13 Night Private Guided Tour Sample Itinerary of Ireland

This is a sample 13 Night Chauffeur Driven Tour of Ireland. This suggested itinerary has been constructed to generate ideas for you, our valued clients which may inspire you on your upcoming trip to Ireland. In addition to chauffeur driven tours of Ireland, why not explore our upcoming group tours.

Click on the below sections to learn about each day on this suggested chauffeur drive itinerary.

Cead Mile Failte! One hundred thousand welcomes! Upon clearing customs, you will be met by your Irish Driver guide and escorted to your vehicle. You may wish to make your first stop in Carlingford, Co. Louth.

Carlingford, Co. Louth

This truly is a magical village, full of character and one of the best preserved medieval villages in Ireland. The village history and medieval streets couple with the harbour lanes to allow Carlingford to express all its quality. The Mourn Mountains and Slieve Foye combination make Carlingford a unique location.

Continuing on, you will arrive to Belfast in the early afternoon. Why not take a tour of the Titanic Visitor Centre, hearing the story of the RMS Titanic before and after the tragedy of its maiden voyage. Suggested visits:

  • Titanic Visitor Centre

Overnight & Breakfast: Benedict’s Hotel, Belfast

Following breakfast this morning you may travel to Downpatrick to visit the St Patrick’s Visitor Centre.

St Patrick’s Visitor Centre

Located in the town of Downpatrick, the visitor centre is set on the foot of Strangford Lough. Although the island of Ireland is long divided by religious differences, Ireland has no division about its patron saint. After lunch, you may travel along the coast and take in the Ards Peninsula.
The Ards Peninsula is located in Co. Down and separates Strangford Lough from the North Channel of the Irish Sea on the north-east coast of Ireland.

Belfast City Panoramic Tour

Arriving back in Belfast why not sit back and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. Highlighting City Hall, Queens University Botanic Gardens and the Loyalist and Republican colorful walled murals which tell the tale of the “Troubles”, a war which lasted over 30 years. Belfast is a Victorian city built on the linen and shipbuilding trades. Home to the world’s largest dry dock and the shipyard’s giant cranes tower over the port.

Suggested visits:

  • St Patrick’s Visitor Centre
  • Ards Peninsula
  • Belfast Panoramic City Tour

Overnight & Breakfast: Benedict’s Hotel, Belfast

This morning, you bid farewell to Belfast and drive along the beautiful Antrim coastline where you have the option of visiting Glenarm Castle & Gardens or travel further up the coastline to visit the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and Giant’s Causeway.

The Giant’s Causeway & Bushmill’s Distillery

The Giant’s Causeway is Northern Ireland’s top tourist attraction, and only world heritage site. A dramatic coastal landscape steeped in local mythology consisting of around 40,000 polygonal basalt columns, jutting out into the sea amid a spectacular coastal landscape. You then will continue to the town of Bushmills, where you will be staying at the Bushmills Inn. After check-in why not visit Bushmills Distillery home to the famous Bushmills Whiskey. Enjoy a private tour of the distillery and a taste of this fine whiskey at the end.

Suggested visits:

  • Glenarm Castle & Gardens
  • Giant’s Causeway
  • Bushmills Distillery

Overnight & Breakfast: Bushmills Inn, Bushmills

Following breakfast this morning you may travel to Downpatrick to visit the St Patrick’s Visitor Centre. St Patrick’s Visitor Centre, in the town of Downpatrick is set on the foot of Strangford Lough. Although the island of Ireland is long divided by religious differences, Ireland has no division about its patron saint.

After lunch, you may travel along the coast and take in the Ards Peninsula. The Ards Peninsula is located in Co. Down and separates Strangford Lough from the North Channel of the Irish Sea on the north-east coast of Ireland. Arriving back in Belfast why not sit back and enjoy a panoramic tour of the city. Highlighting City Hall, Queens University Botanic Gardens and the Loyalist and Republican colorful walled murals which tell the tale of the “Troubles”, a war which lasted over 30 years. Belfast is a Victorian city built on the linen and shipbuilding trades. Home to the world’s largest dry dock and the shipyard’s giant cranes tower over the port.

Suggested visits:

  • St Patrick’s Visitor Centre
  • Ards Peninsula
  • Belfast Panoramic City Tour

Overnight & Breakfast: Benedict’s Hotel, Belfast

This morning after a hearty Irish breakfast, you may travel from Bushmills to the city of Derry.

Walking Tour of Derry City

Derry has experienced so much, as a consequence of the Troubles of Northern Ireland, which lasted over 30 years. The murals (street art) expressed by the community are personal memories and depictions of recent and past events in the city’s political and social history. This is a great opportunity to take a Walking Tour of Derry to hear the history from someone who has lived there through the Troubles and to also find out about the medieval history behind the walls of Derry.

You continue on to Donegal town in the late afternoon where you can visit Donegal Castle, a medieval fort built by the O’Donnell Clan.

Suggested visits:

  • Derry City Walking Tour
  • Donegal Castle

Overnight & Breakfast: Solis Lough Eske Castle

After a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, you could start your day by touring Donegal Town.

Donegal Town

Donegal means “Fort of the Foreigners”, after the Vikings who built a garrison here. Take the coast road to Killybegs, one of Irelands biggest fishing ports. Afterwards, you may drive along Slieve League to take in some more of Ireland’s beautiful coastline and bear witness to some of the highest cliffs in Ireland.

Slieve League Cliffs & Glenveagh National Park

Slieve league is almost three times higher in contrast to the Cliffs of Moher, although not as famous. From here you can continue up the coastline and visit Glenveagh National Park. This national treasure lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north-west of Co. Donegal. It is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains to add to the pristine lakes. The park is divided into three areas. You may visit the largest of these and the former Glenveagh Estate. You will have a chance to browse the walled gardens and continue to enjoy the historic grandeur of the well maintained historic estate home.

Suggested visits:

  • Slieve League Cliffs

Glenveagh National Park – Castle & Garden

Overnight & Breakfast: Solis Lough Eske Castle

This morning after breakfast you will set out for Galway, maybe visiting Connemara on your journey. Your drive will take you through Drumcliff, Co. Sligo, where you stop off at the burial place of W.B Yeats, one of Irelands finest poets, set at the foothills of Ben Bulben Mountain. You continue your tour and head for Westport in Co Mayo.

Westport, Co. Mayo & Kylemore Abbey

This vibrant, colourful and traditional Irish town is set at the foothill of Croagh Patrick. Westport is a very popular spot and famous for its traditional Irish music culture where many famous musicians play in the array on wonderful pubs. Before continuing to your hotel, why not pay a visit to Kylemore Abbey, the only Irish home of the Benedictine Nuns. Built originally as a castle, it is one of the best examples of Irish neo-gothic architecture. The estate features include a Victorian Walled Garden, restored Abbey reception rooms, Gothic Church, tranquil walks, craft shop, pottery and a restaurant.

Suggested visits:

  • Westport
  • Kylemore Abbey

Overnight & Breakfast: Twelve Hotel, Barna, Galway

This morning you may travel from Galway to visit the Aran Islands. Your ferry departs from Ros a Mhil and crosses Galway Bay to Inisheer, the smallest of the three Islands. Here you can see a traditional way of life practiced by an Irish speaking community of around 300 people. The Celtic culture and the beauty of this area will add distinction to any walks around the island. Highlights include a Bronze Age tumulus which was exposed in 1885 when a storm cleared the sand from it. Teampall Caomháin, a 10th – 14th century church is dedicated to the patron saint of the island.

Fromna Village

Fromna Village, is a traditional village where many houses are thatched. Caislean Uí Bhriain (O’ Brien’s castle) is one of the more impressive sites on the island. This is a 15th century Tower house and you will find an even older stone ring fort nearby. A smile or greeting on Aran comes from the heart. These islanders are genuinely glad to greet their visitors and to share their islands with them.

Overnight & Breakfast: Twelve Hotel, Barna, Galway

After a hearty breakfast, you have another exciting day of travel ahead as you leave Galway and head off to tour the Burren Region.

The Burren Region

The word “Burren” comes from an Irish word “Boíreann” meaning a rocky place. This is an extremely appropriate name when you consider the lack of soil cover and the extent of exposed Limestone Pavement. However, it has been referred to in the past as “Fertile rock” due to the mixture of nutrient rich herb and floral species. You will get a truly unique perspective of The Burren, if you choose to enjoy a hike with local, John Connolly at Wild Burren.

Cliffs of Moher

Travel on in the afternoon to Dingle via the awesome and mighty Cliffs of Moher. In addition to the powerful scenic views, why not enjoy one of the most outstanding coastal features of Ireland and biggest tourist attraction. Similar to the Slieve League Cliffs in grandeur, this region rises sheer above the sea to nearly 700 feet and extending along the coast for nearly five miles. The final stop of the day is Dingle where you will spend the following two nights.

Suggested visits:

  • Cliffs of Moher

Overnight & Breakfast: Heaton’s Guesthouse

This morning after a leisurely breakfast, you begin your day’s touring from Dingle. The Slea Head Drive is a circular route, beginning and ending in Dingle. It takes in a large number of attractions and stunning views on the western end of the peninsula. Take in the woodlands at Burnham, the seaside village of Vestry, as well as Slea Head itself, marked by a stone crucifixion scene.

Overnight & Breakfast: Heaton’s Guesthouse

Our drive today to Kinsale is via Kenmare and the Beara Peninsula which is combination of Kerry and Cork.

Kenmare, Co. Kerry

Since its’ origins in 1678, the heritage town of Kenmare, Co Kerry has been one of Ireland’s most idyllic destinations. Nestled peacefully at the mouth of Kenmare Bay, a visit here will leave lasting memories with its colorful shop fronts, unrivalled range of restaurants and stunning scenery.

Kinsale, Co. Cork

You continue your drive to Kinsale via the charming towns of Bantry, Skibbereen and Clonakilty before arriving at your hotel. Originally a medieval fishing port, historic Kinsale is one of the most picturesque, popular and historic towns on the south west coast of Ireland. It has been hailed as the Gourmet Capital of Ireland with no shortage of cafes, pubs and restaurants to suit every taste and budget.

Overnight & Breakfast: Acton’s Hotel, Kinsale

Today why not enjoy the beauty of Co. Cork. As you visit the harbour town of Cobh and tour the Cobh Heritage Centre located at the Victorian Railway Station. Cobh is where the RMS Titanic made its last port of call before its one and only voyage. You may then travel west of the city to the village of Blarney.

Blarney Castle

Also one of the oldest landmarks in Co. Cork as well as Ireland, this is best known for the famous “Blarney Stone”. As tradition dictates, it confers the gift of eloquence upon all those who kiss it. Blarney Woolen Mills flagship store is located in this picturesque village and is housed in one of Ireland’s oldest and most authentic Woolen Mills. Upon returning to Kinsale, why not enjoy a guided walking tour of Kinsale village and learn more about the history of this small fishing village.

Suggested visits:

  • Cobh Heritage Centre
  • Blarney Castle

Overnight & Breakfast: Acton’s Hotel, Kinsale

With an early start today, you bid farewell to the Southwest and travel north to Kilkenny City.

Kilkenny City

The rich medieval heritage is evident in the city’s treasure trove of historical buildings and landmarks, exemplified by the magnificent Kilkenny Castle. Kilkenny is arguably the pre-eminent medieval city in Ireland, with the current layout of the city clearly grounded in the city’s medieval roots.

Wicklow Town

You may now travel east from Kilkenny over to the town of Wicklow. Wicklow from Old Norse is spelt Vikinglo, which means “Viking meadow”. In Irish it is spelt Cill Mhantáin, meaning “church of the toothless one”. The county town of Co. Wicklow, and the capital of the Mid-East Region in Ireland. You will arrive in Dublin in the late afternoon where your driver guide will bid you farewell once safely at your hotel.

Suggested visits:

  • Kilkenny Castle

Overnight & Breakfast: Brook’s Hotel, Dublin – Driver Guide drop off

After a leisurely breakfast this morning, enjoy a relaxing day in Dublin city. Consume highlights such as Trinity College, O’Connell Street, Molly Malone, the River Liffey, Ha’Penny Bridge, Christchurch Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral. You may choose to shop on Grafton or Henry Street, or enjoy a pint or two at one of the famous pubs in Dublin.

Suggested visits:

  • Dublin Castle
  • Kilmainham Gaol
  • Jameson Distillery
  • Guinness Storehouse
  • Trinity College & The Book of Kells

Overnight & Breakfast: Brook’s Hotel, Dublin

Following your final heart Irish breakfast, and hotel check out you will make your way to Dublin Airport for your flight home. It has been my sincere pleasure in designing your suggested, customized itinerary for you all. I hope you have a wonderful trip to Ireland.

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