Optional Day Tour Ideas

We want you to enjoy your Private Tour with us, so when planning your itinerary, please take into account the Time and Number of Days you have available. You will then be able to make the necessary changes to finally arrive at the “Tour of your Dreams”.

Special Sample Day Tour – Ballaghbeama Gap Drive/Ring of Kerry Alternative Day Tour

Ballaghbeama Pass cuts through the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks Mountains of the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula. It takes you from the north side of the Ring of Kerry to the south.
If you crave a place of isolation, unspoilt beauty, and which is breathtakingly spectacular, then this is for you.
You’ll definitely feel as if you’re in another world!

Optional Day Tour Ideas

3 Day Tour featuring 3 different Counties.
Castles & Church Ruins Combo Day Tour.
The Rock Day Tour – Rock of Cashel & Rock of Dunamase.
Ring of Kerry – 1 or 2 Day Tour.
Dingle Peninsula & Slea Head Drive – 1 or 2 Day Tour.
Kylemore Abbey & Connemara – 1 or 2 Day Tour.

TOUR OPTIONS

Have a look at some of these other wonderful attractions — Select your favourites and, if possible, we’ll combine them in a wonderful day tour.

COUNTY CLARE

Scenic-View-of-Loop-Head,-on-Ireland's-Wild-Atlantic-Way

CO. CLARE

Loop Head Peninsula – Featuring Loop Head Lighthouse, Carrigaholt, Church of the Little Ark/Kilbaha, Bridges of Ross, Kilkee Cliffs & Beach, plus a 30 minute Cliff Walk with spectacular views.
Ennis Walking Tours – Our local expert guide will lead you through the atmospheric streets and “bow-ways” of the town while revealing the intriguing characters and stories that shaped its history.
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park – 15thC Tower House – Most complete restored & furnished medieval castle in Ireland.
Folk Park – Living working museum with a window on 19thC traditional rural living and shows how life was in the village street.

Craggaunowen – Living Past Experience – Award winning archaeological open air museum.
Scattery Island – Uninhabited island off the south Clare coast, which has had a long and turbulent history since St Senan founded his austere monastery here in the 6th century.
Doolin Cave – Explore the geological marvels deep within the Burren’s landscape. Home to the Great Stalactite, which lives up to its name as one of the longest free hanging stalactites in the world.
Quin Abbey – Founded ca.1402 – Still one of the most intact medieval Franciscan Friaries in Ireland.

Clare Abbey – Founded pre 1189 and the first, largest and most important Augustinian House in Clare.
Dysert O’Dea – Authentically restored 15thC Irish Fortified Tower House – Built ca. 1480
Burren Perfumery – Unique range of natural, organic & handmade Irish perfumes drawing inspiration from the beautiful Burren Landscape all around us.
Burren Centre, Kilfenora – Audiovisual experience traces the formation of the Burren 320 million years ago and explains why Alpine, Arctic and Mediterranean plants grow side by side in this limestone world.

Ailwee Cave – Cave system in the karst landscape of the Burren & is one of the oldest caves in Ireland. Features include an Underground River, Waterfall, Stalactites & Stalagmites and Frozen Waterfall.
Kilmacduagh Abbey – Experience it’s peace, tranquility, magnificent ruins and Round Tower – Highest in Ireland & known locally as “The Leaning Tower of Clare” ! Monastery founded here by St Colman in 7thC.
Hazel Mountain Chocolate Factory – Boutique bean-to-bar producer that’s one of the smallest and most remote chocolate factories in the world.
Corcomroe Abbey – Early 13thC Cistercian Monastery, which is well preserved in a beautiful location on the edge of the limestone “karst” landscape known as the Burren.

COUNTY LIMERICK

Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum: Discover the era of transatlantic passenger flights, the invention of Irish Coffee, and the maritime history of the majestic River Shannon.
Lough Gur Archaeological Site: A magical and mysterious place that is rich in folklore along with a wealth of archaeology and history dating back to Stone Age times – See the Great Grange Stone Circle, Ireland’s largest stone circle.
Adare Village,Co Limerick: Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Ireland’s prettiest village. Founded in the 13thC, it abounds with a rich history and a strong heritage, which remain ever present in its monuments, its thatched cottages, its streets and its people. All info at the Adare Heritage Centre.

Limerick City Day Trip – King John’s Castle – Over 800 years old and in the heart of Limerick City on the banks of the mighty River Shannon. This renowned castle has a state-of-the-art interpretative centre. Discover & learn about Limerick’s fascinating medieval past.
St Mary’s Cathedral – A living Church where worship is offered daily. One of the oldest buildings in Limerick and stands at the heart of the medieval city. The Cathedral, which was gifted to the church in 1168, stands majestically over the City on the banks of the River Shannon and is a place where pilgrim and stranger may enter to seek God’s grace and peace in a broken and fragile world.

Hunt Museum – It preserves and exhibits the original artefacts gathered, over a life time, by John and Gertrude Hunt and known as the Hunt Collection. The Museum also displays its own collections, as well as visiting exhibitions of Local, National and International significance with the overall aim of maximising their cultural and educational potential for the people of Limerick and Ireland.
Shopping Therapy.

COUNTY GALWAY

Scenic Drive through Connemara.

Glengowla Mines, Oughterard – Unique, Guided Underground tour of Ireland’s first ‘show mine’ – This Silver and Lead Mine was abandoned in 1865 and is a unique reminder of the 19thC methods of ore extraction and processing. Visit the Museum – Hear the story of Bogs in Ireland – Enjoy Turf Cutting & Sheep Herding Demonstrations.

Quiet Man Bridge. Made famous in the 1950’s classic film “The Quiet Man” starring John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara & Barry Fitzgerald.

Aughnanure Castle – Magnificent specimen of an Irish Tower House built on the shores of Lough Corrib in the 16thC – Stronghold of the O’Flaherty Clan.
Kylemore Abbey – One of Ireland’s most romantic buildings – The Abbey, Mountains & Lakes are steeped in history – Originally built as a Castle 1867 as a romantic gift from Mitchell Henry to his wife Margaret – Learn tales of tragedy, romance, engineering initiatives and royal visits.

Connemara National Park – 7500 acres of scenic mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands & woodlands – Some of the Park’s mountains form part of the famous Twelve Bens / Baeanna Beola range.
Sheep & Wool Centre, Leenaun – Learn the process from sheep shearing to world famous Irish Knitwear creations – Guided Tours/Demos. Museum, Gift Shop & Café on site.
Film version of the John B Keane written classic, “The Field”, starring Richard Harris, John Hurt, Sean Bean, Brenda Fricker & Tom Berringer, was shot in and around the village.
Killary Fjord/Harbour – Ireland’s only true fjord is 10 miles long & 150ft deep in the middle – Centre for shellfish (Mussels & Clams) farming.

Sky Road Viewing Point : Viewing point on the Wild Atlantic Way – Magnificent scenery – Great vantage point to photograph Clifden town – 2 church spires and perfect Twelve Bens backdrop.

Dunguaire Castle,Kinvara – This 75ft Tower House has a most picturesque location on the shores of Galway Bay – Arguably the most photographed Castle in Ireland!

Galway: Walking Tour & Shopping Therapy in the City Centre.

COUNTY TIPPERARY

Roscrea Castle & Damer House is located in the heart of Roscrea, one of the oldest towns in Ireland and is a magnificent stone motte castle dating from the 1280s. It was used as a barracks from 1798, housing 350 soldiers, and later served as a school, a library and even a sanatorium.
Sharing the castle grounds is Damer House, named for local merchant John Damer, who came into possession of the castle in the 18thC. The house is a handsome example of pre-Palladian architecture, has nine beautiful bay windows and one of the rooms has been furnished in period style.
The grounds also include an impressive garden with a fountain and there is also a restored mill displaying St Crónán’s high cross and pillar stone.

Cahir Castle is located on a rocky island on the River Suir in the centre of Cahir Town and is one of Ireland’s largest and best preserved castles.
An imposing 13th -15thC structure, Cahir Castle was skilfully designed by Conor O’Brien to be a state-of-the-art defensive castle. Appearing to grow from the actual rock on which it stands, the castle has been the scene of sieges and bombardments for centuries.
In 1961 the castle reverted to State ownership and it retains its impressive keep, tower and much of its original defensive structure. Today, it also features an audio-visual show which informs you about its eventful history.

Swiss Cottage is a delightful ornamental cottage and was built in the early 1800’s by Richard Butler, first Earl of Glengall and here you can explore the Ireland of bygone times and get a sense of its true spirit.
It’s unusual and rustic features include a distinctive thatched roof while its external woodwork resembles branched trees. The nature theme continues throughout the former guest cottage’s internal furnishings and wallpaper.
Situated on an elevated site with access by stone steps, the Swiss Cottage interior contains a graceful spiral staircase and some elegantly decorated rooms.

COUNTY OFFALY

Birr Castle Demesne is the home of the Parsons family descended from the Earl of Rosse and you’ll see the stunning gardens and bask in spectacular views of the castle from the outdoor terraces – Stop off at the Historic Science Centre to see the incredible Great Telescope and check out the water features with a lake, waterfall and rivers dotted throughout the grounds.
When completed in 1845, the Birr Castle Great Telescope was the largest telescope on earth, capable of seeing further into space than any telescope had done before.
The gardens were the first in Ireland to receive specimens of Dawn Redwood after its discovery in China in 1945. Wander around and spot these majestic trees.

Clonmacnoise is one of the most famous monastic sites in Ireland and is located along the River Shannon near the village of Shannonbridge, Co Offaly.
Founded by St Ciaran in the mid-6thC it became a centre for learning in the 9thC and a visit here will conjure images of the saints and scholars of Ireland’s renowned golden age of learning. Many historical manuscripts were written here.
Today, the site exists as a preserved ruin under the management of the Office of Public Works and visitors can see three high crosses, a cathedral, seven churches, and two round towers. The beautifully preserved structures of Clonmacnoise Cathedral, Temple Doolin, Temple Hurpan and Temple Melaghlin will impress and leave those who visit Clonmacnoise with an authentic sense of the history of Ireland.

COUNTY KERRY

Blennerville Windmill is the dominant landmark in Tralee Bay – where the town of Tralee meets the Dingle Peninsula. It was authentically restored to full working order in the 1980’s, is the only windmill along the Wild Atlantic Way and is the largest working windmill in Ireland.
Blennerville was the main port of emigration from Co Kerry during the Great Famine of the 1840’s. The Jeannie Johnson made her maiden voyage from here to Quebec, Canada in 1848 with 193 passengers on board. She transported 2,500 Irish emigrants on 16 transatlantic voyages to North America.
View a short video presentation on the history of the windmill and its surroundings – There will be time to browse in the exhibition on emigration and the Jeannie Johnson ship, followed by a guided tour of the Windmill.
You will learn how flour is made by turning the ancient quorn stone, visit the Kerry Model Railway and see an interesting display of vintage farm and home equipment. You can also visit the gift shop.

COUNTY MAYO

Cong Village :- Walking Tour of the “Quiet Man” film locations.
Quiet Man Cottage Museum is a replica of the original “White O’ Morn” cottage.
Cong Abbey – 13thC historic site featuring the ruins of the former Augustinian Abbey.
Monk’s Fishing House – Built on a platform over the River Cong , through which monks used to net fish.

COUNTY WATERFORD

Waterford City: House of Waterford Crystal overlooks the historic district of the Viking Triangle in Waterford City – Learn the history and stories behind one of Ireland’s most iconic brand.
Take a factory tour and hear from the expert guides – Speak with the highly-skilled craftspeople – Watch glassblowers as they create crystal masterpieces – Enjoy a coffee at the charming Crystal Café – Look out for the special wooden moulds used by the glassblowers to shape the molten crystal.

COUNTY KILKENNY

Kilkenny City: Shopping Therapy.
Kilkenny Castle Park & Gardens – Few buildings in Ireland can boast a longer history of continuous occupation than this one. Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years.
See the grand interiors of the 12thC castle – Spot the ornamental lake – Enjoy the stunning rose garden.

COUNTY LAOIS

Rock of Dunamase – An imposing and magnificent example of the remains of a 12thC Celtic fortification – Spectacular views of the surrounding countryside make the site a strategic place to build a fortress – It was the location of an early Christian settlement known as Dun Masc and later became an important Anglo Norman fortification.