Rich in history and wildly beautiful, Ireland is a land of legend and myth. This nine-day tour takes you from the capital of Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way. Immerse yourself in live music and sip a pint of the black stuff in Ireland’s vibrant capital. Discover world-famous scenery from the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren to the Dingle Peninsula and Connemara. Kiss the famous Blarney Stone, check into a castle and live like royalty, tour the cities of Cork and Galway, and experience Ireland’s legendary hospitality on this luxury tour of the Emerald Isle.
Experience Ireland’s legendary craic, listening to live music in a traditional Dublin pub
Explore the vibrant Irish cities of Dublin, Cork and Galway
Delve into ancient sites, friendly fishing villages, and rugged seascapes on a guided tour of the Dingle Peninsula
Marvel at natural wonders on the Wild Atlantic Way from the Cliffs of Moher to the karst landscape of the Burren, and the wilderness of Connemara
Admire the majestic setting of Ashford Castle on a cruise around Lough Corrib
Stay in some of Ireland’s finest accommodation, including the 800-year-old Ashford Castle
Savour the very best in modern Irish cuisine through a series of memorable meals and a culinary tour of Galway
This is a guide price based on 2 people travelling together and sharing a room.
Upon arrival at Dublin Airport, you’ll be met by your private driver and transported to your boutique hotel in the heart of the city.
Refresh after your journey, then we’ve arranged for you to experience a taste of Dublin’s legendary craic. Revel in the atmosphere of an Irish pub as you settle down for a pint, while listening to a live performance of traditional Irish music. Sláinte!
Following breakfast at your hotel, your private guide will collect you for a full-day guided tour of Ireland’s dynamic capital.
This private tour of Dublin will introduce you to the city’s historic landmarks and famous attractions, and give you an overview of its turbulent history and literary connections. Savour a properly poured pint of Ireland’s most famous export at the Guinness Storehouse, and wander through handsome Georgian squares and landscaped gardens.
Discover the foundations of the original Viking city, and explore the two magnificent medieval cathedrals, St Patrick’s and Christ Church. Learn where the best shopping areas are, enjoy a walk through the colourful Temple Bar area, and visit Ha’penny Bridge, the first footbridge over the River Liffey and an icon of the city.
Please note that the Trinity Library is temporarily closed for refurbishment, but the Book of Kells may be available for viewing in another location.
The tour includes a stop for lunch (at additional cost).
Enjoy a hearty Irish breakfast before your private driver collects you for the journey to Cork, Ireland’s cosmopolitan second city.
Your route takes you through the picturesque port of Dun Laoghaire and the seaside suburb of Sandycove, where you’ll stop to visit the James Joyce Martello Tower and Museum. Watch out for impressive celebrity mansions as you drive through the prestigious town of Dalkey and out to the Vico Road, a sublime stretch of coastal road.
Discover why County Wicklow is known as the ‘Garden of Ireland’, as you drive through rolling countryside and alongside cascading waterfalls. Visit the magnificent gardens of Powerscourt House, marvel at the beauty of Glendalough’s Lakes, and stop at the ancient monastic city of St Kevin before checking into your designer hotel in Cork city centre.
You’ll stop for lunch along the way, and we can arrange for dinner reservations at one of Cork’s award-winning restaurants (meals not included).
Get to know the city referred to as ‘the real capital of Ireland’ on a guided tour of Cork. With a maritime history dating back over 1,000 years, and a reputation as a city for foodies, there’s much to discover here. Your private guide will plan the day around the things you most want to see and do.
Explore the historic streets of the Victorian Quarter, discover the two cathedrals, and savour a taste of Ireland at the English Market. Head slightly out of town to visit Blarney Castle where you can kiss the famous Blarney stone, and stroll through glorious gardens. And visit Cobh, one of Ireland’s famous transatlantic ports and the last port of call for the Titanic before its fateful voyage.
Check into your luxurious Relais & Chateaux lodge on the banks of Kenmare Bay. Refresh after your journey and stroll around the picturesque grounds, stopping to admire the cascading waterfalls. Don’t forget to book your complimentary tour of Kenmare in the hotel’s vintage 1936 Buick.
Explore the westernmost point of mainland Ireland on a full-day, private guided tour around the Dingle Peninsula, one of the highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Feast your eyes on the wild, rugged coastline along the Slea Head Drive, and enjoy windswept vistas of the distant Blasket Islands. Wander along the golden sands of Inch Beach and the gorgeous cove at Coumeenole Beach. Meet friendly locals in the traditional fishing village of Dingle Town. And discover Ireland’s mystical past amid a landscape of prehistoric ring forts, beehive huts, and early Christian churches dating back over 6,000 years.
Round off your day with a relaxed meal in the town of Kenmare, a 30-minute stroll or 5-minute taxi ride from your hotel.
Your exploration of the Wild Atlantic Way continues, as you check out of your luxurious lodge and head north to County Clare.
Today’s highlight is a visit to Ireland’s most famous natural wonder, the Cliff of Moher. Rising vertically 214 metres above the churning Atlantic Ocean, they’re renowned for their spectacular natural beauty and the breathtaking views from the cliff-top trails and O’Brien’s Tower. In good weather, we recommend hopping on a boat trip to see the cliffs from the water and observe the seabirds that nest there.
Continue to the Burren, Ireland’s smallest national park, to marvel at the unique karst landscape, where rock formations, caves and fossils dot the huge rocky pavement, and wild flowers carpet the ground in spring.
Check into your boutique hotel, an eco-conscious property nestled in the heart of the Burren. Relax with a whiskey in front of a crackling fire, before dining on innovative Irish cuisine in the fine dining restaurant (dinner not included).
Today’s adventure takes you north to the compelling city of Galway, a vibrant and bohemian city on the Wild Atlantic Way. You’ll have some free time to explore its narrow cobbled streets, colourful shop facades, and lively cafes and restaurants, and take a stroll along the river’s edge or along the promenade to Salthill.
Upgrade option: Get a true taste of Galway on a culinary walking tour of this gastronomic gem. You’ll visit local artisans, markets, cafes and boutiques, sampling an array of local specialities from cheese, pastries and craft beer to mouth-watering seafood, including Galway’s famous oysters.
Your final hotel of this trip is one of Ireland’s finest, Ashford Castle, an 800-year-old castle on the banks of Lough Corrib. Refresh after your journey in your opulent room, and enjoy an evening at leisure.
This morning you’ll take to the waters of Lough Corrib on a lake cruise with boat captain and local historian, Patrick Luskin. Admire Ashford Castle from the water against a backdrop of the Connemara Mountains, and enjoy breathtaking views of the 365 islands, while Patrick regales you with tales about the history and folklore of the region.
After the cruise, your private guide will collect you for a guided tour around the Connemara National Park, one of Ireland’s wildest and most beautiful regions. Enjoy panoramic views over small bays, hidden coves and seaside hamlets as you drive the coastal road, then discover Connemara’s starkly beautiful interior, a patchwork of rusty bogs, shimmering lakes, windswept valleys, and rugged mountains.
Enjoy an evening at leisure in Ashford Castle, dining in one of the exquisite restaurants, and sipping a glass of whiskey in one of the refined bars.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and perhaps one final stroll around the grounds before your private driver transports you back to Dublin for your onward flight. Want to extend your trip? SmoothRed is happy to help you extend your visit, and visit other countries such as England or Scotland?
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
This sample itinerary is intended to give you a flavour of what we can do.
Enquire Now +44 (0) 20 8877 4940“Thanks for taking the time and trouble to call. You really have set the standard by which we compare all other companies!! Thank you so much for organising a fantastic itinerary with such an interesting and varied range of stop-overs. We are already starting to think about next year’s trip to France so would welcome any suggestions.”
Hilary Alder
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