2024 Vacations

Book early and save 15%

Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 15th of June 2024 to receive a FREE UPGRADE from Economy to Compact AND 15% discount off your tour price!
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or special event packages.

Tour Overview

‘Excellent’

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.

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

  • Burren
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Doolin
  • Aillwee Cave and the Burren Birds of Prey Centre

Overnights for this tour

  • County Clare for 1 Night
  • Galway City for 1 Night
  • Westport County Mayo for 2 Nights
  • Connemara/Galway for 2 Nights
  • Bunratty, County Clare for 1 night

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 - Saturday: Arrival in Ennis

You meet up with the guide at 6.30pm in the West County Hotel (065 6828421). Located on the N18 Limerick to Galway road, the West County Hotel in Ennis is on the left hand side as you enter Ennis from Limerick/Shannon. Watch out for sign posts. You can check in anytime after 2pm. If you arrive earlier you can leave your bags in the left luggage room at the Hotel Reception and then go for a stroll around the town. After an introductory talk, an evening meal is organised in the hotel.

Day 2 - Sunday: Ennis to Spanish Point 30 ml/48 km

Having being fitted out with your bicycle we head out towards West Clare, cycling along quiet country roads through rolling green fields to the coast, where we stay the night at Spanish Point named after those Spanish Ships from the Armada which sank here in 1588. We spend the night in a Hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 3 - Monday: Spanish Point to Doolin 29 ml/46 km

Cycling along quiet roads we eventually come to the popular holiday town of Lahinch where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Cliffs of Moher rising a spectacular 660ft up from the Atlantic waves below. You can stroll along the cliff face and watch the birds gliding in the updraft. After visiting the cliffs we head to the village of Doolin. That night we have a pub meal and enjoy the wealth of traditional music for which the village is famous.

Day 4 - Tuesday: Doolin to Ballyvaughan 31 ml/50 km

In the morning we begin to see the first hints of the limestone landscape of the Burren and visit the monastic site at Kilfenora and its stone high crosses. Kilfenora is also home to the Burren Heritage Centre that gives you an excellent insight into the formation and history of the Burren. Later we stop off for lunch at the matchmaking town of Lisdoonvarna. The afternoon's cycle is a beautiful run where the road hugs the coastline with Galway Bay and the Aran Islands on your left and the limestone cliffs of the Burren on your right. We stop for two nights in a comfortable hotel in the seaside village of Ballyvaughan

Day 5 - Wednesday: Rest Day in Ballyvaughan

In the morning we begin to see the first hints of the limestone landscape of the Burren and visit the monastic site at Kilfenora and its stone high crosses. Kilfenora is also home to the Burren Heritage Centre that gives you an excellent insight into the formation and history of the Burren. Later we stop off for lunch at the matchmaking town of Lisdoonvarna. The afternoon's cycle is a beautiful run where the road hugs the coastline with Galway Bay and the Aran Islands on your left and the limestone cliffs of the Burren on your right. We stop for two nights in a comfortable hotel in the seaside village of Ballyvaughan

Day 6 - Ballyvaughan to Kinvarra 24 ml/38 km

The cycle heads straight into the heart of the Burren where we visit the localities most famous historical sight, the Poulnabrone Dolmen a small ancient burial site dating back to 2500BC. Veering off the beaten track we stop at the village of Carran for lunch in an old police barracks. In the afternoon we cycle through quiet backroads to visit the Burren Perfumery that makes a wide variety of perfumes using the local flora and has a wonderful slide show illustrating the beautiful and unique botany of this region. You then descend through a limestone lunar landscape to the pretty seaside village of Kinvarra where we spend the night.

Day 7 - Friday: Kinvarra to Ennis 31 ml/49 km

For the last day we head back into the Burren through limestone moonscape, passing Lough Buny and the impressive Mullaghmore before stopping for lunch in Corafin. In the afternoon we visit a 16th Century Tower House and an even older monastic sight. This is also the site of the famous battle of Dysert O’Dea where the Irish Chieftains defeated the Normans and kept them out of Clare for another 200 years. We then cycle back into Ennis for a final farewell night on the town together.

Day 8 - Saturday: Departure Day

After breakfast you are free to head your separate ways.

Route map

2024 Vacations

Book early and save 15%

Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 15th of June 2024 to receive a FREE UPGRADE from Economy to Compact AND 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

Accommodation Type Price
Low Season €974
High Season (July & August) €979
Single Supplement €435

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 3 Nights in 3*** Hotels, 2 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

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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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Let us show you the magic of Ireland

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Let us show you the magic of Ireland

See what people say about the vacations we plan

Let us show you the magic of Ireland

See what people say about the vacations we plan

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