Best of Ireland South Self-Drive

Pick up your Hertz car upon arrival at the airport. Head into the city center, where your trip begins with a day of touring in Dublin. Take a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour, and see all the city’s highlights with the freedom to stop off to explore further as you please. Plus, you will have a voucher to admit you to one of Dublin’s top attractions: the Guinness Storehouse, a seven-story attraction telling the story of Dublin’s iconic beverage, complete with a pint at the Gravity Bar on the top floor; Teeling Distillery, the first new whiskey distillery to open in Dublin in 125 years; EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, telling the story of the people who left Ireland and how they shaped the world; or the GPO Museum, innovatively detailing the fascinating story of the 1916 Rising, the pivotal event that led to Ireland’s independence; or Jameson Distillery Bow St., the original home of Jameson Irish Whiskey since 1780. Your evening is free to explore Dublin’s pubs and restaurants as you wish.

Continue sightseeing in Dublin. If you still have vouchers, you can continue exploring the city. Or visit some of the charming coastal villages and seaside suburbs: Dalkey, Malahide, Dun Laoghaire, and Howth are all worth a visit, with plenty of fantastic seafood restaurants, historic castles, and amazing vistas awaiting you. Dine independently. (B)

Drive southwest through the agricultural midlands. You might stop to visit Blarney Castle, climbing the winding staircase to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or strolling through the acres of tranquil gardens. Travel through Macroom and into County Kerry, with its spectacular mountain scenery. Arrive in the friendly town of Killarney, where you will enjoy dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous in the movies “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away,” which showcased the wonderful scenery found here. Travel to Slea Head at the westernmost tip of the peninsula for awesome views of the Atlantic Ocean and stop for a while in charming Dingle town. Or you may choose the Ring of Kerry, perhaps Ireland’s best known scenic drive. Either way, you’ll experience spectacular seascapes and charming villages, with plenty of photo stops along the way. Visit Muckross Traditional Farms for a fun evening of traditional Irish entertainment with dinner at Quill’s Farmhouse.  (B, D)

Start driving north to County Clare. You might stop in the pretty village of Adare and check out the charm of its thatched cottages and colorful gardens. Proceed to Bunratty, where you might choose to visit Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. You might tour the 15th-century castle and stroll through The Village Street of the adjoining Folk Park, a collection of typical 19th-century Irish buildings - complete with village characters ready to entertain you.  (B)

Travel north. You might choose to go along the coast of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher, which soar almost 700 feet above churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs to O’Brien’s Tower for great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Drive north to Galway to explore this lively, artistic city. Walk through its medieval streetscape, listen to the buskers performing, enjoy its many shops and cafes. Enjoy your evening free to dine independently.  (B)

Drive across the scenic Irish countryside to Dublin for your final evening. Along the way, you might choose to visit the Irish National Stud, home of equine royalty in County Kildare.  (B)

Your tour ends after breakfast. Drive to the airport and drop off your rental car. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner >