This is an ideal tour for those with limited time but who've dreamed of seeing the classic and traditional highlights of West and Southern Ireland. Our tour includes such famed sights as the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula, Cork, Waterford and a glimpse of Galway. It's the perfect combination of those attractions that are 'must-sees' on every travellers wish list and a host of others that you get when travelling behind the tourist façade on a Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd small-group tour.

You join the tour at Shannon airport, near Limerick, and fly out from Dublin. If you can't find an 'open-jaw' ticket that allows you to do this then please note that you can fly into either airport and get a 'no-frill' low cost flight to the other or even take a more leisurely rail journey. We'll be happy to advise on either.

Price depends on number travelling and time of year.
Indicative price based on a minimum of six travelling is GB£

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

DAY ONE

You arrive into Shannon airport on the western side of Ireland and are transferred to our first tour hotel base at Limerick. We've two nights stationed here so there's time to relax and recover from your international travel. There are direct trans-atlantic flights to Shannon and inexpensive 'no-frills' airline connections to London. It is also an interesting rail trip if you want to gateway through Dublin and make your way to meet the tour by rail.

Your first day is free to explore Limerick, the setting of the popular book and film 'Angela's Ashes'. We will be supplying various maps and other materials to assist you in getting the best from your 'organised independence' days.

Alternative: stay at Ennis and organise an afternoon at Bunratty Folk Park.

We've a wonderful day planned today with a typical Back-Roads Touring Co. mix of 'must-see' icons and sights and a range of additional attractions that are not always visited by the tourist masses. As ever, we'll be taking you behind the tourist façade but we'll begin our day with a visit to the world-famed Cliffs of Moher. En route, you'll probably see some turf-cutters and perhaps a stop at the commemorative Great Famine site will prove interesting. Then we tour through the lunar-landscape of the Burren with stops at the Aillwee Cave and some incredible prehistoric burial sites. Following the coast road, we'll visit some Galway Bay harbours before having a quick look at Galway itself. This last visit is to ensure that those tour participants who are taking only the first eight days of this tour at least 'touch base' with this small yet memorable city. Those of you participating in the whole tour will be returning here later for a more extended view.

Leaving Limerick we tour through the pretty Adare to the Dingle Peninsula. This is one of the 'fingers' that reach out from the west coast into the Atlantic. You're in for some memorable scenic views both on the coast and as we climb into the mountains.

Tonight we'll enjoy an evening at the Siamsa Tire cultural centre in Tralee.

Stay in Castle Upgrade

You may upgrade the accommodation in Tralee to stay at the Ballyseede Castle Hotel. If you decide to treat yourself to this there is a supplement of GBP 100 per person for the two nights payable on the tour price.

Another 'finger' to explore today - the Ring of Kerry. This is perhaps western Ireland's most renowned tourist route. It's a must see despite the occasionally coach-crowded roads. We'll be taking one or two turns off the main roads and following the back-roads through the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. Also on today's itinerary will be time at Muckross House and a look at the fast-developing Killarney.

Just when you thought that the scenery you've seen already could not be bettered, we have a good attempt at doing so! We take the mountain road from Killarney to Kenmare and onward to the very pretty harbour of Bantry Bay. A lunch here may well consist of a seafood plate as the harbour is renowned for its sea harvest. There are other attractions to include here so we'll enjoy a fruitful and leisurely stop.

From Bantry we drive through the lush west Cork countryside through another harbour, Kinsale, to Cork city and our nightstop.

We'll start our day with a visit to Blarney Castle and the traditional 'kissing of the Blarney Stone'. Those with Irish blood will be hard to shut up for the rest of the tour! Then there'll be a choice of things to do. Some tour participants may wish to discover Cork itself so we'll provide relevant materials to enable you to enjoy 'organised independence'. Other participants will perhaps prefer to take the hour's drive to Waterford where our highlight will be a tour of the crystal factory. Please do note that the factory is a modern facility with inevitable 'factory shop'. We'll combine this 'touristy' visit with time spent at the harbour of Dunmore East - perhaps more in keeping with Back-Roads philosophy of getting you behind the tourist façade.

Departing Cork we have a full and memorable day seeing a selection of Ireland's major icons (how many we manage will depend on time, weather and group interests as ever on a Back-Roads Touring Co. tour). First to the awe inspiring Cashel. This was the ancient capital of the Kings of Munster and long famous ecclesiastical centre. The Rock of Cashel, rising above the town, is crowned by the ruins of a cathedral, beside which shelters an outstanding example of Irish Romanesque architecture, Cormac's Chapel. Next, to the medieval town of Kilkenny. This is one of the oldest and most interesting towns of Ireland. It has been called 'the marble city' from the fine and long-quarried limestone in the area. Two of the most impressive local buildings are the ancient castle, dating back to 1192 and having connections with the Norman conqueror, Strongbow, and the magnificent Cathedral of St. Candice which, despite the damage done by Cromwell's troops, is one of the finest unruined churches in the country. Our final site is the Vale of Glendalough (glen of the two lakes). Here we'll find the remains of a Celtic village, the 6th Century church of St Kevin, the 9th Century cathedral ruin and amazing 33 metre high Round Tower. This is a stop that will suit both the historically minded.

If you've the stamina, we'll spend tonight at a unique cultural centre where you'll be up dancing with the locals! www.comhaltaslive.ie

This is a great day which you'll enjoy both in the company of your guide/companion and in organised independence. Dinner is not included in your tour price this evening to allow for some freedom of choice and theatre visits.

Participants joining for the second half of our Ireland tour arrive today.

Alas departure day (unless extending your time independently). You'll be transferred back to the airport for your onward flight or flight home.

Please note: it would be possible to fly into London and join another of our mini-tours.

© As we publish full tour descriptions, you may find others offering our unique itineraries.  But, just as you find when others sing the songs of Paul McCartney, they're often not quite as good as when sung by the original composer!