Unwind in Ireland | 10 Day Self-Drive

Sometimes you are back from a whirlwind vacation and back at work before you even realize you were away. There was no rest and relaxation as you were too busy driving from hotel to hotel. There was no chance to sleep in because you needed to check out before ten and get on the road so that you could see all of the attractions.

With this tour, you have just three hotels in nine nights. All are located in walking friendly towns, meaning if you decide to get up late and not get in the car on a particular day, there will still be lots for you to do. There is less packing and unpacking to be done and you won’t have to live out of your suitcase.

The best part is that these are not the only three towns and cities suitable for three-night stays so pick different resting points if you like.

Day 1: Shannon to Killarney

From Shannon airport where you will pick up your rental car, you can choose to go directly to Killarney where you will overnight or you can take some detours. Obviously depending on how much time and energy you have you can choose to visit the Rock of Cashel and then continue to the Blarney Stone before retiring to your hotel. There are also the options of visiting Cork city or Kinsale.

Overnight in The Fairview Killarney

Day 2: Blarney Stone & Ireland’s Gourmet Capital

If you did not do so yesterday, today you can visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famed Stone of Eloquence. From there you can take a trip into Cork city to the English Market or if you wish to bypass the city move onto Kinsale for lunch. Kinsale is known as the gourmet capital of Ireland with no shortage of nice restaurants. Meander through west Cork visiting Ireland’s most southerly point if you so choose.

Overnight in The Fairview Killarney

Day 3: Ring of Kerry

Today is saved to give you as much time as you wish to travel the Ring of Kerry. There is so much to do and so many photo stops along the way that it is best to give yourself the entire day. Visit the Skellig Experience and stop at Muckross House. Back in Killarney by early evening, you have ample time to explore this wonderful town and wander around listening to pub music or checking out the craft shops.

Overnight in The Fairview Killarney

Day 4: Drive to Westport via Cliffs of Moher

Today you have a long drive to Westport with the Cliffs of Moher and Galway City to break it up. Take the ferry across the mouth of the River Shannon to save some driving time. Visit the Cliffs of Moher and drive through the spectacular scenery of the Burren onto Galway city. We recommend to avoid Galway on this day in order to make it to your hotel in good time. You will get to spend some time in galway tomorrow.

Overnight in Knockranny House Hotel

Day 5: Connemara Tour & Galway City

Today set out south along the west coast to Connermara and onto Clifden. Take some stunning pictures of Kylemore Abbey and find somewhere nice in the Connemara region to get some lunch. Make your way to Galway city where you should spend a few hours. It is a beautiful little city that many consider the most charming in Europe. Be sure to make the short trip to Salthill and take a stroll along the promenade. Make your way back to your hotel in your own time.

Overnight in Knockranny House Hotel

Day 6: Yeats’ Country & Mayo Scenery

Because you are a little over mid way through your tour and you have done a lot of driving, you may wish to take it easy today. If you do not wish to visit Yeats’ Country and see the beautiful scenery Mayo has to offer, you can explore Westport where there is lots to do. You may also decide to climb Croagh Patrick which is a short drive away. It is named after Saint Patrick who reputedly fasted atop the mountain for 40 days in the fifth century and is now associated with Christian pilgrimage.

Overnight in Knockranny House Hotel

Day 7: Drive to Dublin

Today you can drive from Westport to Dublin. It is best to go directly to Dublin, a journey that should take a little over three hours. There is little of note to break up the journey but much to see and do in Dublin. Check into your hotel on arrival and give yourself plenty of time to check out the area. Temple Bar is very lively at night, possibly a little too lively for some but there are plenty of options for everyone as Dublin is a substantial city.

Overnight in O’Callaghan Davenport Hotel

Day 8: Explore Dublin

Take today to leave the car idle and use the open top bus tour as your mode of transport. It allows you to hop on and off at whatever attractions you choose along the route and should keep you entertained for a large part of the day.

Be sure to visit the Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery among the other attractions along the route.

Overnight in O’Callaghan Davenport Hotel

Day 9: Newgrange & Boyne Valley

You can make a short journey north today, less than an hours drive to Newgrange. Newgrange is best known for the illumination of its passage and chamber by the winter solstice sun. While you are out of Dublin, you may also wish to visit Drogheda and the Battle of the Boyne Centre commemorating the largest battle to ever take place in Ireland. At stake were the British throne, French dominance in Europe and religious power in Ireland. Return to Dublin.

Overnight in O’Callaghan Davenport Hotel

Day 10: Return Home

Make your way from your hotel to Dublin Airport where you will return your rental car and fly home.

Flights

We are more than happy to include a flight quote separately to your package so that you can decide if you would like to book with us or on your own.  While booking flights can seem straight-forward, there are often hidden fees or classes of service that do not include seat assignments, meals or checked bags. We have been booking flights since 1985 and know the best routings and have great contracts that mean we often have better prices than what you will see online.

Accommodation

In Ireland, we generally try to book hotels that are at a 4 star level or higher. In some situations, we will book some 3 star or B&B properties but we do require them to be at a certain standard. We try to ensure a member of the team have stayed at each property in recent years or that we have done a site inspection.

Planning Deposits

Your first vacation quote, and up to two revisions, for trips of 9 or fewer days, and 45 days in advance of travel, are complimentary. If an itinerary requires further revisions subsequent to this, we will require a non-refundable deposit of $75 per person in order to continue.

If you are requesting a quote for a vacation that is 10 days in length, or with travel dates within 45 days, or to a non-core destination, a deposit of $75 per person will be required in order for us to begin working on your proposal.

Planning deposits can then be put towards the cost of the trip should you decide to proceed with the booking.

Our Process