8 day tour taking you through the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Explore the rugged west and south coasts of Ireland at your leisure. Upgrade to luxury 4 and 5 star accommodation in our premium tour.
Book by 15th December 2024*
*CIE tours and Knitting tours not included.
8 day tour taking you through the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Explore the rugged west and south coasts of Ireland at your leisure. Upgrade to luxury 4 and 5 star accommodation in our premium tour.
Day 1: Head to Adare which acts as your base and allows you to explore Limerick and its surrounds. Adare is a splendid location with its old world thatched cottages & medieaval churches. Attractions in the area include King John's Castle, Adare Heritage Centre, Croom Mills, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Celtic Park Gardens and the Hunt Museum with its internationally acclaimed treasures.
Day 2: After bidding a fond farewell to Limerick you continue to head south west to Killarney, famed for the splendour of its scenery and celebrated for its lakes and mountains. Killarney is one of the world's best-loved tourist spots. Be sure to visit Muckross House, Killarney National Park, Ross Castle or play golf at one of Killarney Golf & Fishing Clubs 2 Championship courses.
Day 3: Your second day in the Killarney area can be used to make a day trip on a circuit of the Iveragh peninsula, known around the world as "The Ring of Kerry ", where the winding roads lead you between the Atlantic coastline and the highest mountains in Ireland. Alternatively visit the wild splendor of the Dingle peninsula made famous by the Oscar Award winning David Lean film "Ryan's Daughter" starring Robert Mitchum and John Mills.
Day 4: Travelling along the coast you will pass through many beautiful seaside towns such as Castletownsend, Rosscarbery, Inchydoney, Courtmacsherry and Garrettstown before your arrival in the Gourmet Capital of Ireland - Kinsale, which offers plenty choice for gourmets including specialist shops and a wine museum. Charles Fort in Kinsale is not to be missed located about 2 miles from the town centre.
Day 5: Visit Cork City just thirty minutes from Kinsale and enjoy some shopping time and visit the sights of the city such as the old city jail tour and the impressive gothic style architecture of St. Finbarre's Cathedral. Blarney Castle is only another fifteen minutes away if you feel the need to kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the "gift of the gab" (the ability all of us Irish possess to speak at length on any subject under the sun!) or if you need to stock up on Irish goods and souvenirs at the Blarney Woollen Mills.
Day 6: Depart Ireland's largest county and head on to neighbouring Waterford passing through the town of Youghal where John Huston's film version of "Moby Dick" was filmed. Waterford is home to the world famous Waterford Crystal Factory and even if you don't want to purchase any of the product, the factory tour is well worth taking for a fascinating insight into how crystal is made. Waterford is an ancient city being very important from Viking times.
The Vikings first came raiding in 852 A.D. and later made Waterford an important trading post. It is also well worth taking some time to visit Reginalds Tower and the Waterford Treasures museum at The Granary in the heart of the city, which has a wealth of information about the history of the city.
Day 7: Leave Waterford and head north towards Dublin. Take a tour of Dublin's city center on foot or use one of the many guided "hop on, hop off" bus tours. Have a meal in one of Dublin's many fine restaurants catering to just about every taste and budget and enjoy a last night drink in one of the many famous Dublin pubs.
Day 8: Time to head back home with a suitcase full of souvenirs and a head full of priceless memories from your vacation in Ireland.
Our Irish South coast self drive vacation in Ireland is ideal for your Ireland Honeymoon , talk to one of our vacation specialists for more information. Alternatively if you are looking for guided tours - contact us and find out about our group tours to Ireland , escorted bus tours Ireland and Ireland tours with private driver.
Lodging included on this Ireland Self Drive tour:
To book or customize this tour please call us in Ireland Toll free from the USA on 1 800 963 9260 or complete our short enquiry form
Rental of a economy-size car. Included with your car is 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.
Prices are per person based on 2 persons in each room with full Irish breakfast and taxes included. A single supplement will apply to rooms and car rental in the case of single occupancy.
Please note that we charge in Euros (€). Prices in other currencies are for indication only and subject to fluctuation.