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 15 or more travelers.
Itinerary at
a Glance
Tour Itinerary:
- 2 nights in Dublin
- 2 nights in Belfast
- 1 night in Derry or Letterkenny
- 2 nights in Galway
- 3 nights in Killarney
- 1 night in Limerick
Tour Highlights
- Dublin City Tour
- Trinity College & Book of Kells
- Hands-on baking bread demonstration at family home
- Titanic Belfast Experience
- Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Walking tour of Derry
- Belleek Pottery
- Irish family farm with sheepdog demonstration
- Cliffs of Moher
- Ring of Kerry and Ladies View
- Dingle Peininsula
- Blarney Castle
- Adare Village
- Medieval Banquet Dinner
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: Level 1
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 combines a deeply rooted history and culture with a vibrant and friendly atmosphere. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive program will be met and transferred to our hotel for an orientation walk before check-in. This evening our tour director hosts a welcome dinner.
Accommodations: Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham Dublin or Mespil Hotel 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 (locally known as Tom and Jerry). We'll visit Trinity College and the Book of Kells* before enjoying the rest of the day at leisure. Dublin is a walkable city and our Tour Director can recommend local parks, pubs, and other sights to explore 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, improving both accessibility and amenities to exhibition visitors.
Meals: Breakfast
En route to Belfast, we'll stop at a hands-on baking demonstration at a family home in County Down. We'll enjoy a warm Irish welcome and a cup of coffee or tea with some homemade sweet treats. Our session starts with a traditional Irish Fruit Soda Cake, a sweet treat made with delicious homemade Irish butter. While our soda cake bakes in the oven, we'll make potato bread, or fadge as it's known in these parts We'll take home a bag filled with our handmade breads and sweet treats and all of the recipes we learned here at this traditional Northern Irish house.
We continue to historic Belfast where our tour continues. We'll see the curious "leaning" Albert Memorial Clock, the Opera Hosue, City Hall, Belfast's legendary pub, the Crown Bar; Queens University, and the Botanic Gardens. We'll also see Belfast's famous "peace wall," where murals illustrate the 30-year conflict called The Troubles. This evening we'll enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Accommodations: Europa Hotel Belfast (2023) or Fitzwilliam Hotel Belfast (2024) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we'll learn more about a catastrophic event that has been captured in film, books, 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 from its sinking to present-day exploration. After our visit, the rest of the day is ours to explore Belfast independently.
Meals: Breakfast
We'll 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. We'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 stroll along wonderfully preserved medieval walls before our dinner together.
Note: 2023 travelers will stay in Derry this evening while 2024 travelers will stay in Letterkenny. No changes have been made to the day's sightseeing.
Accommodations: Everglades Hotel (2023) or Clanree Hotel (2024) or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s journey takes us into County Sligo, where the contrast of calm lakes and rugged uplands inspired Nobel Prize-winning poet W. B. Yeats. We’ll visit the world-famous Belleek Pottery, housed in an imposing Victorian building. Our guided tour here takes us through the production areas where we'll have an opportunity to meet the craftspeople and watch them work on different handmade pieces. We'll continue to Galway, a harbor known for narrow streets, stone-clad buildings, and traditional pubs with live music. We'll 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
Today is ours to explore Galway at our own pace. We may consider a full-day optional tour to the breathtaking and utterly romantic Connemara region, where we'll visit the neo-goth Kylemore Abbey and take a scenic cruise on Killary Fjord to see why Oscar Wilde called the region "A Savage Beauty."
Meals: Breakfast
We'll 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 ours to further explore Killarney independently. This evening, consider our optional Kate Kearney’s Cottage traditional Irish night with dinner.
Meals: Breakfast
Today we'll 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. We'll enjoy some free time in Dingle Town before our scenic drive continues along the Dingle Peninsula, bewitching us with dramatic beauty and brightly painted cottages. We'll return to Killarney late this afternoon with the balance of the day free to relax after our day of touring or explore local shops. Our tour director is happy to offer suggestions for a pub or restaurant for our independent evening meal.
Meals: Breakfast
Our first stop is the 5th-century Blarney Castle, famous for the Blarney Stone which is believed to bestow the "gift of gab" on those who kiss it. Our day continues to the Blarney Woolen Mills (where we can purchase a gorgeous heritage sweater!) and Adare, a picture-perfect village with pretty thatched cottages. We'll enjoy some free time in Adare before we stop for the evening in Limerick, which may have inspired the humorous verses of the same name. Enjoy 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
Instant Savings of up to $400 per person for a handful of spots on select dates. While supplies lasts, ends Sep 29.
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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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 (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern)
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.
Day 2 Morning Tour
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.
Day 4 Afternoon Tour
Hillsborough Castle holds a unique place in the history of Northern Ireland. Wander through 98 acres of beautiful gardens developed from the 1760s onwards, offering a contrast of ornamental grounds, peaceful woodland, meandering waterways, and trimmed lawns. We'll continue to Long Meadow Cider farm which has been owned by the McKeever family for three generations. Through their stewardship, they have focused on Bramley apple production, but each generation of the family has also had a policy of growing a mix of varieties and using different planting processes to further refine the apples they use.
Please note: The Hillsborough Castle is a self-guided garden visit only. The interior castle, gift shop & cafe is closed on Mondays and will not be accessible. This is an opportunity to walk around the gardens at a quiet time.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Day 7 Full-Day Tour
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!
Day 9 Evening Tour
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
The Mespil Hotel is located on the Grand Canal in the heart of Dublin within walking distance to iconic places like St. Stephen's Green, and Merrion Square.
50-60 Mespil Rd, Dublin 4, D04 E7N2, 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
1-3 Great Victoria St,
Belfast BT2 7BQ, UK
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
Derry Road, Bunnagee, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland
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
Anne T
Excellent itinerary. Professional guide who tried very hard to make the journey as memorable as possible. Fantastic driver who navigated the narrow roads with skill.
Christine z
Ireland is amazing! We had a wonderful tour. Smart tours are the way to go. We looked forward to what was planned everyday. Peter, our tour guide was quite a funny character. He always had us laughing. And Bill, our bus driver, made us feel safe especially on rainy windy roads. He always kept the bus washed and sanitized very clean. This was our first smart tour it won’t be our last ! Now we are looking forward to planning our next one!
We hope you fall in love with Ireland as much as we did!
Chris
Steven C
Smart tours is the way to go. As a gay couple, we were unsure of how things would work out. No problems at all. Everyone on our tour was on point and on time. Ireland was beautiful. Our guide Peter did a great job. The days were busy and full of information. We highly recommend Smart Tours.
Heather K
Fabulous experience! Peter and Bill (our bus driver) were both amazing!
For some reason I couldn't upload my photo - and it was a cute one. Let me know if I can send it later when I find out what happened:)
I would definitly go on another tour with Smart Tours.
The people on the tour was great. There was one covid case and it was handled very professionally.
It was a great experience for my first tour.
Heather
Patricia
SmarTours Magical Ireland tour allowed us to see all of Ireland in one trip! We saw all the "must see" locations and I especially loved the local, little known places we visited and experiences, like baking soda bread. Free time was perfect for us to explore and we enjoyed everyone we traveled with! It was a dream trip for my 60th birthday!
Mary M
This was my fourth SmarTours trip in 10 years, and it lived up to my hopes as I traveled with my 17-year-old granddaughter. The itinerary was the best I’ve seen for an escorted tour in Ireland. Our guide, Peter, was very knowledgeable and always managed to keep us ahead of the crowds wherever we went. Our driver, Bill, sanitized the bus frequently and looked out for all of us in addition to being an amazing driver on narrow, challenging roads. The hotels were top of the line, and the balance of touring and free time was just right.
Donald t
Great trip go when you can
Bhupendra V
Overall satisfactory
Mary H
We really enjoyed our time in Ireland. The country as a whole is unbelievably GREEN and WELCOMING! Our guide David was truly warm and informative and his accompanying driver was equally so. We enjoyed our fellow passengers, their diversity and their warmth and we absolutely loved the many places we visited, the fun we had and the variety of welcoming places: museums, sheep farms, bakeries, pubs, cliffs, oceans, etc. Really a wonderful trip. Thank you ....and please let David and Bill know how happy we were with them!
Pat W
This was my first time traveling with SmarTours. I had to make my own air reservations and meet the group in Dublin. All went well. Peter Murphy was an excellent tour guide. Our bus driver Pat went above and beyond to make everyone comfortable and safe. The bus broke down at one point, and Peter and Pat kept everyone safe and worked diligently to get us back to our hotel safely. Kudos to both of them. All in all it was a great tour. The only thing I would change would be the meal on the last night. The event at the council was very mediocre. Way too many people crowded into the space. Everyone in our group pretty much agreed that we would rather have had our last night together with just a group at a really nice restaurant. Other than that, no complaints.
Deborah J
Covered alot of places but trip was well organized. Tour Director had good sense of humor and very informative previous to each of the stops. Bus driver did an amazing job in tight situations and I was impressed by the ability to maneuver the bus. Enjoyed the whole experience.
Helen J
Well pleased with Smartours from beginning to end. Never felt over-pressured. Great staff. The experience of our tour director was top-notch. Never did give us a card or his full name of himself or the great bus driver Bill.
They loved their country and presented it well including the difficulties and controversies all handled with tact and discretion. Yet the love of their Republic of Ireland was strong and proud. We hurt for The Time of Troubles and pray for continued peace.
Judy M
Out Magical tour of Ireland was fantastic. We met a great group of friends, saw many wonderful sights and had such enjoyable experiences. Our favorite sights were the Ring of Kerry, the Titanic museum,and the Kylemore Abbey. The best experiences were the Rathbaun the sheep herder farm, Traceys farmyard Kitchen and walking on the Giant Causeway. The commentary of our guide Peter was very entertaining; his sense of humor along with his anecdotes about Irish history and the Irish people made the trip the very best!
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