Welcome to one of our zingiest Ireland Adventure Tours to date — the Spectacular South & West extravaganza! If you want the perfect mix of culture and adventure, this Ireland 5-day itinerary is the one for you.
This Ireland activity holiday ventures along part of Ireland’s breathtaking Wild Atlantic Way and has everything we could possibly fit into a 5-day itinerary. And best of all, we use local expert guides. This means you’re guaranteed a genuine Irish experience.
This active tour of Ireland starts in the Viking capital of Dublin. It carries you southwest, via the Blarney Stone (which you can kiss to get the “gift of the gab”) to the rugged and wonderful Wild Atlantic Way. You will visit some of the most spectacular sights on the Ring of Kerry, with highlights like Ladies View and Moll’s Gap. Then put some zing into your tour by kayaking in beautiful Dingle Bay.
This is a truly action-packed adventure through some of Ireland’s most stunning landscapes, and we can’t wait for you to discover our country’s natural beauty first-hand.
Are you interested in the full Ring of Kerry experience? Check out our equally incredible Ireland to Island tour! And for even more inspiration, check out our broader range of Adventure Small Group Tours of Ireland.
Keep scrolling down to read the full 5-day itinerary and please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. If you have more time to play with, our 7-day Great Atlantic Adventure is another fantastic active Ireland tour that lasts a little longer.
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.
With Overland Ireland, you can be sure that you’ll get the most experiences possible for your tour price.
No unexpected charges or hidden surprises are waiting for you on the road!
Read the list of inclusions below and you will see just how much we cover, including accommodation, transportation, entrance fees, kayaking, and much more.
In the event of bad weather, or for any other reasons beyond our control, an activity cannot go ahead, we do not issue refunds.
We offer a full range of catering options, including those for pescatarians, vegetarians, and vegans.
For the optimal guest experience, we can operate this tour in reverse and combine it with any of our other tours that follow the same route.
Note: This is our current itinerary for this year. If you’re booking for next year, the plan could change slightly. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about this or our other tours!
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
This zingiest of Zest tours departs Dublin for County Cork in the stunning Southwest of Ireland.
En route to our first destination, we stop at the famous Rock of Cashel, renowned for its medieval round tower, cathedral, and chapel.
Lonely Planet describes Cork as “at the top of its game, sophisticated, vibrant and diverse”. At Overland Ireland, we completely agree!
In fact, Corkonians argue that their city is Ireland’s REAL capital.
Kick off your Cork experience by kissing the Blarney Stone. This might grant you the coveted “gift of the gab”.
While at Blarney Castle, we also take an easy stroll around the stunning castle and gardens, before exploring the mystical rock close.
Your Cork experience continues as your expert guide leads you on a walking tour through Kinsale, a historic port and fishing town.
Kinsale is known for its castles, forts, shops, galleries, arts and crafts, and the Kinsale Gourmet Academy.
We spend the first night of this Ireland tour in this incredible harbour town.
With outstanding, award-winning restaurants and dramatic scenery, boredom is an impossibility in Kinsale.
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
We depart Kinsale in the morning and follow the road to the Ring of Kerry.
This famous route, which takes us through Moll’s Gap and Ladies View, is filled with many jaw-dropping sights and hidden gems.
Enjoy a two-hour bike ride around Killarney National Park, taking in iconic Irish sights like Ross Castle, Torc Waterfall, and Muckross House & Gardens!
This adventure on two wheels is a nature lover’s dream. You will have a choice of trails to follow, but they’re all right options! Each has its own unique splendour to admire.
We then journey up to the celebrated, cosy coastal town of Dingle, where we spend the night.
The evening is yours to discover and absorb the atmosphere in the town’s famous quirky pubs and fantastic restaurants.
This is an unmissable opportunity to stumble across a traditional Irish music session. It’s also a great spot for that long-awaited perfect pint of Guinness.
Total driving time: 2 hours, excluding stops
On day three, you have a choice of activities to enjoy. You can either hit the water and paddle amongst Dingle Bay’s marine life or whizz around the peninsula on an e-bike.
The Dingle Bay kayak tour is led by our friends at Irish Adventures, and they know how to show you a great time!
The e-bike tour is self-guided and follows the beautiful Slea Head loop. E-bikes are a joy to ride and you can cover so much ground with minimal effort.
If you decide to go kayaking, the fun continues in the afternoon with the Slea Head Drive experience by bus.
If you chose to cycle the route earlier in the day, the afternoon is yours to enjoy everything that Dingle has to offer, from its quirky craft shops to its great cafes and welcoming pubs.
This is your holiday. We want you to enjoy every second!
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
The adventures continue on day four as we leave Dingle and travel north. Our path allows you to take in spectacular views of Castlegregory along the way.
We then stop off for one of the most popular experiences on all of our Ireland tours.
Our local farmer and his four-legged friends will amaze you with a traditional sheepdog show!
Watching the border collies work with the farmer is a captivating sight and a true taste of Irish heritage.
We then leave the South West behind as we take a ferry across the River Shannon. On the other side, we arrive in County Clare, home to the jaw-dropping Cliffs of Moher.
We explore this world-famous place on an invigorating two-and-a-half-hour hike.
The fresh air will fill your lungs, the dramatic coastline will widen your eyes!
Our local guides use their expertise and knowledge to take you off the beaten track, showing you secret passages that outshine the hot spots on the main tourist path.
Capture all the highlights of this experience with envy-inducing pictures.
The views are steeped in myth and wonder, and the roar of the wild Atlantic Ocean will echo in your ears long after we’ve left.
Spend the evening in Doolin, a warm, welcoming, and colourful village that just so happens to be the hometown of traditional Irish music.
Put on your dancing shoes!
Total driving time: 2 hours, excluding stops and trip back to Dublin
We leave Doolin and head toward Galway, stopping at the spectacular Burren National Park on the way.
There’s also a quick photo-op at Dunguaire Castle, a 16th Century fortification located in the quaint fishing village of Kinvara.
Galway is known around the world as a city of festivals and culture. In 2020, the city was voted European Capital of Culture, a year-long celebration of all that Galway is famous for.
This medieval city lives and breathes history. Many of Galway’s buildings date back hundreds of years, now serving as shops, bars, and restaurants.
Brightly-painted pubs heave with live music, while the cafés provide front-row seats for watching street performers, musicians, and an array of local characters.
Enjoy a historical walking tour and discover the many corners of this cultural town.
After exploring Galway’s hidden gems, you have a free afternoon to enjoy entertainment, great food, and craic in this much-celebrated city.
Watch some Irish dancing and feel your toes tapping to the pulse of pure Celtic music and dance.
Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye! But as you travel to Dublin on pre-arranged transport, you’ll have a catalogue of memories to look back on.
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 €250 per person for Small-Group 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.
