On this Private Ireland to Island 7-Day Tour, you’ll get as close to island hopping as possible! With unbeatable excursions to destinations like Skellig Michael and the Aran Islands, you’ll see a side of Ireland you wouldn’t on the mainland. But don’t worry — your sea legs will get plenty of rest time too, especially along our tour of the Ring of Kerry and during our delectable whiskey tasting.
As the private version of our Ireland to Island 7-Day Tour, you’ll get plenty of added benefits beyond an excellent itinerary. You’ll enjoy the luxury of traveling with your select group of friends or family, giving you the freedom to bond and make lifetime memories. With opportunities to customize your experience, you’ll also have the full attention of your guide and driver along the way.
If you’d prefer more say in your itinerary, then have a look at our Tailor-Made Tours of Ireland, designed to suit your needs. Our Ireland Private Tours provide plenty more inspiration for the ultimate Irish experience, but our Ireland to Island tour is certainly unique. Keep reading to learn more about what you can expect!
Departing from Dublin, your Irish journey begins, of course, with a castle. Tour the breathtaking Rock of Cashel before making your way to the historic Midleton Distillery to savor some Irish whiskey — a good taste of things to come…
A major highlight of this trip is our jaunt to Skellig Michael, probably instantly recognizable to Star Wars fans! This extraordinary island is one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Republic of Ireland and once served as the home of a remote monastery.
Another focal point of this multi-day trip is our tour of the Aran Islands, where you’ll gain unparalleled insight into authentic Irish life. Traverse Inishmore by bicycle and meet the locals — you may even pick up a few words of Gaelic!
The fun doesn’t stop there. In between your island hopping, you’ll kiss the Blarney Stone, go kayaking in Killarney National Park, drive the Ring of Kerry, watch a sheepdog demonstration, and be awed by the Cliffs of Moher. This doesn’t even fill up all 7 days! The Burren, Galway, and more await. You can read the complete and detailed itinerary below. If you’d like to see a different side of Ireland in a similar timeframe, we can recommend our Private Emerald Explorer 8-Day Ireland Tour.
It’s important to note that due to the locations we visit on this tour, the accommodation included, and the vehicle size, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. Please arrange a custom tour with us instead!
No unexpected costs or hidden fees here — Overland Ireland works hard to deliver the best trips at the best prices, with myriad activities included in your itinerary.
There’s no need for you to organize anything on this private tour. Accommodation, transport, breakfasts, and entrance fees are all included!
If you have any specific dietary requirements, we can also make the necessary arrangements. Should you be vegetarian, vegan, or pescetarian, get in touch and let us know.
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Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Our 7-day Ireland tour begins as our small group leaves Dublin and heads south to Cobh, in County Cork. This is one of the world’s finest natural harbors, and where the last 123 passengers boarded the doomed Titanic on her maiden voyage.
As we journey through County Cork, with its wild beaches and jagged peninsulas, we’ll take in the 1,000-year-old Medieval Rock of Cashel. Your expert local guide will take you on a tour of the well-preserved round tower, Cormac’s chapel, and the breathtaking cathedral and castle. Take the first of many jealousy-inducing photos of this historical masterpiece!
Next, we’ll make our way to the world-famous Midleton Distillery, dating from the 17th century. Home to some of the best whiskies in the world, there is so much to taste and learn at this distillery whiskey museum and visitor center. We’ll enjoy lunch and a tour with a few cheeky samples!
The night will be spent in Cobh, soaking up the beautiful harbor views, colorful houses, and bustling nightlife.
Total driving time: 3 hours 45 minutes, excluding stops
Before embarking on our small group tour of Kerry, you can tick off a major item on your Irish bucket list – kissing the Blarney Stone! Here, you’ll receive the “gift of the gab” and will soon be talking like the loquacious locals.
We’ll then explore Blarney Castle with its beautiful grounds, gardens, and Rock Close. After lunch, we’ll enter the panoramic Kingdom of Kerry and wander the streets, shops, and delights of picturesque Kenmare. This is your gateway to the Ring of Kerry experience — Ireland’s most scenic and celebrated drive. We complete the entire route on this tour, making for an unforgettable experience!
In the evening, we travel towards the little fishing village of Waterville with its twinkling harbor lights to get ready for our first island trip to Skellig Michael. For those who prefer ‘terra firma’ and stay on the mainland, we have another excellent option up our sleeves…
Total driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes, excluding stops
There are only a very select few places on this planet that can be described as “out of this world” and Skellig Michael is unquestionably one of these. Today, we will journey to a “galaxy far, far away” and go Jedi spotting!
But before Skellig Michael featured as Luke Skywalker’s sanctuary in ‘The Force Awakens’, it was home to monks who used its perfectly preserved beehive huts to pray and contemplate. This is a sublime sanctuary, home to much wildlife and natural flora; a place of peace and power where the presence of the monks can still be felt.
However, if you’d rather stay on dry land, your guide will take you to visit the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, the great Irish liberator, orator, lawyer, politician, and statesman. Derrynane House, near the white dunes of Caherdaniel Strand, is a 19th-century residence that is home to many of our famous patriot’s personal artifacts.
And if the walls could talk, they’d tell of debates, rebellions, United Irishmen, nearby fairy kingdoms to explore, beach walks to undertake, and an Ogham Stone, featuring the oldest form of Irish writing.
After this cultural extravaganza, it’s off for a gentle walk around Bray Head where you’ll be treated to an oceanic panorama of the rugged beauty of the Skelligs and nearby Valentia island. After a great day of sightseeing on land or at sea, it’s off to enjoy Killarney — the capital of Kerry.
Total driving time: None!
Our day begins by kayaking in the spectacular Killarney National Park! You’ll paddle through the park and enjoy Ross Castle, magical woods, and caves all from the seat of your own personal vessel.
You will also be able to venture deeper into the Ring of Kerry by exploring Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, and more!
After all the excitement and activities on your tour, you will appreciate some downtime in Killarney. Spend the afternoon listening to traditional Irish music, doing a bit of shopping, or maybe even signing up for a brewery tour and a nice pint!
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
On this day, we will watch a traditional sheepdog demonstration — an experience that will leave you in awe of the relationship between man and canine. For many of our guests, this is one of the most memorable activities of the entire trip.
After this, we hop on a ferry to County Clare to the world-famous Cliffs of Moher and explore the Burren National Park. Seeing the Cliffs of Moher in all their glory, with the roaring Wild Atlantic as the perfect soundtrack, is a memory that will stay with you forever.
Enjoy an off-the-beaten-track track hike over the cliffs with a local guide. Along the way, they will point out secret pathways and passages that you can’t find in guidebooks.
And when the sun sets, settle in and enjoy your evening in one of county Clare’s most charming villages. Your stay will either be in Doolin, the traditional music capital, or Spanish Point with its breathtaking coastal scenery.
Total driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes, excluding stops
Our destination for this day is the charming and rugged Inis Oirr, the most remote of the three Aran Islands. Accessible via a short trip on the Doolin ferry, Inis Oirr will offer you a journey through time.
Explore the island by cycling along its peaceful, winding roads, where you’ll encounter friendly locals and maybe even learn a few words of Gaeilge! Discover ancient ruins and pristine beaches, and take in the island’s natural beauty.
On the return journey, we’ll sail directly across Galway Bay back to Doolin. From the water, you’ll have the chance to admire the majestic Cliffs of Moher, getting a sense of their towering height from the sea!
From here we will take a short drive to the City of the Tribes — Galway. Renowned for its culture, medieval history, and bohemian atmosphere, every night is a Friday night in Galway City.
Tourists, locals, and students alike flock to the city to enjoy the electric atmosphere along the narrow streets where musicians, poets, and dancers show off their boundless talents. This is a city well deserving of its award as The Culture Capital of Europe 2020.
Total driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
On the final morning of your 7-day Ireland tour, get to know the great bohemian city of Galway. Try on wool shawls and Claddagh rings before picking up some last-minute gifts to bring back with you. You’ll also get to learn about Galway’s Medieval history, culture, and traditions while strolling around the streets.
In the late afternoon, you will be taken back to Dublin City armed with great recommendations of places to see and things to do if you have a couple of days left in the Emerald Isle. On the journey back, why not reminisce about your time on the best small-group tour ever!
Due to our tours’ off-the-beaten-path locations, the size of our vehicles, and the fact that we cannot guarantee that all accommodation partners have ramps/elevators, unfortunately, our tours are not wheelchair accessible.
Note: To confirm your booking, you are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €300 per person for Private tours.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this tour or any others we operate. We may have already answered your question on our frequently asked questions page.
