2025 Vacations

CONTINUING OUR EARLY 25 IN 25 CELEBRATIONS! 15% Discount on all self drive packages AND only €25pp deposit!

We continue to toast 25 years of creating Ireland vacations by extending our €25pp deposit AND offering you a 15% discount on any of our self-drive vacation packages! Book by 15th November 2024*

*CIE tours and Knitting tours not included

Tour Overview

‘Excellent’

Our most popular Ireland self drive tour -  See Ireland’s best attractions and most scenic locations on this 10 night/11 day best of ireland tour. 

This Best of Ireland Tour,  can be accessed using any of the Irish Airports and is a 10 night tour based on Ireland’s most famous sights including Trinity College and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Powerscourt House & the Waterford Crystal exhibition in the South East, Blarney Castle and the Cobh Heritage Centre in Cork, Killarney and the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher and the ‘Burren Landscape’ of County Clare as well as the Aran Islands and Connemara in County Galway and Ireland's most visited attraction, the ancient Megalithic Tombs at Newgrange, just 45 minutes north of Dublin.

Depending on the airports used, the stopovers outlined below may vary in order but the same route will be covered.

This tour will leave the traveller with a wonderful array of memories of the diverse scenery and cultural differences that they will encounter from one side of the country to the other.

While the accents and dialects of the spoken word will vary greatly while journeying from County Dublin in the East of Ireland to the western counties of Cork, Kerry and Clare, the one unchanging constant will be the level of friendliness, humour & welcome that you receive throughout your travels.

While the suggested tour itinerary clearly outlines how you will be able to visit many of Ireland’s most historical locations and attractions, make sure to take time-out to get to know the local people and their culture.

What's included

  • Accommodation in rooms with Private Bathroom Facilities 
  • Full Irish Breakfast Each Morning
  • Rental Car or Chauffeur Driven Car
  • 24/7 Local Telephone Support During Your Trip
  • Our Renowned Customized Sightseeing Guide
  • Unlimited Services of Experienced Ireland Based Travel Planner
  • Map of Ireland

Tour highlights

  • Belfast
  • Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
  • Giants Causeway
  • Old Bushmills Distillery
  • Derry
  • Ulster American Folk Park
  • Walls of Derry

Overnights for this tour

  • Waterford or Kilkenny for 1 Night
  • Kinsale, County Cork for 2 Nights
  • County Kerry for 2 Nights
  • County Clare for 1 Night
  • Galway for 2 Nights
  • Dublin for 2 Nights

Accommodation options

  • Superior & First Class Hotels
  • Luxury Accommodation & Service in our 4-Star Country Manor Houses
  • Deluxe Accommodation in our 4 & 5 Star Irish Castles
  • Our Recommended & Handpicked B&B's, all rooms with private bath facilities
  • Any Combination of the above

Day 1 - Belfast City

Arrive at Belfast International Airport, meet your experienced Irish driver/guide or driver and licensed guide and depart for a panoramic tour of Belfast City. Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. Historically, Belfast has been a centre for the Irish linen industry (earning the nickname "Linenopolis"), tobacco production, rope-making and shipbuilding: the city's main shipbuilders, Harland and Wolff built the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Today, Belfast remains a centre for industry, as well as the arts, higher education and business, a legal centre, and is the economic engine of Northern Ireland. Your tour you will take in famous sites such as Shankill Road, The Titanic Quarterand The Titanic Museum.  Overnight in Belfast Dinner and Breakfast included.

Day 2 - Belfast City & Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

This morning enjoy some free time in Belfast to explore the shops or to continue with your personal sightseeing. In the afternoon meet with your group again and take a short drive to visit the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum.  This museum comprises of two separate areas; the folk exhibition and the transport section. The folk museum endeavours to illustrate the way of life and traditions of the people in Northern Ireland, past and present, while the Transport Museum explores methods of transport by land, sea and air, past and present. Return to Belfast where the evening is free for you to sample one of Belfast’s many restaurants or enjoy the city’s bustling nightlife. Overnight in Belfast Breakfast included

Day 3 - Ards Peninsula & Downpatrick

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing on today’s tour where your group will discover the wondrous scenery and picturesque towns and villages of the Ards Peninsula. First stop along the way is the historic town of Newtownards. Dating from 1607, the town was built by the Scottish planter Sir Hugh Montgomery. Continuing on your journey, you will admire stunning scenery as you make your way to the port town of Portaferry. From here you will take the ferry to Strangford and travel to Downpatrick, one of Ireland's most ancient and historic towns.  Visit Down Cathedral where you will see the 10th century cross and grave slab marked with the word ‘Patric’, believed to be the Saint’s final resting place, and the St. Patrick Centre, the only centre in the world dedicated to Ireland’s Patron Saint. Travel the short journey to Newcastle arriving in time for dinner. Overnight in Newcastle, Dinner and Breakfast Included.

Day 4 - The Mourne Coast

The Mourne Mountains are one of the best known mountains in Ireland. An area of natural beauty they are believed to be the inspiration for C.S. Lewis’ books, The Chronicles of Narnia. Today with your group you will explore the area surrounding the mountains and its many breath-taking sights. Stops along the way include the Spelga Dam and the Silent Valley, both of which provide stunning views of the mountains and surround. Visit the 13th Century Greencastle which once guarded the entrance to Carlingford Lough. Finally, visit the picturesque village of Rostrevor. In 1612 Sir Edward Trevor married Rose Ussher, daughter of the Archbishop of Armagh and it is said that he named the village after his young wife. Enjoy some free time here before continuing to your hotel in Armagh, arriving in time for dinner. Overnight in Armagh, Dinner and Breakfast Included.   

Day 5 - Armagh City & Navan Fort

The Heritage City of Armagh is one of Ireland’s oldest cities, dating back to the time of Saint Patrick and the advent of Christianity, and is the ancient Christian capital of Ireland. Begin with a visit to Armagh City Museum where collections capture centuries of stories relating to the people who lived, worked and had connections with this famous city and historic county. Next enjoy a tour of St. Patrick’s Cathedral with it’s Byzantine interior decorated with Angels and Irish Saints and finally visit St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral and the burial place of Ireland’s first High King Brian Boru. In the afternoon, visit Navan Fort which lies to the West of the city. Continue to Enniskillen where you will have time to enjoy one of the towns many bars and restaurants or simply relax in your hotel. Overnight in Enniskillen, Breakfast included. 

Day 6 - Enniskillen & Ulster American Folk Park

This morning take a panoramic group tour around Enniskillen town before stopping at Enniskillen Castle & Fermanagh County Museum.  Enniskillen Castle, built almost 600 years ago, was once the stronghold of the Gaelic Maguire chieftains and is situated beside Lough Erne. Fermanagh County Museum has award-winning exhibitions including 'Country People, Country Places: 'The Making of a Landscape', which gives an insight into Fermanagh's natural history, archaeology and rural lifestyle. After your visit, we travel the short journey to Omagh to visit the Ulster American Folk Park which examines why over two million people left Ulster for America during the 18th and 19th Centuries. Continue to Derry City where dinner will await you. Overnight in Derry, Dinner and Breakfast Included. 

Day 7 - Derry City

Derry or Londonderry is the second largest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth largest on the island of Ireland and the only walled city in the country. After breakfast a local guide will take you on a walking tour of the city and its walls. See sights from the old city walls to the recently opened Peace Bridge and much more.  The remainder of the day is yours to continue your sightseeing or relax in one of the city’s bars, restaurants or theatres. Overnight in Derry, Breakfast Included. 

Day 8 - Bushmills & Giant’s Causeway

Begin your tour today with a scenic journey to Dunluce Castle, a 14th century ruins set dramatically close to a headland that plunges straight into the sea. After this exhilarating visit travel the short distance to one of Ireland’s oldest distilleries, Bushmills, where you will learn the age old art of distilling Irish whiskey and of course enjoy a sample of the golden nectar. Continue then to the World Heritage Site of Giant’s Causeway, formed millions of years ago by a volcanic eruption which culminated in the basalt formations seen today. After lunch (not included) travel to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge that was once erected by salmon fishermen to traverse the 30 meter deep, 20 meter wide chasm to check their nets and then relax as you travel through the Nine Glens of Antrim to Belfast. Overnight in Belfast, Dinner and Breakfast Included. 

Day 9 - Homeward Bound

Depart for Belfast or Dublin Airport arriving in good time to complete check in formalities and that last minute duty free shopping.

Route map

2025 Vacations

CONTINUING OUR EARLY 25 IN 25 CELEBRATIONS! 15% Discount on all self drive packages AND only €25pp deposit!

We continue to toast 25 years of creating Ireland vacations by extending our €25pp deposit AND offering you a 15% discount on any of our self-drive vacation packages! Book by 15th November 2024*

*CIE tours and Knitting tours not included

Tour Prices

Below, you will find a price for this self drive tour including your car rental. Pricing for other accommodation and transport options is also available upon request. Please also note that all of our driving tours itineraries and sightseeing guides are available to those wishing to avail of one of our experienced driver guides.

ACCOMMODATION WITH CAR PRICING

Accommodation Type

Notes

  • Please note prices are per person based on 2 persons in each room with full Irish breakfast and taxes included.
  • The Combination package includes 4 Nights in 3*** Hotels, 3 nights in Luxury Manor House Hotels & 3 Nights in our hand-picked B&B's
  • Children Sharing with 2 adults (aged 2-11) pay 40% of the Adult option.
  • Children under the age of 2 are free when sharing with 2 Adults.
  • Your Accommodation & Car Rental Package rate includes an Economy class car eg., Opel Corsa or Fiat Punto.
  • Included with your car is all compulsory insurances - Collision Damage Waiver insurance (CDW with an excess/deductible), theft protection insurance, location fee of €30, Road fund tax, sales tax at 13.5%, unlimited free mileage, third party liability insurance, 24 hour peace of mind break down cover.

Private Chauffeur Option Available For This Tour

  • Enjoy the services of an experienced and friendly driver guide
  • Luxury vehicles so you get to travel in style and comfort
  • Take the stress out of driving on unfamiliar and sometime narrow roads
  • With our knowledgeable drivers you see more in less time
  • You get to see the scenery instead of worrying about crashing into it!
  • Contact Us for a price quotation today

Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.

Detailed Enquiry Form

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For customers based in North America, please note that as we are based in Ireland, we are 5 hours ahead of EST.

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