Journey through Southern Ireland | Yampu Tours

Custom Travel Experiences Since 1998

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Journey through Southern Ireland

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PRIVATE TOUR - 13 DAY SAMPLE ITINERARY

FROM £$ 10126

Private Tour Highlights

  • Stop off in Midleton for a walk through the beautifully restored Jameson Midleton Distillery and walk through its mills, malting, still house, warehouses and kilns.
  • Experience the best that the Wild Atlantic Way has to offer and explore several charming villages along the route before joining a boat tour to the Skellig Islands.
  • Explore the shipyard, walk the decks, travel to the depths of the ocean and uncover the true legend of the Titanic in a brand-new, permanent exhibit in Cobh.
  • Make a visit to the famous Blarney Castle where legend has it, if you kiss the stone you will be bestowed the gift of gab and you'll never again be lost for words.
  • On the way to Galway, take some time to soak in the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean while at the jaw dropping Cliffs of Moher.
  • Learn why Kilkenny is so often referred to as the Medieval Capital of Ireland by visiting Kilkenny Castle.
Interested in this tour?   Let us build you a customized quote based on your budget.

Tour Overview

Experience the essential must-sees of the emerald isle with a two-week Journey through Southern Ireland. 

Upon landing in the charming capital city of South Ireland, visitors will head south to County Kilkenny, where modern city life meets medieval history. After touring the lush Irish Gardens and enjoying a pint (or two) at Smithwicks Brewery, the tour takes to the famous Blarney Castle where rumor has it,  those who kiss the famous Blarney Stone will receive the gift of eloquence. Visitors will be able to put their new gift of gab to the test with a visit to Jameson Midleton Distillery for a journey through the story of Irish whiskey.

The tour then continues to the Pacific coast to catch the view of the spectacular Cliffs of Moher while making stops in between to witness the mysterious Kellig Islands, ancient castles, and stunning coastline. After several days of stunning coastal views, visitors will cap the journey off with a visit to County Kildare in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East by traveling through the Connemara region’s magnificent wilderness, populated mainly by sheep and dotted with hundreds of small lakes.

 

Note: All Ireland and Scotland tours include a private driver/guide throughout the itineraries. Self-drive experiences can also be arranged at a lesser cost. Please ask a Yampu Travel Expert for more information. 

Inclusions
Price includes domestic and regional flights within the itinerary; all hotel accommodations including daily continental or buffet breakfast and daily city tax; all transfers between airports and hotels with assistance and baggage handling; guided tours in English including entrance fees. Prices include a chauffeur-driven private vehicle on the dates specified. Please ask your Yampu Tour Consultant about our self-drive options at a reduced cost.

Exclusions

International airfare (unless specifically included), airport departure taxes that must be paid on-site, gratuities, meals not mentioned, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages with meals, early / late check-out, room service, visa fees/services, and other personal items or services not mentioned.

Best Time to Travel
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Best Good Consult

Package Price: From £$ 10126

Prices shown above are per person. Hotel categories do not adhere strictly to international ratings; Yampu has evaluated the hotels according to destination and availability. Prices include local airfare (where applicable), hotel accommodation including daily breakfast; all transfers with baggage handling, all guided tours in English and all entrance fees.

Please note that prices are subject to change based on availability and seasonality, especially during the holiday season from December 20th through January 5th each year. Please contact a Yampu Travel Specialist for more information on best times to travel.

Trip Type:

All our trips are operated on a private basis unless specified otherwise. This is only a sample itinerary; your Yampu Tour Consultant will personalize this trip for you according to your available dates, interests and type of hotels. This is your trip and we will work on making it perfect!

Tour Itinerary

Day
1

Overnight International Flight to Dublin

Today you will make your own way to the airport where you will check into your international, overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland.

Today you will make your own way to the airport where you will check into your international, overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland.

Day
2

The Garden of Ireland

Upon arrival to Dublin, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Kilkenny. From your arrival until day 13, you will enjoy a private driver/guide in a comfortable Sedan.

Travel to county Wicklow, a few miles south of Dublin and popularly known as the Garden of Ireland. Visit the popular Powerscourt Gardens, dating from 1731. Nestled in the Wicklow landscape, the estate features Walled Gardens, an Italian Garden, Japanese Gardens, The Dolphin Pond, Pets' Cemetery and Pepperpot Tower. Continue to the Medieval Capital of Ireland - Kilkenny. You may be wondering why Kilkenny is so often referred to as the Medieval Capital of Ireland but visiting Kilkenny Castle you will know why. Dating back to the 18th Century this intricate structure boasts a variety of contrasting styles of architecture.
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Day
3

Smithwicks Brewery & Kilkenny Castle - Waterford

Smithwicks read more...

Smithwicks Brewery Kilkenny invites visitors to see the working factory of this most famous ale. Smithwicks trade secrets have been passed down over 300 years, originating with John Smithwick. His is an inspirational story, fraught with hardship, courage and an unwavering determination. Also included in the tour is a visit to St. Francis Abbey, which dates back to the 12th Century and can be found on the same site as the brewery.
Join the town of Kilkenny to visit Kilkenny castle. Residence and seat of the powerful Butler family since 1391, it has a large rose garden, all with 20 hectares of charming land. The estate overlooks the Nore River as well as large trees and shrubs and an ornamental lake among the many points of interest. This castle is very well maintained and presented.
Once you are packed up and ready to embark from Kilkenny with your private chauffeured vehicle, your route will take you to the coast and Waterford City. Dating back to 941 AD, Waterford is the oldest of Ireland's cities. Each brick is loaded with historical importance or a secret long forgotten. The city has strong links with the Vikings as well as the historical figure Strong Bow, whose arranged marriage to Aoife (daughter of Dermot Mac Murrough - King of Leinster) changed the course of Irish history forever. History aside, for any visitor to Waterford the most obvious starting point is the House of Waterford Crystal, home to the elegant crystal ware, which is known the world over for its beauty and craftsmanship. Taking the factory tour, you'll get an up close and personal look at the various stages of the process, which results in these intricate works of art. Watch the craftsmen at work as they demonstrate an art form, which they have perfected since the company's humble origins dating back to 1783.
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Day
4

Blarney Castle

This morning, you will depart to the wonderful town of Cork City. But first, make a visit to the famous Blarney Castle which resides there. Legend has it that a kiss on the Blarney stone will endow you with the gift of the gab and you'll never again be lost for words. Millions of visitors have flocked to Blarney to do just this, but you would be foolish to think that that's all there is to Blarney.

Blarney is also famed for its woolen mills, which is now home to Ireland's largest gift store, stocking the best of the best in quality Irish gifts, stocking Waterford Crystal, Belleek China, Aran Sweaters, Celtic Jewelry, and Irish linen and lace. So, if you're looking for some gifts to bring home or even a souvenir or two for yourself, it's the perfect one-stop-shop for all things Irish. Next, it is off to see Cork City where you'll be settling into your accommodation for the night.
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Day
5

Jameson Midleton Distillery & Titanic Experience Museum

Be sure to stop off in Midleton for a walk through this beautifully restored industrial distillery. A tour of the Jameson Midleton Distillery is a journey through the story of Irish whiskey by means of an audio-visual presentation. Follow the old distillery trail through mills, malting, still house, warehouses and kilns - some of these buildings date back to 1795. Unique within Ireland and Britain, you can also see the fully operational water wheel and large grain stores.
Before you make the return trip to your accommodation for the night, swing by Cobh. Cobh (pronounced cove) is situated in south-west Ireland, just twenty minutes from Cork City. In 1849, following the visit of Queen Victoria, the town was renamed Queenstown but in 1921, it once again reverted to the old name of Cobh.
Come to the Titanic Experience museum. This brand-new permanent exhibit presents the history of the Titanic and its connection to Cobh through audiovisual and interactive presentations. The exhibit is located on the site of the original White Star Line offices, in the heart of the village of Cobh.
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Day
6

Whale Watching & Bantry House & Gardens Tour

Depart Cork and travel through the pretty villages of West Cork. Along the way stop by the Baltimore village and join a Whale Watching Tour. Sail out on the Atlantic Ocean and see these magnificent creatures from close distance. From April to December it is possible to see minke whales, common dolphins and harbor porpoise. In late summer and autumn, they are often joined by humpback and fin whales which come inshore to feed. They can sometimes be watched from vantage points on shore as well as from boats.

Or drive down to Bantry, a small picturesque village which nestles in the foothills overlooking Bantry Bay. While you're there, why not visit Bantry House & Gardens, which is located in beautiful surroundings and has a splendid collection of art treasures. Built about 1750, the house was formerly the House of the Earls of Bantry. Continue over the Kerry Mountains to Kenmare, which is one of Ireland's prettiest towns with a great selection of quaint shops, cafes and excellent restaurants.
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Day
7

The Ring of Kerry and Skellig Islands Boat Tour

Every visitor to Ireland's south-west, talks about The Ring of Kerry but this attraction is really one that must be seen to be believed. The Ring of Kerry is one of Ireland's most scenic touring routes. At 179 km long, it circles the awe-inspiring Iveragh Peninsula. You'll feel as if you have moved into nature's mystic arena, and truly you have, as you pass between soft mountains, through forest glades, around bogs, rivers, lakes and pristine beaches. You may wish to explore several charming villages along the route, including Glenbeigh, Waterville, and Sneem. Stroll and talk to people - this is what makes your travel experience unique. Follow the drive to Killarney by way of the Ladies View and the legendary Lakes of Killarney.
Experience the best that the Wild Atlantic Way has to offer and join a boat tour to the Skellig Islands. When you first reach the Islands, you will be struck by their rugged beauty. An internationally renowned bird sanctuary, you'll encounter a wonderful array of birdlife as you climb the six hundred steps to the peak. Here, you'll find one of the oldest and best-preserved monasteries in Europe. Allow your imagination to take you back to the time of the Monks or to transport you to a 'Galaxy far far away'.
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Day
8

Killarney National Park, Muckross House & Gardens & Dingle Peninsula Tour

Visit Killarney National Park. The park covers 10,000ha, encompassing the three lakes Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and Upper Lake, as well as the mountain slopes that surround them to the West and South. The park's original nucleus, the Muckross Estate, is complemented today by Knockreer, Ross Island, and Innisfallen, which once belonged to the Kenmare Estate. Take the time to visit the Muckross House and Gardens. You will discover the house's history and the way of life of the different families who lived there. If you follow the Downton Abbey series, then you will find certain parts - notably the part reserved for servants - very familiar. Spend the day on the Dingle peninsula with its breathtaking scenery overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and its beaches and monastic villages. You will reach the most westerly point in Europe at Slea Head, where you can see the Blasket Islands, the largest of which is the Great Blasket Island, which was abandoned by its inhabitants in 1953. Weather permitting, you can join a small boat cruise to see Fungie, a wild dolphin who has chosen to live on Dingle Harbor. ...read less

Day
9

Adare Village & Bunratty Castle

In the early morning, start for a day full of breath-taking landscapes. You will pass through the postcard-pretty Adare Village. Adare is the proud bearer of the title: "Ireland's prettiest village." This wonderfully picturesque rural village does its part to keep the Irish traditions alive.

Just after you pass the Limerick city, stop and relax at the Bunratty Castle. You can transport yourself back in time and experience first-hand Irish culture & way of life many years ago.

When you arrive at Dromoland Castle, treat yourself and enjoy the afternoon relaxing with some soothing tea while taking in the ambient.
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Day
10

The Cliffs of Moher - Galway

On your way to Galway, take some time to catch the view of spectacular Cliffs of Moher - which fall 200m steeply into the wild Atlantic Ocean. Pass through the Burren, without dispute, one of the most unique and strangest landscapes in Europe. The Burren is bounded by the Atlantic on the west and rocked by Galway Bay to the north, it is a multi-layered landscape where rare and delicate plants have adapted to thrive and flourish between harsh crevices.

Arrived at Galway, take the time to savor this city full of life. The city is an ancient medieval city with many things to do and see (pubs, restaurants, arts, crafts, culture) and people to meet. You can visit Eyre Square, The Court House, Salmon Weir Bridge and the Cathedral. An unmissable monument of this city is the Spanish Arch. It was built in 1584 and is located on the bank of the Corrib. It is best known to the locals by Ceann na Bhalla (The head of the wall). It was originally the extension of the famous city walls, created to protect the quays. In the past, she was known as the blinding ark. It now houses the city museum.
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Day
11

Connemara Region

Today, you will travel through the Connemara region, a magnificent wilderness populated mainly by sheep and dotted with hundreds of small lakes. Explore the tiny stone-walled, thatched farmhouses and the heather hills bounded by the sea coast and its calm sandy beaches. Many inhabitants of this region still speak Gaelic, and ancient Celtic customs and traditions have been preserved.
Follow the road along Clew Bay to Louisburgh, then continue your road along the Delphy valley. Take the time to take in the view along these fantastic and impressive landscapes!
You can also visit Kylemore Abbey, on the shores of Lough Pollacappull, a Victorian Tudor-style castle beautifully situated on the edge of a lake and surrounded by the Twelve Bens, an impressive mountain range. Today, its the only remaining monastic dwelling of the Benedictine sisters in Ireland, who have also restored the Victorian gardens, which are also worth a visit.
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Day
12

Clonmacnoise & Kilbeggan Distillery

On your journey from Galway to Dublin, you have the opportunity to visit Clonmacnoise, a Christian site founded in the 6th century by St. Claran. You will walk through the ruins of a cathedral and 7 churches; you can admire the round towers and large carved crosses.

Take a small detour and travel via Kilbbeggan, where you can stop for a tour of Kilbeggan Distillery, which finishes with a whiskey tasting at the bar.

On your journey from Galway to Dublin, you have the opportunity to visit Clonmacnoise, a Christian site founded in the 6th century by St. Claran. You will walk through the ruins of a cathedral and 7 churches; you can admire the round towers and large carved crosses.

Take a small detour and travel via Kilbbeggan, where you can stop for a tour of Kilbeggan Distillery, which finishes with a whiskey tasting at the bar.

Day
13

International Flight Home

At the appropriate time, you will be met at the airport and transferred by a private chauffeured vehicle to Dublin airport for your flight home.

At the appropriate time, you will be met at the airport and transferred by a private chauffeured vehicle to Dublin airport for your flight home.

Kildare, Ireland

Galway, Ireland

Clare, County Clare, Ireland

Kerry, Ireland

Cork, Ireland

Waterford, Ireland

Kilkenny, Ireland

Dublin, Ireland

Places You'll See

  • Dublin

    Named as the friendliest city in Europe by TripAdvisor, Dublin is a charming capital city with the intimacy of a small village and the friendliness of a pub.  Visitors can see for themselves as they walk along the Liffey River that flows through the city’s center lined with pubs and restaurants filled with live music and laughter. Those who enjoy a little shopping will love the lively Grafton street with its musical performances and shop-lined streets while history buffs will appreciate sites such as St Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle. No visit to Dublin is complete without a visit to the Guinness Storehouse for a multimedia experience of how the country’s iconic black stuff is created, followed by a delicious pint (or two) with views of the city from its rooftop bar.

  • Kilkenny

    Kilkenny is a county where modern city life meets medieval history in the center of Ireland’s Ancient East, providing a memorable ambiance and wow-factor to its visitors. In Kilkenny City, venture through maze-like alleyways that surround Kilkenny Castle before heading to the countryside to explore picturesque villages dotting a fairytale landscape.

  • Waterford

    With a long history dating as far back as the Vikings who founded this region, County Waterford is filled with historical treasures including the oldest city in all of Ireland. Dating back to 1176 AD, Waterford city is the oldest in Ireland and hosts a thrall of museums and historic sites, and not to mention a thriving beer scene. Traveling outside of the city, wander past Viking settlements, Norman castles, medieval ruins and ancient copper mines of the famed Copper Coast.

  • Cork

    Located in southern Ireland, Cork is the biggest county on the island and is part of both Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way with over 1000km of coastline. Set in a beautiful coastal environment the city of Cork’s maritime history spans over a thousand years with its natural harbor. Not far from the city is Blarney Castle, a medieval stronghold that houses the famed Blarney Stone which is thought to give the “gift of gab” to all those who lay their lips on it with a kiss.

  • Kerry

    Known for its striking terrain of rugged coastline, striking mountains, and green moorland, County Kerry is a splendid mix of natural beauty and charming towns. Within Kerry is the town and national park of Killarney which welcomes adventurers around the world to explore the region’s landscapes as well as its history with traditional farmhouses, cathedrals, and castles.

  • Clare

    Brimming with natural charm, County Clare is a stunning coastal county on the Atlantic coast of the isle best known for the iconic Cliffs of Moher. The stunning views of the staggering ocean cliffs are a memorable site with wildflowers abloom and numerous bird species including Puffins to be seen. Be sure to visit the small nearby village of Doolin for an evening of traditional Irish music and charismatic locals.

  • Galway

    Galway County, home to one of the most spirited cities in Ireland of the same name offers visitors a glimpse into some of Ireland’s most stunning landscapes including boglands, lakes, and mountains of Connemara and the historic Aran islands, just offshore.  Galway city’s vibrant student life brings a modern vibe to the charming city, lined with colorful pubs, local shops selling Claddagh rings and Aran sweaters, and restaurants who celebrate local ingredients.

  • Kildare

    Located just west of Dublin in the heart of Ireland’s Ancient East, the historic doorstep of the island that hold’s much of the country’s long history, is the “Thoroughbred County” of Kildare. Famed for its horseracing community, Kildare hosts many of Ireland’s top studs, stables and racecourses amongst scenic greenery. Peppered with luxury accommodations and restaurants of gourmet fare, Kildare provides a prestigious air of the good life with a poignant sense of style.

Hotel Options

4 Star Properties

Kilkenny : Butler House

Cork : Hayfield Manor Hotel

Kerry : Sheen Falls Lodge Hotel

Clare : Dromoland Castle

Galway : Abbeyglen Castel Hotel

Kildare : Celbridge Manor

Testimonials

Winnie T

Traveled October 2019

Awesome Trip

The itinerary to South Africa was super and the arrangement was trouble free. Everything happened on time. The stay in the Safaris was awesome. Thanks to Karolina Guilcapi who made our trip so pleasant.

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R

Traveled May, 2014

Everything you arranged was perfect to the last detail

Everything you arranged was perfect to the last detail. The hotels were all nice. My favorite was probably Remota, in Puerto Natales, Chile. Their food was excellent, tour guides and drivers are all professionals. I learned a lot.

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Gary W.

Traveled June 2018

a great curation of activities

They chose amazing hotels, energetic enthusiastic tour guides, and a great curation of activities in Peru

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