The Land of Giants – 13 Day Tour of Ireland

Departing from The Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Arran Quay, Dublin 8 at 9am. 

Your adventure starts off in Dublin, Ireland’s capital also known as the Fair city. Our direction is south to Killarney and the Kingdom of Kerry. After a bite to eat in Killarney, you have the opportunity to explore Ross Island or take a mesmerizing kayak tour on the Lakes of Killarney that journeys around this unique setting, where you can kayak through limestone caves and journey around an incredible 15th Century castle.  That evening, you can experience Killarney’s great food offerings, vibrant musical nightlife or take stroll through its majestic national park.

Today’s adventure takes you off the beaten track to unlock the real beauty of the world famous Ring of Kerry. Considered one of the most beautiful destinations to explore in Ireland, the Ring of Kerry offers dramatic landscapes of wild rugged coastline, golden beaches, glistening lakes, picturesque villages and spectacular mountain ranges.   

Even better, we will take you on an incredible tour of the spectacular Valentia Island where you can delve into its incredible history and heritage, explore its magical setting on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and if you are lucky get a glimpse (weather permitting) of the dramatic Skellig Islands (Star Wars famed).

After a well-earned bite to eat, we slowly make our way back to Killarney stopping off at many spectacular viewing points to learn of their historical importance and the opportunity to take that picture that will ensure an everlasting memory of paradise.

Dingle is our destination today, as we explore this dramatic and beautiful peninsula that is littered with archaeological and historical wonders. Our first stop off is at Inch beach, famous for being the place where an inch is actually three miles long and where we take a short stroll along its golden sands and watch long rolling waves that come crashing ashore.

Once aboard we head due west to the edge of Europe, also known as Slea Head. Feast your eyes on breathtaking scenery of wild rugged coastline, golden beaches and the magnificent Blasket Islands. We continue our journey around this rich and vibrant peninsulas exploring its vast Gaelic culture and learning a cupla focal (some words) in Irish along the way. We will also visit Dingle town, a picturesque fishing town that is famed for Fungi the dolphin who has been a local for almost 30 years, before making our return journey to Killarney.

Before departing for Doolin that afternoon, you have the opportunity to relax, discover Killarney town or take an adventure exploring Killarney’s National Park and Lakes.

At midday, we will visit Muckross Park which is home to beautiful gardens and a 15th Century Franciscan Friary called Muckross Abbey which is one of the major ecclesiastical sites found in the Killarney National Park.

That afternoon after a bite to eat, we make our way north along the edge of Europe to the spectacular setting of the Cliffs of Moher, where we will overnight in the vibrant coastal village of Doolin and a chance for you to experience great traditional music sessions, fantastic seafood and of course meet the locals.  

This morning we make our to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. This ‘must see’ wonder of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher, stretches for almost 10 KM and will capture your eyes and imagination as you gaze out in awe of its impressive setting.

Take the opportunity to explore the fantastic interpretation centre that will show you how this marvelous creation was shaped by nature’s hand and learn about its unique geological makeup.

Afterwards, we will have lunch in the surf town of Lahinch before heading on a tour exploring the dramatic landscape and history of the wild Burren. Experience its unique ecosystem and the spectacular Poulnabrone wedge tomb, which dates back to the Neolithic period.

That evening take the opportunity to sample Doolin’s famed culinary delights and lively atmosphere.

This morning we depart Doolin heading north towards Galway, the Bohemian capital of Ireland. Along the way explore the remarkable moon-like terrain of the wild Burren and the Atlantic waves that roll into jaws of Galway Bay.

Take the opportunity to soak in Galway’s vibrant bustling streets and quaint cafes offer you a relaxing atmosphere to rejuvenate your batteries before our next Wild Atlantic adventures.

We jump from mainland Ireland to one of its most renowned island, Inis Mór, meaning big island. It is the largest of three islands that make up the Aran Islands.

Once we arrive on its limestone shores, you can either explore the island by foot, bicycle or jaunting cart, in which you can experience the island’s magnificent landscape of rocky fields, wild Ocean views and incredible monuments of Christian, pre-Christian and Celtic mythological heritage. Take in a visit to one of the most famous of them, Dún Aonghasa, which is a breath-taking fort that was built on a high cliff some 100 metres above sea level.

That afternoon, we make our way back to mainland Ireland before heading due west to the colourful coastal town of Clifden, where you can sample its famous culinary delights and traditional music nights.

Today’s adventure brings us to Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey. We will explore these majestic destinations, full of colourful scenery and wonderful history.

In Connemara National Park, take the opportunity to hike to the top Diamond Hill before we head to Kylemore Abbey for a bite to eat and time to explore its incredible history and unique gardens.

Later that afternoon, we commence our journey northwards passing Killary harbour and secluded picturesque lakes that line our path to the colourful town of Westport.

That evening, we will experience this vibrant towns legendary musical talent and culinary exploits.  

You have the day to either relax, explore or take an adventure in picturesque Westport. It is famous for Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain and Clew Bay, which has an island for everyday of the year.

Westport is rich in historical areas of interest and a great traditional music scene. Be sure to experience it!!

Departing Westport, we make our along the northern wild and rugged coastline of Mayo before arriving in Donegal Town, known as the fort of the foreigners. 

We will have a picnic lunch and take a stroll along the dramatic wild coastline at Downpatrick Head where you view a spectacular blowhole that plummets down to the wild Atlantic ocean, the ruins of St Patrick’s church building, a stone cross and the incredible site of Dún Briste (broken fort), a lone sea-stack standing close to the edge of the cliffs. 

Afterwards, we will meander our way north towards Donegal Town via Bundoran where you can take the opportunity to dip your feet into the wild Atlantic Ocean or catch some of the most renowned waves in the world. 

Feeling refreshed, that evening you can sampling some of Donegal’s best culinary delights and music traditions.

Buncrana is our end destination today, as we head north exploring the wilds of Donegal with magnificent views of the dramatic Slieve League cliffs which are although less famous than the Cliffs of Moher, can reach almost three times higher, 601 metres (1,972 ft).  

Afterwards, we continue our journey around the dramatic northern tip of Donegal towards Glenveagh National Park and Castle. Set in some 16,500 hectares of County Donegal mountains, you have the chance to discover picturesque lakes, wild glens and woods, a large herd of red deer and the 19th Century Glenveagh Castle. 

That afternoon, we make our way to Buncrana, where you can relax, unwind or explore this historical town.

Today’s adventure is a real giant in many ways, as we take you along the dramatic coastal route of Ulster. We first head North to explore Malin Head, known as Ireland’s sunniest point and offers dramatic coastline views of the most northerly point of Ireland. Next stop Greenland!!

Once aboard, we make our way to the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its setting is famed for its unique rock formation of of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption nearly 60 million years ago or being Irish of course, we have a different version of how the causeway was built which involves two giants, a fight and a bridge. We won’t spoil the ending for you now as the story is best told at edge of the bridge!! 

Afterwards, we make our way to the vibrant coastal setting of Ballycastle, a seaside town famed for walking, kayaking, great food and where you can relax, unwind or simply gaze out at the majestic views before your eyes. 

We depart Ballycastle and make our way to Belfast, where you can visit the Titanic museum, experience the amazing Black Cab Taxi Tour, explore Belfast with a Hop-on Hop Off City Tour or simply wander around its famous streets and experience great food.  

That afternoon, we head south to the capital of Ireland, Dublin, where you have the opportunity to visit many of its historical attractions, jump aboard the Dublin Hop-on Hop-off City Tour or simply relax and explore its vibrant streets. 

It is also our journey’s end, where we bid a fond farewell full of happy memories that will last forever. Remember, Ireland is now your second home away from home!

Arriving back to The Ashling Hotel, Parkgate Street, Arran Quay, Dublin 8 at 6pm