Turn on your engine and point your car towards the West Coast of Ireland! Your epic 6-Day Self-Driving Tour of Ireland is packed with hiking, cycling, and discovering the Wild Atlantic Way. Experience a truly authentic side of the Emerald Isle with this Self-Drive Tour of Ireland, taking you from the heights of Croagh Patrick to the vast Burren National Park.
Let us send you on a road trip with the perfect mix of culture, heritage, and outdoor activities. Explore the beautiful gardens of Kylemore Abbey, hike in Connemara National Park, and go island hopping to Achill and the Aran Islands. How about swapping your car for two wheels in Burren? Further south, be blown away by the views on the Cliffs of Moher before spoiling yourself with a night out in Bohemian Galway City.
Does this West Coast of Ireland tour sound like an incredible adventure? Then pack your hiking boots, get your bucket list ready, and embark on the road trip of a lifetime — all arranged by Overland Ireland and driven at your own pace!
On this 6-day Ireland road trip, you’ll leave the organizing to us. We’ve designed the best itineraries, offer support concierge services, and include an Overland Ireland Virtual Travel Companion. We even include fully comprehensive insurance, so all you need to focus on is having the time of your life!
Keep reading to learn more about this West Coast of Ireland tour. If you would like something similar but you’re short on time, have a look at our Coast To Coast 5-Day Driving Tour Of Ireland.
Want more control over your itinerary? We also offer Tailor-Made Tours of Ireland, which we can also design to be wheelchair accessible.
If you want to leave the driving to someone else, we don’t blame you! Check out our classic Small Group Tours of Ireland instead, where your guide will be at the wheel.
Every self-drive Ireland tour booked with us comes with exceptional service, a guided itinerary, and various extras, such as our Paddy the Pocket Pilot App. If you’re looking for an independent way to discover Ireland, but with all the surprises and benefits of a guided tour, with pre-booked “tried & loved” accommodation, you’re in good hands. But don’t just take our word for it! Check out our tour group reviews here.
Overland Ireland is one of the only tour companies in the Emerald Isle to include as much as we do in your tour price. We strive to avoid hidden surprises or unexpected charges while you’re on the road, leaving you without worry.
We take every step possible to keep costs down and experiences up! Our team works hard to get you the best deals all over the country so you can enjoy the ultimate West Coast of Ireland tour.
If you have any special dietary requirements or preferences, please get in touch. We can cater this self-drive tour to vegans, vegetarians, and pescatarians.
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Total driving distance & time: 300 km – 3 hours 50 minutes, excluding stops
This expertly planned self-drive tour will leave Dublin for the beauty and surroundings of Clonmacnoise, a 6th-century monastery on the banks of the River Shannon. Clonmacnoise was a centre of excellence for learning — for over 600 years scholars created the finest Celtic art and illuminated manuscripts.
All you have to do is jump in the car, start up your App, and let Paddy the Pocket Pilot guide you around the enchanting Emerald Isle.
Onwards towards Ireland’s favourite town – Westport in County Mayo. After fueling up, we will send you to the base of Croagh Patrick – Ireland’s holiest mountain made famous by the man responsible for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations around the world. You will take a moderate hike up the mountain and be treated to outstanding views over Clew Bay.
We guarantee you will be full of energy and ready for a great evening of fun in Westport town. Be sure to catch a traditional music session in the famous “Matt Molloy’s Pub”. Local musicians gather nightly to entertain the masses.
Total driving distance & time: 125 km – 2 hours 10 minutes, excluding stops
Achill Island awaits you this morning. Take the Greenway cycle route from Mulranny to Achill Island or you have the option to drive to Slievemore and enjoy a leisurely hike on the Island. It’s your holiday so enjoy it at your own pace.
After enjoying the morning on Ireland’s largest island, you will make your way back towards Connemara through the stunning Inagh Valley and Famine Trail. Tonight, you will stay in Clifden which is nestled at the base of the Twelve Bens mountain range. Clifden boasts some very fine eateries and watering holes where you can strike up a conversation with some interesting locals, often willing to tell a tall tale or two!
You have the option of staying in a stunning castle overnight. Why not add a bit of luxury to your trip of a lifetime and embrace your inner Prince(ss)?
Total driving distance & time: 100 km – 1 hour 50 minutes, excluding stops
Begin your Galway experience in the heart of Connemara with a tour of the beautiful Kylemore Abbey. Come rain, shine, or even hail, the rugged landscape of Connemara will take your breath away. Enjoy roaming the abbey and the wonderful Victorian walled garden on this 1000-acre estate that overlooks the serene Kylemore Lake and the surrounding, majestic Connemara National Park.
From here you can choose three different hike levels – The Diamond Hill offers two fantastic loop walks from 1.5 hours to 3 hours depending on your energy levels or pace. Alternatively, why not go big and trek across the Twelve Bens Mountain range? The Bens will take between 4-6 hours.
After giving yourself a wonderful workout make the drive to the City of the Tribes – Galway. Here every night is said to be a Friday night. You will have a wonderful evening soaking up the lively atmosphere of the bustling medieval city. We have carefully handpicked a centrally located accommodation so that you are within a stone’s throw of the “craic” (fun) and all the local hotspots. Ask Paddy the Pocket Pilot for some recommendations.
Total driving distance & time: 80 km – 1 hour 20 minutes, excluding stops
After a short drive to Rossaveal Pier, you will take a ferry across Galway Bay to the Aran Islands. Landing on Inishmore; rugged, spectacular, and the largest of the three Aran Islands, it’s time to explore this isolated wonder. You can either cycle or make a special request for a jaunting cart.
Follow the route toward the ancient stone fort of Dún Aonghasa. This breathtaking site stands on a cliff edge 100m above the wild Atlantic below. While you are here, try to pick up some “Gaeilge” from the locals or buy an original Aran Sweater!
When you return to the mainland, there’s no need to pack your bags as you will spend another exciting evening in the European Culture Capital – Galway. You can even practice your new Irish words with the locals! We guarantee they will be impressed.
Total driving distance & time: 75 km – 1 hour 30 minutes, excluding stops
Medieval history is at the heart of Galway, and now that you have a “feel” for the city, it’s time to follow our guide down the narrow, charming streets while ducking in and out of brightly coloured shops.
Try on Galway Shawls and Claddagh Rings before passing through The Spanish Arch toward the famous fishing village of Claddagh.
This incredible day has plenty more in store yet! Leaving Galway, you travel southwest towards the otherworldly Burren National Park and the Irish icon that is the Cliffs of Moher. Along the way, you will stop at Corcomroe Abbey, a Cistercian Monastery dating back to the 13th century, and the 16th-century Dunguaire Castle, located in the fishing village of Kinvara.
The Cliffs of Moher experience takes you on a walk across this stunning natural feature as the powerful Atlantic Ocean waves crash in below. This is truly one of the most jaw-dropping places in Ireland and we’re sure you’ll be lost for words!
You will then spend the evening in Doolin. This isn’t just a welcoming and colourful village, it’s also the home of traditional Irish music!
Total driving distance & time: 265 km – 3 hours 10 minutes, excluding stops
From the village of Doolin, we will arrange for you to pick up bicycles so you can head off and explore Burren National Park on two wheels! We recommend spending three hours at a moderate pace for this adventure. Marvel at the picturesque views of Galway Bay and the most extraordinary landscape in Ireland. Roam the vast limestone ridges that the Burren is famous for, and keep your eyes peeled for the flora and fauna unique to this ecosystem.
After lunch, it is time to bid a fond farewell to the West and make your journey back to Dublin. If you have a little time left in Ireland we can link you up with our other self-drive tours of Ireland or arm you with fantastic things to do and see in Dublin before you finish your trip of a lifetime to the Emerald Isle.
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.
