6-Day South of Ireland Tour from Dublin

Ireland’s best scenery comes thick and fast on this six-day circuit: Glendalough, Dingle, the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, and Connemara all make the cut. You get a driver, five nights of lodging, breakfast, and most entry fees, so you can enjoy the views without wrestling with narrow roads.

I like the small-group feel when numbers are low and the way a good guide turns long drives into moving history lessons. Guides named Barry, Brian, Joe, Rory, Shaun, Dan, and Malcolm have all led departures, though your guide will vary. The main catch is pace: the route covers a lot of Ireland, and schedule changes or long bus stretches can happen.

• Glendalough opens the trip with ancient ruins and mountain walks in the Wicklow Mountains.
• Dingle and Slea Head provide the tour’s most memorable coastal scenery, with beaches, beehive huts, and views toward the Blasket Islands.
• Five breakfasts, five nights, transport, and admissions make the $1,057.38 price easier to judge.
• Killarney offers optional horse-and-cart or horseback outings, but you pay your driver separately.
• The group can be as large as 56, although some departures have been much smaller.
• The route is packed, so this suits you if you want broad coverage more than long stays in each town.

An ambitious loop through southern and western Ireland

This is not a slow country-house holiday. It is a six-day circuit that starts in central Dublin at 9 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point on Day 6. Along the way, you cover Wicklow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, Cobh, the Dingle Peninsula, Killarney, County Clare, Galway, and Connemara.

That reach is the tour’s great strength. You can see places that are difficult to connect by public transport, and you do not have to plan hotel changes, driving routes, or admission tickets. The tradeoff is clear: some days run about eight hours, and part of that time is spent on the road.

The advertised vehicle is private to your tour group, while the practical details also allow for a coach of up to 56 people. That means group size and vehicle type may vary. If you strongly prefer a minibus, ask Paddywagon Tours to confirm the setup before paying.

What the $1,057.38 price really covers

At about $176 per day, the price includes five nights of accommodation, five breakfasts, transport, and all stated entrance fees. That is fair value for a route covering so much ground, especially since you are paying for a driver who knows the roads and handles the navigation.

Accommodation is listed in Waterford City, the Dingle Peninsula, Kerry for two nights, and Galway. Some departures use bed-and-breakfast lodging, while the economy option can include hostels. The B&B setup can be a pleasure, with a more personal feel than a large hotel, but it is not always uniform.

You may not all stay under one roof. Rooms can also be on upper floors without lifts, so pack light enough to carry your own bag. Food and drinks beyond the included breakfasts are extra, as are Killarney activities. You arrange and pay for those optional outings directly to your driver.

Day 1: Glendalough, Kilkenny, and Waterford

The first morning leaves Dublin for the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough, the Valley of Two Lakes. The monastic settlement gives you a strong first taste of Ireland: stone ruins, Celtic crosses, and a round tower set among mountain scenery.

You have free time for local walks and photographs. The exact amount of walking depends on your choice of trail, so wear shoes that can handle uneven ground. Glendalough works best when you resist the urge to rush from ruin to ruin. Give yourself time to look at the old stonework and the setting around it.

Next comes medieval Kilkenny, with cobbled streets, a castle, churches, abbeys, and a cathedral tied to the Norman period. The stop is listed at about an hour and a half, which is enough for a quick look around but not enough for a full visit to every major sight.

That limited time is typical of this tour. You get an introduction to many places, then move on. If Kilkenny is a personal priority, you may wish you had a separate day there.

The day ends in Waterford, where you visit the Waterford Crystal factory and shopping outlet. The visit lasts about an hour and includes entry. Watching artisans cut glass in the traditional way adds a craft element to a day otherwise focused on ruins and towns.

Waterford is also a useful overnight stop. Its position near the harbor gives you a change of pace, with pubs and seafood restaurants available for the evening. Dinner is not included, so this is your chance to choose your own meal.

Day 2: Blarney Castle and the port of Cobh

Blarney Castle and Gardens is the main event on Day 2. You have about two hours at the castle, including time to see the stone and, if you choose, kiss the Blarney Stone for the traditional gift of eloquence.

The castle visit involves steps and confined areas, so it may not suit everyone. You do not need to kiss the stone to enjoy the grounds. The gardens give you room to slow down, and Blarney Woolen Mills offers a large selection of Irish goods for anyone looking for souvenirs.

The route then continues toward the Dingle Peninsula. Cobh is listed as a stop, with about an hour to explore this historic County Cork port. You might choose the Titanic Museum, housed in the original White Star Line ticket office, but the museum visit is not specifically included as an admission.

Cobh adds a useful human story to the day. Blarney is about castle legends and gardens, while Cobh brings Ireland’s seafaring and emigration past into view. Still, with only an hour, you will need to pick one main focus.

Day 3: Dingle and the Slea Head coast

Dingle is one of the trip’s most appealing stops. This small fishing town has a Gaelic-speaking tradition, colorful local character, and a famous pub culture. The tour notes the town’s unusually high number of pubs for its size, which tells you something about its social life without requiring a long history lecture.

You have time in Dingle before heading around Slea Head. The route brings wide ocean views, beaches, the Blasket Islands, Sleeping Giant Island, and ancient beehive huts. These small stone structures, described as dating back to about 2,000 B.C., are among the most distinctive sights on the peninsula.

This is the day to keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole drive looking through it. The coastal road is a major part of the experience. Weather can change the mood quickly, and clouds or rain may reduce the long views.

The schedule also refers to time to visit Fungi, the dolphin once associated with Dingle. That detail may not be dependable, so treat it as an extra rather than the reason to book the day. The Slea Head drive is the real prize.

You overnight in the Dingle area before moving to Killarney. The day lasts about eight hours, but the combination of road time, viewpoints, and town time makes it feel full. If you prefer slow travel, this will be one of the days that tests your patience.

Day 4: The Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park

The Ring of Kerry day brings the classic stops: Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, Killarney National Park, the Lakes of Killarney, Torc Waterfall, villages, and roadside viewpoints. The appeal is variety. You move between open mountain views, wooded parkland, lakes, and small settlements.

The best moments often come between named stops. Look out the window as the road bends through the countryside, and listen to the guide’s explanation of local places. Guides such as Barry, Brian, Joe, Rory, and Shaun have been praised for mixing stories, jokes, and practical help, though the quality depends on who is assigned to your departure.

Killarney includes free time and optional activities. You can arrange a horse-and-cart ride through the national park, or choose horseback riding if you want something more active. These activities are not included in the tour price and are paid to the driver.

Do not assume the Ring of Kerry will always happen in the advertised order. Weather and road conditions can force changes, and one departure missed the Ring on the day it was planned because of rain. If seeing this route is essential, ask how the operator handles a weather change before you book.

Killarney is also where the tour’s two-night stay in Kerry gives you a little breathing room. Even so, much of the day remains structured around driving and scheduled stops.

Day 5: The Cliffs of Moher and the Burren

The Cliffs of Moher are the day’s headline sight. Rising more than 700 feet above the Atlantic, they are dramatic in clear weather and powerful even when the wind and clouds move in. You have a proper visit here, and admission is included.

Stay alert at the cliff area and follow marked paths. The coastal setting is exposed, and conditions can change. The cliffs are home to seabirds including puffins and gannets, though sightings are never guaranteed.

Doolin is the lunch stop and is known for traditional Irish music. Food is not included, giving you freedom to choose your meal. Doolin is a good place to look for a pub atmosphere, but your available time depends on the day’s road schedule.

The Burren follows. This pale limestone region can look almost lunar, with underground rivers and unusual rock formations. The geology reaches back roughly 300 million years, and the area feels entirely different from the green fields and mountain roads earlier in the trip.

The drive continues along the County Clare coast and Galway Bay, with views toward the Aran Islands. You finish in Galway, often called the city of the tribes and a center for Irish culture. You have an evening to find seafood or traditional music, both of which are specifically part of the city’s appeal.

One small historical note is included in the tour: Christopher Columbus is associated with Galway. Whether that detail matters to you depends on your interests, but it adds another layer to a city shaped by trade and the sea.

Day 6: Connemara and the return to Dublin

The final day leaves Galway for Connemara, including Maam’s Cross and Maam Valley. The region is tied to the famine of 1845, one of the darkest periods in Irish history. More than a million people died from starvation, and the western counties suffered terribly.

This part of the route is not just about scenery. The famine context gives the countryside a more serious meaning, especially when your guide explains how the crisis affected rural communities.

The day also includes Glengowla family farm and silver mine before the journey back to Dublin through the midlands. It is another roughly eight-hour day, so expect a long final ride rather than a relaxed morning and quick transfer.

You return to the original meeting point at Paddy’s Palace, 5 Beresford Place, Dublin 1. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The stated start time is 9 a.m., and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

The guide can make or break the experience

The strongest part of this tour is often the driver-guide. A good guide does more than steer. Barry has been praised for stories and humor, Brian for combining facts with an entertaining style, Joe for friendly service and local knowledge, and Rory for keeping the journey lively.

Other named guides include Shaun, Dan, Malcolm, and Jackie, who have led different departures. You cannot select one of them from the information provided, so book for the route and format, not for a promised personality.

The standard of driving and care can vary. Most of the feedback is strongly positive, but serious complaints have included unsafe driving, poor help with luggage, limited commentary, and a driver using a phone. That is not a minor detail. If you feel unsafe, speak up immediately and contact the operator after the trip.

Group dynamics matter too. Some departures have had only a handful of people, while the maximum is 56. A smaller group makes stops easier and gives you more access to the guide. A full coach may feel less personal and make loading, departures, and accommodation arrangements slower.

Who should book this Ireland tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to see a large slice of southern and western Ireland without driving. It fits first-time visitors who value a fixed route, included breakfasts, and a guide who can explain what you are seeing.

It also suits mixed-age groups. The route has worked for groups ranging from people in their twenties to visitors in their eighties, but you need to manage stairs, walking, long days, and your own luggage.

You may prefer another option if you want long museum visits, leisurely meals, or complete control over your hotel. The itinerary is busy, some towns get short stops, and accommodation can be spread among different B&Bs. It is a sampler of Ireland, not a deep stay in any one county.

The tour is offered in English, uses mobile tickets, and most people can participate. It has an average rating of 3.9 from 29 ratings, which fits the picture: many excellent guide-led departures, but some real concerns about pacing, accommodation, and driving standards.

Should you book it?

Book it if coverage and convenience matter more than independence. For $1,057.38, you get five nights, five breakfasts, transport, and the main entry fees, plus a route that would take careful planning by car.

Before paying, confirm the likely group size, vehicle type, accommodation standard, luggage arrangements, and what happens if rain disrupts the Ring of Kerry. Also remember that the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

I would recommend it to a first-time Ireland visitor who wants Glendalough, Blarney, Dingle, Kerry, Moher, Galway, and Connemara in one organized trip. I would not choose it for a slow, flexible holiday. The route is broad, the days are long, and the guide you receive matters greatly.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Paddy’s Palace, 5 Beresford Place, Gardiner Street Lower, Mountjoy, Dublin 1. The stated start time is 9 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends back at the original meeting point at Paddy’s Palace in Dublin.

How many nights of accommodation are included?

Five nights are included: one night in Waterford City, one on the Dingle Peninsula, two in Kerry, and one in Galway.

Are breakfasts included?

Yes. Five breakfasts are included. Other food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated.

Are entrance fees included?

The tour includes all stated entrance fees, including Blarney Castle and the Cliffs of Moher. The Waterford Crystal visit is also included. The Titanic Museum in Cobh is presented as an optional sight, and its admission is not specified as included.

Are Killarney activities included?

No. The horse-and-cart ride and horseback riding in Killarney are optional and payable to your driver during the tour.

How large can the group be?

The tour can have a maximum of 56 participants. Some departures may be smaller, but a small group is not guaranteed.