Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 30th of June 2024 to receive a FREE UPGRADE from Economy Manual Car to Compact Manual Car AND 15% discount off your tour price!
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or special event packages.
Stephanie was an amazing source of help, assistance and knowledge for our first trip to Ireland. She kept us informed of the every changing covid rules as well as adapted to our many - at least three- Read more »
Staff was extremely attentive and very flexible when it came to organizing our trip. All questions were answered quickly and in great detail. When some aspects of our selected trip had to be altered d Read more »
Stephanie at Irish Tourism booked our trip- she was wonderful to work with. I am picky about my rooms - when we booked the trip I requested more spacious accommodations and paid accordingly. We had Read more »
By far our most popular Ireland vacation, the Best of Ireland tour allows you to appreciate Ireland’s best attractions and most scenic locations in the shortest amount of time. In your six day tour you will have the chance to navigate the ancient tombs of Newgrange or Knowth, to climb the steps of the ancient cathedral at Clonmacnoise or even take an unforgettable boat trip to one of the unspoilt Aran Islands! Your vacation will take you from the bustling city of Dublin to Galway which is commonly referred to as the festival capital of Ireland and City of Tribes! From Galway your journey will take you to charming Kerry with its rugged coastline and soul captivating coastal views.
Before you leave you will experience the ‘Marble City’ of Kilkenny, so called because of the local black marble-like limestone that colours many of the buildings in the city. Your final night will be spent in Dublin where you can continue your sightseeing, taking in such historic places as Trinity College where the Book of Kells exhibition can be found, the fascinating Christchurch Cathedral or Kilmainham Gaol to name but a few. Of course you may find time to have a pint in the Guinness Storehouse or watch the comings and goings of the city over a coffee in Dublin’s Temple Bar area.
Galway for 2 Nights
Killarney for 2 Nights
Kilkenny for 1 Night
Tour starts 2:00 PM at your Dublin hotel. Set out on an introductory tour of central Dublin, a friendly city famed for its wit and sense of fun. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your group at The Church Café Bar and Restaurant; this converted building is where brewer Arthur Guinness was married, playwright Sean O’Casey was baptized, and where Handel practiced the organ before the first-ever public performance of his “Messiah” in 1742. (D)
Head to the small, historic city of Kilkenny for a guided walking tour along its Medieval Mile to experience its rich heritage, narrow streetscapes, and well-preserved merchants’ houses. Stop at one of its classic pubs. Smell the hops and enjoy a sample on a tour of Smithwick’s Experience, telling the story of the popular brewery in the heart of the city since 1710. Spend some free time browsing in charming Kilkenny before dinner. (B, D)
Travel on to visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone, which legend promises will bestow the “Gift of the Gab” or explore the beautiful gardens. Pass through County Cork to the lively town of Killarney – a draw for visitors to Ireland since the 18th century - where you will have free time after dinner to explore some of its friendly pubs, many with live music. (B, D)
Head to the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies, “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away,” which showcased the wonderful scenery. Visit the South Pole Inn for an Irish coffee and learn about Tom Crean, an early explorer who bravely journeyed to the South Pole and opened the pub in 1927 after his return to Ireland. Visit a farm for an immersion into traditional farming life and watch skilled sheepdogs demonstrate their talents at herding. Enjoy some free time and lunch on your own in the town of Dingle. In the evening, head to the Celtic Whiskey Bar in Killarney for a tasting, chocolate pairing, and dinner. (B, D)
Embark on a ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Take in the spectacular beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic surf. Walk along the top of the cliffs for views across Galway Bay to Connemara and the Aran Islands. In the evening, have an early dinnerat your hotel, then head out for a CIE Tours Exclusive: Private early access for a special evening of storytelling and traditional music by the turf fire at O’Connors Famous Pub in Salthill. (B, D)
Spend a leisurely morning and lunchtime exploring vibrant, artistic Galway as you please. In Athlone, njoy your choice of Irish coffee, whiskey or beer as you cruise Lough Ree in a replica Viking longship.Then head to Sean’s Bar in Athlone for a CIE Tours Exclusive. Sean’s Bar is not only the oldest in Ireland; dating back to 900 AD, it’s the oldest in Europe, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The sloped floors (often covered with sawdust), candlelight, and turf fire pay nostalgic tribute to this pub’s rich history. Enjoy dinner in your Athlone hotel this evening. (B, D)
Enjoy the scenery of central Ireland as you head to Dublin on the east coast. Visit the Guinness Storehouse in the heart of the city - one of Ireland’s most popular attractions –and enjoy a sample of Ireland’s iconic brew as you enjoy the panoramic view from the seventh-floor Gravity Bar. In the evening, head to the Irish Whiskey Museum, where you will take a short private tour and savor a tasting. In a CIE Tours Exclusive, you'll enjoy a special after-hours experience with an information dinner and music from a traditional band - and they'll provide instruments so you can learn to play along. (B)
Spend the day independently on the Dublin Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour, plus your choice of a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions: EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, GPO Witness History, or Trinity College and the Book of Kells. (B)
Your program ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner >
Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 30th of June 2024 to receive a FREE UPGRADE from Economy Manual Car to Compact Manual Car AND 15% discount off your tour price!
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or special event packages.
Below, you will find a price for this self drive tour including your car rental and a price without car rental included. While we offer very competitive rates for our car rental inclusive packages, this allows you to shop around for your own car rental price should you wish to.
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.
Notes
Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.
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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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