Exploring the Emerald Isle

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A country steeped in history, rich in character, with wonderful people and natural beauty at every turn, Ireland’s charms are many.

Lovingly known as the Emerald Isle, thanks to its rolling green hills and meadows, this amazing yet compact island could comfortably sit within the State boundaries of Queensland 20 times over!

With annual visitor numbers matching its population (7.77M), Ireland is clearly regarded as one of the world’s must-visit places.

And the best way to truly experience it is on a small-group tour. With so many villages and towns and scenic coastal roads, a small-group journey from Back-Roads Touring can take you where the larger tourist coaches often cannot ensuring you are immersed into the local culture.

Ireland the Emerald Isle (12-days)

Back Roads Emerald Isle tour map. — Back Roads Emerald Isle tour map (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Back-Roads Touring are the experts in small–group journeys. With a maximum of 18 guests on each tour with many authentic local experiences included, what better way to embrace the history and culture of a destination than with like-minded travellers.

Your tour Inclusions:

11 nights in boutique accommodation
Experienced Back-Roads Driver & Tour Leader
Premium mini-coach transportation
Full Irish breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch (L), 5 evening meals (D)
Discover Northern Ireland’s dramatic history in an escorted Black Cab tour of Belfast’s unique street art and political murals
Entrance included to: Newgrange, Battle of the Boyne site, Titanic Museum, Giant’s Causeway, Doagh Famine Village, Ulster American Folk Park, Parke’s Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Blasket Islands Centre, Charles Fort, Connemara Heritage Centre, Swiss Cottage, Huntington Castle
Drive along Ireland’s back roads through extraordinary natural scenery, including the lunar-like landscape of the Burren
Marvel at the mysterious Giant’s Causeway

DAY 1 DUBLIN – BELFAST

From Dublin, you will venture to the prehistoric site of Newgrange and visit the Battle of Boyne for an exciting preview of what to expect over the days to come. On arrival into Belfast, enjoy a delicious local meal with your travelling campanions. (D)

Accommodation: (Malone Lodge Hotel)

DAY 2 BELFAST – LONDONDERRY

You don’t have to delve deep into Northern Ireland’s past to see the influences on contemporary culture. Begin the morning with an escorted Black Cab tour of Belfast’s unique street art and political murals, followed by a visit to the Titanic Museum where you will discover the personal stories that surrounded the fateful ship.

Continue onto Ballyscullion Park, a historic private country house, where lunch will be waiting. Later, explore Ireland’s natural geological wonder – the Giant’s Causeway – before arriving in Londonderry. (B,L)

Accommodation: (Beech Hill Country House)

DAY 3 LONDONDERRY – NORTH IRISH COAST – LONDONDERRY

Start the day with a stroll along the old city walls of Londonderry and then continue the journey to the Isle of Doagh, where you’ll learn of the local population’s experience of the devastating Irish Famine. (B)

Accommodation: (Beech Hill Country House)

DAY 4 LONDONDERRY – BALLYFARNON

More fascinating history is on the cards at the Ulster-American Folk Park, where you’ll learn why two million people sailed from Ulster to embark on a fresh life in the New World, and make time for a pottery demonstration. The day ends in Ballyfarnon where you regroup for an evening meal together. (B,D)

Accommodation: (Kilronan Castle)

DAY 5 BALLYFARNON – CONNEMARA – GALWAY

Depart in the morning to Westport before visiting the award-winning Connemara Heritage Centre to gain a unique insight into Ireland’s past. As the day draws to a close, complete the journey with a walking tour through the harbour city of Galway. (B)

Accommodation: (Park House Hotel)

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland. — Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland.

DAY 6 GALWAY

Today is yours to enjoy as you wish in buzzing, bohemian Galway. The tour guide will have a list of ideas and places of interests. (B)

Accommodation: (Park House Hotel)

DAY 7 GALWAY – THE BURREN – DINGLE

Travel to the picturesque area of Caherconnell and witness local sheepdog trials in action. Continue across the Burren and round off the day with a visit to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, rising high above the Atlantic Ocean. (B,D)

Accommodation: (Dingle Skellig Hotel)

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The Emerald Isle

Discover Ireland from north to south starting with the legendary Giant’s Causeway and Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. Your Back Roads tour will take you through charming Irish villages and across rugged peninsulas, where sweeping views of the Wicklow Mountains create a dramatic setting for your Emerald Isle adventure.

Check out the incredible #EmeraldIsle of #Ireland with @Backroadtouring @GoToIrelandOz via @WellTravelledAU Click to Tweet

DAY 8 DINGLE PENINSULA

Begin in south-west Ireland’s jewel in the crown – the Dingle Peninsula before stopping off at the Blasket Islands Centre. The afternoon provides plenty of free time to delve deeper and explore DIngle. (B)

Accommodation: (Dingle Skellig Hotel)

DAY 9 DINGLE – KENMARE – BLARNEY

Peaks and lakes are on the cards today as you take in the views across the stunning Killarney Lakes and onwards to Kenmare before the adventure continues with a visit to the iconic Blarney Castle. Legend has it, if you kiss the Blarney Stone you will be blessed with the gift of eloquence. In the evening, make the most of your new-found eloquence over a group dinner at the hotel. (B,D)

Accommodation: (Blarney Castle Hotel)

DAY 10 BLARNEY – KINSALE – BLARNEY

The port and fishing town of Kinsale is where you’ll start a walking tour through history and a stop at Charles Fort before returning to Blarney for your evening castle stay. (B)

Accommodation: (Blarney Castle Hotel)

DAY 11 BLARNEY – TIPPERARY – KILKENNY

As the final few days approach, explore the rural Tipperary and Swiss Cottage before continuing to Kilkenny, Ireland’s ‘most perfect’ medieval city for a fascinating stroll back through in time. (B,D)

Accommodation: (Kilkenny River Court)

DAY 12 KILKENNY – AVOCA – DUBLIN

Your last day sees you reach the ‘fair city’ of Dublin with a stop via Avoca and Huntingdon Castle where the tour ends. (B)

The Stone of Destiny at the Hill of Tara.

What real travellers say about this tour

Feedback posted on 22-Aug-2017
Service: ++ Product: +
Service rating : Totally professional guide and would recommend to anybody.
We had a great time.
Product : Good value and a small group gave the tour a more personal touch.

Feedback posted on 24-Aug-2017
Service: ++ Product: ++
Service rating : The very best guide Jay and driver?? a very enjoyable time was had
Product : Because there was no problems what so ever. GREAT

Feedback posted on 07-Sep-2017
Service: ++ Product: ++
Service rating : Good service. Great places.
Product : Enjoyed the trip and the places we went to

Feedback posted on 09-Sep-2017
Service: ++ Product: ++
Service rating : Excellent guide and driver, great itinerary, enjoyable pace of tour, very happy with all accommodations
Product : Excellent guide and driver, wonderful accommodation, great itinerary and very enjoyable pace of the tour

Feedback posted on 13-Sep-2017
Service: ++ Product: –
Service rating : We had a wonderful time on our Back Roads Tour of Ireland. Pat Hanlon, our tour guide was very caring and looked after our needs through out the duration of the trip. The office arranged a transfer to the Brooks Hotel for us when we were unable to get accommodation at the Brooks. Pat arranged for us to be dropped off at the Temple Bar Hotel after the tour concluded.
Of course the group of people whom we traveled with helped.
I would recommend Back Roads.
Product : We were pleased with our purchases during the tour

Read all ratings from Feefo about Back-Roads Touring here.

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Jason Dutton-Smith

I'm a professional nomad and first-class-wannabe. I'm a curious adventurer who enjoys travel that's two parts planned, one part self-discovery. When at home, I'm chief tea maker. If travel is to live, then here's to living!