Grand Tour of Ireland

Explore the cultural and historical attractions of Dublin through an walking tour. Your friendly local guide will pick you up at your hotel and will be only too happy to tailor the itinerary according to your preferences and interests. Stroll past the majestic Dublin Castle dating back to the 13th century or the imposing St Patrick’s Cathedral that goes back by another two centuries. Explore the scenic landscapes of St Stephen’s Green or the Georgian aesthetics of Merrion Square. Take in the grandeur of the City Hall and the magnificence of Trinity College, founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592. Learn more from your guide about the fractious history of the former Houses of Parliament and then savor the hip vibes of Temple Bar, Dublin’s eclectic riverside neighborhood. Take in interesting stories of famous Dubliners who are as much a part of the cultural landscape of the city as its iconic buildings. (Half Day; Duration: 3 hrs; Private Activity; Transfer not required; No Admissions Included; Fitness level: Moderate; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).

Enjoy an evening of fun and food at The Merry Ploughboy Pub in Dublin. Relish a hearty three course dinner with a choice of options including traditional Irish staples such as brown bread and apple pie. After your meal, relax and sit back to watch the entertaining live performance by The Merry Ploughboys, who also own the pub. Derive pleasure from the best of Irish music and dance in the show, which also has the performers engaging in a lively interaction with the audience. This show is the longest running in the country, having featured the same performers for more than a quarter of a century! Midway through the show, get to watch a special segment with performances by all-Ireland and World champion Irish dancers from the city and beyond. (Half Day; Times: 1900; Duration: 3 hrs; Meal Included: Dinner; Shared Activity; Transfer not Included; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Set off at a convenient time on this interesting self-guided tour of the Guinness Storehouse set in the heart of the Guinness Brewery. Begin your exploration at the huge pint glass located at the center of the building. On the ground floor, familiarize yourself with the main ingredients that are used to produce the beer. At your own pace, stroll across all seven floors of the erstwhile fermentation plant as you trace the history of this iconic 250-year-old brand. Get a glimpse of the intricate process of brewing fine beer that has helped Guinness reach its current stature. Before you wrap up your visit, head to Gravity Bar located on the top floor. Unwind with a complimentary pint at the bar as you savor stunning views of the city’s skyline. (Flexible Duration; Transfer not Included; Admission Included; No Guide Inside; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Uncover Northern Ireland’s recent history, particularly ‘the Troubles’, and Belfast’s post-conflict modern society through the eyes of a local on this Black Cab tour. Your driver and guide will pick you up at your hotel to start our exploration of Belfast’s intriguing history. Explore Falls Road and Shankill Road, observe the divided neighborhoods between Roman Catholic Loyalists and Protestant Republicans, whose houses still sport Irish flags and the Union Jack respectively. As you traverse the streets of Belfast, which showcase its rich and troubled past, notice physical remnants of the 30-year-long violence that devastated local communities. Pass by many physical barriers including the 2.5-mile-long Peace Wall that stands the tallest. See buildings and walls splashed with colorful murals and graffiti, while your driver and guide shares personal stories and opinions, shaped by their national identity. Visit the Bobby Sand mural, Clonard Martyrs Memorial Garden, International Wall, and the Garden of Remembrance, among other highlights. Having learned about the chequered past, you can also get a glimpse into Belfast’s vibrant lifestyle, maritime history, and its role in pop culture! (Half Day; Duration: 1.5hrs; Private Activity & Transfer; Fitness level: Easy)

Set off from Belfast on your way to Donegal. Stop en route to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Giant’s Causeway. Savor stunning views of the rugged cliffs and the ocean as you hike along the easy trail and ascend Shepherd’s Steps to this awe-inspiring site. If you wish, continue your exploration of this beautiful region with a visit to a whiskey distillery in the charming riverside village of Bushmills. Stroll around the country’s oldest working distillery and learn all about the process involved in handcrafting excellent Irish whiskey. Alternatively, you could choose to savor the scenic beauty of the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The gorgeous region includes attractions such as Glens of Antrim, Rathlin Island, and the coast from Larne to Ballycastle. (En route Activity; Full Day; Duration: 8 hrs; Chauffeur Transfer Included; Giant’s Causeway Admission included, Bushmills Distillery Admission not included; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Explore the fun side of the Connemara coastline with this morning or afternoon activity. Choose from Sea Kayaks, Sit on Tops and Single Cockpit Playboats to get splashing in Killary fjord. Safely in your lifejackets, paddle forth to admire the timeless beauty of fjord’s deep blue waters and the mighty mountains that stand silent sentinel on the horizon. Enjoy the chilled spray on your face and feel the exhilaration of gliding through water in the wild outdoors. (Shared Activity; Group size: 4-15 ppl; Duration: 3 hrs; Times: 10:00 or 12:00 hrs; Chauffeur Transfer Included; Life jackets are provided. Please wear appropriate shoes. Children below 8 yrs are not permitted.)

Explore the scenic beauty of the Connemara Mountains during the course of this hike customized to suit your pace and the day’s weather. Walk through green valleys and passes that lend spectacular views of iconic Connemara features like the Twelve Bens, the Maam Turks and The Mweelrea mountains. Settle for a fully guided hike or sharpen your own navigational skills as you walk along mesmerizing mountain paths. By evening, you will have experienced some of the most exquisite natural vistas of mountains, fields, and forests that Ireland is famous for. (Shared Activity; Group size: 2-15 ppl; Duration: 6 hrs; Time: 1000 hrs; Chauffeur Transfer Included; Please carry lunch, snacks, drinks, and appropriate footwear and weatherproof gear. Children below 17 yrs not allowed.)

Set off for the pier next to the castle in Carrigaholt as you embark on an exciting river adventure. Settle into the comfortable boat as it cuts through the water and heads to the mouth of the River Shannon. Listen to the skipper talk about the dolphins and their habitat, as well as the geology and history of the region. Enjoy stunning views of the rugged cliffs and historic landmarks that dot the shoreline. Watch out for dolphins moving in pods as your boat enters the special conservation area. With two zoologists on board, soak in lesser known details about the dolphins and seabirds, such as peregrine falcons and gannets, that are found in the region. Return to shore with lasting memories of your trip to the spot with the largest group of resident bottlenose dolphins in Europe. (Half Day; Duration: 3 hrs; Shared Activity; Chauffeur Transfer Included; Fitness Level: Easy; Please note that tours are not conducted at fixed times but depend on tide and sea conditions as well as passenger demands.)

Set out for the Burren Center to get a glimpse into the events that brought on the formation of this unique landscape. Watch an audio-visual presentation about this natural wonder before strolling into the airy crafts shop. Browse through the selection of largely handmade traditional crafts before ambling to the tea rooms with their relaxing ambiance and traditional cuisine. Step out onto the sprawling limestone terrain, which is home to more than 80 tombs that date from the Mesolithic era through the Iron Age. Head along the wild Atlantic Way to the gorgeous Cliffs of Moher, considered the country’s top tourist attraction. For more than 350 million years, these rugged cliffs have towered majestically over the Atlantic Ocean with the waves lapping against them, making for a breathtaking spectacle. Step up to the highest point on the cliffs to savor panoramic views of the vast ocean, which will stay with you for a lifetime. (Full Day; Duration: 8 hrs; Private Activity, Admissions Included; Chauffeur Transfer Included; No Guide at Cliffs of Moher; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Head out to historic Bunratty Castle en route to Killarney, an imposing structure dating back to the 15th century. Get a glimpse into the country’s rich past as you explore the castle and its grounds. Set on the banks of the river Raite, which gives the castle its name, the building was restored in 1960. Soak in the medieval ambiance of the castle embellished by the splendid collection of period furniture and fine furnishings. Go back in time at the Bunratty 19th Century Folk Park located adjacent to the castle. Wander around quaint village streets lined with shops and houses. Step inside typical village buildings ranging from a simple one bed dwelling to the stately Bunratty House featuring the Georgian style of architecture. Enjoy watching the enactments of village life featuring characters such as homemakers, policemen, school teachers, and local musicians. Explore to your heart’s content before resuming your journey to Killarney. (En route Activity; Full Day; Duration: 8hrs; Private Activity; Chauffeur Transfer Included; Admission Included; No Guide inside of Castle; Fitness Level: Easy; The last admission to the castle is at 1600 hrs, while the last admission to Folk Park is 1615 hrs.)

Experience the myriad joys and offerings of the famous Ring of Kerry by car and foot! This untouched part of Ireland, which is a part of the Wild Atlantic Way, has long attracted travelers from around the world. After a peaceful one hour drive, amble through a range of territories, ranging from rugged islands and white sand beaches to dramatic mountain passes. Get a closer view of this wild nature by hiking within. Keep your eyes peeled for white-tailed sea eagles as they fly over Killarney National park. Full Day, Duration: 8 hrs; Private Activity, Chauffeur Transfer Included; Fitness Level: Medium)

Spend a day exploring the the iconic Irish destination of Dingle Peninsula with your chauffeur guide. The Dingle Peninsula juts out into the Atlantic Ocean from Ireland’s west coast. It is home to the country’s second-highest peak of Mt. Brandon, soak in the vivid landscape of wild seas and ancient Celtic ruins. Drive out to the town of Dingle, before heading westwards along Ventry Bay. Catch sight of the rocky isle of Skellig Michael with the ruins of an ancient pagan monastery. Did you know that the location of the final movie in the Star Wars trilogy was filmed on this isle? Stop by the striking coastal fort of Dunbeg with its typical moats and castle ramparts. Learn about the Blasket Islands, whose farming community had chronicled their island lives in the Irish tongue. Drive down to the Irish speaking town of Ballyferriter, before yet another ancient stone monument, the Gallus Oratory. Drive back to your hotel after the trip. (Full Day; Private Activity; Chauffeur Transfer Included; Fitness level: Easy; Please wear comfortable walking shoes).

Unravel the deepest secrets of this medieval city in this fascinating private tour. Learn about the origin of the phrase ‘stinking rich’ and unveil the reason people of Kilkenny are known as cats! Learn about how a 12 inch needle was used to expose witches in a different era. Laugh your way across the quaint city streets as your guide regales you with humorous anecdotes and blends magic with history for a unique experience. Walk down the Medieval Mile trail, an iconic path that runs by prominent historical landmarks of the city, from the 13th century Saint Canice’s Cathedral to the imposing Kilkenny Castle. (Duration: 1.5 hrs; Private Activity; Chauffeur Transfer Included; Fitness Level: Easy.)

Make a visit to one of Ireland’s remarkable medieval treasures on your way from Killarney to Kilkenny! Blarney Castle, near Cork and the River Martin, was built almost 600 years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy. Located close to lush gardens, dungeons and caves, expect to find a lot to explore in the area! Visit The Blarney Stone that has drawn movie stars, literary giants, world statesmen and millions of pilgrims alike, who have kissed the stone, hoping to receive the gift of eloquence. Another incredible archaeological site you will visit is the Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick’s Rock, which is just 500 meters from the center of Cashel Town, County Tipperary. Enter through a spectacular 15th century castle and the Hall of the Vicars, where the museum housing the original Cross of St. Patrick is located. Stroll through this magnificent set of ecclesiastical buildings set on a limestone outcrop in the Golden Vale, which includes a variety of splendid historical structures. Spend time admiring this Romanesque chapel, one of the earliest and most impressive churches built in this style. Head to the cultural region of West Cork, the towns teeming with rural beauty and bustling with activity. Visit Kinsale, a gorgeous seafront town bright with colorful shop fronts, flowerbeds and stunning harbor views. Don’t forget to sample the delicious food it is famous for! Stop by at Glandore village, centered around a 19th century pier, where you can take in the sights of the ocean and see people sailing. (En route Activity; Full Day; Duration: 8 hrs; Private Activity; Chauffeur Transfer Included; Blarney Castle Admission Included; Rock of Cashel Admission not Included; No Guide inside of Attractions; Fitness Level: Easy)