Best of Ireland

11 days, 10 nights

 

 

Starting in Dublin, this 10-day itinerary hits many of the highlights of any Irish trip, including visiting the Guinness Storehouse, driving the Ring of Kerry, standing atop the Cliffs of Moher and seeing the wonderful ruggedness of Connemara in Galway.

 

Highlights

• Spend a day driving the world-famous Ring of Kerry, taking in spectacular and unforgettable views.
• Discover renowned Irish crafts such as the Galway Claddagh ring and Waterford Crystal.
• Taste amazing Irish products on a food tour or new varieties of whiskey and gin produced on the island.

 

Overnight Stops

11 days, 10 nights

Dublin (2) – Kilkenny (1) – Cork (1) – Killarney (2) – Clare (1) – Galway (2) – Dublin (1)

Why not start or stop your trip in London or Edinburgh?

 

Sample Itinerary

 

Day 1: Arrive in Ireland

Céad míle fáilte, as they say in Ireland, meaning a hundred thousand welcomes! Meet your driver after clearing customs for your short trip into Dublin. Check in to your city center accommodation. It’s no problem if your room is not ready; there is plenty on the doorstep to discover in Dublin’s fair city.

Highlights include: hop-on/hop-off bus tour, Guinness Storehouse, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, the Trinity College Book of Kells exhibit
Optional highlights: Dublin Castle, Irish Whiskey Trail walking tour

Overnight in Dublin
Tenon Recommends: O’Callaghan Hotels in Dublin City Centre

 

Day 2: Dublin

Enjoy your first Irish breakfast today before heading out into the city. Dublin is a designated UNESCO city of literature with eminent writers such as James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Oscar Wilde and William Butler Yeats hailing from here. Find references to them around the city. Imagine life in Georgian Dublin as you see the beautiful buildings around St. Stephen’s Green.

Highlights include: Dublin Literary Pub Tour
Optional highlights: MoLI Museum of Literature, Jameson Distillery, Christ Church Cathedral, Chester Beatty Library

Overnight in Dublin
Tenon Recommends: O’Callaghan Hotels in Dublin City Centre
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 3: Dublin – Kilkenny

Today the medieval city of Kilkenny awaits. On the way is County Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland. How about an Irish baking class with a top television chef? An option today is to learn to make traditional Irish bread and scones on an Irish farm. Walk the halls of Kilkenny Castle as you learn of its 800-year history.

Tenon Tip: Go to St. Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum first, as it will set the scene for all that you will see in Kilkenny.

Highlights include: Kilkenny Castle
Optional highlights: Private baking lesson with an Irish chef, St. Mary’s Medieval Mile Museum

Overnight in Kilkenny
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Kilkenny
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 4: Kilkenny – Cork

Fuel yourself for the day ahead and then stop off in the Viking seaport of Waterford and visit the world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory. Continue on to Cork with a stop in the pretty village of Cobh, which was the last port of call for the Titanic before its tragic ending. Your final destination tonight is the fishing port of Kinsale, which is known as the foodie capital of Ireland. Enjoy the sea air and great fish tonight!

Highlights include: Waterford Crystal Factory, Titanic Experience Cobh, Kinsale Food Tour

Overnight in Cork
Tenon Recommends: Hotel Kinsale
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 5: Cork to Killarney

After leaving Cork today, you’ll head to Killarney in County Kerry, also known in Ireland as “The Kingdom.” While driving through Killarney today, you will pass through the small port town of Dingle, which has a huge following due to the recent Star Wars movies. A stop at Inch Beach will absolutely take your breath away. See the power of the Atlantic Ocean in action and after embracing the fresh air, visit the famous hostelry of Dick Mack’s before you return to Killarney for the next two nights.

Optional highlights: Skellig Michael Cruise, Dick Mack’s Brewery Tour, Dingle Sea Safari

Overnight in Killarney
Tenon Recommends: International Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 6: Killarney

Be wowed today as you drive the world-renowned Ring of Kerry, a 179-kilometer circular route around the Iveragh Peninsula. Stunning viewpoints dot this journey, including Ladies’ View, which was named after the visit of Queen Victoria and her Ladies-in-Waiting in 1861.

Highlights include: Jaunting car trip to Killarney National Park
Optional highlights: Killarney Brewing Company, Muckross House and Craft Shop, private Irish cooking lesson

Overnight in Killarney
Tenon Recommends: International Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 7: Killarney to Clare

Stop off in the pretty heritage village of Adare in County Limerick and see rows of traditional thatched cottages that look like something from a fairytale. Browse the stores and take a short break before setting off for the Cliffs of Moher! Should time allow before driving back toward Ennis, stop off in a local seaside village such as Doolin or Lisdoonvarna, which is home to the famous matchmaking festival!

Highlights include: Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
Optional highlights: Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre

Overnight in Clare
Tenon Recommends: Old Ground Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 8: Clare to Galway

Learn today which way to wear your heart! Galway has a special place in the heart of many, and the heart has made its way onto one of the most recognizable souvenirs from the area: the Claddagh Ring. One unique experience you may opt for today is to engage with a local Claddagh fishing family on a restoration project of an iconic Galway hooker boat, followed by a boat trip during which the skipper will regale you with tales of life in the Claddagh.

Optional highlights: Galway hooker boat, Galway cook and eat experience, Micil Distillery, Aran Islands day trip

Overnight in Galway
Tenon Recommends: Park House Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 9: Galway

Behold the story of the ultimate love token: the Kylemore Abbey – now known as a Benedictine Abbey – was built in the 1800s by a local businessman and was inspired by his love for his wife y. This wild and rugged part of the country is stunning in its beauty. You will find many Gaeltacht villages, meaning that the people living here speak only Gaelic.

Highlights include: Kylemore Abbey
Optional highlights: Galway food tour, Galway whiskey tour

Overnight in Galway
Tenon Recommends: Park House Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 10: Galway to Dublin

Today brings you back to Dublin for your last night in Ireland. A nice halfway stop on this drive is the midlands town of Tullamore and its pretty distillery. Then head back toward the city, take one last walk around and enjoy time in one of the many bars and restaurants in town.

Highlights include: An Evening of Food, Folklore & Fairies dinner show
Optional highlights: Tullamore D.E.W. Distillery

Overnight in Dublin
Tenon Recommends: O’Callaghan Hotels in Dublin City Centre
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 11: Departure

Say Slån to Ireland today. Fly home with memories to last a lifetime and a desire to return and see more of what Ireland has to offer.
(Breakfast included)

 

This sample itinerary can be booked as a self-drive tour or chauffeur tour.

 

Pricing

From $2,397 per person based on double occupancy*
*Price shown is an example of what to expect for a self-drive vacation. Each itinerary is customized and can change depending on seasonality, availability, etc.

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