Scenic Southwest 6 Nights

Included in your price:

• Free calls to your personal Ireland vacation specialist
• 6 nights accommodation on a B&B basis 
• Road map of Ireland
• Discounted admission to attractions throughout Ireland

Car Rental:

Rental of an economy-size car. Included with your car are all compulsory insurances - Collision Damage Waiver insurance (CDW with an excess/deductible), theft protection insurance, location fee of €30, Road fund tax, sales tax at 13.5%, unlimited free mileage, third party liability insurance, 24-hour peace of mind breakdown cover.

Occupancy:

Prices are per person based on 2 persons in each room with a full Irish breakfast and taxes included. A single supplement will apply to rooms and car rentals in the case of single occupancy.

Currency:

Please note that we charge in Euros (€). Prices in other currencies are for indication only and are subject to fluctuation.

Day 1: Shannon to Kinsale
The short trip from Shannon to Kinsale has much to see on your first days of touring. Well worth a visit is Bunratty Castle & Folk Park where the acclaimed 15th-century castle complete with tapestries and other works of art is to be found beside the Folk Park with its re-built cottages and a 19th-century town reconstruction. Bunratty is also home to one of the country’s most famous pubs, Durty Nelly's. 
Continue through County Limerick into County Cork, passing through the small villages of Croom and Charleville and across the Blackwater Valley market town of Mallow. Just north of Cork City, you come to the town of Blarney where you will have the opportunity to visit the history-laden Blarney Castle. Blarney Castle and its ‘Stone of Eloquence’ have been attracting visitors for centuries. Legend has it that if you kiss the stone you will have as the Irish put it, ‘The Gift of The Gab’. Shortly after this, you will arrive in Kinsale which is one of the most picturesque harbour towns of the South West Coast and home to the Charles Fort. 

Day 2: Kinsale & Surrounds

If you didn't get to visit these attractions yesterday, then you'll see them today! Built in the 1500s, the Desmond Castle and the International Museum of Wine both have had many uses. It was once used as an Arsenal by Don Juan Aguilla in 1601 when the Spanish occupied the town for a hundred days before the battle of Kinsale. Years later, prisoners of war were kept in the castle, and it became known as the "French Prison" due to the high numbers of French navy kept there. During the American war of independence, many American crews were imprisoned there. As mentioned, a visit to Charles fort is also highly advised. Also nearby is St. Multose church, which was built in 1190 and is well worth a visit.
While based in Kinsale, you may also wish to visit the small town of Cobh formally known as Queenstown which was the final port of call for millions of Irish immigrants leaving for a better life in the United States and Canada. The town was also the last departure point for the Titanic and its ill-fated crew and passengers in 1912 Traveling a little further east to Middleton will allow you a spot of whiskey tasting and a tour of the Jameson whiskey distillery.

Day 3: Kinsale to Kerry

There are two routes to choose from on your Journey to Killarney, the longer, more scenic coastal route or the shorter route by Blarney Castle. Taking the longer route, you'll head to Bantry where you can visit the French Armada Center and the Bantry House and Gardens, as well as the most southern point in Ireland, Mizen Head. After Bantry, it’s northward to Killarney through the Healy Pass, across the Caha Mountains which divide Cork and Kerry. After this, it's onwards to Kenmare, which has a small heritage centre worth a visit! The alternative, shorter route to Killarney goes by Blarney Castle, where you can climb the ramparts and kiss the famed Blarney Stone. Reaching Killarney, there are many options for things to do, Killarney’s incredible Lakes and landscapes have inspired artists for centuries. A must-visit is the Killarney national park which has numerous scenic trails and walks. Other options include Ross Castle, the Gap of Dunloe, or simply just enjoy the atmosphere in one of many traditional Irish pubs!

Day 4: While in Kerry

For today’s excursion, there are other options in the full itinerary; however the most prominent and advised would be the Ring of Kerry driving tour. The Journey itself covers some of the country's most impressive scenery around the Iveragh Peninsula. Brilliant Mountains, valleys and coastal views will make this drive one of the most memorable parts of this tour. If a break from all the driving sounds good to you, a bus tour along this route can be organized for you. Along the Peninsula drive, you'll arrive at Muckross House, a magnificent Victorian Mansion, which was finished in 1843. Set on the Eastern shore of Muckross Lake and overlooked by the daunting Torc and Mangerton mountains, the house has a spectacular location and the walks surrounding it are unmissable. Another popular option for your third day would be a tour of the Gap of Dunloe by pony and trap, stopping at Lord Brandon’s cottage for a bite to eat, then returning to Killarney by boat through the lakes!
Another option is the Dingle Peninsula, which has more historic sites, scenic mountains and antiquities than any other part of Ireland.  Dingle is the most western town in all of Europe and is a massive tourist attraction, as many come to learn Gaelic, the Irish tongue, in "A Flor-Gaeltacht" an Irish-speaking region.

Day 5: Kerry to Clare

Departing from Kerry, you head to Tralee to the north. Continuing to Tarbert where you can take a ferry across to County Clare, where you will head northwards to the Cliffs of Moher. Undoubtedly one of Ireland's most recognizable attractions, the Cliffs of Moher are one of the most daunting sights in all of Ireland. After that, it's onward to Doolin, a little village in Clare, world-famous for its food, music and atmosphere. Just north of the cliffs are another two popular tourist attractions, the Burren Region and Poulnabrone Dolmen tombs. If you start the day a little earlier, there’s a route through Adare and Limerick for this day, which will allow you to also visit Bunratty Castle and folk park.

Day 6: While in Clare

The Burren is a unique rocky and karst landscape that covers much of northwest Clare. In this area see how thousands of years ago man left his mark in the form of Dolmens and burial chambers. One of Ireland’s most iconic Dolmen Tombs at Poulnabrone covers a mass grave which when excavated the remains of 16-22 adults were found as well as some stone axes and pottery. The remarkable unspoiled Aran Islands are easily reached from the adjacent town of Doolin by Ferry.  The largest island is Inishmore, followed by Inishmaan and the smallest and most eastern is called Inisheer. Irish is a spoken language, and traditional Irish ways of life can easily be seen on all three islands. Whichever island you choose to visit, you can be sure that an intimate touring coach will await you at the ferry terminal to show you all the local sights, sounds, and traditions.