Aer Lingus Classic 2025: The Best of Ireland 12 Day Tour

Departing from The Ashling Hotel, Dublin at 11:00 am. 

Your adventure starts off from the vibrant setting of Dublin, where you make your way north to Belfast via the Irish sea, Carlingford fjord and the back drop of the impressive Mourne Mountains. 

Once we arrive in Belfast, you have the opportunity to visit the Titanic museum, experience the amazing Black Cab Taxi Tour, explore Belfast with a Hop-on Hop Off City Tour or simply wander around its famous streets and experience great food.  

Later that afternoon, we head towards the coastal town of Ballycastle which is nestled into a harbour and a short drive to the Giant’s Causeway.

Today’s adventure is a real giant in many ways, as you take the dramatic coastal route of Ulster. You will first head to the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its setting is renowned for its unique rock formation of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption nearly 60 million years ago. Alternatively, being Irish of course, we have a different version of how the causeway was built which involves two giants, a fight and a bridge. We won’t spoil the ending for you now as the story is best told at the edge of the bridge!! 

Afterwards, we continue north via Derry City to Malin Head, known as Ireland’s sunniest point and offers dramatic coastline views of the most northerly point of Ireland. Next stop Greenland!!

From the wilds of northern Donegal we first head south west to visit Glenveagh National Park and Castle. Set in some 16,500 hectares of County Donegal mountains, you have the chance to discover picturesque lakes, wild glens and woods, a large herd of red deer and the 19th Century Glenveagh Castle. 

Afterwards, we continue south west to the dramatic views of Slieve League cliffs. The cliffs, although less famous than the Cliffs of Moher, can reach almost three times higher, 601 metres (1,972 ft).  

That afternoon, you will make your way to your accommodation in Donegal, where you can relax, unwind or explore this beautiful quaint town.

Departing Donegal, you will head along the wild and rugged coastline of Mayo before arriving in the town of Westport.

Your first stop of the day is a visit to the grave of a famous Irish poet, W.B. Yeats. You can recite some of his poetry before making your way to the dramatic wild coastline at Downpatrick Head. Here you can have a picnic lunch overlooking a spectacular blowhole that plummets down to the wild Atlantic ocean, the ruins of St Patrick’s church building, a stone cross and the incredible site of Dún Briste (broken fort), a lone sea-stack standing close to the edge of the cliffs. Magical!!

Afterwards, continuing your journey south via Ballycroy National Park before reaching the colourful and vibrant town of Westport. That evening you can sample some of Westport’s best culinary delights and music traditions.

You have the day to either relax, explore or take an adventure in picturesque Westport. It is famous for Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain and Clew Bay, which has an island for every day of the year. 

Westport is rich in historical areas of interest and a great traditional music scene. Be sure to experience it!! 

Today’s adventure brings you from Westport to Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey. You have the opportunity to explore these majestic destinations, full of colourful scenery and wonderful history. 

On route you will pass by Killary harbour and secluded picturesque lakes that line your path to the wilds of Connemara. Yo will take in a visit to Kylemore Abbey where you time for a bite to eat and explore its incredible history and unique gardens.

Afterwards, we will explore Connemara National Park, where you have the opportunity to hike to the top of Diamond Hill before heading to the coastal setting of Clifden in Co. Galway. 

That evening, experience this vibrant town’s legendary musical talent and culinary exploits. 

Today,  you jump from mainland Ireland to one of its most renowned islands, Inis Mór, meaning big island. It is the largest of three islands that make up the Aran Islands. 

Once you arrive on its limestone shores, you can either explore the island by foot, bicycle or jaunting cart, in which you can experience the island’s magnificent landscape of rocky fields, wild Ocean views and incredible monuments of Christian, pre-Christian and Celtic mythological heritage. Take in a visit to one of the most famous of them, Dún Aonghasa, which is a breath-taking fort that was built on a high cliff some 100 metres above sea level. 

That afternoon, you will make your way back to mainland Ireland before heading east to the bohemian capital of Ireland, Galway, where you can experience its vibrant streets full of great pubs, food to die for and fantastic traditional music nights. 

Today is your opportunity to either to rejuvenate your batteries before we commence our spectacular southern section of the dramatic Wild Atlantic Way, soak in Galway’s vibrant bustling streets, quaint cafes and historical points of interest.

This morning we will make our way south towards the spectacular Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. Before we arrive at the Cliffs of Moher, On route we will make our way through the remarkable moon-like karts landscapes of the wild Burren before reaching the ‘must see’ wonder of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher.

This renowned destination, stretches for almost 10 KM and will capture your eyes and imagination as you gaze out in awe of its impressive setting. Take the opportunity to explore the fantastic interpretation centre that will show you how this marvelous creation was shaped by nature’s hand and learn about its unique geological makeup.

After a bite to eat, we will make our way further south to Killarney, home to Ireland’s first National Park and where that evening you can soak in it’s vibrant streets, sample its wide variety of food offerings or musical entertainment.

Dingle is our destination today, as we explore these dramatic and beautiful areas of Ireland that are littered with archaeological and historical wonders. 

Our first stop off is at Inch beach, famous for being the place where an inch is actually three miles long and where we take a short stroll along its golden sands and watch long rolling waves that come crashing ashore. Once aboard we head due west to the edge of Europe, also known as Slea Head. Feast your eyes on breathtaking scenery of wild rugged coastline, golden beaches and the magnificent Blasket Islands. We continue our journey around this rich and vibrant peninsula exploring its vast Gaelic culture and learning a cupla focal (some words) in Irish along the way. 

We will also visit and have lunch in the colourful and vibrant town of Dingle before we make our way back to Killarney where that evening, you can experience great food offerings, vibrant musical nightlife or take a stroll through its majestic national park. 

Today is your chance to discover the majestic setting of Killarney and Ireland’s first National Park. You can choose to relax and unwind, explore its national park and vibrant town or take one of many adventure experiences to truly discover Killarney. 

In terms of experiences, you have the opportunity to take a majestic kayak tour on the lakes of Killarney to a mystical island called Innisfallen, a gentle guided hike of Torc Mountain with magical view of the Lakes of Killarney from its summit, explore Muckross Estate which is home to a spectacular 15th Century Franciscan Friary, Torc Waterfall and the majestic setting of Muckross House & Gardens  by bicycle or walking. 

That afternoon, we set off in a north westerly direction taking you through Ireland’s heartland, where your eyes can feast upon the wild lush green fields and hillsides of rural Ireland before arriving back in the capital, Dublin. 

Whilst in Dublin, take the opportunity to visit many of its historical attractions, jump aboard the Dublin Hop-on Hop-off City Tour or simply relax and explore its vibrant streets. 

It is also your journey’s end, where we bid a fond farewell, full of happy memories that will last forever. Remember, Ireland is now your second home away from home!