Irish Odyssey Self-Drive

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The ultimate Irish journey

Explore gorgeous scenery and intriguing culture as you drive around the entire Ireland on this comprehensive tour. Enjoy a stay at the luxurious Cabra Castle in Dublin and a dinner with a flight of craft beers at Walled City Brewery in Derry. All of our self-drive Classic Itinerary tours include your hotel stays, a Hop-On Hop-Off bus ticket and a voucher for a Dublin attraction, and an entertainment experience. Other attractions mentioned are suggestions.

Trip details

Tour start Dublin

Tour end Dublin

Days

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Solo Travel

Tour Highlights

Walled City Brewery — CIE Tours Exclusive

Savor the flavors of Derry at the award-winning Walled City Brewery, located in a historic building at the end of the Peace Bridge. Enjoy a CIE Tours exclusive as you dine with a flight of craft beers brewed on site for a true taste of the city's vibrant food and beer scene.

Dublin Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour

Your hop-on, hop-off bus tour in Dublin gives you a convenient and fun way to discover the city's iconic landmarks and fascinating history at your own pace.

Dublin Sightseeing

Spend a day of independent exploration in Ireland's capital aboard a convenient hop-on, hop-off city tour. Discover Dublin's famous landmarks, lively neighborhoods, and rich history while enjoying flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Giant's Causeway

Thousands of interlocking basalt columns line the rugged Antrim coast, making it one of Ireland’s most extraordinary wonders. Stand upon these amazing formations, created by volcanic activity millions of years ago – or if you believe the legends, by Irish giant Finn McCool, who built it as a bridge to Scotland to confront his rival.

Kylemore Abbey and Gardens

Set beside a tranquil lake in the heart of Connemara, Kylemore Abbey is one of Ireland's most picturesque estates. Discover its Victorian walled gardens, fascinating history, and breathtaking setting among the rugged mountains of western Ireland.

Titanic Belfast

Discover the story of RMS Titanic at Belfast's award-winning museum, located on the very site where the ship was built. Interactive exhibits reveal the vessel's construction, voyage, and enduring legacy.

Trip Itinerary

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Day 1Dublin

Welcome to Dublin. Today, you’ll use your vouchers to tour Dublin on a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour. See all the sights of this vibrant city, including its Georgian squares, Christchurch cathedral, Grafton Street shops, the River Liffey, stopping off when and as often as you wish.

Day 2Dublin

Today you can explore the city as you wish, continuing to use your Hop-On, Hop-Off bus ticket. 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 Whiskey 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; 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. (B)

Day 3Cork

You will have a voucher to take a taxi from hotel to Hertz Office to pick up your Hertz rental car. Begin your driving adventure by heading south. Your destination is Cork, Ireland’s second-largest city. Along the way, you might choose to stop off in Kilkenny or Waterford, or visit the picturesque Rock of Cashel. You’ll dine tonight in your riverside hotel. (B, D)

Day 4Killarney

Perhaps stroll through Cork’s English Market, where vendors have been selling local and artisanal foods since 1788. You might take a short drive to visit Blarney Castle, where you can climb the winding stairs to kiss its famed stone, or stroll the gardens. Head to Kenmare, a tranquil country town of art galleries, craft shops, and gourmet eateries. Continue on your way to Killarney, stopping at Moll’s gap to enjoy the splendid views. Dine in your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Day 5Killarney

You might choose to visit Moriarty’s family-owned gift store, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe. Travel to the scenic Dingle Peninsula for views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, and rocky headlands. You might choose to drive the Slea Head loop to enjoy more spectacular scenery, or spend some time in charming Dingle Town. Alternatively, you could do the Ring of Kerry, Ireland’s most famous scenic drive. Dine independently today. (B)

Day 6Drive to Galway

Today you’ll drive to Galway, a thriving city with a great arts scene. You may choose to take a car ferry across the River Shannon and drive along the coast, visiting the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic. You could check out the visitor center and then walk along the top of the cliffs, enjoying the dramatic views across to Connemara and the Aran Islands. Drive through the austere limestone beauty of the Burren, continuing on to the vibrant city of Galway. Browse the shops along the pedestrianized High Street, visit the City Museum or the Galway Arts Centre, or people-watch as you sip coffee on Quay Street. Dine in your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Day 7Galway

Take a drive through Connemara for sweeping views of misty mountains and shimmering lakes. Perhaps you’ll stop at Kylemore Abbey for a stroll through the gardens or a walk through this elegant mansion, set beside a tranquil lake. Return to Galway for the evening; the city is known for its many great restaurants and pubs, and if you’re interested in traditional music you’re sure to find some. (B)

Day 8Derry

Drive north on your way to Derry today. You might choose to follow the Atlantic Shore to Donegal town, where perhaps you’ll visit CIE Tours preferred shopping partner Triona Design. Continue on through the majestic Barnesmore Gap to Derry, a city known for its turbulent history but now home to a thriving arts scene. You might stop into the Derry Visitor Information Centre to discover their resources; perhaps consider the Visit Derry Pass, which covers 10 city center attractions. Dine in your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Day 9Derry | Walled City Brewery

You might choose to explore the Giant’s Causeway, huge hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. Local lore says legendary giant Finn McCool built the causeway as his path to battle a Scottish enemy. Back in Derry, take a walk across the Peace Bridge, which unites two areas historically divided by identity. Dine at the Walled City Brewery Restaurant, a family-owned gastropub in a historic former army barracks; enjoy a drink with your dinner and a flight of 4 of the brewery’s beers to taste. (B, D)

Day 10Belfast

Head to Belfast to explore and dine as you please in this exciting, historic city. See Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square, and you might choose to visit Titanic Belfast to discover the story of the doomed ocean liner, built in the nearby dockyards. (B)

Day 11Cabra Castle Hotel

Travel to Kingscourt and your castle hotel, built in 1760 and situated on 100 acres of gardens and parklands. You might want to arrive in the afternoon to have time to enjoy this luxurious property. Dine in the Court restaurant this evening. (B, D)