DUBLIN, BELFAST, DERRY, GALWAY, CLIFFS OF MOHER, KILLARNEY AND DINGLE PENINSULA
Get ready for plenty of craic (fun) on this expansive Ireland escorted tour, as we ramble from Dublin to Northern Ireland, then along the Wild Atlantic Way to the Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula. The Irish are renowned storytellers, and our smarTours® guides do justice to the tradition by illuminating Ireland’s fascinating history for you, plus keep you laughing with anecdotes and tall tales from the mists of time. They’ll also point the way to pubs that pull the perfect pint and showcase Ireland’s spirited trad music. Ireland’s scenery is pure poetry, and you’ll be mesmerized by the Giant’s Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, ancient castles, and more on this magical trip.
Did you know you can make this tour private? Find out about pricing and options
for groups of 10 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
Tour Itinerary:
- 2 nights in Dublin
- 2 nights in Belfast
- 1 night in Derry
- 2 nights in Galway
- 3 nights in Killarney
- 1 night in Limerick
Tour Highlights
- Merrion Square (Dublin)
- Trinity College & Book of Kells
- Christchurch Cathedral (Dublin)
- Titanic Belfast Experience
- Giant’s Causeway (Antrim)
- Wild Atlantic Way
- Cliffs of Moher (Clare)
- Ring of Kerry
- Dingle Peninsula (Kerry)
- Blarney Castle
- Medieval Castle Banquet
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from the New York area (varies by departure) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Airfare taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Ground transportation in air-conditioned motor coach
- Accommodations at first-class hotels
- 17 meals: 11 buffet breakfasts (B) and 6 dinners (D)
- Farewell medieval banquet dinner at Bunratty Castle or Knappogue Castle with wine
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours including admission fees as indicated in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking Tour Director throughout
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
Activity Level: Recreational
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 3 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day) on easy terrain with some light stairs. Learn More
Pacing Level: Balanced
Expect either half-day or full-day tours most days with a free day or free half-day to explore independently in most cities. There may be a few early mornings or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 3+ nights. Learn More
No Additional Entry Requirements for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. Currently, there are no additional entry requirements for U.S. passport holders, but this can change at any time. Before travel, both U.S. and non-U.S. passport holders should visit our Passports & Visas page to reconfirm entry requirements.
The walk to Giants Causeway from the Visitor Centre is downhill on the way there and uphill on the way back (approx 15-20 minutes each way). There is a shuttle bus available which can be paid for locally. At the Cliffs of Moher, there are uneven paths along the cliffs. The main section and visitor centre are accessible. On the Derry Walls walking tour travelers will encounter some cobblestones and uneven surfaces.
There are a handful of days that require 4-6 hours of travel by driving. It is scenic drives with sightseeing stops along the way.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit
our Before You Depart section.
Click the Day by Day itinerary above (or swipe on mobile devices) to see the experiences that await on each day of your tour.
Passengers who purchase flights will depart 1 day before the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.
For flight details, see Before You Depart.
Welcome to Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. This city is deeply rooted in history and culture with a vibrant atmosphere. This afternoon, get familiar with your hotel and neighborhood with an orientation walk before hotel check-in. Join your Tour Director this evening for a welcome dinner and orientation.
Accommodations: Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin or similar
Meals: Dinner
Good morning, Dublin! Our guided exploration of this charming city features diverse experiences. First, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin. Our first stop is the magnificent Christchurch Cathedral and its medieval crypt which houses, among other things, Ireland’s first copy of the Magna Carta and a mummified cat and rat (known locally as Tom and Jerry). Visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells.* The rest of the day is at leisure. As Dublin's a walkable city, our Tour Director can direct you to local parks, pubs, and other sights to check out during our free time or consider joining our optional distillery tour of the Guinness Storehouse.
*Towards the end of 2023, the current visitor entrance in the Old Library will be relocated to a new entrance and exit via the new Visitor Centre in the Berkeley Podium which is located adjacent to the Berkeley Library. The new Visitor Centre will improve both accessibility and amenities to exhibition visitors.
Meals: Breakfast
Today we head to Belfast. Enjoy a hands-on baking demonstration with breads and sweet treats at a family home in County Down. Upon arrival, you will be offered a warm Irish welcome and a cup of coffee or tea and some homemade sweet treats. The session starts with a traditional Irish Fruit Soda Cake. This is a sweet treat and delicious with lots of homemade Irish butter. While the Fruit Soda Cake is baking in the stove oven, you will make some potato bread, or fadge as it's known in these parts, and Soda Bread. You will take home a bag filled with your handmade products and all of the recipes that we made here in a traditional Northern Irish house. Later, we arrive in historic Belfast. Highlights of your guided tour include the curious “leaning” Albert Memorial Clock, the Opera House, City Hall, Belfast’s legendary pub (Crown Bar), Queens University and the Botanic Gardens. We’ll also see Belfast’s most famous “peace wall,” where murals illustrate the 30-year conflict called The Troubles. Dinner tonight is included at your hotel.
Accommodations: Europa Hotel Belfast or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we’ll learn more about a catastrophic event that has been captured in film, book, and television at the Titanic Belfast Experience. This must-see attraction uses special effects, full-scale reconstructions, and interactive features to bring the story of the ill-fated Titanic alive in a compelling way—from its sinking to present-day exploration. After our visit, the balance of the day is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
We enter Game of Thrones territory today as we travel along the remote North Antrim Coast. Our destination: The Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and geological wonder. You’ll learn all about the myths, legends, history and geology of this amazing phenomenon before we continue to the picturesque port town of Derry. We’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of Derry’s highlights and get the chance to stroll along wonderfully preserved medieval walls before dinner together.
Accommodations: Everglades Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s journey takes us into County Sligo, where the contrast of still lakes and rugged uplands inspired Nobel Prize-winning poet W. B. Yeats. County Sligo is also home to the largest, oldest collection of Neolithic stone circles and dolmens, and we’ll stop to see these awesome Stone Age monuments at Carrowmore when it is open (closed Nov-Mar). Alternatively, we’ll visit the world-famous Belleek Pottery, housed in an imposing Victorian building. Our destination tonight is Galway, a harbor known for narrow streets, stone-clad buildings, and traditional pubs with live music. Maybe you’ll hear the popular song “The Galway Girl”! Enjoy an orientation tour of the city with a local guide and this evening we'll enjoy dinner together.
Accommodations: Clayton Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Explore Galway at your leisure or take our recommendation and spend a full day in the breathtaking, utterly romantic Connemara region, where we’ll visit the neo-goth Kylemore Abbey and take a scenic cruise on Killary Fjord. Read more about it under optional tours, and you’ll see why Oscar Wilde called the region “A Savage Beauty.” This evening, return to Galway.
Meals: Breakfast
Start the day with a visit to Rathbaun Farm to see a sheepdog herding demonstration and enjoy freshly baked scones. Our travels continue through The Burren, a unique limestone landscape that will make us feel like we've landed on the moon, and along the Wild Atlantic Way to Ireland’s most iconic sight, the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Standing 702 feet above the ground at their highest point, the cliffs boast magnificent views of the Atlantic coast and provide nesting sites for thousands of seabirds. On a clear day, you can see the Aran Islands. Later, we’ll take the Shannon Ferry over to County Kerry and proceed to the lovely town of Killarney. Dinner tonight is included at your hotel.
Accommodations: Randles Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Killarney is a great base for our expeditions in County Kerry over the next two days. Today we’ll take the Ring of Kerry route, stopping for panoramic views at Molls Gap and Ladies View. We’ll enjoy free time in the picturesque heritage town of Kenmare, which is set on the Ring of Kerry and known for its natural beauty, gourmet dining and interesting craft shops. The afternoon is free to further explore Killarney. You won’t want to miss tonight’s optional Kate Kearney’s Cottage traditional Irish night with dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Today we explore the Dingle Peninsula, quite possibly one of the most breathtaking spots in the world. Here, the Irish language and traditional ways are preserved, and we’ll enjoy a step back in time as we see mountains, beaches, dunes and the fishing village of Dingle. Enjoy some free time in Dingle Town. Our scenic drive continues along the Dingle Peninsula, bewitching us with dramatic beauty and brightly painted cottages. After returning to Killarney in late afternoon, your Tour Director will offer suggestions for a pub or restaurant for your evening meal.
Meals: Breakfast
Let’s capture a few castles today! Our first is the 5th-century Blarney Castle. Its famous Blarney stone is believed to bestow the “gift of gab” on those who kiss it. We’ll certainly be chatting up a storm as we continue our day with visits to the Blarney Woolen Mills (where you can purchase one of those gorgeous heritage sweaters!) and Adare, a picture-perfect village with pretty thatched cottages. Enjoy some free time to explore Adare before stopping for the night in Limerick, which may have inspired the humorous verses of the same name. We spend our last evening together in medieval style with a farewell dinner at Bunratty Castle or Knappogue Castle. Featuring a piper in full regalia, grand period ambiance and even goblets of mead, this candlelit feast with wine and entertainment is a fitting conclusion to our magical time in Ireland.
Accommodations: The George Hotel Limerick or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive program will transfer to the airport early this morning for our return flight to the U.S., touching down later today.
Meals: Breakfast
Book by Mar. 31, 2023 to get the best price.
Prices listed as “with flights” below include
round-trip airfare from one or more airports
in the USA.
Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only,
and arrange their own arrival in destination.
Please note this may change your tour start date.
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* Departures designated as "Guaranteed" may be canceled or rescheduled only
under Extraordinary Circumstances, for example in situations deemed to be unsafe
or nonviable due to local conditions. See Terms
& Conditions for full details.
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a
date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please
contact us here
or call us during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:00am - 5:30pm EST)
at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone
(1.800.337.7773)
and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable,
non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the
time of reservation.
Deposits are $300 per person.
Full payment is due 120 days prior to departure.
Space and prices subject to availability.
Please see the
smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete
booking information.
Optional Tours
Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours.
Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book
when you reserve your trip and can be added to your
reservation up to final payment. This is the best option
to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour!
Optional tours require a minimum number of participants.
Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and
may cost extra. The payment methods and currency
information to purchase tours in-destination will be
provided on final documentation.
The Guinness Brewery in Dublin is Europe's largest stout-producing brewery and is home to the Guinness Storehouse. Opened in 1904, The Storehouse was an operational plant for fermenting and storing Guinness. Today, it houses an exhibition dedicated to the Guinness story. Visitors will discover what goes into the making of a pint of Guinness from the ingredients, the brewing process, the time, the craft, and the passion. The exhibition shows how the brew has been marketed and how it is sold today in over 150 countries. Once the tour has concluded, our group is invited to stay at the Gravity Bar where we can enjoy a pint of Guinness.
MUST BE PRE-BOOKED!
This tour must be pre-booked prior to final payment as
it is not available to book in-destination.
We highly recommend this optional full-day excursion to the wild, romantic Connemara Region, where you’ll see emerald lakes, rivers, bogs, and mountains, small villages where Gaelic is still spoken, and the neo-gothic Kylemore Abbey before taking a scenic cruise on Killary, a calm nine-mile-long fjord with gorgeous scenery. At Kylemore Abbey, you’ll have time to wander both the mansion and the lovely Victorian walled gardens. Then, enjoy a scenic cruise of Killary.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Enjoy a night of trad music, high-stepping dance and great food at Kate Kearney’s Cottage, a 150-year-old family-run pub and restaurant. The musicians will introduce you to some of their unique instruments while dancers will be glad to teach you a few basic steps, so you can join in an Irish jig or hornpipe. Your toes will be tapping, and your hands will be clapping during this fun night! Transfer from and back to your hotel is included.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Featured Accommodations
This Dublin hotel is located in a historic building at the heart of Dublin surrounded by the main shopping area in Grafton Street and Henry Street, and iconic places like Croke Park and Temple Bar.
23 O'Connell Street Upper, North City, Dublin, D01 C3W7, Ireland
Website
This hotel's prime location is a short distance from the Grand Opera House, Titanic Belfast, Waterfront Hall, and Ulster Museum.
Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7AP, United Kingdom
Website
The perfect location from which to explore the "Wild Atlantic Way" and more local attractions like the Tower Museum, Millennium Forum Theatre & Conference Center, Guild Hall within walking distance.
Prehen Rd, Derry, Londonderry BT47 2NH, United Kingdom
Website
Luxury four-star hotel with contemporary style, located just minutes from Galway city.
Monivea Road, Ballybrit, Galway, Ireland
Website
Four-star accommodations and spa at a family-owned hotel, just a five-minute walk to Killarney town center.
Muchross Road, Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Website
The George Hotel Limerick is a modern hotel in Limerick's city center.
Shannon St, Limerick, Ireland
Website
Nancy G
Our Magical Ireland tour was truly magical! We saw so many amazing hot spots including the Titanic Experience in Belfast and the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin. Our tour guide, Peter Murphy and our driver, Pat Cole really made the whole trip outstanding. They shared so many jewels of life experiences in Ireland that we felt immersed in the culture. Our visits to the Giant's Causeway, Cliffs of Mohr and the Dingle Peninsula were breathtaking. From kissing the Blarney Stone in the Blarney Castle and eating a medieval dinner with Irish music we truly lived an Irish experience. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. We highly recommend this tour and felt it was of the highest quality for an amazing value!
Gary & Nancy
Christine L
The first of September I went on the Magical Ireland tour, It was amazing. Peter Murphy was our guide and our "steerologist" was Pat. Both are gentlemen and great historians. Ireland is incredible and it was great to share the trip with good people and lots of laughs.
Carmen T
We were delighted with Ireland. Peter, our guide, helped us all to learn lots and lots of the country, including Northern Ireland. This is not only a beautiful country, its history is everywhere a person visits-from the Mounds of pre-history to the murals of Belfast to the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. The UNESCO sites visited are truly breathtaking. The Irish people are so friendly and accommodating. This was a wonderful trip--lots of bang for the buck. Also, a person meets the nicest people on a smarTours trip!!
Ida E
Our Magical Ireland Tour, was just that; magical!
When we stepped into the airport our guide, Billy Murray was right there to greet us and get us moved on to the hotel. The driver we had was absolutely the best, he managed to make me relax and feel perfectly safe the whole time, even on those narrow Irish Country roads.
The sites we visited were a perfect selection to get the feel of Ireland overall. The icing on the cake was the colorful and historic stories passed on by our guide. He really knows his information and was a great communicator, with an abundance of firsthand knowledge to share, as well as, answering all of our questions. One of my favorite parts of the tour was visiting the shipyard/museum in Belfast where the Titanic was built and launched, breathtaking displays! I was a little sad that we were not able to see a few small things due to rain, but that's Ireland. I say, bring an umbrella, pack a light rain jacket and join the next tour!
Terri S
Smartours is an excellent company to travel with. I cannot express how much fun we had. The tour director Peter Murphy was exceptional as well as our driver Pat. The accommodations were extremely nice. This is our second tour with them and I would highly recommend them to everyone.
Karissa S
Extensive tour of the country. Great value for the money. Way more than I expected! The tour guide was wonderful!
Susan G
The trip of a lifetime. Never waited in a line. Exceptional hotels. Enough free time to explore on our own. Outstanding organized tours, too. I would not change a thing.
GARY
Great tour seeing many places and the past history of Ireland.
Carolyn L
The value for the money was quite good.
Patricia R
Excellent experience exploring Ireland for the first time!
Kathleen B
Location, location, location!!! This tour hits all the best sites in Ireland. Our tour guide and driver, Peter Murphy and Patrick Curran made this tour one I will never forget! Fun and informative without a doubt but also kind, caring and helpful. Truly these two made our family trip to Ireland one we will treasure forever. Thank you Peter and Patrick! You are both FAN-DABBY-DOZY!!! 💚🇮🇪🍀💚
Dorothea M
The assortment of Irish towns and cultural attractions was superb. Excellent value.
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