Killarney National Park, County Kerry

Highlights of Ireland

View Photos

View Map

On this page:

Overview

Suggested Itinerary

What's Included?

Accommodation & Prices

Car Hire

Overview

Self-Drive Holidays

9 Nights

Fully customisable itinerary
Prices from: £1355 per person
Best time to go: April - October
Transport: Rental car included (optional)

Highlights

Dublin

Stroll along the River Liffey promenade and admire the beautiful Georgian architecture of Ireland’s capital city. Visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College or wander through the cobblestone streets of Temple Bar and sip a warming cup of Irish coffee in an old Victorian pub.

National parks

Take a day trip from Dublin to the wonderful Wicklow Mountains National Park and explore historic Glendalough. Beautiful Killarney National Park is another popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Kilkenny

Discover the Marble City and go back in time to Ireland’s Medieval Mile, packed with historic architectural marvels, breweries, pubs and music. Kilkenny Castle is one of the highlights in the city, a striking Anglo-Norman fortress overlooking the River Nore.

Cliffs of Moher

Visit the iconic Cliffs of Moher, one of the Signature Points along the Wild Atlantic Way and also one of Ireland’s most visited natural attractions. Admire the magnificent views over the Atlantic and explore the fascinating visitor centre.

Ancient castles

Journey to the spectacular Rock of Cashel complex, a striking collection of medieval buildings with views over the Golden Vale. Near Cork, the 15th-century Blarney Castle is home to the famous Blarney Stone. As the legend goes, kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the gift of eloquence!

Galway

Unwind in the vibrant and compact city of Galway. Explore narrow lanes lined with bright-coloured shops and beautiful Galway Bay. Galway is known for its lively atmosphere and traditional Irish music sessions, which can be heard in the many pubs dotted around the city.

Your Perfect Introduction to Ireland

This memorable self-drive itinerary visits some of Ireland’s most renowned historic and natural wonders, including the magnificent Ring of Kerry and the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher.

The tour begins in Dublin, where you will have two plenty of time to explore the city and its attractions. You will then travel onward to County Kerry via medieval Kilkenny and follow the Wild Atlantic Way to musical Galway.

Arrive in Dublin, Ireland’s charming capital city. Take in all that Dublin has to offer by strolling along the River Liffey and visiting world-class attractions, such as the Guinness Storehouse and Dublin Castle. Join a traditional Irish music session in one of the colourful bars on Temple Bar, or enjoy a quiet dram of whiskey in an old Victorian pub.

The following day, take a day trip to the wonderful Wicklow Mountains National Park, where you could go for a hike or explore historic Glendalough. Your journey will then take you to the picturesque city of Kilkenny, famous for its quaint medieval streets and impressive 12th-century castle.

As you continue westward to the bustling town of Killarney in County Kerry, take a short detour to visit the spectacular Rock of Cashel or Blarney Castle. Discover Killarney National Park and travel along the many charming coastal towns and villages that make up the wonderful Ring of Kerry around the Iveragh Peninsula.

You will then follow the stunning coastline along the Wild Atlantic Way towards County Clare. Make sure to stop at the magnificent Cliffs of Moher and the delightful village of Doolin. Your final destination is the vibrant city of Galway, with its bright-coloured streets and lively atmosphere.

Suggested Itinerary

The holiday ideas on our website are just examples of the amazing trips we offer. Think of this itinerary as a starting point which can be tailored into something completely unique to you by our award-winning specialists.

We love the opportunity to use our first-hand knowledge and experience to design and deliver the perfect, bespoke holiday experience for you.

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin

Ireland’s capital city is compact, walkable and full of character. You might wish to join a City Sightseeing Bus Tour or take a stroll along the River Liffey promenade. Admire the view of Dublin’s many bridges and charming Georgian architecture. In the evening, amble to Temple Bar and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Overnight – Dublin

Day 2: Dublin Sightseeing

A full day to explore Dublin. Rise early to visit the Book of Kells Exhibition at the Old Library in Trinity College. Explore Grafton Street, enjoy some fresh air in St Stephen’s Green and wander to Dublin Castle. Enjoy an included tour and tasting at the Guinness Storehouse, which is both a brewery and a fascinating interactive museum.
Overnight – Dublin

Day 3: Day trip to Wicklow Mountains National Park

Today, you could continue to explore Dublin and visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the National Museum or Kilmainham Gaol.

Otherwise, you could take a day trip to the Wicklow Mountains National Park, fondly known as the Garden of Ireland. Enjoy unique wild landscapes and choose from a variety of outdoor activities, such as fishing, kayaking or hiking.
Overnight – Dublin

Day 4: Dublin to Kilkenny

Leave Dublin behind and begin your journey west towards charming Kilkenny. Known as the Marble City, Kilkenny is full of wonderful historic buildings and an impressive castle. The Medieval Mile links Kilkenny Castle to St. Canice’s Cathedral and is dotted with unique shops, cheerful pubs and picturesque alleyways.
Overnight – Kilkenny

Day 5: Kilkenny to Killarney

Continue westward towards County Kerry and take a short detour to visit the spectacular Rock of Cashel or Blarney Castle.

Arrive in bustling Killarney, at the edge of Killarney National Park. Visit the beautiful Muckross Estate with its historic house and pretty gardens or enjoy a leisurely walk around the famous lakes of Killarney.
Overnight – Killarney

Day 6: Ring of Kerry Sightseeing

Drive around the magnificent Ring of Kerry and visit the quaint towns and villages along the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula. You could also travel to Portmagee and enjoy a boat trip to the striking Skellig Islands, which famously featured in the Star Wars films.
Overnight – Killarney

Day 7: Dingle Peninsula Sightseeing

Explore the Dingle Peninsula, full of interesting historic sites, peaceful beaches and thrilling mountain passes. Drive around the circular Slea Head Drive, which offers incredible views over the wild Atlantic Ocean. You could also arrange a boat trip from Dunquin to the remote Blasket Islands, a true paradise for nature lovers and hikers.
Overnight – Killarney

Day 8: Killarney to Galway

Travel north towards Limerick and join the Wild Atlantic Way towards County Clare. Follow the dramatic coastline and make sure to stop en-route to visit the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher. Finally arrive in Galway, with its picturesque cobblestone streets and old-fashioned pubs.
Overnight – Galway

Day 9: Galway Sightseeing

Galway is one of Ireland’s most charming cities, with its many colourful pubs and delicious seafood restaurants. Hop on an included City Sightseeing Bus and learn about this beautiful city’s history at the Galway City Museum and the Cathedral. In the evening, relax and enjoy a local tipple, while taking in the wonderful views of the River Corrib and Galway Bay.
Overnight – Galway

Day 10: Depart Galway

After breakfast, your Irish escape will come to an end. Galway is located less than three hours from Dublin.

What's Included?

Your holiday includes:

Carefully selected en-suite accommodation for 9 nights including traditional Irish breakfast
Comprehensive information pack and local visitor information
Personalised itinerary with our recommendations for the best places to eat and drink and sightseeing suggestions
Tickets for the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin
Map of Ireland with our recommended driving route
7 days rental of an Economy car (other vehicle categories available) including comprehensive insurance
Tickets for the Dublin City Sightseeing Tour
Tickets for the Galway City Sightseeing Tour
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Flights
Lunches and evening meals

Accommodation & Prices

Special Places to Stay

Premium

Standard

We know that after a busy day of sightseeing, an exceptional place to stay makes all the difference. That’s why all of the accommodation we select is hand-picked using our first-hand knowledge of the best places to stay.

Our discerning team has a wealth of experience, and we extensively research and regularly review all of the accommodation we select for our clients.

Please choose from one of our accommodation categories below. If you wish to combine these categories or perhaps upgrade for a special occasion let us know in your enquiry.

Car Hire

Our packages include car rental and comprehensive insurance for the duration of your holiday. Absolute Escapes has an excellent relationship with a number of car hire operators and we are able to offer quality vehicles and great value for money.

If you plan to bring your own vehicle, we are also able to offer this itinerary without a rental car.

All our packages include:

Collision Damage Waiver
Super Damage Excess Waiver
Third Party Insurance
Theft Waiver
Tax

Economy

Vauxhall Corsa or similar

Good for 2 people
Maximum of 4 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Compact

Ford Focus or similar

Good for 2 – 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
2 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Intermediate

Volkswagen Passat or similar

Good for up to 4 people
Maximum of 5 passengers
3 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

Fullsize

VW Sharan or similar

Good for 5 people
Maximum of 7 passengers
3 – 4 large suitcases
Manual or automatic transmission

How do our Self-Drive Holidays Work?

Since 2004, we've led the way in planning remarkable road trips in the UK. Like a perfectly tailored suit, each itinerary is crafted around you. Learn more about us and our self-drive holidays in our new guide. Read more

How to Plan a Perfect Road Trip in Ireland

Discover Ireland with our new self-drive tours. This comprehensive guide covers everything from Ireland's history and geography to travel tips, best times to visit, and top attractions. Plan your perfect Irish adventure with expert advice on exploring the Emerald Isle. Read more