5 DAY ESCAPE TO THE SOUTH WEST Trip by Rabbies

Destination
Starts at

Dublin

Destination
Ends at

Dublin

Destination
Duration

5 days

Destination
Group Size

Maximum 16

Destination
Physical Rating

easy Information

Destination
Style

discovery Information

About your trip

This five-day exploration of the south of Ireland will take in famous cultural sights, stunning landscapes and some of the friendliest cities you’ll find anywhere in Europe. It kicks off with a trip from Dublin to the oldest licensed distillery of its kind in Ireland, the Kilbeggan Distillery, the perfect introduction to your new destination.

From there, the trip winds its way around the south of the country, visiting places like the 1,500-year-old Clonmacnoise Abbey, which used to educate scholars from all over Europe during its time as an influential centre of religion, and the charming town of Galway, with its stone-clad buildings and medieval walls the perfect place to soak up some Irish culture.

Plenty of natural sights are on offer during the trip too, including the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher, which boast an impressive 700ft drop into the Atlantic Ocean, and The Burren, a national park home to some of Ireland’s most profound spiritual and natural culture.

The Dingle Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry and The Wild Atlantic Way offer further natural beauty along the way from the start to the finish, as well as a visit to Blarney Castle, where you visitors can kiss the famed Blarney Stone amidst the walls of this stunning medieval fort and try and get themselves the gift of the gab in return as a reward.

The final stop of the tour is a visit to Kilkenny, a bustling city with a fine castle, a thousand-year-old round tower, where there’s time for a final Guinness before heading back to Dublin to say goodbye to the Emerald Isle. 


Trip Highlights

  • Begin your trip with a visit to temple bar, where you can listen to Irish musicians and have a pint of Guinness as you find out what the craic is in Dublin. 
  • Find a city with a fun and exciting culture of its own as you spend the evening exploring the bars and restaurants of Galway.
  • Discover what Ireland is really like as you explore its cities and countryside, getting to know its people along the way.
  • Look out for swooping seabirds as you walk along the amazing trails on top of the Cliffs of Moher.
  • Hit the road on an exhilarating journey through the Ring of Kerry, home to some of Ireland's most dramatic and breathtaking scenery.

Your Itinerary

  1. Day 1 Discover Galway and taste some finest Irish whiskey

    9:00 AM - tour starts opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin.

    Check-in closes at 08:45 (tour departs at 09:00)


    Leaving Dublin, you head west through the farmlands and peat bogs of County Kildare and Offaly. Kilbeggan Distillery is your first stop, and here you have time to relax with a glass of their famed whiskey. After a drink (or two!), you head to the banks of the mighty River Shannon and the ruined abbey at Clonmacnoise. Home to a large collection of stone crosses, ancient churches, and inimitable round towers, this holy site offers an insightful glimpse into Ireland’s spiritual past. You then lunch at a traditional pub in one of the area’s pretty villages before travelling to Galway City, your home for the first night. It’s a city with a lively atmosphere and excellent restaurants and bars.

    Accommodation

    Hotel or B&B in Galway

  2. Day 2 Marvel at the steep Cliffs of Moher.

    A short drive along the coast from Galway City lies the Burren, one of Ireland’s national treasures. It’s home to one of the earliest Christian settlements in Ireland and broad limestone pavements and rare flora. After time to explore the area, you travel to Kilfenora, the 'town of the crosses'. You can visit the town’s fabulous ancient cathedral before we stop for lunch in one of the area’s charming villages. You then head to the incredible Cliffs of Moher. Walk the stunning cliff trails as seabirds swoop through the clear air above you. And learn about the unique ecosystem in the excellent and award-winning environmental exhibition nearby. The tour then moves south through County Clare, passing its famous golf course on the way to the picturesque beach at Lahinch. From here you board a ferry across the Shannon Estuary to the lakeside town of Killarney. This energetic, charming area will be your base for the next three nights, so take your time sampling the superb collection of traditional pubs and live music.

    Accommodation

    Hotel or B&B in Killarney

    Activities Included
    • Cliffs of Moher entry
  3. Day 3 Traverse the Dingle Peninsula and immerse in the Gaelic culture.

    Today, your tour explores the fabulous Dingle Peninsula. Your first stop is Inch Beach, a vast expanse of sand stretching out into the Atlantic. Venturing down the narrow roads away from the beach leads you through the town of Dingle. You continue towards Slea Head, an area loaded with ancient forts and prehistoric dwellings. The impressive views of the nearby Blasket Islands make this an excellent spot for panoramic photos. If the weather is pleasant, you can ramble along the beaches and cliff tops to fully appreciate the incredible vistas. Arriving back amidst the brightly coloured houses and jolly harbour of Dingle, you can spend the remainder of the afternoon enjoying delicious seafood in this idyllic setting. In the evening, you head back to Killarney, with time for an evening stroll in the National Park that envelops the town.

    Accommodation

    Hotel or B&B in Killarney

  4. Day 4 Tour the world renowned Ring of Kerry.

    Today, you explore the Ring of Kerry, a spectacular route through some of Ireland’s most visually spectacular areas. You head out in the morning, navigating the roads about the valleys, towns, and villages, and through the foothills of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, home to Ireland's highest mount, Carrauntoohil. Next, you join the scenic coast road through Glenbeigh and Kells on the way to Cahersiveen. Possible stops include the site of “The Liberator of Ireland” Daniel O’Connell’s birthplace and an impressive ring fort outside Portmagee. You stop for lunch in the quaint fishing village of Portmagee. Alternatively, you can have a quick snack and head to the island of Valentia for a visit to the Skellig Experience. This excursion teaches you about the ancient community of monks who made the outcrop of rocky islands their home. In the afternoon, there’s a photo stop in Charlie Chaplin’s “home away from home” at Waterville, before enjoying fine views at the top of Coonmakista pass. Winding down from the peaks, you head to Derrynane House, home of the family O’Connell. Daniel O’Connell, 'The Liberator of Ireland’, had a very strong bond with this place and you’ll understand why when you visit. Here, you can enjoy a walk in the scenic gardens or along the beach and explore the main house. Continuing along the Ring, you stop at Moll’s Gap and the Ladies View. Stroll a short way from here to the Torc Waterfall before heading back to Killarney. (On some tours, days three and four are switched).

    Accommodation

    Hotel or B&B in Killarney

  5. Day 5 Try to kiss the famed Blarney Stone!

    Heading east through the mountains of West Cork, you weave along the Lee Valley until you reach Blarney Castle. You have time here to take in the castle grounds, and there may even be the chance to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and receive the “gift of the gab”! In the afternoon, the tour heads to the heritage town of Cahir*, where there’s a distinctive island castle in the River Suir. The final stop of the tour is Kilkenny*, a bustling city with a fine castle, a thousand-year-old round tower, and an impressive National Craft Centre. There’s also the chance for one last Guinness before heading back on the road again for the last leg of the journey. You arrive back into Dublin in the evening. *Please note that if your tour departs after 1st April 2025, day five of the tour will change. After Blarney Castle, you visit Kinsale for lunch instead of Cahir. Also, you will visit the Rock of Cashel instead of Kilkenny. Your tour finish time on day five will also change to 7:30pm arrival in Dublin.


    19:30 - Approximate return time. Tour finishes at Dublin Nassau Street, opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin.

What's included

  • Professional and friendly driver guide
  • 4 Breakfasts
  • Small group (16 people max) for a more personal experience
  • Transport in a 16-seat Mercedes luxury mini-coach
  • Admission to Cliffs of Moher

What's not included

  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance
  • Hotel Transfers (unless otherwise stated in the Included Activities section above)
  • Flights to and from the destination
  • Entrance fees unless specified
  • Food & drinks
  • Tip or gratuity

Customer Reviews

Accommodation

Accommodation Notes

Accommodation is in either 3* hotels or B&B.

Please note that due to some hotels being located in remote destinations and therefore being some small family-run properties, we might not be able to allocate the same accommodation for the whole group and might need to split the group is different nearby hotels.

Important Info

  • Tour starts at 9:00 AM opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin. (Check-in closes at 08:45 -  tour departs at 09:00).
  • 19:30 - Approximate return time. Tour finishes at Dublin Nassau Street, opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin.
  • Luggage: You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
  • Children aged 5 -15 are eligible for discounted pricing on this tour. For detailed information regarding rates and conditions, please contact us directly.

Additional Info

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Conditions:

Extended Tours

a. cancellation more than 21 days before the tour date: 0% of the tour price*

b. cancellation less than 21 days before the tour date: 100% of the tour price;

c. in the event of a ‘no show’ the charge is 100% of the tour price.


*Amendments or Cancellations to Extended Tour bookings:

Once an extended tour booking has been confirmed, Rabbie's reserve the right to apply an administration charge for any cancellations or amendments to bookings (including date changes). In the event that Rabbie's are charged any fee by Third Party accommodation providers, we may also pass this cost on to the Booking Agent.

                                                

Terms & Conditions

 Read our Terms and Conditions page for more details.