Overland’s Emerald Explorer is a 7-day Ireland tour packed with incredible sights and activities. That said, Jewel Tours are small group tours designed to move at a smoother, slower pace whilst enjoying light activity — so don’t worry that you’ll be in too much of a rush.
You’ll begin by leaving the busy streets of Dublin for the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way where you will cover over 1,100 km of rugged Irish coastline from Connemara to Kinsale.
Expert local guides and planners will guarantee you have a memorable experience on your Overland Ireland small group tour, exploring everything our country has to offer.
This route takes in some of the breathtaking sights of the Ring of Kerry. (For the full Ring of Kerry, please see our Ireland to Island Tour.) You will see some major highlights of the Ring of Kerry, such as Moll’s Gap, Ladies’ View and Killarney National Park.
If kayaking and adventure activities are more your style, then you may like to check out our Zest Tours, like The Great Atlantic Adventure or our Spectacular South and West Tour!
Visit Ireland’s most famous landmark: The Cliffs of Moher. Fall in love with the bustling bohemian city of Galway and discover the ancient charm of the Aran Islands, home to the stunning stone fort of Dún Aonghasa, which lies 100m over the ocean.
Your 7-day tour of Ireland will bring you on an unforgettable journey, encapsulating and exploring Ireland with a diverse range of scenery, castles, history, heritage, culture and wildlife along the way. Enjoy some light activities, yet feel as though you’re gliding through the days at a smooth pace.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about this 7-day Emerald Explorer Irish Tour. Come and discover Ireland with Overland and create memories that will last a lifetime!
Sadly, our tours are not wheelchair accessible. This is for two reasons. First, many of the amazing places we visit are off the beaten path, so they aren’t always easy to reach. And second, we cannot guarantee that every accommodation partner will have the required elevators and/or ramps.
We take pride in being one of the only tour companies in Ireland to give you maximum intrigue and interest for your tour price.
At Overland Ireland, we’re always looking for new ways to push your tour experiences up while trying to bring the price down.
With us, you have no concerns about unexpected costs and hidden surprises. All you need to do is have fun and make memories!
We try to include as much as possible as part of your tour, such as transport, entrance fees, kayaking, and accommodation.
Do you have specific dietary requirements or preferences? Please let us know as soon as possible. We can cater to pescatarians, vegetarians, and vegans.
And if you are opting for fish or seafood, you’re in for a treat! All options are responsibly sourced and deliciously fresh!
If it’s more convenient for you, we can operate this tour in reverse or combine it with other tours following 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: 2 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Your Emerald Explorer guided Irish tour will leave Dublin for the beautiful architecture and natural surroundings of the 6th-century monastery at Clonmacnoise, located on the banks of the River Shannon. The monastery was a centre of excellence for learning and scholars; it created the finest Celtic art and illuminated manuscripts for over 600 years.
With a whetted appetite, your small group tour will cross the country and venture west to Galway City.
Arrive to bohemian and culturally diverse Galway City. Here you will be greeted by a local guide to bring you through a Walkin’- Talkin’ – Tastin’ tour of the city where you taste traditional Irish cuisine, tour an Irish distillery, and finish off with a local dessert!
After discovering the local favourites you will have time to explore Galway and its many quaint shops.
Tonight, you spend the night in The City of the Tribes and will certainly enjoy the eclectic nightlife, award-winning restaurants and even the odd street performer entertaining you with Irish music and dance.
Total driving time: None!
Wake up this morning in Galway City. You’re only a stone’s throw from the docklands area where your ferry will take you across Galway Bay to the Aran Islands. We will land on rugged Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands.
You will explore the Island by bicycle or by special request jaunting. Your route will take in the stone fort of Dún Aonghasa, which lies 100m over the ocean.
While you’re there, you might pick up a few words of “Gaelic” from the locals and maybe get an original Aran Sweater!
Finish your ferry ride with stunning views of the Cliff of Moher from the sea. No need to pack your bags you will spend another fabulous evening in bohemian Galway City.
Note: The Aran Islands ferry crossings are weather permitting. If we feel it is unsafe to travel we will provide wonderful alternative plans for the group!
Total driving time: 2 Hours 15 minutes, excluding stops
The Burren National Park awaits! On route, your guide will bring you to the 16th Century
Dunghuaire Castle in Kinvara. Stop for a coffee break and a look around the harbour
We will take the coastal route to The Cliffs of Moher making stops along the way to appreciate
the diverse flora and fauna of the Burren.
We may make a stop at the Burren Perfumery to see how the local scents have been captured from the local landscape and transformed into fabulous perfumes, soaps and other treats to take home.
Now, you’ve made your way across the rocky Burren to the spectacular and gravity-defying Cliffs of Moher. Take some time to walk along the Cliffs of Moher and gather those jealousy-inducing photos for your friends back home.
You’ll spend your evening toe-tapping and singing along to songs in the hometown of traditional Irish music-Doolin.
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
This morning we will cross the River Shannon to leave the west behind. Onward bound for the Kingdom of Kerry and County Cork.
Bridget, our beloved Kerry Farmer will win your hearts with her incredible sheepdog show in Tralee. You will be truly amazed watching the skills of Bridget and her furry friends round up the sheep! This is one of our guests’ favourite experiences on tour! A real insight into Irish traditions!
Smile your way all the way to your next destination – Dingle. End your day with a tour of one of Dingle’s local breweries, Dick Mack’s where you can settle into the pub with a good pint!
The evening is yours to absorb the lively atmosphere in Dingle’s famous quirky pubs and many award-winning restaurants! Why not sit in Foxy John’s hardware store, order yourself a drink, and strike up a conversation with a colourful local!
Total driving time: 1 Hour 30 minutes, excluding stops
At last a bit of free time! Relax this morning in Dingle and explore the wonderful craft, crystal, pottery, art and boutique shops. Grab a coffee and a slice of cake and watch the world go by!
If you feel like stretching your legs, your guide will take you out on a stroll to Eask View for beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean and Dingle Bay.
After lunch, your expert Overland guide will take you on an impressive trip along one of Ireland’s most scenic roads – The Slea Head Drive. If you are lucky enough, you might get to meet and pet a couple of our local fluffy friends…baby lambs!
You are guaranteed awesome views and photo opportunities around every corner of this scenic route.
You will spend another night in the buzzing town of Dingle, so you don’t need to repack your suitcase. Just relax and enjoy. Maybe tonight you can grab some fish and chips and eat al fresco on the pier!
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Say a fond farewell to Dingle and journey towards Killarney National Park. Our first stop takes us to Killarney.
The Ring of Kerry is the very definition of the word scenic, and you will discover many hidden gems including Moll’s Gap, and Ladies View in Killarney National Park. We will bring you on a tour of Ross Castle. Here you will learn what life was really like behind the stone walls. We will stop for some shopping and lunch in the beautiful heritage town of Kenmare.
For your last night on tour, we will bring you to coastal Kinsale — a stunning town famed for its culinary culture, with many award-winning restaurants.
The town also has a great tradition of poetry, silver, gold, and glassware manufacturing which can be seen throughout its local shops and galleries.
Have our local guide Barry take you through the streets of Kinsale for a fascinating historical walking tour!
Enjoy your evening being spoiled with the best of food and drink Ireland has to offer.
This tour covers some of the Ring of Kerry. For the entire Ring of Kerry Tour please see our Ireland to Island Tour.
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Before leaving Cork – which is often referred to as Ireland’s REAL capital – we will bring you to Blarney Castle and Gardens. Nobody should leave Ireland without giving the Blarney stone a big fat kiss!
Kissing the Blarney Stone is said to give the kisser the treasured “gift of the gab”. You can let us know if it works!
Our final stop is the Rock of Cashel. The Rock of Cashel is over 1000 years old. You will take in its medieval round tower, chapel, cathedral, and castle. A truly fantastic end to your trip.
Our guides will journey back with you to our bustling capital city, Dublin, where you’ll be armed with great recommendations of things to see and do if you have a little time left.
Perhaps this is just the perfect opportunity to sit back and reminisce about the incredible tour of Ireland you’ve just experienced!
Sadly, this tour — and all the others we provide — is not wheelchair accessible. This is for two reasons. First, we cannot guarantee that every accommodation partner will have the required ramps and/or elevators. And second, many of the incredible places we visit around Ireland are off the beaten path, so they aren’t always easy to reach.
Note: We have finalised the itinerary above for this year only. If you are planning to book for next year, we may make changes, if only slight ones, to the schedule.
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.
