Venture out on your own Irish adventure, moving at your own pace but with the guidance of an entire team of Overland Ireland’s professional guides. This team not only lovingly crafted this wonderful experience, but they also remained on call should you need any help throughout your journey.
Welcome to our Ancient East 6-day Ireland road trip. We have put together an amazing journey for you, jam-packed with stories and legends and the best ancient Ireland tourism has to offer. Prepare to swoon at historical sights and impressive architecture. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy our famous Irish “Céad Míle Fáilte” — a hundred thousand welcomes!
Keep reading to learn more about this 6-day Ireland road trip, and if you’d like to compare it to other self-guided adventures, please browse our entire collection of Self-drive Ireland Tours.
You will visit the monastic city of Glendalough, hidden in the Wicklow Mountains and travel to Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford. You will enjoy the Midleton Whiskey Experience and learn the secrets behind our most famous Irish Whiskey.
Discover the real Ireland on this 6-day Ireland road trip packed with exciting experiences and outdoor activities, such as: kayaking, cycling, castles, hiking, biking and so much more. And, before you leave, swing into Blarney Castle and give the Blarney Stone a big kiss!
We will look after everything for you and Paddy, your Virtual Travel Companion, will be with you for each step of your journey. And, should you need to talk to one of our team, we are always on the other end of the phone. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride! You will never forget this Ireland road trip; 6 days roaming the real Ireland will offer memories that will last a lifetime.
Due to our tours’ 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.
For more inspiration, consider our guided experiences, such as our Active Small Group Tours of Ireland (hiking, kayaking, and more) and our Relaxed Small Group Tours of Ireland. If you have any questions for us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Every Self-Drive Tour booked with Overland Ireland comes with exceptional service, a guided itinerary, and extras, such as our Paddy the Pocket Pilot App. So, if you’re looking for an independent way to see Ireland with all the benefits and surprises of a guided tour with pre-booked “tried & loved” accommodation, you’re in good hands. But don’t take our word for it, check out our tour group reviews here.
When you book with Overland Ireland, you can rest assured that we include as much as we possibly can in the price of your tour. We aim to have no hidden surprises or unexpected charges on your tour.
Our quest is to keep the costs down while ensuring that there are as many worthwhile experiences as possible. With this value, we hope to tempt people who usually only plan their trips on their own. Instead, let us plan your trip, helping you see more for less at every step along your 6-day Ireland road trip! We have worked really hard to get you the best deals up and down the country.
Dietary requirement note: If you have any special requirements or preferences, please let us know. We can cater this tour to vegetarians, vegans, and pescatarians.
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Total driving distance & time: 175km – 2 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Switch on Paddy the Pocket Pilot App and leave the bright lights of the capital behind. Drive to Glendalough Monastery via the Sally Gap and Military Road unveiling the amazing scenery of the Wicklow mountains.
Glendalough perches itself in the glacial valley of the two lakes. Let our friends take you on a walking tour along the many trails.
Next stop is Kilkenny Castle which proudly displays one of the largest and expertly maintained Irish castles. Roam the grand rooms where the lords and ladies lived and admire the architecture, artwork and furnishings that were once owned by these great families.
A Kilkenny local will take you through the medieval quarter and you will finish your day enjoying a pint of Smithwicks at Ireland’s oldest brewery! Smithwicks was originally brewed by monks, so it is quite fitting after our monastic trip to Glendalough to continue our spiritual journey through the Emerald Isle.
Rest your head in Kilkenny before continuing on your road-trip of a lifetime.
Total driving distance & time: 70km – 1 hour, excluding stops
Switch on your engine and travel towards the Sunny South East! It is said that Waterford experiences the nicest weather in the country so don’t forget your sun-cream and sun-glasses!
Jump out of the car and stretch your legs with a refreshing walk or cycle along Waterford’s Greenway Routes and trails. Hug the coastline and ride or hike into some beautiful forestry trails.
You cannot come to Waterford without a quick visit to the Waterford Crystal Centre.
After oohing and ahhing over the beautiful crystal creations, let the expert on all things Waterford, lets take you on a walking tour of the Viking Triangle in Ireland’s oldest city. Waterford predates Dublin by 74 years!
Spend your evening in the Seaport town indulging in the musical and culinary delights this fantastic stop has to offer.
Total driving distance & time: 150km – 2 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Wexford is awash with stunning coastal villages and dramatic coastline. A county that is steeped in Viking and Norman history is definitely worth a visit on your tour of the Ancient East. You will have a wonderful time exploring the hidden treasures of Wexford.
Start your day by delving a little deeper into Irish heritage with a guided tour of Tintern Abbey and Gardens. Every type of person is said to have roamed Tintern Abbey: knights, monks, and scoundrels alike. You will hear all the stories on your tour!
Next up is a hike up to the world’s oldest operational lighthouse overlooking the Hook Peninsula. Take the time to stroll around the headland and down to some of the castle ruins along the shoreline.
You will have the opportunity to explore the coastline by kayak today. See Ireland from a different perspective on the Irish Sea!
Before parking up for the evening, pick yourself up a roadside punnet of strawberries guaranteed to hit the spot!
Tonight you will lay your head down in Dungarvan village to stay in one of our carefully handpicked accommodations!
Total driving distance & time: 55km – 1 hour, excluding stops
Meander at your leisure over the 25km of Ireland’s Copper Coastwith some pitstops for jealousy inducing photos before reaching your next destination
– Youghal.
Youghal is a beautiful coastal town famed for it’s stunning shoreline. Here you will jump aboard the “Maeve Óg” boat and let Captain Tony take you on a guided light-hearted river cruise up the Blackwater River to Lismore in Waterford with plenty of stories to tell and uncovering areas of tranquil unspoiled natural beauty.
When your feet are back on solid ground you will take your road trip further to the fishing village of Ballycotton. Treat yourself to dinner in the nearby Ballymaloe House – a top favorite among our guests and guides alike.
Total driving distance & time: 70km – 1 hour 30 minutes, excluding stops
You have without a doubt heard about the Ring of Kerry, but today you will embark on the Ring of Cork Heritage Trail.
Marvel at the same standard of beautiful landscapes as the Ring of Kerry, but with none of the traffic!
Your first stop is the Titanic Experience in Cobh. This is one of the best experiences on tour, giving you a truly personal take on the tragedy that was the Titanic’s maiden voyage.
The world’s most famous ship made its last port of call in Cobh before sealing its fate on the Atlantic Ocean.
Next up is the Jameson Distillery in Midleton. Only a short drive from Ballycotton, this is the perfect opportunity to learn how Ireland’s favourite whiskey is crafted.
From the smoky taste of black barrel to the oaky flavours of the original, this experience is perfect for the whiskey connoisseur in your group.
We veer off the Ring of Cork to stay at our next destination – Kinsale, the Gourmet Capital of Ireland.
Here, you can enjoy some downtime wandering the colourful streets and laneways.
Kinsale has a great tradition of poetry as well as gold, silver, and glassware manufacturing.
This means the town’s shops and galleries – the latter of which boasts local talented artists – are filled with amazing examples of these crafts.
Get a great night’s sleep in your locally run guesthouse this evening.
Total driving distance & time: 300km – 3 hours 40 minutes, excluding stops
On the last morning of this self-drive tour, you get to meet Barry! He is one of our favourite friends in Ireland and will bring to life the history of Kinsale.
This local legend will share tales of the Spanish Armada, British Rule, and the sharpening of swords.
Before making your way back to Dublin’s fair city, you MUST stop at Blarney Castle to kiss the stone!
Legend has it that you will receive the gift of the gab (chatterbox) after giving it a big smooch.
Many of us Irish owe our storytelling talents and yarns to the Blarney Stone! Now you know our secret!
And if you’re looking for great things to see and do in Dublin, we’ve got all the recommendations you’ll need!
Or you could also link up with another Self-Drive Tour of the North or West of Ireland. The choices are endless.
And one last tip: Don’t forget to leave plenty of time for your VAT return at the airport!
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.
