Emerald Explorer Ireland 7 Days
7 Days: Galway, Doolin, Dingle & Killarney
Tour overview:
The Emerald Explorer is a 7-day Ireland tour packed with incredible sights and activities. You’ll begin this 7-day tour of Ireland by leaving the busy streets of Dublin for the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way. You will cover over 1,100 km of rugged Irish coastline from Connemara to Kinsale. You will see some major highlights of the Ring of Kerry, such as Moll’s Gap, Ladies’ View, and Killarney National Park. The final stop is the Rock of Cashel. The Rock of Cashel is over 1000 years old. You will take in its medieval round tower, chapel, cathedral, and castle. A truly fantastic end to your trip.
Day 1 - Clonmacnoise To Galway
Your Emerald Explorer guided Irish tour will leave Dublin for the beautiful architecture and natural surroundings of the 6th-century monastery at Clonmacnoise, located on the banks of the River Shannon. The monastery was a centre of excellence for learning and scholars; it created the finest Celtic art and illuminated manuscripts for over 600 years. With a whetted appetite, your small group tour will cross the country and venture west to Galway City. Arrive in the bohemian and culturally diverse Galway City. Here you will be greeted by a local guide to bring you through a Walkin’- Talkin’ – Tastin’ tour of the city where you will taste traditional Irish cuisine, tour an Irish distillery, and finish off with a local dessert! After discovering the local favourites you will have time to explore Galway and its many quaint shops. Tonight, you spend the night in The City of the Tribes and will certainly enjoy the eclectic nightlife, award-winning restaurants and even the odd street performer entertaining you with Irish music and dance.
Total driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Day 2 - The Full Connemara Experience
Wake up this morning in Galway City! It’s time to explore the dramatic Connemara region! Our journey to the Galway Gaeltacht (Gaelic-speaking area) will take us past Ireland’s biggest lake Lough Corrib and a memorable stop at Aughnanure Castle. A tour of Kylmore Abbey and Gardens, located on a 1000-acre estate overlooking Kylemore Lake and the majestic Connemara National Park awaits.Leenaun is our next stop for lunch and one of the best photo opportunities on tour at Ireland’s only fjord! The sights are breathtaking – INSTAperfection! Your exciting loop back to Galway City will take you to Cong Village – The film set of the famous ‘Quiet Man’ movie starring the one and only John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. You will have plenty to chat about over dinner and drinks tonight in bustling Galway!
Total driving time: 3 hours, excluding stops
Day 3 - Galway To Cliffs Of Mother
Goodbye Galway – Hello County Clare!
Today we will take you for a traditional ‘Irish Farm Safari’ with our friends at the Burren Farm Experience. Bronagh and Cathal will take you on a stroll around the distinctive UNESCO landscape to taste, feel and walk your way through this 500-acre farm. It is fascinating to see how farming thrives in this harsh stony landscape. They will share their 200-year family history in the Burren.Experience the diverse flora and fauna of The Burren National Park en route to the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World – The Cliffs of Moher!’ Here we will take a short leisurely hike along the cliffs and discover what all the hype is about! The Cliffs of Moher never disappoint.The hometown of traditional Irish music, Doolin will embrace you with open arms this evening and entertain you with toe-tapping tunes and craic (fun)!
Total driving time: 2 Hours 15 minutes, excluding stops
Day 4 - Doolin To Dingle
This morning we will cross the River Shannon to leave the west behind. Onward bound for the Kingdom of Kerry and County Cork.Bridget, our beloved Kerry Farmer will win your hearts with her incredible sheepdog show in Tralee. You will be truly amazed watching the skills of Bridget and her furry friends round up the sheep! This is one of our guests’ favourite experiences on tour! A real insight into Irish traditions! Smile your way all the way to your next destination – Dingle. Finish the perfect day with the Dingle Distillery Tour. Learn all about the history of Irish Whiskey and even have a sneaky taste of the goodies! Sláinte – Cheers! The evening is yours to absorb the lively atmosphere in Dingle’s famous quirky pubs and many award-winning restaurants! Why not sit in Foxy John’s hardware store, order yourself a drink, and strike up a conversation with a colourful local!
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Day 5 - Dingle Peninsula
At last a bit of free time! Relax this morning in Dingle and explore the wonderful craft, crystal, pottery, art and boutique shops. Grab a coffee and a slice of cake and watch the world go by! If you feel like stretching your legs, your guide will take you out on a stroll to Eask Tower View for beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and Dingle Bay. After lunch, your expert Overland guide will take you on an impressive trip along one of Ireland’s most scenic roads – The Slea Head Drive. If you are lucky enough, you might get to meet and pet a couple of our local fluffy friends…baby lambs! You are guaranteed awesome views and photo opportunities around every corner of this scenic route. You will spend another night in the buzzing town of Dingle, so you don’t need to repack your suitcase. Just relax and enjoy. Maybe tonight you can grab some fish and chips and eat al fresco on the pier!
Total driving time: 1 Hour 30 minutes, excluding stops
Day 6 - Killarney National Park To Kinsale
Say a fond farewell to Dingle and journey towards Killarney National Park.Take in the views of Killarney Lakes and stretch your legs making your way to Muckross House. This 19th-century home is full of Kerry history and a wonderful viewpoint to enjoy the park. We have taken the liberty of planning an early arrival in the loveliest harbour town in Ireland – Kinsale. We want you to fully enjoy wandering around the colourful streets, popping in and out of their wonderful craft shops and indulging in a meal at their many celebrated restaurants.The town has a great tradition of poetry, silver, gold and glassware manufacturing which can be seen throughout its local shops and galleries.
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Day 7 - Kiss The Blarney Stone
Wake up and meet our local guide Barry who will take you through the streets of Kinsale for a fascinating historical walking tour! Before leaving Cork – which is often referred to as Ireland’s REAL capital – we will bring you to Blarney Castle and Gardens. Nobody should leave Ireland without giving the Blarney stone a big fat kiss! Kissing the Blarney Stone is said to give the kisser the treasured “gift of the gab”. You can let us know if it works! Our final stop is the Rock of Cashel. The Rock of Cashel is over 1000 years old. You will take in its medieval round tower, chapel, cathedral, and castle. A truly fantastic end to your trip. Our guides will journey back with you to our bustling capital city, Dublin, where you’ll be armed with great recommendations of things to see and do if you have a little time left. Perhaps this is just the perfect opportunity to sit back and reminisce about the incredible tour of Ireland you’ve just experienced!
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes
NOTE: Due to our tours’ off-the-beaten-path locations, the size of our vehicles, and the fact that we cannot guarantee that all accommodation partners have ramps/elevators, unfortunately, our tours are not wheelchair accessible.