Tour from Dublin
Tours are priced individually according to the route, group size, distances & hours required, date(s) in question, start & end locations, overnight locations (where applicable) and remaining supply at time of booking.
Day 1: Depart Dublin - Rock of Cashel - Blarney Castle - Cork (overnight)
Day 2: Depart Cork - King John's Castle (photos) - Cliffs of Moher - Doolin (lunch) - Bunratty Castle (photos) - Dublin
- Chauffeur pickup from and return to the Dublin location that suits you best.
- Travel through the enchanting midlands region of Ireland
- Overnight in the southern city of Cork – home to a large variety of sights and attractions for you to explore.
- Enjoy a comprehensive visit to Ireland’s best-loved castle – Blarney.
- Overnight in your choice of accommodation.
- Quick stop in Limerick city.
- Drive along a portion of Ireland’s famed ‘Wild Atlantic Way’, en route to the Burren region.
- Pay a visit to the incredible Cliffs of Moher –Ireland’s best loved natural wonder.
- Take the chance to capture some photos of the mythical Bunratty castle.
- Enjoy a relaxing drive back to Dublin City.
Your private two day tour begins this morning after breakfast. Your private chauffeur guide will collect you with a private Mercedes- Benz tour vehicle from the entrance of your Dublin hotel or Airbnb.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the introductions as your driver navigates the rush hour traffic. Once out of the city, your journey will follow the same scenic route as that enjoyed by England’s Queen Elizabeth II on her historic State Visit to Ireland.
By mid morning we’ll reach Rock of Cashel, a medieval ruin which was once a royal palace and cathedral associated with St Patrick. Rock of Cashel sits on a rocky outcrop high above Tipperary’s Golden Vale, some of Europe's very best farmland. Enjoy the fresh air and spectacular views across the emerald countryside.
Your journey continues south into the rebel county of Cork and a highlight for many guests, the fairytale Blarney Castle. The fortress dates all the way back to sometime around the year 1200 and has long been one of Ireland’s most iconic sights.
If you have a head for heights and the stamina to climb 127 medieval steps you may wish to kiss the famous Blarney Stone high on the ramparts. Those who do are said to receive the Gift of the Gab, or seven years of eloquent speech! There are fabulous gardens to enjoy here including a fascinating poison garden. You may also wish to check out the tax free outlet of Blarney Woolen Mills on site, specialising in traditional knitwear.
This afternoon, your driver will take you the short distance to Cork city where you can check into your hotel and look forward to some rest, relaxation, aperitifs and dinner reservations. Our southern capital offers a vibrant dining scene with excellent restaurants supplied from the Golden Vale. Those who would like to sample a pint of Guinness (or local favourite Murphy’s Stout) can also look forward to visiting a traditional pub.
Kennedy & Carr recommend:
Stay at Hayfield Manor (5*) or The River Lee (4*)
Dine at Ichigo Ichie (Michelin star), Greene's (formal yet friendly), Oyster Tavern (charming pub)
Enjoy a Guinness at Mutton Lane Inn (St Patrick's Street) - Dark, wooden and candlelit. Portraits of Cork's Lord Mayors who were martyred during the 1919 - 1921 War of Independence between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and British Crown Forces look down from above the bar - alongside John F Kennedy. Why not raise a pint of Murphy's Stout or a dram of Paddy Flaherty Whiskey to the Faithful Departed? Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine. Sláinte!
Our second day of touring begins with a relaxing drive northwest through part of the Golden Vale. This region is renowned as perhaps Europe's best agricultural land comprising the counties of Cork, Tipperary and Limerick - gaze at some of Ireland’s greenest and lushest landscapes.
We’ll make a quick stop in Limerick city – where you’ll have the opportunity to get the camera out and snap some pictures of the River Shannon and King John’s Castle.
Hitting the west coast, we’ll begin a fabulous drive on the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ – a scenic stretch of road along the Atlantic Coast. Think silver-strands, raging Atlantic surf and potential dolphin sightings.
Before long you'll find yourself in the Burren region which is home to a combination of flora unseen elsewhere in the world and limestone terrain reniniscent of the moon. This was a key region in the tragic history of the Irish Potato Famine – which took place between the years of 1845-49 and saw Ireland’s population dramatically decline due to death and emigration to the United States. Your guide will be on hand to fill you in on the events surrounding the famine and how it shaped the history of the Irish people, both at home and The Diaspora abroad.
Our next stop is for lunch and you can choose between Doolin or Liscannor. Doolin is a charming village sitting on the Atlantic shore, which is best known for its thatched roofs and traditional music. A very popular option with day trippers and coach groups, Doolin can be swamped during the peak months of May - September. Many of our private clients opt instead for Liscannor where the Vaughan family have operated the Anchor Inn for decades - the only pub in the region to have surfaced on the radar of the Michelin Guide - deservedly so.
After lunch it’s time for one of the highlights of any visit to Ireland – the Cliffs of Moher! Towering above a stretch of our raging Atlantic Coast, the Cliffs really are an incredible sight to see! Enjoy gazing out at the very edge of Western Europe – taking in views of the Aran Islands and Galway bay in the distance – beyond that -its nothing but ocean as far as the shores of North America. You will have ample time to walk along the cliff route and to visit the fantastic ‘Atlantic Edge Exhibition’, gift shop and café.
We depart from the Cliffs with a short drive to Bunratty Castle, situated in a charming village in Co. Clare. Take the opportunity to snap some pictures and enjoy some refreshments here, before we begin the comfortable drive back to Dublin City.
Enjoy lunch & a Guinness at O'Connor's (Doolin), McGann's (Doolin) or Vaughan's (Liscannor)
-back in the capital-
Stay at The Merrion (5*), The Westbury (5*), The Wilder Townhouse (4*) or anywhere of your choice (hopefully somewhere cool)
Dine at Shanahan's (Irish American Steakhouse), Bank on College Green (formal yet friendly), Peploe's (subterranean brasserie & wine bar with a pretty good Old World wine list)
You will receive your ticket (featuring your booking number) via email immediately at time of booking. There is no need to print the ticket. If you wish, you can simply show it on your phone or tablet.