The Ireland to Island Tour is fast becoming one of our most popular Small-Group Irish Tours. And when you experience it for yourself, you’ll understand why! This 7-day Ireland tour has everything a keen explorer needs to discover the Emerald Isle, traveling from the mainland to mystical islands off the coastline.
Our small group Ireland itinerary is 7 days packed with incredible sights and experiences you won’t find anywhere else. From the amazing panoramas of the South West to the otherworldly Skellig Michael, discover Ireland in all its glory. We combine the best of our Relaxed Small Group Ireland Tours and our Adventure Ireland Small Group Tours, providing the perfect balance between leisurely exploration and exciting activities.
This 7-day trip departs from Dublin and we are able to include so many incredible sights and experiences in just one week due to having the best Irish guides and trip designers. On top of cultural sights, you can look forward to outdoor experiences like cycling and hiking. Keep scrolling to learn more about this tour, and for a different experience over the same timeframe, check out our Emerald Explorer 8-day Ireland Tour.
On this 7-day Ireland itinerary, our adventure starts with a goodbye as we say so long to Dublin!
Travel south to Cobh, in County Cork, then along the county’s beautiful coastline and on to the medieval Rock of Cashel. With a thirst built up, it’s time to visit the famous Middleton Whiskey Distillery. This historic gem, dating back to the 17th century, offers a tour and of course, whiskey tastings! The next day, you will have the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone – the perfect start to your magical adventure.
Enjoy a full drive of the Ring of Kerry and get your feel for the land before we embark on our first island excursion to Skellig Michael. Go in search of puffins, gray seals, and Jedis at this jagged crag off the coast of Kerry. May the force be with you as you step onto one of the most dramatic filming locations in the recent Star Wars movies and tackle the 618 steps on the Skellig Michael Experience.
Rest your sea legs back in Killarney National Park, where you can embark on bike rides or kayak on the lake. If you prefer, you can take a guided tour of Ross Castle instead. We’ll then take a hike across the spectacular Cliffs of Moher on the Wild Atlantic Way and explore the intriguing Burren region. Depart for the ocean once again to tour the spectacular Aran Islands, where you’ll be immersed in Irish island life.
This 7-day itinerary offers an authentic experience of Ireland you won’t find in the guidebooks or movies. Meet the locals, sample our delicacies, and see many of our greatest wonders as you embark on the tour that packs in everything from island hopping to a spot of city shopping.
Check out the full itinerary below or get in touch with our team at Overland HQ to book the trip of a lifetime today!
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. However, we can accommodate your needs through our Tailor-Made Tours of Ireland.
At Overland Ireland, we pride ourselves on including as many incredible sights and experiences as we can in your tour price. This means you don’t have to worry about hidden charges while on your tour. All you need to do is enjoy yourself and make some memories!
We have provided a list of what’s included below in this Ireland itinerary over 7 days. As you can see, it’s extensive and covers things like accommodation, attraction entrance fees, transport, and more! Our aim is, and always will be, to keep prices down while pushing tour experiences up. However, this trip includes a fee of €135 payable directly to the local guide on the first day for your Skellig Michael Experience.
Naturally, unforeseen circumstances can always arise. In such cases, we may need to cancel some activities and experiences. But your tour guide will always find an alternative that you’ll love just as much. For this reason, we do not offer refunds for cancellations.
If you have any specific dietary requirements or preferences, please let us know as early as possible. We can cater this tour to vegetarians, vegans, and pescatarians. Read our guide to what Ireland is like for vegetarian and vegan tourists.
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: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Our tour begins as our small group leaves Dublin and heads south to Cobh, in County Cork. This is one of the world’s finest natural harbors, and where the last 123 passengers boarded the doomed Titanic on her maiden voyage.
As we journey through County Cork, with its wild beaches and jagged peninsulas, we’ll take in the 1,000-year-old Medieval Rock of Cashel. Your expert local guide will take you on a tour of the well-preserved round tower, Cormac’s chapel, and the breathtaking cathedral and castle. Take the first of many jealousy-inducing photos of this historical masterpiece!
Next, we’ll make our way to the world-famous Midleton Distillery, dating from the 17th century. Home to some of the best whiskies in the world, there is so much to taste and learn at this distillery whiskey museum and visitor center. We’ll enjoy lunch and a tour with a few cheeky samples!
The night will be spent in Cobh, soaking up the beautiful harbor views, colorful houses, and bustling nightlife.
Commodore Hotel
The Commodore Hotel is an integral part of the long history of Cobh. It was completed in 1854 and opened as the Queens Hotel, recorded to be the first purpose-built hotel in Ireland. The name commemorated the fact that Queen Victoria, on her first visit to Ireland, had stepped ashore just a few yards from the site of the new hotel. Over the past almost 170 years The Commodore hotel has witnessed many more historic events, making it a staple within the beautiful town of Cobh. The hotel prides itself in this and strives to maintain this history while giving guests a luxurious experience.
The Commodore is in a prime location in the center of Cobh town overlooking the harbour, conveniently located for visiting for the many local attractions such as Spike Island, The Cobh Heritage Centre, Fota Island Wildlife Park and The Titanic Experience.
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Total driving time: 3 hours 45 minutes, excluding stops
Before embarking on our small group tour of Kerry, you can tick off a major item on your Irish bucket list – kissing the Blarney Stone! Here, you’ll receive the “gift of the gab” and will soon be talking like the loquacious locals.
We’ll then explore Blarney Castle with its beautiful grounds, gardens, and Rock Close. After lunch, we’ll enter the panoramic Kingdom of Kerry and wander the streets, shops, and delights of picturesque Kenmare. This is your gateway to the Ring of Kerry experience — Ireland’s most scenic and celebrated drive. We complete the entire route on this tour, making for an unforgettable experience!
In the evening, we travel towards the little fishing village of Waterville with its twinkling harbor lights to get ready for our first island trip to Skellig Michael. For those who prefer ‘terra firma’ and stay on the mainland, we have another excellent option up our sleeves…
Butler Arms Hotel
The Butler Arms Hotel is a historic 4-star hotel located in Waterville, County Kerry, Ireland. Opened in 1884, it has hosted notable guests such as Charlie Chaplin and Walt Disney. The hotel offers elegantly decorated rooms with amenities like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea/coffee-making facilities.
Guests can enjoy dining at the on-site restaurant, which serves traditional Irish cuisine and fresh seafood dishes. The hotel provides free self-parking and is within walking distance of Waterville Beach and the Story of Waterville Cable Station Exhibition. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area, including the Ring of Kerry and nearby golf courses.
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Royal Valentia
The Royal Valentia Hotel is a family-run 3.5-star hotel in Knightstown on Valentia Island, County Kerry. It offers 30 beautifully refurbished rooms and suites, including Deluxe Four-Poster rooms with sea views, all featuring modern amenities and complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy a traditional Irish breakfast, a cozy bar with an open fireplace, and easy access to outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and fishing. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the island’s natural beauty and local culture.
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Smugglers Inn
The Smugglers Inn as a chic seaside boutique bolthole’ an escape for golfers, shooters, hill walkers, water sports enthusiasts and those seeking a unique experience. We have succeeded in creating cosy and comfortable rooms that combine bold coastal colours, print combinations and an electric mix of modern and bespoke furnishings with vintage pieces. Our award winning restaurant offers a gastronomic dining experience not to be missed.
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Total driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes, excluding stops
There are only a very select few places on this planet that can be described as “out of this world” and Skellig Michael is unquestionably one of these. Today, we will journey to a “galaxy far, far away” and go Jedi spotting!
But before Skellig Michael featured as Luke Skywalker’s sanctuary in ‘The Force Awakens’, it was home to monks who used its perfectly preserved beehive huts to pray and contemplate. This is a sublime sanctuary, home to much wildlife and natural flora; a place of peace and power where the presence of the monks can still be felt.
However, if you’d rather stay on dry land, your guide will take you to visit the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, the great Irish liberator, orator, lawyer, politician, and statesman. Derrynane House, near the white dunes of Caherdaniel Strand, is a 19th-century residence that is home to many of our famous patriot’s personal artifacts.
And if the walls could talk, they’d tell of debates, rebellions, United Irishmen, nearby fairy kingdoms to explore, beach walks to undertake, and an Ogham Stone, featuring the oldest form of Irish writing.
After this cultural extravaganza, it’s off for a gentle walk around Bray Head where you’ll be treated to an oceanic panorama of the rugged beauty of the Skelligs and nearby Valentia island. After a great day of sightseeing on land or at sea, it’s off to enjoy Killarney — the capital of Kerry.
Killarney Towers Hotel
Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Centre is a 4-star hotel situated in the heart of Killarney Town Centre, offering guests a blend of comfort and convenience. The hotel features well-appointed rooms equipped with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Guests can enjoy a range of dining options, including the Innisfallen Restaurant and the Killarney Towers Bar, which serve a variety of dishes and beverages.
For relaxation and wellness, the hotel boasts a leisure centre with a 15-meter swimming pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, and a fully equipped gymnasium. Complimentary access to these facilities is available for hotel residents. The hotel’s central location provides easy access to local attractions, shopping, and dining options, making it an ideal base for exploring Killarney and the surrounding areas. Learn More.
Total driving time: None!
Our day begins by kayaking in the spectacular Killarney National Park! You’ll paddle through the park and enjoy Ross Castle, magical woods, and caves all from the seat of your own personal vessel.
You will also be able to venture deeper into the Ring of Kerry by exploring Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, and more!
After all the excitement and activities on your tour, you will appreciate some downtime in Killarney. Spend the afternoon listening to traditional Irish music, doing a bit of shopping, or maybe even signing up for a brewery tour and a nice pint!
Killarney Towers Hotel
Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
On this day, we will watch a traditional sheepdog demonstration — an experience that will leave you in awe of the relationship between man and canine. For many of our guests, this is one of the most memorable activities of the entire trip.
After this, we hop on a ferry to County Clare to the world-famous Cliffs of Moher and explore the Burren National Park. Seeing the Cliffs of Moher in all their glory, with the roaring Wild Atlantic as the perfect soundtrack, is a memory that will stay with you forever.
Enjoy an off-the-beaten-track track hike over the cliffs with a local guide. Along the way, they will point out secret pathways and passages that you can’t find in guidebooks.
And when the sun sets, settle in and enjoy your evening in one of county Clare’s most charming villages. Your stay will either be in Doolin, the traditional music capital, or Spanish Point with its breathtaking coastal scenery.
Doolin Inn
Doolin Inn is a multi-award-winning, modern four-star country house in the heart of Doolin – the home of traditional Irish music. It’s best known for its warm hospitality and the friendliest team, who create a relaxed yet professional boutique hotel atmosphere. With a focus on quality, local produce and doing the simple things exceptionally well, guests enjoy cosy comfort, king-worthy breakfasts and the convenience of having everything on their doorstep. Doolin Inn sits right at the start of the Cliffs of Moher Walking Trail, making it ideal for scenic hikes straight from your door. Located in the centre of Doolin village, it’s just a short stroll to the local craft shops and iconic pubs where you can enjoy traditional Irish music sessions every night. Guests love the blend of warm hospitality, convenience, culture, and breathtaking nature all in one place. Learn More.
Total driving time: 1 hour 30 minutes, excluding stops
Our destination for this day is the charming and rugged Inis Oirr, the most remote of the three Aran Islands. Accessible via a short trip on the Doolin ferry, Inis Oirr will offer you a journey through time.
Explore the island by cycling along its peaceful, winding roads, where you’ll encounter friendly locals and maybe even learn a few words of Gaeilge! Discover ancient ruins and pristine beaches, and take in the island’s natural beauty.
On the return journey, we’ll sail directly across Galway Bay back to Doolin. From the water, you’ll have the chance to admire the majestic Cliffs of Moher, getting a sense of their towering height from the sea!
From here we will take a short drive to the City of the Tribes — Galway. Renowned for its culture, medieval history, and bohemian atmosphere, every night is a Friday night in Galway City.
Tourists, locals, and students alike flock to the city to enjoy the electric atmosphere along the narrow streets where musicians, poets, and dancers show off their boundless talents. This is a city well deserving of its award as The Culture Capital of Europe 2020.
Total driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
On the final morning of your 7-day tour, get to know the great bohemian city of Galway. Try on wool shawls and Claddagh rings before picking up some last-minute gifts to bring back with you. You’ll also get to learn about Galway’s Medieval history, culture, and traditions while strolling around the streets.
In the late afternoon, you will be taken back to Dublin City armed with great recommendations of places to see and things to do if you have a couple of days left in the Emerald Isle. On the journey back, why not reminisce about your time on the best small-group tour ever!
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.
