Embark on an unforgettable adventure along the Wild Atlantic Way at your own pace and with the guidance of Overland Ireland’s local experts every step of the way!
On all our driving tours through Ireland, we believe that the best way to discover Ireland is through adventure! On this south and west self-drive tour of Ireland, you will drive, hike, and bike your way around our favorite places and experience as many cultural and authentically Irish activities as we can manage to squeeze into your itinerary. Keep reading to learn more about this incredible experience, then, afterward, browse our extensive collection of Ireland Self-drive Tour Packages.
Get out in the fresh Irish air and get blown away by the rich experiences and places we have in store for you. We offer you a huge range of activities on this 8-day self-drive Ireland tour, with lots of hiking trails, leisurely cycles, and alternative activities to keep you active and entertained on your road trip around Ireland.
Treat yourself to the sights along the famous Cliffs of Moher, The Ring of Kerry, and the Dingle Peninsula. Learn the history of Ireland’s many castles, and harbor towns and indulge in a distillery tour. Let our team at Overland take care of you and send you on a whirlwind self-guided driving adventure around Cork, Kerry, and County Clare.
Due to our tour’s remote, off-the-beaten-path locations, and the fact that we cannot guarantee that all accommodation partners have ramps and/or elevators, unfortunately, our tours are not wheelchair accessible.
Keep scrolling to learn more about this amazing 8-day Self-Drive Ireland Tour, but if you’re still looking for the perfect trip for you and you’d prefer it to be guided, you might also like to check out our complete range of Small Group Tours of Ireland. If you’d like the ultimate experience, have us design your entire trip with our Tailor-made Tours of Ireland.
When you book a Self-Drive Ireland Tour with us, you get a guided itinerary, outstanding service, and extras, like our Paddy the Pocket Pilot App, as standard. So, if you want to hit the road and explore Ireland independently, but with all the benefits of a guided tour created by local experts (including pre-booked “tried & loved” accommodation), you’re in good hands with Overland. But don’t take our word for it… read our tour group reviews!
At Overland Ireland, we believe in including as much as possible in your tour price. We’re one of the few tour companies that tries to ensure you have no unexpected charges or hidden surprises on your tour. We aim to keep experiences up while driving costs down! The Overland team has worked hard to find you the best deals possible all across Ireland.
We can also cater this tour to vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians, so please let us know if you have any dietary preferences or requirements.
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Total driving distance & time: 250 km – 4 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
To whet your appetite for this 8-day self-drive Ireland tour, we will arrange a tour of the Rock of Cashel’s Medieval round tower, chapel, cathedral, and castle! This is a fantastic stop to get you in the mood for what awaits you on the road.
Next up, it’s time to stretch your legs with an 8km coastal cliff walk at Ballycotton flanked by meadows to your right and the wild Atlantic Ocean to your left! This is a two-hour hike taken at an easy pace. Before departing for the harbor town of Kinsale, we recommend stopping for lunch at Ballymaloe House en route. Make sure to leave room for their delicious sweet treats.
Tonight, you will spend a glorious evening exploring the amazing eateries and entertainment spots in Kinsale. Rest your head in our carefully handpicked guesthouse accommodation.
Total driving distance & time: 140 km – 2 hours, excluding stops
Wake up with a spring in your step on day two of your self-guided driving tour of Ireland! Let our friend and local guide, Barry, take you on a historical walking tour of Kinsale – a favorite experience among our many previous guests.
You will then take a short drive to the coastline before setting out on a leisurely 6km hike around the Old Head of Kinsale. The breathtaking views, ancient ruins, lighthouse, and the site of the torpedoed Lusitania will ensure you work up an appetite.
Spend a couple of hours browsing the colorful shops and cafes in Kinsale before a scenic drive through the Healy Pass to Castletownbere on the Beara Peninsula. Paddy the Pocket Pilot will point you in the direction of some hidden gems off the typical tourist route!
Total driving distance & time: 95 km – 1 hour 50 minutes, excluding stops
From Castletownbere, you will make a small journey to Dursey Island by cable car! Your day today is going to be spent hiking around Dursey Island with Paddy the Pocket Pilot as your own personal tour guide. The stories and history shared will enlighten you as you get your heart pumping discovering every inch of this secret island. This is a 13km loop walk around the most westerly island off Cork. With only eight inhabitants on the island and no distractions, you will really enjoy discovering its remote charm and tranquility. It is an easy-to-moderate trail.
In the afternoon, your 8-day self-drive Ireland tour hits the road again! You will venture from County Cork into the Kingdom of Kerry, towards Killarney. We highly recommend a stop in the picturesque town of Kenmare. You will feel like you have been transported onto an Irish movie set!
Settle into Killarney and get a good night’s rest in preparation for your experiences tomorrow.
Total driving distance & time: 170 km – 3 hours 30 minutes.
This is the entire Ring of Kerry. We recommend that you do a section of it this afternoon.
By this point of your self-guided driving tour of Ireland, you will have eased yourself into a few hikes. It’s the perfect time, then, to challenge yourself a little more with a hike up Torc Mountain on the Ring of Kerry! At the summit, you will be treated to 360-degree panoramic views of Killarney Lakes and National Park and the MacGillicuddy’s Reeks. The distance is an easy-to-moderate incline of 7.5km and you can take it at your own pace, spending two to three hours admiring the views and stopping for some great photo opportunities.
Rest your legs and treat yourself to lunch at Moll’s Gap and spend the late afternoon driving on the Ring of Kerry.
No need to pack your bags as you will spend another night in Killarney. Let our team make some recommendations and reservations for you through our app. We will be with you at every step of this 8-day self-drive Ireland tour if you need us.
Total driving distance & time: 65 km – 1 hour 30 minutes, excluding stops
Today you will explore Killarney National Park by bike. Whether you’re after old country manors, lakeside views, captivating heritage, or beautiful flora and fauna, you will find it on one of the trails in this sprawling park. Wander around Muckross House, hug the lake trail, and go see Torc Waterfall for some envy-inducing photos! You will lose yourself for a couple of hours in this little slice of heaven.
Cycling in the park is at your own pace and, depending on stops (we recommend a slice of apple tart and a cup of tea at the coffee shop), should take around three hours to explore. If you feel a little less energetic at this point of your self-guided driving tour of Ireland, there are plenty of local jaunting (pony and cart) drivers to take you on a magical experience!
Say goodbye to Killarney and get excited about your next destination – Dingle! You will make a pit stop at the famous Inch Beach to stretch your legs and maybe have a beachside treat at Sammy’s Café.
The evening is yours to discover Dingle and absorb its charming atmosphere. Treat your tastebuds in the town’s fantastic restaurants and enjoy a drink in one of the famous quirky pubs. Consider heading to Foxy John’s hardware store… order yourself a drink, take a seat, and strike up a conversation with a colorful local!
Total driving distance & time: depends on choice of activity.
We have three options for an amazing day on the Dingle Peninsula. You decide what will put a smile on your face on day six of this 8-day self-drive Ireland tour. Your trusty pocket pilot will be on hand to show you the options.
Hop on an electric bike and cycle along the Slea Head drive. The sites and stops along this coastal route are truly magnificent. Alternatively, why not take a hike up Mount Brandon for unreal views of Dingle Bay and Castlegretory? One of our favorite activities, and one we always recommend, is kayaking in Dingle Bay. Spend the morning exploring the sea caves and soaking up the spectacular coastal scenery from a different perspective out in Dingle Harbour.
Each activity is approximately three hours and you can do them at an easy pace. Mount Brandon is a moderately difficult hike and could bring you to four hours up and down, but it is highly rewarding.
The afternoon will be spent indulging in the delights of Dingle’s Distillery. There, you will sample their award-winning whiskey and gin and get an education on the history of whiskey production around the world. Explore Dingle’s celebrated traditional Irish music scene tonight and maybe have your dinner al fresco – fish and chips at the pier!
Total driving distance & time: 230 km – 3 hours 20 minutes, excluding stops.
Today, before you leave the Kingdom of Kerry, you will watch a local sheepdog show off his finely honed skills during a traditional demonstration. This is always a highlight of our self-guided driving tours of Ireland!
Next, take the ferry to County Clare, home of the spectacular Cliffs of Moher and the natural beauty of the Burren National Park. You will hike for three hours along the cliffs with the roaring Wild Atlantic Ocean providing the perfect backdrop! We will give you a route off the beaten track, with many secret passages that are not on the typical tourist route. Friends at home will definitely feel green with envy when you share your snaps from this stunning landmark.
A couple of minutes from the cliffs, you will spend the evening in the most welcoming and colorful fishing village of Doolin, the hometown of traditional Irish music. Your accommodation is super easy to find through the Paddy App.
Total driving distance & time: 265 km – 3 hours 25 minutes, excluding stops
From Doolin, we will organize bicycle rental so you can explore Burren National Park! All you need to do is pick up your bikes and get pedaling! Riding for three hours at a steady pace is perfect for this adventure. Treat your eyes to incredible views of Galway Bay and some of the most extraordinary landscapes in Ireland. Spend time roaming the huge expanse of limestone ridges and discover this unique ecosystem’s wonderful flora and fauna.
There’s one more lunch to enjoy before you bid a fond farewell to the Wild West and make your way back to Dublin. A stop at Clonmacnoise can be a welcome break on this leg of the journey.
It’s then time to turn off your car’s engine, dry those tears, and sit back and reflect on everything you have experienced on this 8-day self-drive Ireland tour. Do you have some time left before leaving the Emerald Isle? The Overland Ireland team is more than happy to share some amazing recommendations for things to keep you entertained and well-fed in Dublin’s fair city.
We can even arrange to link this tour experience with any of our other self-drive tour packages of Ireland!
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 Self-Drive 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.
