Escape to the South West 2024

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From$1,710 pp
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1-888-597-3519

905-639-9954

dhtour@dhtour.ca

5 Days / 4 Nights (B 'n B or hotel)
Availability : April - December
Start: Dublin, Ireland
End: Dublin, Ireland

Escape to the South West: 1 nt Galway, 3 nts Killarney

Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca to book. 

Explore one of Ireland’s most spectacular regions on this five day tour of Ireland.

You’ll capture Atlantic waves crashing against rugged cliffs, impressive castles looming over ancient monasteries, and cities bursting with myth and mystery.

It’s a tour that’s perfect for people who like their mountains mighty, their music merry, and their memories magnificent.

5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS / MAX 14 GUESTS

Tour Details
Places you explore

Clonmacnoise – Scholars from all around Europe once visited this hugely influential abbey.

Galway Town – Stone clad buildings line the winding lanes and medieval walls of this ancient harbour city.

Cliffs of Moher – Behold an awe-inspiring 700ft drop into the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Burren – This national park is home to some of Ireland’s most profound spiritual and natural culture.

Dingle Peninsula – Glorious beaches merge with traditional Irish scenery in this land of Gaelic mystery and towering forts.

Ring of Kerry – Ireland’s famous coastal route boasts some of the wildest views in Europe.

Torc Waterfall – Learn about the ancient curse that formed this waterfall and admire its impressive cascade.

Blarney Castle – Try to kiss the famed Blarney Stone amidst the walls of this gorgeous medieval stronghold.

Kilkenny – Survey the dominant and unmistakeable three walled castle whilst roaming its splendid grounds.

Pick Up Location & TIme

Dublin  (Google Map)
Check-in closes at 8:45am (tour departs at 9:00am) – Opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin

Drop off Location & Time

Dublin
7:30pm

Price Includes

  • 4 night Bed 'n Breakfast accommodation
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • Daily full Irish breakfasts
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
  • Admission to Cliffs of Moher

Meals

  • 4 breakfast
  • 0 lunches
  • 0 dinners
  • 0 teas

Price Excludes

  • Entry fees to visitor attraction
  • Airfare
  • Transfers
  • Pre / Post hotel nights
  • Driver / Tour Leader gratuity is at your discretion
  • Travel Insurance
What to Expect

Explore in 16 seat mini-coaches, always taking the scenic route, you have great views through large windows, and you’re free to sample the local tipple without worrying about driving. Our driver-guides are world famous for their knowledge, facts, quirky stories, history, and fairy-tales. They truly take you beyond the guidebooks and into your adventure. You make your trip your own. We provide the timetable; and you can choose where you want to eat and which attractions you pay to see. So, if you want to skip a castle and read your book by a mountain view, you can.

Itinerary

Day 1Dublin - Galway

Leaving Dublin, you head west through the farmlands and peat bogs of County Kildare and Offaly. Locke’s Distillery is your first stop, and here you have time to relax with a glass of their famed whiskey.

After a drink (or two!), you head to the banks of the mighty River Shannon and the ruined abbey at Clonmacnoise. Home to a large collection of stone crosses, ancient churches and inimitable round towers, this holy site offers an insightful glimpse into Ireland’s spiritual past.

You then lunch at a traditional pub in one of the area’s pretty villages before travelling to Galway City, your home for the first night. It’s a city with a lively atmosphere and excellent restaurants and bars.

Day 2Galway - Killarney

A short drive along the coast from Galway City lies the Burren, one of Ireland’s national treasures. It’s home to one of the earliest Christian settlements in Ireland and broad limestone pavements and rare flora.

After time to explore the area, you travel to Kilfenora, the “town of the crosses”. You can visit the town’s fabulous ancient cathedral before we stop for lunch in one of the area’s charming villages.

You then head to the incredible Cliffs of Moher. Walk the stunning cliff trails as seabirds swoop through the clear air above you. And learn about the unique ecosystem in the excellent and award winning environmental exhibition nearby.

The tour then moves south through County Clare, passing its famous golf course on the way to the picturesque beach at Lahinch. From here you board a ferry across the Shannon Estuary to the lakeside town of Killarney. This energetic, charming area will be your base for the next three nights, so take your time sampling the superb collection of traditional pubs and live music. (B)

Day 3Killarney

Today, your tour explores the fabulous Dingle Peninsula. Your first stop is Inch Beach, a vast expanse of sand stretching out into the Atlantic. Venturing down the narrow roads away from the beach leads you through the town of Dingle.

You continue towards Slea Head, an area loaded with ancient forts and prehistoric dwellings. The impressive views of the nearby Blasket Islands make this an excellent spot for panoramic photos. If the weather is pleasant, you can ramble along the beaches and cliff tops to fully appreciate the incredible vistas.

Arriving back amidst the brightly coloured houses and jolly harbour of Dingle, you can spend the remainder of the afternoon enjoying delicious seafood in this idyllic setting. In the evening, you head back to Killarney, with time for an evening stroll in the National Park that envelops the town. (B)

Day 4Killarney

Today, you explore the Ring of Kerry, a spectacular route through some of Ireland’s most visually spectacular areas.

You head out in the morning, stopping first at Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil. After snapping some shots of its rugged majesty, you join the scenic coast road through Glenbeigh and Kells on the way to Cahersiveen. Possible stops include the site of “The Liberator of Ireland” Daniel O’Connell’s birthplace and an impressive ring fort outside Portmagee.

You stop for lunch in the quaint fishing village of Portmagee. Alternatively, you can have a quick snack and head to the island of Valentia for a visit to the Skellig Experience. This excursion teaches you about the ancient community of monks who made the outcrop of rocky islands their home.

In the afternoon, there’s a photo stop in Charlie Chaplin’s “home away from home” at Waterville, before enjoying fine views at the top of Coonmakista pass.

Winding down from the peaks, you head to Derrynane House, home of the family O’Driscoll. Daniel O’Driscoll holds a special place in Irish hearts, as an emancipating force from colonial rule. Enjoy a walk in the scenic gardens here, as well as a visit to the main house.

Continuing along the Ring, you stop at Moll’s Gap and the Ladies View. Stroll a short way from here to the Torc Waterfall before heading back to Killarney. (On some tours, days three and four are switched). (B)

Day 5Killarney - Dublin

Heading east through the mountains of West Cork, you weave along the Lee Valley until you reach Blarney Castle. You have time here to take in the castle grounds, and there may even be the chance to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and receive the “gift of the gab”!

In the afternoon, the tour heads to the heritage town of Cahir, where there’s a distinctive island castle in the River Suir.

The final stop of the tour is Kilkenny, a bustling city with a fine Castle, riverside walks, and an impressive National Craft Centre. There’s also the chance for one last Guinness before heading back on the road again for the last leg of the journey. You arrive back into Dublin in the evening. (B)

Dates and Prices - Authentic Bed 'n Breakfast accommodation
Departure Dates and Days Double/Twin (pp) Single Rate
2024: April – Sunday, Monday, & Thursday $1,710 $2,160
2024: May – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday $1,710 $2,160
2024: June  to September – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday $1,770 $2,230
2024: October – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday $1,710 $2,160
2024: November to December – Sunday $1,710 $2,160
2025: February to March – Sunday $1,710 $2,160

All guaranteed departures.

Dates and Prices - Hotel accommodation
Departure Dates and Days Double/Twin (pp) Single Rate
2024: April – Sunday, Monday, & Thursday $1,970 $1,890
2024: May – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday $1,970 $2,630
2024: June to September – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday $2,030 $2,690
2024: October – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday $1,970 $2,630
2024: November to December – Sunday $1,970 $2,630
2025: February to March – Sunday $1,970 $2,630

All guaranteed departures.

Pricing

Pricing is per person (pp) based on twin/ double occupancy.
Rates are in $ CAD.

 


Contact DHTour at 1-888-597-3519 or 905-639-9954 or dhtour@dhtour.ca  to book.

Ask us for the best available pricing for your dates & choice of airline.

 

Notes
Mobility: All of our tours involve walking and require our guests to board and disembark our vehicles several times a day making this tour unsuitable for those with reduced mobility.

Luggage: You’re restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.

Map

Photos

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