Ready for an action-packed tour of Ireland? Our Private Spectacular South & West 5-Day Active Tour of Ireland offers all the Irish experiences you could ever dream of kissing the Blarney Stone, hiking the Cliffs of Moher, and, of course, having a pint or two in the pub!
As the private version of our Spectacular South & West 5-Day Active Tour of Ireland, you get to experience this road trip in the company of your select group and benefit from the undivided attention of your local guide. You can even personalize the tour to suit your tastes, but if you want to customize the entire itinerary, we can recommend our Tailor-Made Tours of Ireland instead.
This tour is chock-a-block with exciting activities, with hiking, cycling, and kayaking all on the cards. Don’t worry, we also rest up with some excellent cultural excursions! If you’d prefer something with a slower pace, then have a look at our Private Magical Southern 6-Day Ireland Tour, which follows a similar route. You can also browse our full range of Ireland Private Guided Tours. For the adventurers among you, we have no doubt the below itinerary will be tantalizing!
Departing from Dublin, this tour truly takes you off the beaten track. While we’ll explore famed attractions like the Blarney Castle, go on a walking tour of Kinsale, and drive the iconic Ring of Kerry, we’ll also be getting our hearts pumping!
In Killarney National Park, hop and two wheels and go cycling to see the exceptional natural and cultural sights. The next day, you can swap your bike for a kayak and go paddling in Dingle Bay for an experience unlike any other. Alternatively, take up an e-bike and see Slea Head loop instead!
The adventures continue at the Cliffs of Moher, where you’ll embark on a guided hike to see hidden gems. Dance the night away in Doolin, before winding the activities down with your last day of sightseeing in Galway. Keep reading below for all the details of this jam-packed itinerary!
Due to the active nature of this tour, the size of our vehicles, and the fact that we cannot guarantee that all accommodation partners have ramps/elevators, this tour is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible. However, we can still accommodate your needs. Contact us and we can organize a custom tour instead.
Looking at the list below, you’ll see that our inclusions far outweigh our exclusions. The team at Overland Ireland goes above and beyond to ensure you can enjoy a seamless experience. We’ve booked your accommodation, purchased your entrance fees, and arranged your activities, all without hidden costs or surprise expenses.
The only thing that’s not in our control is the weather. In the event of bad conditions, or for any other reasons an activity cannot go ahead, we do not issue refunds. But we will certainly do our best to find a worthy replacement!
If you’re vegan, vegetarian, or pescetarian, don’t worry. Let us know your dietary requirements beforehand and we’ll ensure you’re catered for!
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Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops
Your Ireland adventure will depart 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!
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 night in either Doolin or Spanish Point. Each locality is equally spectacular, Doolin with its colourful houses and charm and Spanish Point with its breathtaking coastal location. Indulge in some Irish music and craic during your stay.
Total driving time: 2 hours, excluding stops and trip back to Dublin
We leave county Clare 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 €300 per person for Private 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.
