West of Ireland In-Depth Driving Tour 9-day tour for 4 adults

After a hearty Irish breakfast, you’ll drive north to Co. Mayo for a guided tour of Lough Mask Distillery. This local distillery is located on the shores of a pretty island-strewn lake, where small batches of whiskey, gin and vodka are crafted by hand in beautiful copper pot stills. 

After your tour, visit nearby Cong – a quaint village made famous by the Oscar winning 1952 movie The Quiet Man. Cong is a lively village which attracts visitors from around the world and is home to the world-renowned Ashford Castle Hotel. It also boasts several notable historical sites including an inscribed 14th century stone cross and the ruins of Ashford Abbey, founded in 1128. Craft shops, cafes, cosy pubs and winding streets make it a lovely place to wander and absorb its lively atmosphere. 

Or drive on to the heritage town of Westport, a vibrant, colourful market town which has been voted Ireland’s Best Place to Live. Here you can visit Westport House, the ancestral home and estate of the Marquis of Sligo. Your route will take you through the dramatic, glaciated valleys of Delphi and Doolough. At the northern end of Doolough Valley, right next to the road, there is a memorial to the memory of the victims of Ireland’s Great Famine which greatly affected this area. 

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you can follow winding coast roads along the very edge of the deep green Atlantic Ocean passing white sand beaches. Visit the pretty village of Tullycross with its traditional thatched cottages. Take in the breathtaking vistas over Killary Fjord. Stop off at the tiny village of Leenane, our hometown - tucked beneath the Maamturk mountains at the head of the fjord. Here you can choose to board the Connemara Lady catamaran for a cruise along the fjord out to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, with commentary on the fascinating history, landscape and people of this dramatic area. The trip is often honoured by the company of leaping dolphins!

We also highly recommended a stop at world-renowned Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, a magical gothic-style castle with a long and fascinating history. Built in 1867, it boasts one of Ireland's finest Victorian walled gardens and is also a great place for lunch. Or drive through the stunning Inagh Valley along the shores of Lough Inagh, one of Connemara's most spectacular lakes, surrounded by the majestic Maamturk and Twelve Bens mountains. 

Tonight, you’ll dine in the award-winning restaurant of the Renvyle House Hotel, so relax and enjoy your last night in this special place.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

As you say goodbye to Renvyle, your route will bring you into the Roundstone peninsula where ancient bogland meets vast golden beaches. Stop off at Gurteen Beach and Dog’s Bay, back-to-back pure white beaches made entirely of fragments of seashells. Your journey today will bring you into the Gaeltacht (Gaelic speaking) region, so listen out for this ancient, musical language being spoken around you. 

The pretty fishing village of Roundstone, where you’ll stay tonight, has been a haven over the years for artists, musicians and those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the world. Its picturesque harbour has a wonderful panorama across the Atlantic to the jagged peaks of the Twelve Bens mountain range. 

Meals included: Breakfast

Today it’s on to Galway City, the ‘City of the Tribes’ where you’ll stay tonight. Overlooking Galway Bay, Galway is a bustling, colourful and friendly city with medieval architecture, cobbled streets, great seafood, traditional pubs and a cosmopolitan, international atmosphere. 

This afternoon you’ll meet your local guide for a Galway Whiskey and Food Tour, to sample the finest Irish produce and whiskies from artisan producers and traditional family run businesses in this gourmet city. Finish your evening in the lively atmosphere in one of Galway’s famous traditional Irish pubs, where music and ‘the craic’ are always in full flow.

Meals included: Breakfast, Gourmet Food Tour

This morning you’ll journey south to Lahinch, Co. Clare. Your route brings you through the Burren National Park. Stop off and experience this unique sparse, otherworldly landscape. The writer Tolkien visited this area and used it as inspiration when writing his Lord of the Rings trilogy and it’s easy to see why. We also recommend a visit to nearby Aillwee Cave. 

Of course, a visit to the famous Cliffs of Moher is a must. A walk along these iconic cliffs at the very edge of the Atlantic is an unforgettable experience and definitely one for the bucket list! You’ll stay tonight in nearby Lahinch, a lively seaside resort with a magnificent crescent beach and home to a world-famous golf course.

Meals included: Breakfast

For the final two nights of your tour, you’ll move inland to Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands to Co.  Roscommon, where you’ll stay at Wineport Lodge. Located on the banks of Lough Ree, real relaxation awaits here. Take a boat trip out on the lake or the River Shannon to explore the beautiful scenery, historic sites and local wildlife, or hire a paddle board or kayak for a little extra adventure. Or simply enjoy a day of relaxation at the on-site spa.

The local area is packed full of history, stories, myths and legends. Visit a Norman castle in Athlone Town, experience the serenity of a 6th century monastery at Clonmacnoise or discover the ancient Celtic Hill of Uisneach, gateway to Ireland’s mythical fifth province and said to be the final resting place of the earth goddess, Ériu. You’ll find yourself far from the crowds at many of these truly magical places.

Meals included: Breakfast

For the final two nights of your tour, you’ll move inland to Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands to Co.  Roscommon, where you’ll stay at Wineport Lodge. Located on the banks of Lough Ree, real relaxation awaits here. Take a boat trip out on the lake or the River Shannon to explore the beautiful scenery, historic sites and local wildlife, or hire a paddle board or kayak for a little extra adventure. Or simply enjoy a day of relaxation at the on-site spa.

The local area is packed full of history, stories, myths and legends. Visit a Norman castle in Athlone Town, experience the serenity of a 6th century monastery at Clonmacnoise or discover the ancient Celtic Hill of Uisneach, gateway to Ireland’s mythical fifth province and said to be the final resting place of the earth goddess, Ériu. You’ll find yourself far from the crowds at many of these truly magical places.

Meals included: Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, you’ll drive back to your departure point and drop off your hire car. It's the end of your tour and time for your onward journey, bringing your unforgettable memories of Ireland with you. Slan go fóill! – we’ll see you again soon.

Meals included: Breakfast