10 Night Irish Pub & Folk Tour

Upon arrival in Dublin, pick up your rental car and head onwards to your hotel for the next two nights.

On your journey from Dublin to Kilkenny, there are several places worth seeing. Kilkenny is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of interesting sites to see. You might visit Kilkenny Castle, a 12th century castle renovated in Victorian times, or Saint Canice’s Cathedral with its neighbouring round tower and the oldest standing structure in Kilkenny.

A few day trips from Kilkenny are all within easy reach, including a trip to the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle in the neighbouring County Tipperary. Travel on to Waterford, where you will see the Waterford crystal factory. An alternate route will take you to County Wexford, allowing visits to the Irish National Heritage Park, the 13th century Tintern Abbey, the Hook Lighthouse, Dunbrody Abbey and Famine Ship, the Kennedy Homestead — the ancestral home of former president John F. Kennedy.

(Approximately 130 km)

On this route, visit Cork’s historical Irish pubs and the town of Cobh, situated on one of the world’s largest natural harbours that was also the last port of call of the Titanic. The Cobh Heritage Centre recounts these events and tells the story of emigration from Ireland to the United States and Australia, from the time of the famine in 1847 up to the 1950s.

Continue to Kinsale. Besides being a charming coastal fishing town, Kinsale's Desmond Castle & International Museum of Wine Irish wine trades throughout the world after being forced to leave their own shores.

(Approximately 190 km)

Take the route via Blarney Castle visit Killarney National Park. There are many walking trails around Killarney, including a 2-hour tourist trail around the town itself. You will also have a chance to visit Ross Castle and the Gap of Dunloe.

Take a 3-hour driving tour of the Ring of Kerry and its stunning journey through mountain and coastal scenery, with colourful towns and villages that are dotted around the Iveragh peninsula. Some popular stops include Kenmare, which is famed for its many traditional pubs and restaurants, Waterville — a village positioned between the rough Atlantic Ocean and the freshwater lake of Lough Currane — and the traditional market town of Cahersiveen, with its traditional shop and Valentia Island unforgettable views atop Geokaun Mountain.

After an optional bite to eat at Lord Brandon’s Cottage ($), you will return to Killarney by boat across the beautiful Lakes of Killarney.

(Approximately 100 km)

Drive from Killarney to the coast of County Clare. Your first stop will be the village of Adare in County Limerick. Shortly after this, you arrive at Bunratty Castle. Within the castle grounds, visit its historical pub and enjoy a pint of Guinness or an Irish Coffee.

A short distance away, the majestic Cliffs of Moher are without a doubt one of Ireland’s most spectacular attractions, offering stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, arrive at the village of Doolin, which is often referred to as ‘the music capital of Ireland’. With a great many pubs and restaurants to enjoy.

(Approximately 160 km)

Travel to the vibrant city of Galway via the lunar like Burren region and the ancient Poulnabrone Dolmen tombs. Galway, the ‘City of the Tribes’ is also known as Ireland’s cultural and festival capital. With its street entertainers and traditional pubs Galway and the Quays area of the city centre will enthral you in the evening.

The beautiful Connemara region is next. Just west of Galway on the most western seaboard of Europe, this spot boasts breathtaking scenery as well as the Connemara National Park. Visit Kylemore Abbey, the Lough Inagh Valley as well as the spectacular Sky Road near the town of Clifden. You can also visit the fishing village of Roundstone to see how a bodhran (traditional Irish drum) is made. Alternatively, you may prefer to take the ferry to the Aran Islands, where you can take a guided tour from the pier up the the stone fort of Dún Aengus. Located on top of a 300-foot-high sea cliff, Dún Aengus is one of the finest prehistoric monuments in all of Western Europe.

(Approximately 85 km)

Your journey to Dublin will take you to some of Ireland’s most historical landmarks. First off, is the ancient monastic settlement at Clonmacnoise. There is also Newgrange, older than the Pyramids of Egypt and the most notable passage tomb in Europe. The many attractions and museums in Dublin are easily accessible on foot. Major attractions including Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, Trinity Castle and the Book of Kells at Trinity College, just to name a few. There are also many restaurants and pubs to explore in the city centre at night.

Continue sightseeing in Dublin the next day by visiting historical and modern attractions that this cosmopolitan capital has to offer, like Saint Patrick’s Cathedral or Grafton Street’s shopping area. EPIC Irish Immigration Museum is also highly recommended.

(Approximately 210 km)

Drop off your car at Dublin Airport before boarding your flight home to Canada.