(Photos from this trip are located here)
I don’t know what took me so long to prioritize a tour in Ireland, but I know it won’t be the last time I visit. This trip was so much fun, and the people we met along the way contributed greatly to making this such an amazing experience. The Irish are incredibly welcoming and friendly – I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere where so many people were just so nice!
Overview of the route: The objective for this tour was to explore the highlights of Ireland and, WOW, did we ever! We were moving pretty quickly and only stayed longer than 1 night in our last stop, Dublin. I think we were all ok with that though – we got to see a great variety of landscapes and landmarks across the country. Our route allowed us to spend time in at least 6 counties covering lots of towns including: Dingle, Killarney, Cork, Galway, Athlone, Westport, and of course, Dublin.
What an unforgettable journey, full of laughter, landscapes, and that unmistakable Irish warmth. Let’s relive it together!
Dingle Peninsula: From Shannon Airport straight to the dramatic beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, the trip started with coastal views and friendly faces. Our group kicked things off with cozy camaraderie exploring the charming town of Dingle, including a required stop at Murphy’s Ice Cream for some unique flavor options. I think my favorite was Irish Brown Bread! Cheers to new friends and fresh landings!
The Ring of Kerry: A full-day whirlwind: majestic Torc Waterfall, the regal Muckross House and Gardens, the tranquil Muckross Abbey, and the storybook Ross Castle. The bus buzzed with “did-you-see-that?!” moments at every turn—and the cameras clicked non-stop.
Blarney & Cork Shenanigans: Kissing the Blarney Stone—some with elegance, some with a dash of acrobatics. We left with the gift of gab (and maybe a selfie or two). From there, onward to Cork and a cocktail-making mash-up at Jameson Distillery—some of us poured like pros, others… well, let’s just say we stirred up a good time nonetheless.
Cliffs of Moher & Galway Nights: We warmed up our sightseeing muscles with a visit to the beautiful Bridges of Ross and then saw where Irish skies met edge-of-the-world drama at the Cliffs of Moher. Wind + awe = perfect photo ops and maybe a bit of balance-challenged laughter. By evening, Galway’s cobbled streets and lively pubs wrapped us in their cozy, musical charm.
Galway Mornings & Connemara National Park: A leisurely morning wander in Galway where we had the entertaining experience of a guided food tour. And if you think Ireland is not the place for a food tour, you’re so wrong! We tried some traditional as well as up-and-coming culinary treats (and a few traditional drinks, of course). We followed that up with a nature boost in Connemara National Park. The landscape views alone plus Kylemore Abby had us feeling like we’d stepped into a postcard.
Downpatrick Head Elegance & Castle Time: The tide-thrashed coastline at Downpatrick Head showed the wild soul of the Atlantic. Then, a change of pace with an elegant afternoon tea at Ashford Castle—dainty treats, refined surroundings, and just enough posh to make us feel like royalty… or at least very fancy tourists. From there, we changed the mood again with an incredible hawk walk on the grounds of Ashford Castle with their Falconry School. What an amazing experience we each had allowing a hawk to land and take off from our gloved-arms!! Even those of us who had planned to just observe, couldn’t resist taking part in the activity!
Dublin: History, Pints & Private Tours: Welcome to Dublin! Upon our afternoon arrival, our visit kicked off with an essential stop at the Guinness Storehouse—now we can officially say we’ve perfected the art of pouring a Guinness. Résumé skill unlocked. Day 2 in Dublin started with a private guided tour that hit all of the city highlights! We even included Umbrella Street, which added charm and photo gold. From there, Trinity College’s Long Room and the Book of Kells? Absolutely breathtaking.
Departure: Slán Go Fóill, Ireland! It was time to say goodbye (for now) to green hills, friendly pubs, and our onboarding song of shenanigans. We flew out with full hearts, fuller camera rolls, and loads of unforgettable memories! Here’s to the laughs, the friendships, the soggy hair, the toasts, and every moment in between that made this trip one for the storybooks. If it sounds like something you would enjoy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I will be repeating the itinerary in 2026! Or, as always, if there’s a different route you’d like to try, anywhere in Italy, France and/or Switzerland (or beyond), I would be happy to come up with a custom itinerary! Please make sure to check out some of the images from this trip in the website photo gallery!