Grand Tour of IRELAND 2023

Enjoy a wonderful 13 Day tour of Ireland including Belfast, the Causeway Coast, Bundoran, Westport, Connemara, Galway and the West Coast, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry, Bantry Bay, Waterford and Dublin. It’s guaranteed, you’ll return home with memories that will last a lifetime.
Perched on the northwest tip of Europe, Ireland is the one place in the world where even time getting lost will be worthwhile. With ancient myths and legends to uncover, amazing landscapes to explore and locals who will be more than happy to reveal local hidden gems, just go where this Emerald Isle takes you.
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The Causeway Coastal Route transports you along a stunning coastline, past spectacular scenery, windswept cliffs and unspoilt beaches. It is a coastline sprinkled with historic castles, churches and forts as well as world class attractions like the UNESCO World heritage site at the Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Torr Head, Dark Hedges and the famous Bushmills Distillery.
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The Wild Atlantic Way is a world-famous coastal route that spans seven of Ireland’s counties, taking in some breathtaking scenery along the way. You’ll drive routes that ring great peninsulas reaching out into the ocean. Ireland’s west coast offers some of the world’s most spectacular scenery from the soaring Cliffs of Moher and the unique ‘lunar’ landscape of The Burren to wide, almost deserted sandy beaches and picturesque seaside villages such as Ballyvaughan and Quilty. This driving route offers superb views of the Atlantic Ocean in all its widely ranging moods; from raging torrential storms to calm, emerald seas.

Look What’s Included

• Return Stena Line Ferry from Holyhead to Dublin
• 3 Nights at the Waterfoot Hotel, Londonderry
• 1 Night at the Allingham Arms Hotel, Bundoran
• 1 Night at the Westport Woods Hotel, Westport
• 2 Nights at the Ardilaun Hotel, Galway
• 2 Nights at the Randles Hotel, Killarney
• 1 Night at the Kingsley Hotel, Cork
• 1 Night at the Marina Hotel, Waterford
• 1 Night at the Sandymount Hotel, Dublin
• Irish Breakfast each morning & Dinners as meal basis below
• Detailed Road-book featuring Maps, Great Drives & Local Attractions
• Commemorative Tour Rally plate
• Car Parking at all of the hotels – charges may apply at some hotels

Grand Tour of Ireland
Itinerary

The day at leisure to drive to your chosen port of departure for the crossing to Ireland.
followed by the drive to Carrickfergus & your hotel for a welcome dinner

Mileages from the Port to Hotel
Rosslare – 230 miles / Dublin – 165 miles
Belfast – 185 miles

Day 2

Belfast & The Causeway Coast
The morning is at leisure to explore Belfast where attractions include: the Titanic Experience, Stormont Castle, Crumlin Road Gaol and Ulster Museum before heading north on the Causeway Coastal Route to Coleraine. You will take in all the sights en route including Torr Road, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Ballycastle.
Mileage approx. 90 miles

Day 3

Ireland’s Causeway Coast

The full day at leisure on the Causeway Coast to explore more of the local attractions including: Dunluce Castle, Dark Hedges, Downhill Demense, Musselburgh Temple and the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Giant’s Causeway.

Day 4

Coleraine to Donegal

Today, we head south west from the Causeway Coast to the Wild Atlantic Way. The scenic route follows the coastal road via Malin Head, Letterkenny, Dunfanaghy, Dungloe and Killybegs. Arrival in Donegal and your hotel, with dinner included.

Day 5

Bundoran to Westport

Departing Bundoran you have the choice of taking the direct or scenic route to Westport. The direct route is via Sligo, Tobercurry, Charlestown and Castlebar, whilst the scenic route takes you via Ballina and the Ballcroy National Park. Arrival at your hotel should be mid/late afternoon, with dinner included.

Day 6

Westport to Galway

Today, you’ll head into the Connemara region. With its mountains and national park, it is said to be one of the last unspoilt areas in Ireland. The route takes you via Clifden, the most westerly point in Connemara before making your way to Galway and your hotel, where you’ll spend the next two nights. Dinner is included on the first night.

Mileage approx. 90 miles
Mileage approx. 125 miles
Mileage approx. 190 miles

Day 7

At Leisure in Galway

Enjoy the sights and attractions of the city or take an excursion to the Aran Islands. The Aran Islands offer a thoroughly Irish experience with its Gaelic speaking locals and historically significant Celtic sites including Dun Aonghasa. Ferries operate to the Islands from Rossaveal in Co Galway. Tonight, you are at leisure to explore the bars and restaurants in Galway.

Day 8

Galway to Killarney

Departing the hotel and Galway after breakfast, your journey today takes you south via the Burren National Park, Lisdoonvarna, the Cliff of Moher, Doolin and Lahinch. You will then make your way inland via Ennis, Limerick and Adare en route to Killarney where you’ll enjoy a two night stay at the Randles Hotel where dinner is included on the 1st night.

Mileage approx. 160 miles.

Day 9

The Day at Leisure in Killarney
Enjoy the delightful town of Killarney or, explore the Dingle Peninsula, one of the five southern peninsulas of the Wild Atlantic Way. The peninsula is 10 miles wide and runs for 40 miles and should be driven in a clockwise direction. This evening you are free to make your own arrangements in Killarney for dinner.
Mileage approx. 115 miles

Day 10

Killarney to Rosscarbery via the Ring of Kerry

Today, you’ll enjoy the scenic drive round the famous Ring of Kerry. Your route takes you anti-clockwise via Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville and Kenmare before heading south on the Wild Atlantic Way through West Cork via Glengarriff, Bantry Bay and Skibbereen with arrival at the hotel late afternoon. After check-in and some time at leisure to freshen up dinner is included at the Celtic Ross Hotel.

Mileage approx. 145 miles

Day 11

Rosscarbery to Waterford

Your route today takes you to the famous Blarney Castle and Blarney Woollen Mills, through Cork and Midleton, where you can visit Jameson’s Whiskey Centre. Then you will continue to Waterford where you’ll stay at the Waterford Marina Hotel with dinner included.

Mileage approx. 210 miles.

Day 12

Waterford to Dublin

Today, you can either take the direct route to Dublin or take the ferry to County Wexford (approx. €8) and drive to Dublin via the scenic route over the Wicklow Mountains. Your stay tonight is at the excellent Sandymount Hotel with the evening is at leisure to explore Dublin’s many pubs, restaurants and attractions.

Mileages – Direct route approx. 100 miles
via Wicklow Mountains approx. 120 miles

Day 13

After breakfast enjoy a morning at leisure in Dublin before making your way to Dublin Port ready to board your ferry back to Holyhead.
Mileages from the Hotel to the Port
Dublin approx 5 miles / Rosslare approx. 95 miles
Belfast approx. 105 miles