Experience the very best of Ireland in just 8 days. That’s the grand promise we make with this once-in-a-lifetime Emerald Explorer Ireland Tour.
Overland’s Emerald Explorer is an 8-day trip to Ireland packed with incredible sights and experiences along the famous Ancient East, Wild Atlantic Way, the Ring of Kerry, and so much more!
Check out the private version of this tour if you have a big group and would like access to customization options. Keep scrolling to learn more about this Ireland itinerary over 8 days, and if you’d like to compare and contrast it with even more amazing options, browse our entire range of small group tours of Ireland.
You’ll begin this tour by leaving the busy streets of Dublin and heading towards Ireland’s Ancient East and the spectacular Wild Atlantic Way. Along this route, you will cover over 1,100 km of rugged Irish coastline, from Kilkenny to Connemara, seeing the popular sights and hidden gems along the way.
During this 8-day trip to Ireland, you’ll explore Glendalough Monastery, Kilkenny, Killarney National Park, Dingle, and Doolin, enjoy an immersive farm experience, visit the Vibrant Galway City, Kylemore Abbey, Blarney Castle… and so much more we really don’t have a quick way of describing how rich and full we’ve made this tour.
If you’re interested in exploring the Full Ring of Kerry, check out our Ireland to Island tour which spends even more time in the legendary Ring of Kerry.
Our expert Irish trip designers have worked their magic to make sure this 8-day tour of Ireland is packed with incredible sights while never making our guests feel rushed. We have carefully planned and included many unique hidden gems in this tour, but you will visit Ireland’s most famous landmark, The Cliffs of Moher, and visit one of its most popular cities: Galway!
This is 8 days encapsulating and exploring Ireland with a diverse range of scenery, castles, history, heritage, culture, and wildlife along the way. We pack so much value into our tours that we hope people who usually plan their own trips can see the value (and savings) of booking with us. Read this 8-day Ireland itinerary below, and if you like most of what you see and want to change a few details, you might like to consider our Tailor-made Ireland Tours where we can change any detail and craft the trip to your every need and specification.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about this 8-day Emerald Explorer Irish Tour. Come and discover Ireland with Overland and create memories that will last a lifetime!
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.
We take pride in the value we have crafted into this Ireland itinerary over 8 days — ensuring there are multiple great activities to do each day. Without ever rushing you, we have added as much intrigue and passion as possible.
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, experiences, 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.
This 8-day trip to Ireland can be operated in reverse and combined with other tours that follow the same route for the best guest experience.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Note: Booking 2025 or 2026? As we constantly strive to bring you the very best experience please be aware that our tour route and inclusions may slightly change from this year to next. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about this or our other tours!
Total driving time: 2 hours 50 minutes, excluding stops
Your 8-day tour of Ireland will leave Dublin along the Ancient East. We travel along the Military Road and Sally Gap, unveiling the amazing scenery of the Wicklow mountains. Our first stop is at Glendalough Monastery, perched in a glacial valley of two lakes. With your local guide, take a walk around the monastery and its trails for stunning views.
The 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.
In the town of Kilkenny, you can walk through the medieval quarter before resting your head in our comfortable accommodation, preparing you to continue your tour of a lifetime!
Total driving time: 3 hours 15 minutes, excluding stops
‘It’s a long way to Tipperary…’ as the song goes, but only a short journey from Kilkenny to the 13th century Cahir Castle. Standing proudly on a rocky island on the River Suir, enjoy a tour of this ‘impregnable’ castle owned by the Butler family.
Now pucker up and get ready for your next stop – Blarney Castle and Gardens. Nobody should leave Ireland without giving the Blarney Stone a big fat kiss and receive the treasured ‘gift of the gab’!
You will have plenty of time to enjoy the gardens, castle, dungeons, and surroundings. This evening you will stay in the capital of the Kingdom of Kerry — Killarney! The Kerry locals will keep you entertained with music, dancing, and stories.
Total driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes, excluding stops
Today will blow your mind with a trip around some of the hotspots on Ireland’s most famous ring roads. The morning is yours to wander the streets of Killarney, do some retail therapy, and unwind before embarking on your adventure.
Your guide will bring you to Killarney National Park to explore everything it has to offer. Take in the views of Killarney Lakes and stretch your legs, making your way to Muckross House. This 19th-century home is full of Kerry history and has a wonderful viewpoint to enjoy the park. Make a short walk for some Insta-worthy photos of Torc Waterfall!
Your Kerry experience will include stops at The Gap of Dunloe for some jaunting and a few tall tales. Around every corner, you will be yelling at your guide to let you out to take photos! Then you’ll be smiling your way to your next destination — Dingle.
The evening is yours to absorb the lively atmosphere in Dingle’s 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 colorful 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 Tower 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.
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: 4 hours, excluding stops
This morning, we will leave the Kingdom of Kerry via the Conor Pass and cross the River Shannon to County Clare! We are cliff-bound today as we visit one of Ireland’s most iconic landmarks.
Begin your day with a breathtaking journey along the Wild Atlantic Way, followed by a delicious lunch at the Vandeleur Walled Garden restaurant.
Your highlight of the day is an afternoon spent at the famous Cliffs of Moher — which some might say is the Eighth Wonder of the World!
Tonight, we’ll stay at Spanish Point. Enjoy tranquil coastal views, and where history and natural beauty come together.
Total driving time: 1 hour 40 minutes, excluding stops
Goodbye, Clare, hello Bohemian Galway!
Today we will take you for a traditional ‘Irish Farm Safari’ with our friends at the Burren Farm Experience. Your guides will share their 200-year family history in the Burren and take you on a stroll around the distinctive UNESCO landscape to taste, feel, and walk your way through this 500-acre farm. It is fascinating to see how farming thrives in this harsh stony landscape.
Experience the diverse flora and fauna of the Burren National Park en route to Galway City, where you will have the afternoon to explore its many quaint shops and diverse culture.
Tonight, you spend the night in the heart of 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: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Wake up this morning in Galway City before heading out to explore the dramatic Connemara region! Our journey to the Galway Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) will take us past Ireland’s biggest lake, Lough Corrib.
Next up, you’ll enjoy a tour of Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, located on a 1,000-acre estate overlooking Kylemore Lake and the majestic Connemara National Park. For lunch, we stop in Leenaun and take in the views of Ireland’s only fjord!
The cherry on the cake today is a sheepdog show in the heart of Connemara. You will be truly amazed watching the skills of the farmer and his loyal companion round up the sheep! This is one of our guest’s top experiences on tour as it offers real insight into Irish traditions. If you are lucky enough, you might get to meet and pet a couple of our local fluffy friends… baby lambs!
Your exciting loop back to Galway City will take you to Cong Village — the film set of the famous ‘Quiet Man’ movie starring the one and only John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.
You will have plenty to chat about over dinner and drinks tonight back in bustling Galway!
Total driving time: 2 hours 40 minutes, excluding stops
Don’t panic, there is still a full day left to soak up some Irish history and learn new skills!
With a whetted appetite, we will stop in Kilbeggan for a masterclass Irish Coffee Experience. You will return home with a party trick to impress your friends!
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 8-day trip to Ireland you’ve just experienced!
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.
