Turn on your engine and your trusted Paddy the Pocket Pilot App and point your car towards the west coast! Your epic 6-day self-driving tour of Ireland is packed with hiking, cycling and discovering the Wild Atlantic Way. Your next big adventure begins here. Experience a truly authentic tour of Ireland with your Overland self-drive itinerary taking you from the heights of Croagh Patrick to the vast Burren National Park.
Discover Ireland through adventure. Walk, talk and laugh with our local guides and friends along the way. Let us send you on a trip with the perfect mix of culture, heritage, fresh air and activities. Go Island hopping to Achill and the Aran Islands. Let yourself be blown away by the views on the Cliffs of Moher and spoil yourself with a night out you’ll never forget in Bohemian Galway City – The European Capital of Culture.
What are you waiting for. Pack your hiking boots, get your bucket list ready and take yourself on a road trip of a lifetime – all taken care of by Overland Ireland and driven at your own pace.
Book with Confidence
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.
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.
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. It’s also worth noting that all of the fish served to our guests is responsibly sourced and as fresh as it gets!
This expertly planned self-drive tour will leave Dublin for the beauty and surroundings of the 6th century monastery at Clonmacnoise, located on the banks of the River Shannon. The monastery was a centre of excellence for learning and scholars created the finest Celtic art and illuminated manuscripts over 600 years. 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: 300km – 3 hours 50 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!
We have added the option of staying in an exquisite castle so you can embrace your inner Prince(ss)! Why not add a bit of luxury to your trip of a lifetime.
Total driving distance & time: 125km – 2 hours 10 minutes, excluding stops
Begin your Galway experience with a tour of Kylemore Abbey in the heart of Connemara. The rugged landscape of Connemaracome hail rain or shine is guaranteed to take your breath away. Spend time roaming the abbey and Victorian walled garden on this 1000 acre estate overlooking Kylemore Lake and the 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 stone’s throw of the “craic” (fun) and all the local hotspots. Ask Paddy the Pocket Pilot for some recommendations.
Total driving distance & time: 100km – 1 hour 50 minutes, excluding stops
After a short drive cross country to Rossaveal Pier on Galway Bay, you will take the ferry to the Aran Islands. You will land on rugged Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands. Explore the Island by an easy cycle or by special request jaunting.
Your route will take in the stone fort of Dún Aonghasa, which lies 100m over the ocean before making our way back to the mainland. While you are there you might pick up a few words of “Gaelic” from the locals and maybe buy an original Aran Sweater!
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 on the locals! We guarantee they will be impressed.
Total driving distance & time: 80km – 1 hour 20 minutes, excluding stops
Galway is a city that has Medieval history at its very heart. Now that you have a “feel” for Galway, our guide will take you down the narrow medieval 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, the 16th century Dunguaire Castle in the fishing village of Kinvara.
Our 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. Your evening is spent in the most welcoming and colourful village of Doolin – the hometown of traditional Irish music.
Total driving distance & time: 75km – 1 hour 30 minutes, excluding stops
From Doolin Village we will organize for you to pick up bicycles to explore Burren National Park! We recommend 3 hours at a moderate pace for this adventure. Feast your eyes with delightful views of Galway Bay and Ireland’s most extraordinary landscape. Spend time roaming the vast limestone ridges and discover the wonderful 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.
Total driving distance & time: 265km – 3 hours 10 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.
