6 Day South & West of Ireland Small Group Tour 2027

Start & End: Dublin City Centre
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights
Accommodation: Boutique hotels and B&Bs in or within walking distance of town centres, with scenic views
Group Size:Maximum 14 Guests

Includes: Singing & Storytelling Driver-Guide | Premium Transport with USB Charging Ports and A/C | Your Accommodations | Daily Breakfasts | Selected Activities & Entry Fees

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Day 1: Dublin to Cashel, County Tipperary - Mythology & Medieval History

Your Irish adventure begins in Dublin, where you'll meet your driver-guide Tony and fellow travellers before setting off into the heart of Ireland. Settle into the comfort of our premium bus, get to know your fellow explorers. Only a short drive to our first stop; The Hill of Tara - prepare to discover an area where history & mythology are woven together in the landscape.

Our journey takes us to the magnificent Rock of Cashel, rising dramatically above the Tipperary countryside. Once associated with the ancient Kings of Munster, this extraordinary site brings together Irish kingship, Christian heritage and centuries of fascinating stories. As we explore its medieval buildings and sweeping views, Tony will bring the past to life with the characters, legends and historical events that have shaped this remarkable place.

From Ireland's ancient rulers to the medieval world that followed, our first day offers a wonderful introduction to the stories that lie beneath the surface of the Irish landscape.

As evening approaches, we'll settle into Cashel, with time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this historic Irish town.

 

Highlights:

- The Hill of Tara
- The magnificent Rock of Cashel
- Ancient Irish kingship, mythology and medieval history
- Storytelling that brings Ireland's past to life
- Time to settle in and enjoy a traditional Irish town

 

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Day 2: Cashel to Dingle - Hidden Ruins, Waterfalls & Ancient Ireland

After a hearty Irish breakfast, we'll leave Cashel behind and journey towards the wild beauty of County Kerry. Today is all about discovering the Ireland that often lies just beyond the main tourist trail: ancient ruins, remarkable natural landscapes and the little details that make this island so special.

As the countryside gives way to mountains, lakes and woodland, we'll explore the natural beauty of Killarney National Park. Here, ancient trees, cascading water and dramatic scenery create a landscape rich in both natural history and Irish folklore. Keep your eyes open as we travel, because some of the most memorable moments happen when we take the time to look a little closer.

Along the way, we'll discover traces of Ireland's ancient past, including Ogham stones, among the earliest surviving evidence of the Irish language. These mysterious carved inscriptions offer a tangible connection to the people who lived here many centuries ago.

We'll also explore the atmospheric ruins of Muckross Abbey, where centuries of monastic life, local history and legend meet beneath the branches of ancient trees.

By evening, we'll arrive in Dingle, a lively coastal town with a strong Gaelic heritage, traditional music and a wonderful food scene. Enjoy a relaxed evening exploring its colourful streets, discovering a welcoming local pub or sampling some of Kerry's excellent seafood.

 

Highlights:

- Killarney National Park and its spectacular natural scenery
- Ancient Ogham stones and the origins of written Irish
- The atmospheric ruins of Muckross Abbey

- Hidden corners of Kerry, brought to life through local stories
- An evening of food, music and character in Dingle

 

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Day 3: Exploring Dingle - Slea Head, Heritage & Coastal Magic

Today, we discover the remarkable Dingle Peninsula, where the Atlantic Ocean meets a landscape shaped by thousands of years of human history. This is a place of dramatic coastal views, ancient monuments, Gaelic traditions and stories that have travelled through generations.

The morning offers a choice: join an optional boat tour to experience the peninsula from the water, or take time to enjoy Dingle town at your own pace.

Then it's time for the breathtaking Slea Head Drive, one of Ireland's most spectacular coastal routes. We'll wind our way past rugged cliffs, golden beaches and sweeping Atlantic views, stopping along the way to appreciate the scenery and discover the stories of this extraordinary place.

Look out for ancient beehive huts, stone-built structures that offer a glimpse into the lives of earlier communities. Across the peninsula, the Irish language and Gaelic traditions remain an important part of local identity, giving this corner of Ireland a particularly strong sense of cultural continuity.

With Tony's storytelling along the way, the landscape becomes more than a collection of beautiful views. It becomes a place of people, traditions, survival and belonging.

Back in Dingle, the evening is yours. Visit a local distillery, wander through the colourful streets, enjoy award-winning seafood or treat yourself to Murphy's famous ice cream. You might even find yourself drawn into a traditional music session before the night is over.

 

Highlights:

- The spectacular Slea Head Drive and panoramic Atlantic views
- Ancient beehive huts and remarkable coastal heritage
- Gaelic language, traditions and local storytelling
- Free time to explore the buzz of Dingle
- Excellent seafood, traditional music and local food favourites

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Day 4: Dingle to Doolin - Wild Atlantic Way, Hidden Gems & Cliffs

After a relaxed breakfast, we'll leave Dingle and continue north along Ireland's spectacular Wild Atlantic Way. Today's journey reveals more of the country's rugged western coastline, with hidden corners of North Kerry, historic places and beautiful landscapes along the way.

Rather than simply travelling from one destination to the next, we'll take time to appreciate the places in between. We'll cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry, enjoying a different perspective on the west coast as we make our way towards County Clare. Look out for Dolphins!

By evening, we'll arrive in Doolin, a charming coastal village renowned for its traditional Irish music and warm hospitality. This is a wonderful place to slow down, enjoy a delicious meal and experience the kind of music culture that has helped keep Irish traditions alive across generations.

Settle in for the evening, perhaps with a visit to a welcoming local pub where the music, conversation and craic are as much a part of the experience as the scenery itself.

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Highlights:

- A scenic journey along the Wild Atlantic Way
- Exploring the history and hidden gems of North Kerry
- A ferry crossing of the Shannon Estuary
- Discovering the landscapes and local stories of the west coast
- Traditional Irish music, excellent food and village hospitality in Doolin

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Day 5: Doolin to Connemara - Cliffs of Moher, The Burren & Irish Culture

We'll make an early start for one of Ireland's most spectacular natural landmarks: the Cliffs of Moher. Rising dramatically above the Atlantic Ocean, these immense cliffs offer unforgettable views across the water and along the rugged Clare coastline. Visiting early gives us the chance to experience this extraordinary landscape before the busiest part of the day.

But there's more to this coastline than meets the eye. Tony will introduce you to the fascinating geology of the cliffs and the powerful natural forces that have shaped Ireland's western edge.

From here, we'll explore the unique landscape of the Burren, a vast limestone region unlike anywhere else in the world. Its pale stone pavements, remarkable flora and ancient monuments reveal a landscape shaped by both nature and human activity over thousands of years.

We'll visit Poulnabrone Dolmen, a striking portal tomb that has stood in this landscape for around 5,000 years. As we take in this remarkable monument, we'll reflect on the early farming communities who built it and the lives, beliefs and burial traditions of Ireland's Neolithic people.

As the day unfolds, we'll continue towards Connemara, arriving in the peaceful village of Oughterard on the shores of Lough Corrib. With its local pubs, welcoming atmosphere and beautiful lakeside setting, Oughterard offers a relaxed base from which to experience the west of Ireland without the bustle of a larger tourist centre.

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Highlights:

- The Cliffs of Moher, visited early in the day
- Exploring the extraordinary limestone landscape of the Burren
- Poulnabrone Dolmen and Ireland's Neolithic heritage
- Discovering the connection between landscape, nature and ancient Irish life
- An evening in Oughterard, with traditional pubs and local hospitality

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Day 6: Galway to Dublin - Connemara Landscapes & Irish Sheepdogs

After our final breakfast together, we'll head into the wild beauty of Connemara, a region that captures the untamed spirit of the west of Ireland.

Here, mountains rise above shimmering lakes, vast stretches of bogland open towards the Atlantic, and small villages preserve traditions shaped by generations of life in this remarkable landscape. Connemara is also a stronghold of the Irish language, where Gaeilge remains part of everyday life and local identity.

As we travel through this extraordinary region, we'll experience the landscapes, crafts and working traditions that continue to shape rural Ireland. We'll visit Kylemore Abbey, one of Connemara's best-known landmarks, set beside a beautiful lake and surrounded by woodland and mountains.

We'll also have the opportunity to discover traditional Irish basket weaving, a craft that reflects the resourcefulness and skill of generations of makers.

And of course, no Irish countryside adventure would be complete without meeting some talented Irish sheepdogs! Watch these remarkable dogs work alongside their handlers in a demonstration of the partnership, training and traditional farming knowledge that remain such an important part of rural life.

After our Connemara explorations, we'll begin our scenic journey back to Dublin, with time to reflect on six days of extraordinary landscapes, fascinating stories and shared experiences.

You'll leave with a camera full of memories, new friendships and, we hope, a deep grá for Éire.

 

Highlights:

- The wild landscapes of Connemara, including mountains, lakes and bogland
- Kylemore Abbey and its spectacular setting
- Traditional Irish basket weaving and rural crafts
- An Irish sheepdog demonstration
- A scenic return journey to Dublin

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Why Travel With Us?

Ireland is more than a collection of famous sights. It's a place of stories, traditions and people, and the best way to experience it is with someone who knows how to bring them to life.

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Expert Local Storytelling: Tony is an experienced driver-guide with a wealth of knowledge about Irish history, mythology, folklore and cultural traditions. His stories connect the places we visit with the people who lived here and the traditions that continue today.

Small Groups, Personal Experiences: With a maximum of 14 guests, there's more room for conversation, flexibility and the little discoveries that make a journey memorable.

Handpicked Accommodation: Stay in characterful hotels and B&Bs chosen for comfort, local atmosphere and convenient access to town centres, restaurants and traditional pubs.

Comfortable Premium Transport: Enjoy a relaxed journey in premium transport with air conditioning, reclining seats and USB charging ports, with an award-winning singing and storytelling driver-guide at the wheel.

Ancient Ireland and Living Traditions: Discover ancient monuments, dramatic landscapes, Gaelic culture, traditional crafts and local experiences that connect Ireland's past with its present.

Famous Landmarks and Hidden Gems: Experience Ireland's iconic sights alongside lesser-known places and stories that many visitors miss.

 

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What's Included?

- Five nights' accommodation in handpicked hotels and B&Bs
- Daily breakfasts
- All tour transportation in a luxurious Mercedez Bus
- Professional, experienced, & certified driver-guide
- Selected entry fees and activities, including major attractions on the itinerary

 

What's Not Included?

- Flights to and from Ireland
- Accommodation in Dublin outside the tour dates
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
- Optional activities or excursions not specified as included
- Personal expenses and travel insurance

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Come for the scenery.

Stay for the stories.

Discover the Ireland that stays with you, long after you've returned home.