Looking for a sustainable driving tour of Ireland? Look no further! Overland Ireland has designed an eco-friendly Self-Drive Tour of Ireland, specifically suited to electric vehicles. We have mapped out charge points all the way from Dublin to the Ring of Kerry and carefully chosen environmentally-conscious accommodation. This is a self-drive tour of Ireland that’s perfect for adventurers and the planet!
Go from coast to coast during this 8-day driving tour of Ireland departing from Dublin. Travel through Glendalough and Cork before taking up the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone. Explore Ireland’s natural beauty in Killarney National Park and along the famed Ring of Kerry. A particular highlight of your drive is visiting the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher! You’ll have plenty more opportunities to reconnect with nature in Connemara National Park or with a hike up Croagh Patrick, an important pilgrimage site.
On this tour, you’ll also enjoy cultural experiences like a gourmet historical tour of Galway, live traditional Irish music in Doolin, and a tour of the beautiful Kylemore Abbey. A stay in a castle is also on the cards!
Sustainability has become more important than ever and ecotourism has been at the forefront of Overland Ireland’s ethos. Now you can enjoy the stunning unspoiled Irish scenery on this green 8-day Ireland driving tour!
When crafting this self-drive tour of Ireland, we carefully selected your accommodation with our “Green” hats on. We are confident that our friends will look after you with an Irish “Céad Míle Fáilte” (a hundred thousand welcomes) while doing their bit for the “Green Movement”.
We have mapped out your itinerary with the location of charge points in mind, ensuring hassle-free and responsible travel. You’ll benefit from support concierge services along the way, fully comprehensive insurance, and an Overland Ireland Virtual Travel Companion!
Want more say in your itinerary? We can also organize a Tailor-Made Tour of Ireland customized to your needs or adapt it to suit wheelchair users.
Keep reading to learn more about our Green Way 8-Day Self-Driving Tour Of Ireland. If you’d like some more travel inspiration, check out our wider range of more traditional guided Small Group Tours of Ireland.
When you book a Self-Drive Tour with Overland Ireland, you get 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 explore Ireland with all the benefits and surprises of a guided tour (including pre-booked “tried & loved” accommodation), you’re in good hands. But don’t just take our word for it — read our tour group reviews!
Overland Ireland is one of the only tour companies that strives to include as much as possible into your tour price. No hidden surprises or unexpected charges — just plenty of experiences while keeping costs down!
We have worked hard behind the scenes to find you the best eco-friendly deals we can all over Ireland, ensuring you can enjoy a sustainable, affordable, and memorable tour of Ireland.
We can also cater this tour to vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians, so please let us know if you have any dietary preferences or requirements.
If you have any questions about our green self-drive tour of Ireland, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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Total driving distance & time: 330 km – 4 hours 10 minutes, excluding stops
Switch on your Paddy the Pocket Pilot App and off you go! Your first stop after leaving the bustling capital behind is Glendalough in the Wicklow mountains, perched centrally in Ireland’s Ancient East. You will be taken on a tour of one of the most important monastic sites, learn about Ireland’s history and folklore, and be suitably impressed by the St. Kevin’s Round Tower, built in the 6th century.
After working up an appetite walking Glendalough, it’s time for a foodie experience at Brooklodge and Macreddin Village nestled in the Wicklow mountains. The Food Village here boasts a selection of wild, organic, and locally sourced produce, set in a stunning location.
After your introduction to Irish history, your self-drive tour of Ireland continues south to the Rock of Cashel. Take some jealousy-inducing photos at this famous Irish medieval cathedral and castle.
This afternoon and evening you will stay in the real capital of Ireland – Cork! You can decide if it rivals Dublin’s fair city.
Total driving distance & time: 140 km – 2 hours 10 minutes, excluding stops
No trip to Cork is complete without visiting Blarney Castle and Gardens. You simply MUST kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the gift of the gab (the ability to tell a good yarn, like the locals). Take the time to roam the beautiful gardens.
Leave the Rebel County behind for the Kingdom of Kerry. Enjoy lunch in beautiful Kenmare, nestled perfectly between the Ring of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula. You’ll feel like you have just stepped onto an old Irish movie set.
Your 8-day driving tour of Ireland then heads onwards to Killarney.! Visit some spectacular views at Moll’s Gap, Torc Waterfall, and Ladies View before exploring Killarney National Park. This afternoon you will jaunt – ride a horse and carriage. If you are feeling energetic you can cycle leisurely around the expanse of this stunning 100km estate taking in Muckross House and Ross Castle.
The evening is yours to spend wandering around the wonderful shops, pubs, and eateries in Killarney – The Capital of Kerry!
Total driving distance & time: 179 km – 4 hours, excluding stops
Day three of your self-drive tour of Ireland starts nice and early and with good reason. It’s time to begin your ultimate road trip along Ireland’s most famous ring road – The Ring of Kerry. Take your time and journey through 10,000 years of Irish history. This drive will take your breath away. Paddy the Pocket Pilot will give you tips on how to get off the beaten track and direct you to all the hidden gems along the route. You might even bump into our friend selling Poitín (Irish Moonshine) but don’t tell anyone you’ve met him!
We recommend taking the whole day to enjoy stopping at all the hotspots along the Ring of Kerry to really soak up the whole experience and stunning views on this majestic stretch of road.
This afternoon you will drive into the wonderful harbour town of Dingle. The evening is yours to relish the unique atmosphere here, from the famous quirky pubs to the fantastic restaurants. Why not head to Foxy John’s hardware store, order a drink and jump into a conversation with a colorful local?
Total driving distance & time: 275 km – 4 hours, excluding stops
Leave the South West behind and take yourself northwards to the Cliffs of Moher. Paddy will direct you over the panoramic views on the Conor Pass and send you by ferry from Kerry to County Clare. Your cliffs experience will take you by foot across its stunning natural features with the powerful Atlantic Ocean waves crashing below. The cliffs are one of the most spectacular natural features in Ireland and are sure to leave you lost for words. This experience is an undoubted highlight of this 8-day driving tour of Ireland.
After your invigorating cliffs experience, it is time to unwind. You will stay in the toe-tapping village, Doolin. This wonderful fishing village is also famed as being the hometown of traditional Irish music – a great night awaits.
Total driving distance & time: 102 km – 1 hour 30 minutes, excluding stops
This morning, take a short drive to Bunratty Castle for a folk and heritage tour. Your departure from County Clare is the start of your bustling, bohemian Galway experience. Galway was voted European Capital of Culture for 2020 and never disappoints. Expect an electric atmosphere with entertaining street performers and plenty of “Craic” (fun) in this much-celebrated town. Our friends in Galway will take you on a gourmet historical tour of the city, another much-loved experience on this self-drive tour of Ireland.
Tonight, you will be staying a stone’s throw away from the lively hotspots in the center of Galway City.
Total driving distance & time: 110 km – 1 hour 50 minutes, excluding stops
The next stop on your 8-day driving tour of Ireland is Kylemore Abbey, set in the heart of Connemara. This incredible landscape is rugged, beautiful, and breathtaking in all conditions, be it hail, rain, or sunshine. While you’re here, enjoy some time roaming the abbey, in the Victorian walled garden, and near Kylemore Lake. Soak up the splendor of this 1000-acre estate overlooking the majestic Connemara National Park.
We recommend making the quick trip to Clifden for tea and cake, or even a delicious seafood lunch. Ballynahinch Castle awaits you next. Let them serve up a sumptuous afternoon tea in one of their luxurious rooms. Once you park up at this hidden gem, you will not want to leave.
Total driving distance & time: 120 km – 2 hours, excluding stops
This morning you will challenge yourself to a hike up the holiest mountain in Ireland – Croagh Patrick! This is where St. Patrick himself fasted for forty days at the summit. At the top, you will be treated to jaw-dropping views across Clew Bay. If hiking is not your thing, why not grab a bike and pedal along the Greenway route to Achill Island or enjoy an easygoing walking tour of Westport Town?
This evening on your self-drive tour of Ireland is special… Presidents, celebrities, and sports heroes throughout history have been drawn to the fabulous Ashford Castle Hotel, and now it’s time for your turn! You can take the time to explore the estate and take part in some of their activities on site like falconry, boat trips, archery, horse-riding, or even their award-winning Spa!
You will stay at the lakeside property ‘The Lodge at Ashford’ or one of our favorite guesthouses in Cong village – the film location of The Quiet Man starring John Wayne!
Total driving distance & time: 255 km – 3 hours, excluding stops
Sadly, it’s the last day of your 8-day driving tour of Ireland. All good things must come to an end! Journey back to Dublin’s fair city at your leisure today with a stop at the 6th-century monastery Clonmacnoise, located on the banks of the Shannon River. The monastery was a centre of excellence for learning and scholars created the finest Celtic art and illuminated manuscripts over 600 years.
If you have a little time left in Dublin before you fly home we will arm you with fantastic things to see and do in the Capital city and surroundings. Or, why not stay longer and explore even more of the Emerald Isle? You can easily link up this road trip with another of our self-drive tour packages of Ireland!
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.
