Way out West Tour (7 Night)
Get away from it all to the unspoilt West of Ireland and explore rugged Connemara, Galway City, Cliffs of Moher, Westport & much more!
Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 15th of May 2024 to receive a 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 »
There is no question that the imagery of the West of Ireland will forever be imprinted on your mind after your visit to this dramatic landscape, with its rugged mountains, freshwater lakes and unspoilt miles of coastline and pristine sandy beaches.
When you picture yourself crossing bogs where ponies roam and rare heathers bloom; when you picture yourself conquering the summit of Errisbeg Hill or when you picture yourself strolling along a 5 mile stretch of beach and all the while, be it bogland, mountain, hill or shore, the only footprints that you see are your own.
What is hard to imagine is not that these places exist, but that they exist in the midst of warm and friendly communities. In the West of Ireland where the Gaelic culture thrives and half the population still speaks Irish as its first language, it is the people that might distract you from the wonderful sights to be seen. By day enjoy the magnificent scenery including, The Cliffs of Moher, The Aran Islands, Killary Harbour and the stark Burren Landscape of County Clare. By night rest your weary bones by a roaring turf fire, accompanied by superb traditional Irish music in one of a myriad of welcoming pubs. Galway City, the festival capital of the country awaits with its famous Horse Racing, Art and Oyster festivals to name but a few. Experience the true essence of Ireland - Way out West.
Tour begins 2:00 PM at your Dublin hotel. Set out on a tour of the highlights of the city and view Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the General Post Office, and tour Kilmainham Gaol where many of Ireland’s leaders were imprisoned during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dining independently.
Visit EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum, the world's only fully digital museum, and discover the story of the 10 million people who have left Ireland over the last 1,500 years –and their impact on the world. Your afternoon is free to explore Dublin. Later, enjoy dinner and entertainment at Taylors Three Rock Pub. (B, D)
Travel through Kildare to visit a traditional farmhouse and learn about country living while enjoying tea and scones. At the House of Waterford Crystal, watch experienced craftspeople blow glass and cut crystal. Continue along the south coast to Cork for dinner. (B, D)
Start your day with a local guide on a brief walking tour of Cork and the English Market. Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or stroll through the lovely gardens. Enjoy the scenery in Counties Cork and Kerry as you head to the colorful town of Kenmare. Stop at Moll’s Gap for great views of part of the Ring of Kerry. (B, D)
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Ross Castle and Kenmare Estate and see Lough Leane, the largest of Killarney’s lakes. Travel to the scenic Dingle Peninsula for views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, and rocky headlands. Enjoy a demonstration of highly-skilled sheepdogs herding sheep at a local farm. Stop at Slea Head to admire the views and take photos. Enjoy dinner at Páidí Ó Sé’s pub in Ventry while you hear a fun talk on Gaelic sports. (B, D)
Sample tea and scones in a pub in Listowel once owned by famed playwright, J. B. Keane – he wrote many of his works in a room behind the bar. Embark on a ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary and drive along the coast of County Clare. View the famous Cliffs of Moher, which soar 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Walk to O’Brien’s Tower for views of Connemara and the Aran Islands. Join a local guide for a walking tour of Galway. (B, D)
Travel through Connemara for sweeping views of misty mountains and shimmering lakes. Take a scenic cruise on Lough Corrib and sip some creamy Irish coffee. Stop at Kylemore Abbey for a walk through the elegant mansion set beside a tranquil lake. Enjoy a casual lunch before returning to Galway, where the rest of the day is free for independent sightseeing and dining. (B, L)
Travel north to Claremorris to visit Ballintubber Abbey, known as “the Abbey that refused to die,” Ireland's only royal Abbey, which has been in continuous use for more than 780 years. Visit Belleek Pottery, then follow the Atlantic shoreline of Donegal Bay to the town of Donegal for some free time. Continue your drive through the majestic Barnesmore Gap to Derry. (B, D)
Explore the Giant’s Causeway, huge hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. Back in Derry, join a local guide for a walk around this historic city’s medieval walls; take a walk across the Peace Bridge and complete your tour at the Walled City Brewery Restaurant. You'll enjoy a drink with your dinner and a flight of 4 of the brewery's beers to taste - plus you'll get a bottle of CIE Tours' signature beer to take away. (B, D)
Head to Belfast for a panoramic city tour followed by a visit to Titanic Belfast. Travel to Kingscourt and your castle hotel, built in 1760. Arrive mid-afternoon to enjoy this lovely property. After dinner in the Court Restaurant, enjoy a display of Irish step-dancing. (B, D)
Visit the Brú na Boinne Visitor Centre to learn about the 5,000-year-old burial tomb of Newgrange. See how primitive people managed to align huge boulders precisely. Enjoy some free time on your own. In the evening, share a farewell dinner with your group. (B, D)
Your program ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner All components of this tour (hotels, visits and attractions) for 2020 itineraries are subject to change until finalized in September 2019. >
Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 15th of May 2024 to receive a 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.
Notes
Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.
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