but it also rewards visitors with equally spectacular beaches.
Overnight: Mayo area Day 4: Inishbofin (B)

Set sail off the coast of Galway today on a short ferry ride to the remote island of Inishbofin, one of the most westerly islands off the Irish coastline. On arrival on the island stop to collect your bike hire before setting off to explore. The island is also famous for its musical heritage and it continues to be a haven for music lovers with sessions held regularly. Take the return ferry back to the mainland.
Overnight: Galway area Day 5: Galway - Clare (B)

Explore Galway today, this wild and bohemian city, is full of culture, artistry, exceptional food and music. You might even want to include a culinary walking tour of Galway, exploring the famous food culture and taking in some of the city’s best known and secret food haunts. This evening, why not join a night of music, stories and laughter and experience authentic, traditional Irish Music and heartfelt toe tapping rhythms all in the comfort and relaxed surroundings of the musician’s home.
Overnight: Clare area Day 6: The Burren (B)

Today explore the Burren region – stretching across northern Clare, the rocky, windswept Burren region is a unique striated lunar-like landscape with a wildly diverse ecosystem. Of Ireland’s 900 native plants species, the Burren is home to 70% – including artic plants brought to Ireland by glaciers in the last Ice Age. It is a living place teeming with nature’s bounty – ordinary and exotic rocks, plants, animals, insects and birds. Its geology and diverse habitats are packed with startling features and surprising landforms. Pay a visit to the Burren Smokehouse for a demonstration of the salmon smoking process and explanation of the ancient smoking techniques used and how these have influenced their own patented technique – and an all important tasting of the hot and cold smoked salmon. Why not combine this visit with a visit to the Burren Brewery and a beer tasting session with the Master Brewer, the beer uses local wild botanicals from the Burren region.
Overnight: Kerry area Day 7: Dingle Peninsula (B)

For centuries Lough Boora has given humans shelter, warmth and a unique contact with the forces of the natural world. Lough Boora Discovery Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts because it showcases the regenerating power of nature. It has been turned from a vast industrial peat production landscape into a spectacular haven for animals, birds and plants. As the worked boglands have been transformed into habitats of high ecological value, so the species naturally occurring in Lough Boora have begun to increase. Enjoy a bike ride in the park along the approx. 9km peaceful route that allows you to discover the local flora, fauna, sculptures, historic Mesolithic Site and open areas of cut-away bog.
Overnight : Newbridge area Day 8: Gap of Dunloe (B)

Spend time today in Killarney, you might want to explore the town with its sho