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.
It has been a difficult time for all of us. I booked a self driving tour through Irish Tourism that was cancelled due to Covid issues with travel. The booking process was excellent and thorough. It wa Read more »
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 »
Every thing was as promised. B&B's were awesome and the proprietors very gracious. Big van with lots of space for the 6 of us as well as our luggage with room to spare. We will definitely use Irish ... Read more »
This Best of the Wild Atlantic Way Tour is accessed through Shannon airport and is a 7 night tour based on the highlights of the spectacular coastal route that is the Wild Atlantic Way. The Wild Atlantic Way driving tour is the longest defined coastal route in the world and stretches for 2500km along Ireland’s western seaboard. This tour will allow you to track the rugged coastline of the West of Ireland where you will experience the Irish culture and traditions and maybe even pick up a word or two of our own native language. Out at the very edge of Europe, this breath-taking route encompasses stunning headlands, beautiful beaches, jagged cliffs and some of Ireland’s most famous driving routes such as the Dingle Peninsula and the Ring of Kerry.
This Tour includes a night in Galway City, the City of the Tribes which, although a world away from the small coastal villages you have visited, is a perfect way to end your tour. Galway is the only large city where you can hear Irish spoken on the streets and is a vibrant city known for its selection of eclectic shops, pubs.
The group meets at 6.30 pm in the Bar of Jurys Cork Hotel, Western Road (021 4252700). For location map, click on www.jurysdoyle.com (NOT to be confused with Jury’s Inn Cork on Andersons Quay. The hotel is only the meeting point and not our actual accommodation. However if you get there before the meeting time and wish to explore the city you can leave your luggage in the left luggage at the hotel reception. An introductory talk from the guide is followed by a light bar food menu, while your bags are transferred to our guesthouses. Afterwards you might decide to head into the city for a drink in one of Cork’s lively pubs.
After fitting you onto your bicycles, we head out by the banks of the Lee and travel along quiet back roads to a lunch stop in the market town of Macroom. In the afternoon we continue up the Lee Valley through rolling countryside to the wonderfully peaceful Lakeside retreat of Gougane Barra, the source of the River Lee and Ireland’s first National Park.
We cycle down to the coast past fields of grazing cattle and sheep to the bustling coastal town of Bantry where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we head out to the beautiful Sheep’s Head Peninsula and cycle along quiet coastal roads with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. That night you have a home cooked dinner in your guesthouse before joining the group in a unique small tin shack pub for some quiet pints of Guinness.
In the morning we cycle through a gap in the mountains to the village of Schull. From there we pedal along a warren of backroads to the small fishing village of Baltimore where you will spend the next two nights. If you feel like a break from the bike you can take a boat ride across roaring water bay from Schull (usually very calm!) to Baltimore.
The day can be spent in rest and relaxation or you can take part in a variety of activities including a visit to Cape Clear Island with its stunning views looking back at West Cork. You can go horse riding or hike through the beautiful forest that overlooks the unique Lough Ine, the only salt water lake in North Western Europe. For those who want to experience a unique part of Irish rural life you can take a bus to the local town of Skibereen for the weekly cattle market.
In the morning we cycle along quiet back roads to the peaceful Lough Ine and then follow the West Cork coast to the village of Glandore where we have lunch overlooking the beautiful Glandore Harbour with its two islands, Adam and Eve. In the afternoon we visit a 3,000-year-old stone circle, one of the best examples of its kind in the country, before following another scenic coastal cycle to the bustling town of Clonakilty. We stay overnight in a family run hotel.
In the morning we follow the coast road before heading inland to the village of Timoleague, where you can visit a 15th Century Franciscan Friary. After lunch we continue to hug the coastline all the way to the historic town of Kinsale, site of the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. Kinsale is a very colourful cosmopolitan town with a wide range of excellent craft shops. Later that evening we have a final farewell night out on the town together.
You are free then to make your own way back to Cork city anytime on Saturday. We do not arrange this transfer but there are regular buses from Kinsale to Cork and it may be worth bearing in mind that the airport is on the way. The airport is about half an hour at the most from Kinsale.
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. 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. cccc
Accommodation Type | Price |
---|---|
Low Season | €974 |
High Season (July and August) | €990 |
Single Supplement | €281 |
Notes
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!
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Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.
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