2024 Vacations

Book early and save 15%

Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 31st 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.

Tour Overview

‘Excellent’

12 Night Ireland Self Drive Tour Featuring Ireland's Best Pub Locations

Irish pubs are known throughout the world for the friendliness and warmth of their hospitality and also for being the meeting place for like minded souls who find themselves in search of quality conversation, humour, music and food. Of course, let’s not forget that your typical Irish publican has also been known to occasionally provide the odd drink or two.

While the Irish pub is indeed a focal point for so much of the Irish social scene, there are a number of locations that simply seem to have more than their fair share of excellent watering holes. To this end, the Irish Pub & Folk Tour takes you to towns that offer numerous great pubs renowned for their atmosphere, food and superb traditional music.

As you travel between these towns in the east, south and west of Ireland, you will also have the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful & picturesque landscapes that Ireland has to offer. Combine that with the history of the regions that you are passing through and you have the makings of an unforgettable vacation.

This tour will provide you with a real insight into both the country of Ireland and its people and their way of life.

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

  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Doolin
  • Dublin
  • Galway
  • Cork
  • Kissanes Sheep Farm
  • Limerick

Overnights for this tour

  • Kilkenny for 2 Nights
  • Kinsale County Cork for 2 Nights
  • Killarney County Kerry for 3 Nights
  • County Clare for 1 Night
  • Galway for 2 Nights
  • Dublin for 2 Nights

Accommodation options

  • Superior & First Class Hotels
  • 4-Star Country Manor Houses
  • 4 & 5 Star Irish Castles
  • Handpicked B&B's with private facilities
  • Any Combination of the above

Day 1 - DUBLIN ARRIVAL & MEATH

Your tour begins in your hotel at Johnstown Estate, Co. Meath. Arrive at the Johnstown Estate, a beautiful 18th-century Georgian manor and enjoy a leisurely afternoon enjoying the 120 acres of parkland and dedicated kids’ swimming pool. Meet your tour director and travel companions over a welcome drink and dinner. . (D)

Day 2 - DUBLIN CITY & COOKING EXPERIENCE

Drive into Dublin, where you'll board an amphibious vehicle for a Viking Splash tour of the city, passing Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral and Dublin Castle. Next, roll up your sleeves and get cooking, as you compete with other families in a fun cook-off with a professional chef at Cooks Academy. Return to your hotel in Meath and relax before dinner.(B, L, D)

Day 3 - BLARNEY CASTLE

Head south through the countryside to Cork. Take a walk with your tour director around the stunning grounds of Blarney Castle, home of the famous stone that promises the gift of the gab to all who kiss it. Climb the battlements and kiss the stone, or just enjoy the view. Browse around the village of Blarney, charmingly set around a large village green, before heading to your hotel where you will enjoy dinner. (B, D)

Day 4 - SPIKE ISLAND & KINSALE

Drive to Cobh and take a short cruise to Spike Island – a beautiful spot that has served as a monastery, a fortress and, during Victorian times, was the largest prison in the world. The local guide will share the history of the island as you make your way to the Fortress to explore independently, Afterwards, enjoy a picnic lunch with your family. In the afternoon spend free time in the historic fishing town of Kinsale – now a picturesque haven for foodies and art-lovers - before returning to your hotel. (B, L)

Day 5 - CLIFFS OF MOHER & GALWAY

Leave Cork and travel to Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages, with its old stone buildings and thatched cottages. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, which soar almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic. Travel through the Burren, a unique region of limestone hills where many rare flowers thrive in the sheltered crevices. Continue to Galway, where you will have dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 6 - CHOCOLATE TOUR AND GALWAY

Visit Hazel Mountain Chocolate, bean-to-bar makers of chocolate, for a special private experience: discover how the bean is roasted, cracked, winnowed, stoneground and tempered into a chocolate bar and then enjoy a tasting. Afterwards, take a child-friendly walking tour of Galway - and then enjoy free time in this vibrant city, with its buzzing atmosphere, medieval architecture, and popular street performers. Have dinner with your group in a local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 7 - SHEEPDOG DEMONSTRATION & LIMERICK

Visit Ardrahan to see a traditional farm, a welcoming place with its 250-year-old thatched cottage and many sheep. Learn about traditional farm life, watch the farm’s sheepdog hard at work herding his flock, and enjoy homemade tea and scones. Continue to the historic city of Limerick and check into your hotel. Take a walking tour along the Shannon River in Limerick, passing the Treaty Stone and the 13th-century King John’s Castle, followed by a farewell dinner in a local pub. (B, D)

Day 8 - TOUR ENDS IN SHANNON

Your tour 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.  >

Route map

2024 Vacations

Book early and save 15%

Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 31st 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.

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 RENTAL PRICING

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 6 Nights in 3*** Hotels, 4 nights in Luxury Manor House Hotels & 2 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

Please enter your vacation requirements in the form below. If your enquiry requires a more immediate response, please use the Tollfree & International numbers as listed down the page.

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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