Ireland’s West Coast Explorer

Your first stop, after travelling through some traditional Irish counties, is Kinvara. Here, you will hear the history that surrounds the Dunguaire Castle and the legacy it leaves behind. From there, you will head to the Burren and gaze upon beautiful limestone pavements, rare flora and ancient stone monuments. This area was also home to one of the earliest Christian settlements in Ireland. Journeying on now, to the Cliffs of Moher with its 700 ft. drop to the crashing waves below. Watch the sea birds soar effortlessly along the thermals above you, then dive straight down to catch their lunch. If you wish, there is also an award winning environmental exhibition situated nearby you can wander through. Galway City is the next, and final stop for day one of your tour. You will be staying here for the two nights of this tour, with time to explore and see the sites and taste the food.

These small group tours are basic and more casual than many of the other escorted tours. They offer you the choice of paying admission locally to the sites you wish to visit or skipping an attraction that isn’t of interest to you. There is the opportunity to have some free time in the evenings to go out for dinner to a cafe or restaurant of your choosing on your own, buy some food at a supermarket or take-out and eat at your accommodation or hang out with other people from your tour. The choice is yours!

Places You’ll Explore on this Tour:
The Burren – This national park is home to some of Ireland’s most profound spiritual and natural culture.
The Cliffs of Moher – An awe-inspiring 700 ft. drop into the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Galway City – Stone clad buildings line the winding lanes and medieval walls of this ancient harbour city, all accompanied by the strains of traditional music pouring from cosy pubs.
Kylemore Abbey – A refuge for Benedictine nuns fleeing World War 1, this incredible neo-gothic building is steeped in the scars and bravery of world history.
Connemara National Park – Stunning vistas and superb wildlife abound within this famously serene park from the towering peaks of the Twelve Bens to the panoramic Sky Road.
Clifden – The “Capital of Connemara”, this historically significant site is where the first transatlantic flight landed.
Clonmacnoise – A 1500 year old abbey, whose ancient spirituality pervades the whole area. The heart of Ireland’s
Golden Age of Learning.
Locke’s Distillery – The oldest licensed distillery on Earth has something for the history buff and the beverage connoisseur alike.

This morning, you will travel inland through the Maam Valley to Cong, a village made famous for its participation in the movie ‘The Quiet Man’. You will have free time to wander through the local museum devoted to the film, or explore the restored 12th century Cong Abbey. Continuing on, you will visit the magnificent house and grounds at Kylemore Abbey. Be sure to stop and smell the flowers in the beautiful gardens. Travelling on to the next destination, you will arrive in Clifden, the site of the first landing of a transatlantic flight. Nearby, in the national park, you will travel along the Sky Road and gaze up at the majestic Twelve Bens of Connemara. Day two has come to a close and you will make your way back to your warm accommodation in Galway City.

On your last day, you will leave Galway and take the back roads through central Ireland. The first stop is Clonmacnoise, the site of an early Christian settlement with churches, round towers and stone crosses. After working up an appetite, you will stop for lunch in a nearby village and then continue on your tour to see the unique biodiversity that Ireland has to offer. Your final stop is the oldest licensed distillery on Earth! Relax with a drink, or two of some famous Whiskey at Locke’s Distillery before heading back towards Dublin.

We can arrange for accommodation in Dublin before and after this tour, to allow you time to explore this lively and historic city. Accommodation ranges from hostels, B&B/guesthouses, all categories of hotels up to castle stays. Please inquire.