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The Ultimate 10-Day Self-Drive Ireland Tour

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Book with Confidence

  • Guaranteed Departures
  • 5 Star Rated on TripAdvisor
  • Small Groups
  • Can be booked as a private tour
  • Local Irish Guides

Self Drive Tours

  • Expertly Designed Itineraries
  • Support Concierge Service
  • Overland Ireland Virtual Tour Guide
  • Fully Comprehensive Insurance

  • Self-Drive
  • 10 Days
  • 1-4 people (Get in touch for groups of 5+)

The ultimate 10-day self-driving tour of ireland

The Ultimate Self-Drive Trip Around Ireland covers the length and breadth, North and South, of our magical Emerald Isle. We have designed this to be the most comprehensive self-drive trip around Ireland, covering more of our stunning countryside and seeing more sights than you could imagine!

Spoil yourself throughout this ten-day tour with unrivaled scenery, a feast of tradition, history, culture, castles, and the great outdoors. We will take the hassle out of your trip and take care of all your experiences and bookings.

Cross the border to Northern Ireland and lose yourself at the Giant’s Causeway on Antrim’s coastline and be blown away at the Titanic Experience in Belfast. This 10-day Ireland tour is packed to the brim with authentic Irish experiences from kayaking with dolphins in Dingle Bay to the magnificent sights at the Ring of Kerry. Be prepared to create memories that will last a lifetime on the Cliffs of Moher, in Bohemian Galway City and the rugged shores of the Aran Islands.

You have the option to stay in a exquisite Castle! Live like a prince(ss) for the night! You can also finish your ultimate Ireland trip by kissing of the Blarney Stone, gaining the gift of the gab!

All the hassle of putting together a perfect Ireland itinerary is done by us. All you have to do is show up with a good sense of adventure and humour! This is the Ireland road-trip of a lifetime you will never forget.

Book with Confidence

  • Expertly Designed Itineraries
  • Support Concierge Service
  • Overland Ireland Virtual Tour Guide
  • Fully Comprehensive Insurance

Due to our tours’ off-the-beaten-path locations and the fact that we cannot guarantee that all accommodation partners have ramps/elevators, unfortunately, our tours are not wheelchair accessible.

Paddy - The Pocket Pilot

Paddy the Pocket Pilot App

Every Self-Drive Tour booked with Overland Ireland comes with exceptional service, guided itinerary and extras, such as our Paddy the Pocket Pilot App, as standard. So, if you’re looking for an independent way to see Ireland with all the benefits and surprises of a guided tour with pre-booked “tried & loved” accommodation, you’re in good hands. But don’t take our word for it, check out our tour group reviews here.

What is included and excluded in your tour?

We are one of the only tour companies to include as much as we can into your tour price. We aim to have no hidden surprises or unexpected charges on your tour.

Our quest is to keep costs down and experiences up! We have worked really hard to get you the best deals up and down the country for you.

If you have any special dietary requirements or preferences, please let us know. We can cater this tour to vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians. All fish and shellfish served to our guests are fresh and responsibly sourced.

Included

  • Paddy the Pocket Pilot App
  • Top class accommodation in carefully chosen locally run guesthouses. We also have options of hotels and castle experiences
  • A hearty breakfast each morning to set you up for the day
  • Detailed and easy to follow daily itineraries
  • Simple maps and instructions on how to navigate your way around our beautiful country
  • All entrance fees to all national parks on your itinerary
  • Tour support throughout your journey. We are always available for a chat should you need us
  • Daily hidden gem locations revealed by our expert guides
  • Daily food and entertainment recommendations
  • Newgrange or Hill of Tara
  • Titanic Experience
  • Giant's Causeway
  • Kylemore Abbey
  • Aran Island Ferry
  • Galway Walking Tour
  • Sheepdog Demonstration
  • Dingle Kayaking
  • Kinsale Walking Tour
  • Blarney Castle

Excluded

  • Parking and motorway toll fees
  • Fuel - for you car and of course your body! Petrol, lunch and dinner are on your own!
  • Rock of Cashel
  • Shannon ferry
  • Belfast Black Cab Tour
  • Derry Walking Tour
  • Westport Walking Tour
  • Dún Aonghasa
  • Ross Castle
  • Aran Island bike hire
  • Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge
  • A driver guide (check out our fully-guided tours)
  • The self-control to leave stunning locations and be brave enough to discover all the other wonderful places on your itinerary
  • Some suggested activities and experiencesWe can arrange these for you, but you may be making payment directly to the activity/experience provider i.e. horse-riding, jaunting (horse drawn carriage)
  • Airfare to Ireland
  • Private room upgrade for solo travellersMandatory

Are there 5 or more people in your group?

Get in touch to enquire about booking a larger vehicle

Tripadvisor Reviews

Map

The Ultimate Self-Drive 10-Day Tour of Ireland

Itinerary — Your Ultimate 10-Day Self-drive Tour of Ireland

The-Ultimate-Tour-of-Ireland-Unique-Experiences-Off-the-Beaten-Path

Day 1Dublin to Belfast

Switch on your Paddy the Pocket Pilot App and get on the road! This ultimate self-drive tour of Ireland begins with an adventure to the magical stone age passage tomb at Newgrange, richly decorated by megalithic art.

After exploring this Neolithic structure you will travel north to Belfast for the full Titanic Experience at the interactive visitor centre of Titanic Belfast. Prepare to be moved by the wonderful stories told about the world’s most famous ship and its doomed fate.

Get picked up from your hotel and finish the day with an enthralling black cab tour of Belfast City. This evening is yours to explore the city’s thriving pubs, shops and restaurants. Get a great night’s sleep at your carefully handpicked accommodation.

Total driving distance & time: 180km – 2 hours 10 minutes, excluding stops

Day 2The Giant’s Causeway – Derry

The Giant’s Causeway is one of the most anticipated stops and will not disappoint. The Causeway Coastal Route is breath-taking and while crossing Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge you will feel the exhilaration of the air beneath your feet while the anticipation builds.

The Paddy App will guide you to some secret, off the beaten track locations. Your next stop is Londonderry, Northern Ireland’s second largest city, steeped in rich history.

Explore the city by night and look forward to a tour of the walled city on day 3. Treat yourself to a gourmet and craft beer experience at the Walled City Brewery.

Total driving distance & time: 165km – 2 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops

Day 3Derry – The Hills of Donegal

Before leaving Derry, let our local guides take you on a walking tour of the city. Understand the struggles of our past and the long road to current peaceful times in the North.

Now it is time to venture into the wild northwest – The Hills of Donegal. You will continue your exploration of Northern Ireland and embark on a magnificent drive over the Glengesh Pass, and the Assaranca Waterfall. Paddy the Pocket Pilot will direct you tothe 5th century stone fort at Grianan of Aileach to take in the stunning views.

The accommodation tonight is in the picturesque village of Ardara, County Donegal. Treat yourself to a great night of seafood and local “craic” (fun).

Total driving distance & time: 110km – 1 hour 50 minutes, excluding stops

Day 4Donegal – Connemara

Today’s road-trip takes you through William Butler Yeats’ CountySligo and a short trip down towards Ireland’s favourite town – Westport!

Your time in Westport begins with a wonderful walking tour of the town and a fabulous lunch to set yourself up for an unforgettable journey through Connemara National Park and the famous Famine Trail.

You will arrive at Kylemore Abbey in the heart of Connemara in the afternoon. You will have ample time to roam the abbey and Victorian Walled Garden on this 1,000 acre estate overlooking Kylemore Lake and the majestic Connemara National Park.

Stay in Clifden and discover some great bars, restaurants and nightly music and have a chat with the locals over a pint of the Black Stuff!

Perhaps it is time to embrace your inner Prince(ss). We have added the option of staying in Ballynahinch Castle!

Total driving distance & time: 260km – 4 hours, excluding stops

Day 5The Aran Islands

After a short drive cross country to Rossaveal Pier on Galway Bay, board the ferry to the Aran Islands. You’ll land on rugged Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands. Explore the Island by bicycle or by special request jaunting cart (horse and carriage).

The route will take in the stone fort of Dún Aonghasa, which lies 100m over the ocean before making your way back to the mainland. While you are there you might pick up a few words of “Gaelic” from the locals and maybe treat yourself to an original Aran Sweater! We will take care of all reservations for this unforgettable Aran Island experience.

Your departure from Rossaveal is the start of our Galway adventure. Hug the coastline all the way into bustling Bohemian Galway. Expect a great atmosphere, entertaining street performers and plenty of craic in this much celebrated town. You won’t need Paddy the App this evening to find entertainment! Every night in Galway is said to be a Friday night!

Total driving distance & time: 100km – 1 hour 40 minutes, excluding stops

Day 6Galway – Cliffs of Moher

Galway is a city that has its Medieval history at its very heart. Our local guide will take you down the narrow streets where you can duck in and out of brightly coloured shops.

Try on Claddagh Rings, Galway Shawls and pass through The Spanish Arch to take in the famous Claddagh fishing village.

This day just keeps on giving. You will now travel south west towards The Burren National Park and the jaw-dropping Cliffs of Moher. On this adventure you will visit Corcomroe Abbey, a 13th century Cistercian Monstary and the 16th century Dunguaire Castlein Kinvara.

The cliffs experience will take you by foot across its stunning natural features with the powerful Atlantic Ocean waves crashing in below. The cliffs are one of the most spectacular natural features in Ireland and are sure to leave you lost for words. We will send you on a route off the beaten path so you can enjoy some hidden gems on your tour.

The evening is spent in the hometown of traditional Irish music – Doolin.

Total driving distance & time: 90km – 1 hour 45 minutes, excluding stops

Day 7Doolin – Dingle

A trip to Ireland is not complete without seeing all the ancient structures. Drive to the most famous Dolmen at Poulnabrone. These Neolithic monuments are scattered throughout the country marking burial sites and passage ways dating back to 3000BC.

A short journey from the Dolmen, the farmers at Caherconnell will treat you to a spectacular sheep dog trial. Prepared to be awestruck by the skill of the farmer and his furry friend as they gather up their flock of sheep. Cross the border by ferry to County Kerry and leave the west behind. Your next destination is the celebrated harbour town of Dingle.

This evening is yours to absorb the atmosphere in Dingle’s famous quirky pubs and fantastic restaurants. Why not sit in Foxy John’s hardware store, order yourself a drink and strike up a conversation with a friendly local!

Total driving distance & time: 240km – 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops

Day 8The Dingle Peninsula

Today your morning begins exploring caves and inlets on Dingle Bay by kayak and meet county Kerry’s biggest celebrity – Fungie the Dolphin. If kayaking isn’t your thing you can take a moderate paced hike up Mount Brandon where you will be rewarded with 360-degree panoramic views of Dingle Bay and Castlegregory. Perhaps you just want to stroll around this colourful village teeming with original local craft shops and cafes. Take it at your own pace. It’s your holiday – Do it your way.

This afternoon jump in the car and take an impressive trip along one of Ireland’s most scenic roads – The Slea Head Drive. You spend another night in the buzzing town of Dingle – relax and enjoy.

Total driving distance & time: 50km – 2 hours 30 minutes, at a leisurely pace!

Day 9The Ring of Kerry – Kinsale

Say a fond farewell to Dingle and journey towards the Ring of Kerry. The first stop takes you to Killarney on the Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry is the very definition of the word scenic and you will discover many hidden gems including Moll’s GapTorc Waterfall and Ross Castle in Killarney National Park. We will arrange a guided tour of Ross Castle where you will learn what life was really like behind the stone walls.

Stop for some shopping and lunch in the beautiful heritage town of Kenmare. For your last night on tour we are excited to send you to coastal Kinsale which is famed for its culinary culture, delivered by its 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 – boasting local talented artists.

Total driving distance & time: 200km – 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops

Day 10Cork – Kiss the Blarney Stone

Wake up refreshed and ready to be taken on a guided walking tour through the narrow streets of Kinsale with one of our favourite guides, Barry.

Paddy the Pocket Pilot app will direct you towards Blarney because you MUST not leave Cork without visiting Blarney Castle and Gardens and giving the Blarney Stone a big fat kiss!

Your final stop before driving back to Dublin is the Rock of Cashel. The Rock of Cashel is over 1000 years old and you will get to see its medieval round tower, chapel, cathedral and castle. A fantastic end to your trip.

It is now time to turn off your engine, dry your tears and to sit back and soak up all that you have experienced over the last 10 days. If you have any time left before leaving the Emerald Isle we will give you plenty of amazing recommendations for things to do, eat and entertain you in Dublin’s fair city.

Total driving distance & time: 320km – 3 hours 30 minutes, excluding stops

Due to our tours’ off-the-beaten-path locations and the fact that we cannot guarantee that all accommodation partners have ramps/elevators, unfortunately, our tours are not wheelchair accessible.