Experience a 14 Day Custom Tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland customized to fit exactly your needs! For a relatively small country, Ireland offers a wealth of natural wonders and cultural delights.
Imagine: Waking up to a full Irish breakfast. Playing a round of golf on a links course with a stunning ocean view. Enjoying a pint in the local pub. Poking around the shops of the quaintest village you can imagine, or spending a few hours drinking in some of the most remarkable coastal scenery in the world. Retiring to your hotel – perhaps a castle? – for an exquisite, locally sourced dinner.
Choose the places and events you would like to visit for an unforgettable journey of lifetime.
Meet your private guide and spend a couple of hours discovering the best of Dublin and enjoy intriguing history, architecture, events and stories of Dublin right back to its Viking & medieval origins.
Perhaps head north of the River Liffey to EPIC Ireland – the Irish Emigration Museum. Hair raising for anyone of Irish descent.
Later in the evening, a tour of the Guinness Storehouse is a must. You will enjoy the private Connoisseur Experience whilst sampling the black stuff!.
Afterwards a Literary or Musical Pub Crawl for all.
Alternatively, enjoy a meal in one of the many award winning restaurants that we can recommend and book for you.
Visit the Wicklow Mountain National Park
Two options:
Take the Wild Wicklow bus tour to Glendalough (opposite). Known as the Garden of Ireland, it is located in the Wicklow Mountain National Park.
Stop in Powerscourt House and Gardens for an opportunity to shop for local crafts and relax here for lunch while taking in the beautiful scenery. Continue to Sandycove where you will enjoying breath-taking scenery of Dublin Bay.
Or - take a taxi or train out to Howth, a quaint fishing village on the outskirts of Dublin. You might enjoy a cliff walk starting at ‘The Summit’ with spectacular views down to the Bailey Lighthouse or a relaxing stroll around the village. Enjoy lunch at one of the many seafood restaurants.
Enjoy dinner in one of the restaurants Old Sod Travel can recommend before stopping in O’Donohue’s for a nightcap.
Titanic Belfast Museum
After breakfast today, your Driver will meet you in reception.
Your first stop might be the Neolithic ruins at Newgrange which is approximately 30 minutes from Dublin.
For food lovers a great way to get to know Belfast city is with a 2 hour culinary food tour of the city.
Afterwards take a Black Taxi tour of the International Wall Murals and the Falls Road, giving an excellent insight into the troubles of Northern Ireland.
Finally take a two hour tour of the Titanic Belfast Museum. The museum offers great insight into the history of old Belfast and the construction of the ill-fated Titanic vessel
In the evening explore the blossoming Cathedral quarter, formerly industrial cobbled streets and now a cultural hub.
Gobbins Cliff Path
Start your day today with a 45 minute drive to the Gobbins Cliff Path. The path wraps its way around the cliffs over County Antrim’s Irish Sea coastline offering spectacular views of Scotland (assuming good weather), and lots of wildlife.
From The Gobbins, continue to drive the Coastal Causeway while enjoying the frequent stops to take in the high cliffs and secluded beaches along the way.
You will check into your 4* hotel this afternoon.
Take a tour of the Bushmills distillery before dinner if time allows.
After dinner enjoy a pint at the bar where locals and guests enjoy the cozy atmosphere of the peat fire.
Walk across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Begin your day today with a drive to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and walk across the teetering 80-foot-high bridge (not for the faint-hearted!).
Next stop would be the Giant’s Causeway. This geological wonder has been the source of many Irish myths.
After lunch, continue along the coastline to the medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle, another fascinating piece of Northern Ireland history.
Of course golf is always an option for those who do not care to cross the bridge!
Return to your hotel for the evening.
Visit the Glenveagh Castle
Wake up with a brisk fresh walk on one of the windswept beaches nearby - Downhill, Benone, or Magilligan.
Drive onto Derry, the only completely walled city in Ireland.
Enjoy a walking tour along the walls with a local guide. The tour lasts about an hour.
Perhaps stop for a bite at Peadar O’Donnell’s
Then onto Glenveagh National Park and start your adventure on the Wild Atlantic Way. At the center of the park on the edge of Lough Veagh is Glenveagh Castle, a late 19th century castellated mansion, built as a hunting lodge. Enjoy afternoon tea in the tea rooms of the Castle.
Travel on to Donegal Town and your four * hotel for the next two evenings.
After a long day of driving you might want to dine on the property tonight.
Visit the Slieve League Cliffs
The first stop this morning has to be the breathtaking Slieve League Cliffs. The Cliffs are Europe’s tallest sea cliffs, rising to a height of over 2,000 feet.
From the cliffs, head North into the Gaeltacht regions (irish speaking). Visit Glencolmcille Folk Village, a thatched-roof replica of a traditional Irish rural village. Comprising a number of small cottages, called a "clachan,” the village is on a hillside with a commanding view over Glen Bay Beach in the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking area) of South West Donegal.
Take the Glengesh pass to the village of Ardara.
Pass or stop at the villages of Glencoe and Gweedore.
Return to your 4* hotel (1 hour and 15 minutes) and enjoy dinner tonight in the informal setting of the bar.
Visit to Kylemore Abbey
After breakfast this morning, you’ll first drive to Connemara 3.5 hours away. Connemara is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful parts of a beautiful country - the real emerald of Ireland. It is one of the last areas in Ireland where Irish is still spoken.
Visit Kylemore Abbey. In addition to some spectacular Victorian Gardens and a stately estate you’ll find some great hiking trails. If the weather is good, it will be a great afternoon to be outside.
Other sights to see include Dan O’Hara’s Homestead Farm, and Killary Fjord - the only fjord in Ireland.
Perhaps take a biking tour through Connemara National park.
Or for the more adventurous, Kayaking or Coasteering !!
Travel through Clifden and take the sky road out of Clifden which takes you up among the hills overlooking Clifden Bay and its offshore islands.
Check into your accommodation for the next 2 nights. It’s hard to imagine a more peaceful setting.
Ferry ride to the Aran Islands
After your “full irish” you should head to Rossaveal for a ferry ride to the Aran Islands.
Inis Mór (Inishmore), is a truly unspoiled area of Ireland. It has over 50 different monuments of Christian, pre Christian, and Celtic mythological heritage.
The best way to view the island is on bikes, which you can hire upon your arrival.
Lunch is available in Teach Nan Phaidi, Ti Joe Watts or the Pier House Restaurant.
Ferries back to Rossaveal leave at both 4:00 and 5:00 PM
Head back to your accommodation in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Stop at the Burren National Park and Cliffs of Moher
Leave for Killarney with stops at Burren National Park and the Cliffs of Moher, a true gem of Ireland.
Proceed to Burren National Park and take a drive through this karst landscape .
You may want to make a pit stop along the way in Doolin, the traditional Irish music capital of Ireland. Enjoy a pint or two with some fish and chips along with some tunes!
Next on the agenda is the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most magnificent sights and one of my favorites. You can take a spectacular walk from Doolin to the Cliffs if the weather is kind to you.
Arrive Killarney late afternoon and check into your 4 * hotel. Your concierge will have plenty of suggestions for dinner and post dinner entertainment.
Explore the Dingle Peninsula
In Killarney you are in an ideal spot to explore the south west coast. You have the choice of exploring the Dingle Peninsula OR the Iveragh Peninsula (ring of Kerry) OR the lesser travelled Beara Peninsula.
On the Dingle Peninsula - Slea Head Drive, Mt. Brandon, Dingle Brewery.
Ring of Kerry - Killarney National Park, MacGillycuddy Reeks, Gap of Dunloe, Skellig Michael, Ross Castle, Muckross House and Gardens, Kenmare, and Moll’s Gap.
On the Beara peninsula you can take a hike along the Ardgroom-Puleen looped walked, travel on towards Dursey Island where Ireland’s only cable car is in operation. Castletownbere, a small but vibrant town, overlooks the spectacular Berehaven Harbour. Visit the small town of Adrigole - where the highest waterfall in Ireland. Return to your accommodation via the Healy pass for wonderful views of the peninsula.
Killarney has many fabulous restaurants to choose from this evening.
Visit to Kinsale
Pack up and check out of Killarney hotel
You are headed to the fishing village of Kinsale where you will spend the next two nights.
You can head straight to Kinsale which is about 1½ hours from Killarney.
A better idea would be to take the coastal route meandering through towns like Kenmare, Glengariff, Bantry, Skibbereen, Rosscarbury, Clonakilty and Bandon
In Bantry stop and visit Bantry House and Gardens, a stately home overlooking Bantry Bay.
In Skibbereen visit The Heritage Center and a haunting exhibit about “The Hunger” which caused the death or emigration of over 2.0 Million Irish Men & Woman
Travel on Kinsale and your accommodation for the next two nights.
Kinsale is a culinary hotspot - you’ll be spoiled for choice!
Tonight try a walking ghost tour, a few stories, not too scary with a little comedy thrown in!
Walking tour of Historical Kinsale
This morning you’ll enjoy some entertainment with local historian Dermot Ryan on an historical walking tour of Kinsale. For a small town, Kinsale has had an outsized impact on both Irish and even European history.
Next stop is the Port Town of Cobh to visit the Queenstown Story Exhibit which brings to life the story of Irish emigration during the 1800’s and the port’s ties to the Titanic and Lusitania.
Take a trip out to Spike Island, Ireland’s alcatraz and named Europe’s leading tourist attraction at the 2017 World Travel Awards.
Less than a half hour from either Spike Island or Cobh is the town of Middleton, home of one of Irelands most iconic brands, Jameson’s - a great opportunity for a pre dinner drink!
Back to Kinsale for dinner and the evening. Finn’s Table, Max’s, and Black Pig Winery are all excellent choices.
Visit the Rock of Cashel and then back to Dublin
Leave Kinsale early this morning and stop at the Rock of Cashel en route to Kilkenny. The Rock of Cashel is a fascinating group of medieval buildings steeped in history.
Continue on to Kilkenny, known as the Marble City, which is Ireland's most historic and compact medieval city. Its grand Kilkenny Castle was built in 1195 by Norman occupiers.
A tour of Kilkenny Castle shows what life was like for those that lived here over several centuries. The tour takes approximately 1 hour.
If you have the time you might consider the Smithwick's Experience. The exhibit tells the story of the iconic brand and the impact that the brewery had on the city of Kilkenny over the years.
From Kilkenny you’ll have a 1½ hour drive to Dublin’s northern suburbs where you’ll spend your final night in Ireland.
Once you check in to the hotel you might want to head into town which is an easy 5 minute walk. Several great pubs and restaurants to choose from tonight.
Back to the hotel for a final Slàinte.
Create your Custom Experience
Please Note: This is a custom experience subject to actual pricing. You will be required to leave a $500 deposit per person. Once the reservation is created, a travel specialist will work with you to finalize the tour.
Tour operator
In earlier times, Irish Americans returning home referred to their birthplace as the “Old Sod.” Today, Old Sod Travel is dedicated to connecting groups, families, companies, couples and golfers from around the world with extraordinary experiences on the Old Sod and the British Isles.
Our passion for the countries, culture and their incredible scenic beauty is matched only by our passion for helping our clients experience it for themselves.
Our focus is solely on highly customized travel to Ireland and the British Isles. This allows us to identify the best hotels and guesthouses, and to know the owners personally. We know the best hiking trails, golf courses and fishing guides. The best restaurants, pubs and scenic vistas.
We know where the good seats are at the Edinburgh Tattoo and how to get tickets for Wimbledon, Premier League Soccer games or a Hurling match at Croke Park. We know which sites and attractions are truly worth seeing and where you’ll want to spend extra time.
The logistics of moving large families or groups around in this part of the world can be daunting. Driving distances are often not what they might appear to be on a map. Outside of the cities, you won't be choosing between a Marriott and a Hilton. One Corporate group wanted to visit an island off the Scottish Coast. There was one hotel on the island! And getting them to the island required the charter of a bus and three "ferries".
We are a small, independent business that has built an outstanding reputation for service and for designing the perfect British, Irish or Scottish vacation for our clients – at a cost that is about the same as if you planned it yourself.
Professional and personal service every step of the way. No ask is too big, no query too small, we're here to take the stress out of booking your dream vacation. We're an Irish American company with the sort of insider knowledge not available anywhere else. Anything is possible when you book with Irish Studio Travel, because it’s your Ireland, your way.
What's included
This region features some of the most remote and least touristed parts of Ireland. You’ll find:
The Giant’s Causeway, part of a stunning ocean-side drive along the North Coast.
Enchanting lakes in the Southeastern part of the country.
Belfast, which is quickly becoming one of the “cool cities” in Europe.
Some of the most majestic mountains and glens in the world.
Rugged landscapes, including the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and the Slieve League that features sea cliffs plunging 2,000 feet into the sea.
Small towns where you can enjoy the “real Ireland” as you hang out with locals.
Great golf experiences at Rosses Point in Sligo or Carne on the Belmullet Peninsula.
Galway - the fourth largest city in Ireland that you can navigate by using a map from the 17th century.
One of our knowledgeable tour operators will be in touch shortly.
Create your Custom Experience
Please Note: This is a custom experience subject to actual pricing. You will be required to leave a $500 deposit per person. Once the reservation is created, a travel specialist will work with you to finalize the tour.
