Ireland’s Wild Grande – 14 Day Self-Drive Tour

Your adventure starts off in Dublin, Ireland’s capital, also known as the Fair City. Your direction is south to the rebel county of Ireland, Cork, and its wild Atlantic coastline.

Along the way, take a stop off at the Rock of Cashel, a spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone and home of the High Kings of Ireland. After lunch, continue your journey towards Cork, which is the starting point of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and where that evening you can relax and savour its picturesque setting and friendly atmosphere.

Rise and shine for an adventure along the wild and spectacular coastline of Cork and climb over mountain passes to reach the majestic setting of Killarney.

Along the way, stop off at a Stone Age tomb called the Altar Wedge Tomb, which sits dramatically on the waterfront overlooking Toormore Bay. Continue your journey towards one of Ireland’s most southerly point, Mizen Head. You have the option of visiting the Mizen Head Signal Station* or take a stroll along the golden strand of Barleycove beach.

After a bite to eat, make your way over the mountainous terrain that separates Cork and Kerry before arriving in the picturesque town of Killarney. It is home to Ireland’s first national park with spectacular glistening lakes, beautiful nature, great food, and a vibrant cultural atmosphere.

*Mizen Head Signal Station only available from Mid-March to October.

Today’s adventure takes you off the beaten track to unlock the real beauty of the world famous Ring of Kerry. Considered one of the most beautiful destinations to explore in Ireland, the Ring of Kerry offers dramatic landscapes of wild rugged coastline, golden beaches, glistening lakes, picturesque villages and spectacular mountain ranges.

Even better, take an incredible tour of the spectacular Valentia Island where you can delve into its incredible history and heritage, explore its magical setting on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and if you are lucky get a glimpse (weather permitting) of the dramatic Skellig Islands (Star Wars famed).

After a well-earned bite to eat, slowly make your way back to Killarney stopping off at many spectacular viewing points to learn of their historical importance and the opportunity to take that picture that will ensure an everlasting memory of paradise.

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 adventure, you have the opportunity to take a gentle guided hike of Torc Mountain with magical view of the Lakes of Killarney from its summit, explore Muckross Estate by bicycle or walking which is home to a spectacular 15th Century Franciscan Friary, Torc Waterfall and the majestic setting of Muckross House & Gardens. or finally combine one of those experiences with a mesmerizing kayak tour on the Lakes of Killarney in either the morning or afternoon.

That evening, you can experience Killarney’s great food offerings, vibrant musical nightlife or take a stroll through its majestic national park.

Dingle and Lahinch are your destinations today, as you explore these dramatic and beautiful areas of Ireland that are littered with archaeological and historical wonders. 

Your 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. Then continue 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. Journey around this rich and vibrant peninsula exploring its vast Gaelic culture and learning a cupla focal (some words) in Irish along the way. 

Then take in a visit and have lunch in the colourful and vibrant town of Dingle before making your way north along the edge of Europe to the spectacular setting of the Cliffs of Moher, where you will overnight in the beautiful coastal setting of Lahinch and a chance for you to experience great traditional music sessions, fantastic food and of course meet the locals.  

This morning make our way to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. This ‘must see’ wonder of Ireland, the Cliffs of Moher, 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, continue north through the remarkable moon-like terrain of the wild Burren on route to the bohemian capital of Ireland, Galway. That afternoon, take the opportunity to soak in it’s vibrant streets, sample its wide variety of food offerings or take a tour exploring its unique historical places of interest.

Today is your opportunity to soak in Galway’s vibrant bustling streets and quaint cafes offer you a relaxing atmosphere to rejuvenate your batteries before we commence our spectacular northern section of the dramatic Wild Atlantic Way.  

Jump from mainland Ireland to one of its most renowned island, 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, make your way back to mainland Ireland before heading due west to the colourful coastal town of Clifden, where you can sample its famous culinary delights and traditional music nights.

Today’s adventure brings you to Connemara National Park and Kylemore Abbey. Explore these majestic destinations, full of colourful scenery and wonderful history.

In Connemara National Park, take the opportunity to hike to the top Diamond Hill before heading to Kylemore Abbey for a bite to eat and time to explore its incredible history and unique gardens.

Later that afternoon, commence your journey northwards passing Killary harbour and secluded picturesque lakes that line your path to the colourful town of Westport. That evening, experience this vibrant towns legendary musical talent and culinary exploits.

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 everyday of the year.

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

Departing Westport, make your way along the northern wild and rugged coastline of Mayo before arriving in Donegal Town, known as the fort of the foreigners.

Along the way have a picnic lunch and take a stroll along the dramatic wild coastline at Downpatrick Head where you view 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.

Afterwards, meander your way north towards Donegal Town via Bundoran where you can take the opportunity to dip your feet into the wild Atlantic Ocean or catch some of the most renowned waves in the world. Feeling refreshed, that evening you can sampling some of Donegal’s best culinary delights and music traditions.

Ballyliffin is your end destination today, as you head north exploring the wilds of Donegal with magnificent views of the dramatic Slieve League cliffs which are although less famous than the Cliffs of Moher, can reach almost three times higher, 601 metres (1,972 ft).

Afterwards, continue your journey around the dramatic northern tip of Donegal towards 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.

That afternoon, make your way to Ballyliffin, where you can relax, unwind or explore this beautiful quaint village near the historical town.

Today’s adventure is a real giant in many ways, as you take in the dramatic coastal route of Ulster. You first head north to explore Malin Head, known as Ireland’s sunniest point and offers dramatic coastline views of the most northerly point of Ireland. Next stop Greenland!!

Then make our way to the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its setting is famed for its unique rock formation of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption nearly 60 million years ago or being Irish of course, there is 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 edge of the bridge!!

Afterwards, make your way to the vibrant coastal setting of Ballycastle, a seaside town famed for walking, kayaking, great food and where you can relax, unwind or simply gaze out at the majestic views before your eyes.

Departing the coastal setting of Ballycastle you make your way to Belfast. Here, you can 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.

That afternoon, head south to the capital of Ireland, Dublin, where you have 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 you bid a fond farewell to our little green island. Hopefully you have many happy and wonderful memories that will last forever. Remember, Ireland is now your second home away from home!