Dublin – Kilkenny – Kinsale – Killarney – Galway – Westport – Donegal – Cavan – Dublin
The Best of Ireland showcases the beauty of the Emerald Isle in the course of 13 days. You get to see city life, country life, and a picturesque coastline.
Above all, consult with your Travel Expert. We will ensure that the highlights of your trip are booked in advance so you won’t miss out on the fun! Lots of time at leisure will be built in so you can explore on your own, and at your own pace. Let the journey guide you.
Read more about why we love the Best of Ireland 13 Day .
Welcome to Ireland! Enjoy a peaceful vacation in some of the most beautiful locations that are ideal for a romantic escape. Upon arrival, a private driver will meet you at the airport arrivals hall and take you to your hotel. Check in to your excellent accommodations and begin exploring the capital city of Dublin.
On the way to Kilkenny, you will stop at Glendalough, a medieval monastery situated in the valley near a lake.
You will then head to Kilkenny. Kilkenny is famous for the majestic castle, a bustling arts and crafts industry, historic cobbled lanes, and secret passages. Take a tour of Kilkenny Castle and then head over for a quick pint and a tour of the Smithwick’s Brewery if time permits.
Consult with your Travel Expert about an amazing dinner during your stay in Kilkenny.
Start the day off by heading further south to Kinsale. Spend the day exploring the adorable village of Kinsale, known for its picturesque town with gorgeous colorful storefronts and beautiful boats in the harbor, you will surely fall in love. While wandering through the village, visit the historic star-shaped fortress of Charles Fort.
After a full day of touring, return to the town of Kinsale and find a restaurant for a great meal.
Indulge in a fabulous Irish breakfast and then head north to the historic Blarney Castle. According to legend, the stone has the power to give anyone who kisses it the “gift of the gab,” so for those who dare, a clibe to the battlements to reach the famous stone could be well worth it.
For a more relaxing experience, take a stroll through the Blarney Castle Gardens and Rock Close-an attractive destination in their own right. After you have had your fill of this majestic settlement, make your way to the Kingdom of Kerry.
You will then get to Killarney. Check-in to your accommodations, and explore this lovely town.
Set out to County Kerry to discover what National Geographic once deemed, “the most beautiful place on earth,” the Dingle Peninsula.
The Dingle Peninsula is on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and every turn leads down meandering country lanes to wild hedgerows, endless skies, and cozy thatched pubs. This is Ireland at its best! Stop in Dingle for eclectic fashion and jewelry shops and quaint cafes and then take a stroll along the shores of the magnificent Inch Beach.
Head north to explore the iconic Cliffs of Moher. Sitting 750 feet above the roaring Atlantic ocean, you will be captivated by these dramatic sea cliffs in County Clare. Continue on a scenic drive through the Burren, keep an eye out for the unique etched slabs of rock.
Arrive in Galway and check in to your hotel and explore this energetic setting. This city has a reputation for artistic creativity and an infectious up-tempo vibe that’s played out in a full calendar of festivals and events. Ask your Travel Expert about festivals or events during the time you will be traveling.
Head to Rossaveal Port, where you will get a ferry to Inishmore, one of the amazing Aran Islands. Once on Inishmore, you will be able to take a tour of the island itself. The island is known for its unique landscape featuring crisscrossed stone walls, and beaches, as well as still maintaining aspects of traditional Irish life. Return back to Galway and ask your Travel Expert for ideas for a fabulous dinner in this city.
See the Connemara region, national park, and explore Kylemore Abbey. This romantic region frozen in time with its old stone walls, ponies, and wild landscape is the very essence of Ireland. Irish language, song, dance, and literature are all to be found in abundance here. You will also have a chance to see the incredible Kylemore Abbey, which is one of the greatest ever testaments to love, which stands in stately elegance.
Arrive in the beautiful small city of Westport, check in to your accommodations, and enjoy this fantastic town.
Have an amazing breakfast and then head through Sligo.
Land and sea meet in a dramatic confluence along the coast of County Sligo. Sligo is a slice of heaven along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Coastal villages like Rosses Point and Easkey are perfect spots to enjoy the characteristic hospitality of this region of Ireland, as well as acting as hubs for any visiting water sport enthusiasts.
Once in Donegal, we would suggest visiting Donegal Castle. Donegal is a small town with a perfect base to explore the wild and inviting north-west.
Ask your Travel Expert for restaurant recommendations.
Have a delightful Irish Fry and then head to Slieve League. Wild, dramatic, majestic-the towering Slieve League Cliffs are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe.
Once you’re finished absorbing the majestic views of Slieve League, we would recommend driving around Glencolumbkille, which is a breathtaking Gaeltacht village that will truly leave you speechless! It’s surrounded by beautiful mountains, lakes, sea cliffs, and beaches.
With a new-found sense of awe, you’re ready to get back onto your Best of Ireland adventure.
Start the day off by heading south to Cavan, a county with a lake for every day of the year. Yes, 365 lakes! Turn back time on a trip to Cavan Burren Park, where you’ll find unique megalithic tombs. Later, we recommend a stop at Cavan County Museum to learn about the history of the county.
Arrive at your luxurious old-world charm accommodations, wander through the magnificent reception rooms and find a quiet corner or a fireside to relax.
After your relaxing morning, travel back to Dublin. Check in to your accommodations and continue exploring this vibrant city. Spend the day exploring the beautiful city of Dublin. We recommend a walk to Grafton Street and Temple Bar, visiting Guinness Brewery, or Jameson Whiskey Distillery. Have dinner in one of the many amazing restaurants Dublin has to offer.
Wake up, enjoy a lovely meal, and head back to the airport. Say slán agat to the Emerald Isle.
Your Best of Ireland tour showcases the beauty of the Emerald Isle during the course of 13 days. You get to see city life, country life, and a picturesque coastline. This tour will give you an in depth experience of the entire country of Ireland. Get to see Ireland’s top destinations as well as immersing yourself in the culture of Ireland.
Starting in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, and then traveling to the southern coast to see Kinsale and Killarney, where you will get to see Charles Fort and Blarney Castle. From there, head north through Galway and Westport, and reach the country of Ireland’s most northernmost point, Donegal. Head back to the city of Dublin to spend your last day learning more about the rich history of the country, and absorbing more of the stunning views.
Ireland’s capital city of Dublin blends modern amenities with charming historic neighborhoods. A flourishing food scene for everyone to enjoy. Explore the iconic sites such as the Guinness Storehouse, the Glasnevin Cemetery, and the Kilmainham Gaol. Enjoy a pint and live music in a pub in the famous Temple Bar neighborhood. Join a tour about the Easter Rising or Ireland’s rich literature, or take a tour of Jameson Whiskey Distillery.
Kilkenny is one of Ireland’s oldest cities, dating as far back as the 6th century. At the heart and soul of medieval Ireland, Kilkenny is famed for its electric atmosphere played out in its maze of narrow Norman alleyways. Twisting and turning around abbeys, cathedrals, and crumbling city walls, there’s even an early 12th-century castle dropped in the middle of it all. It’s surrounded by beautiful gardens that attract artistic locals, giddy kids, and chilled-out tourists on sunny days.
County Kerry is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes Ireland has to offer. The rambling roadways of County Kerry cut through patchwork fields. Drive alongside the dramatic and rocky coastline. It’s home to some of the most striking castle ruins and charming villages Ireland has to offer.
Voted the Cultural Capital of Europe for 2020, Galway has so much to offer its visitors! -Don’t worry, it won that distinction before 2020 began – Perched on the coast of Galway Bay, the city of Galway is a buzzing little town full of pubs, shops, and charm. We recommend strolling down Shop Street, a pedestrian roadway where buskers perform, boutiques entice, and you’ll find the smallest museum in Ireland: the Claddagh Museum. The famous Claddagh design of two hands holding a crowned heart is believed to have been created in Galway, and it’s a great place to purchase a souvenir Claddagh ring to bring home!
Situated at the most northerly point of Ireland, this unique area unites jagged mountain peaks, mellow rivers, rolling fields, and the Atlantic Ocean. The quaint villages and museums in the area provide distinctive cultural experiences for everyone who visits. Donegal is often known as Yeats Country for how much it inspired William Butler Yeats’ work such as The Song of Wandering Aengus.
Your travel expert knows Ireland and will take the time to learn what’s important to you. Your itinerary will be designed just for you, to make the most of your time and experience in the Emerald Isle!
© Copyright 2024 Juniper Tours.
© Copyright 2023 Juniper Tours.
Feel free to contact us anytime!
Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive offers and updates.
We’ll send you our free full color travel guide.
Just fill in the form below
