Corners of Southern Ireland
Dublin
Dublin
Corners of Southern Ireland
Tour summary
7 days
6 nights
Republic of Ireland
9 meals
18 guests (max)
Driver
Trip leader
Luxury minicoach
Twin-share / double / double for single occupancy 6 nights in thoughtfully selected accommodation
Weave your way through the rich tapestry of Ireland's southern corners on this unforgettable adventure. Gaze at the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, whose rugged rockface was formed over 300 million years ago. Transport yourself back to Viking times in Ireland's oldest city. Uncover the remarkable story of Molly Gallivan’s entrepreneurship. Where spellbinding scenery and rich history meet, Ireland invites you to craft your own story as you explore its many wonders.
Tour highlights
- Visit Molly Gallivan's Cottage and learn the story of a widow who supported her children by brewing illicit whiskey
- Discover a traditional Irish craft as you tour the famous House of Waterford Crystal
- Uncover the magnificent Cliffs of Moher – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Tour itinerary
Day 1 - Dublin (Republic of Ireland)
Historic and full of character, Dublin is where we’ll meet the group and begin our adventure. This evening is an opportunity to get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner.
Historic and full of character, Dublin is where we’ll meet the group and begin our adventure. This evening is an opportunity to get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner.
Included today
Accommodation
Ashling Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Dinner
Day 2 - Dublin – Kildare – Ennis
After breakfast, we’ll hit the road to our first stop: County Kildare, where we’ve an appointment with the Irish National Stud. After being treated to a private tour, we’ll move on to the award-winning gardens of Birr Castle Demesne. Take some time to wander around the grounds and admire the awe-inspiring science and engineering that has been invested in creating such a unique residence. This evening will see us checking into our hotel in Ennis, where we’ll enjoy some free time to spend at our leisure.
After breakfast, we’ll hit the road to our first stop: County Kildare, where we’ve an appointment with the Irish National Stud. After being treated to a private tour, we’ll move on to the award-winning gardens of Birr Castle Demesne. Take some time to wander around the grounds and admire the awe-inspiring science and engineering that has been invested in creating such a unique residence. This evening will see us checking into our hotel in Ennis, where we’ll enjoy some free time to spend at our leisure.
Included today
Accommodation
The Old Ground Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3 - Ennis – Cliffs of Moher – Killarney
First today: an orientation tour through Ennis’ character-filled avenues, where we’ll hear enthralling myths, mysteries and tales of rebellions and riots. Then: prepare to be amazed by the rugged natural beauty of the Cliffs of Moher. The keen-eyed among us – or perhaps just those who packed binoculars – may even spot a resident puffin or two. After an invigorating afternoon, we’ll travel across the Shannon Estuary to Killarney: the gateway to the panoramic Ring of Kerry.
First today: an orientation tour through Ennis’ character-filled avenues, where we’ll hear enthralling myths, mysteries and tales of rebellions and riots. Then: prepare to be amazed by the rugged natural beauty of the Cliffs of Moher. The keen-eyed among us – or perhaps just those who packed binoculars – may even spot a resident puffin or two. After an invigorating afternoon, we’ll travel across the Shannon Estuary to Killarney: the gateway to the panoramic Ring of Kerry.
Included today
Accommodation
The Cahernane House Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 4 - Killarney – Ring of Kerry – Killarney
This morning will see us begin our journey around the awe-inspiring Ring of Kerry. Our first stop: the Skellig Experience, where we’ll gain a fascinating insight into the lives of the early Christian monks that once broke bread at the Skellig Michael monastery. When we return to Killarney, the evening will be ours to relax and reflect on the day’s adventures.
This morning will see us begin our journey around the awe-inspiring Ring of Kerry. Our first stop: the Skellig Experience, where we’ll gain a fascinating insight into the lives of the early Christian monks that once broke bread at the Skellig Michael monastery. When we return to Killarney, the evening will be ours to relax and reflect on the day’s adventures.
Included today
Accommodation
The Cahernane House Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 - Killarney – Releagh – Kinsale
This morning we’ll make our way to Molly Gallivan’s Cottage – which, at first glance, appears to be an unassuming farmhouse. But there’s more to it than first meets the eye! More than 200 years ago, Mrs Gallivan supported her seven children by brewing illicit whiskey – and her home was, in fact, a clandestine pub. We’ll learn stories of the enterprising Mrs Gallivan’s antics before travelling onwards to the medieval town of Kinsale, where coastal views, cosy pubs and brightly coloured houses await us. The cobbled streets that curve around the pretty bay are just begging to be explored, so we’ll enjoy a walking tour with a local guide. Bearings established, you’ll be free to seek out the town’s hidden treasures at your own pace before we head to our accommodation for the evening.
This morning we’ll make our way to Molly Gallivan’s Cottage – which, at first glance, appears to be an unassuming farmhouse. But there’s more to it than first meets the eye! More than 200 years ago, Mrs Gallivan supported her seven children by brewing illicit whiskey – and her home was, in fact, a clandestine pub. We’ll learn stories of the enterprising Mrs Gallivan’s antics before travelling onwards to the medieval town of Kinsale, where coastal views, cosy pubs and brightly coloured houses await us. The cobbled streets that curve around the pretty bay are just begging to be explored, so we’ll enjoy a walking tour with a local guide. Bearings established, you’ll be free to seek out the town’s hidden treasures at your own pace before we head to our accommodation for the evening.
Included today
Accommodation
Actons Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6 - Kinsale – Cobh – Waterford
This morning we’ll move on to the charming waterfront town of Cobh. Interestingly, Cobh was the departure point for the last 123 passengers who boarded the Titanic – and you’ll notice poignant markers of this as you make your way around. Later, we’ll continue to Waterford. Dating back to Viking times, Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city – with over 1,000 years’ worth of history to explore. Gain a fascinating insight into how the city’s famed crystal is made before we travel on to our accommodation and savour tonight’s final meal with the group.
This morning we’ll move on to the charming waterfront town of Cobh. Interestingly, Cobh was the departure point for the last 123 passengers who boarded the Titanic – and you’ll notice poignant markers of this as you make your way around. Later, we’ll continue to Waterford. Dating back to Viking times, Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city – with over 1,000 years’ worth of history to explore. Gain a fascinating insight into how the city’s famed crystal is made before we travel on to our accommodation and savour tonight’s final meal with the group.
Included today
Accommodation
Faithlegg House Hotel (or similar)
Meals
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Day 7 - Waterford – Dublin
After breakfast, we’ll return to cosmopolitan Dublin – where we’ll say our goodbyes.
After breakfast, we’ll return to cosmopolitan Dublin – where we’ll say our goodbyes.
Included today
Meals
- Breakfast
Things we think you'll love
An illegal pub
Allow Molly Gallivan's ghost to welcome you into her home with open arms. We can't promise Miss Molly herself, but a local expert will guide you through the intimate rooms as they spill stories from the 19th century. As you listen, drink in various demonstrations, from turf cutting to traditional poitín (whiskey) brewing!
Irish crystal crafts
Venture to Ireland's oldest city where we'll saunter through the House of Waterford Crystal, home to traditional crystal making.
Magnificent Moher cliffs
Feel the breeze flutter around you as we stand atop the Cliffs of Moher, taking in verdent fields and crashing waves.
Read the reviews
Verified customer feedback powered byFeefo
John Mc September 2025
Of course having the right tour leader and a wonderful group of people from around the world, certainly helps one to have a great time. And our driver, with excellent skills, navigated the entire...
Read full reviewAnonymous September 2025
Wonderful Tour Leader with Bernard Duff & very skilled driver “Paddy”! All passengers were treated kindly & with respect. Timelines each day were clearly communicated and points of interest pointed...
Read full reviewAnonymous August 2025
We thoroughly enjoyed this tour! Our guide Peter and driver Paddy made a great team. Peter's wea!th of knowledge, storytelling and ability to keep us entertained was amazing. We stayed in beautiful...
Read full reviewAnonymous July 2025
A wonderful set of experiences seeing the natural beauty of Ireland, of learning of Irish history (both happy and sad), very comfortable hotels each night, and an evening watching the Irish dance...
Read full reviewAnonymous July 2025
The Corners of Ireland Tour was excellent. We saw so many beautiful sites and the had other adventures like Molly McGalvins working farm and sheep herding dogs demonstrates. We stayed in top tier...
Read full reviewAnonymous July 2025
Our guide was very friendly, courteous, and attentive to the needs of all members of the tour. He provided much information about Ireland such as history, culture, natural settings, etc. He made the...
Read full reviewPatricia Bo June 2025
Our guide, Bernard was really terrific. He very knowledgable and also very amusing and kind. John our driver was competent and also very kind. They made a good team. The locations chosen were all...
Read full reviewRobert Fo June 2025
Jeanne and I were looking for a tour that would give us a real insight into our Irish heritage.
We found that Blue Roads, Back Roads Southern Ireland Tour delivered on that promise.
The hotels...
Timothy Jo June 2025
My husband and I took the Corners of Southern Island tour in mid-May. I had visited Ireland twice before but it was my husband's first visit. We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. The tour guide, Bernard...
Read full reviewAnonymous October 2024
Third trip with this company. All excellent.
Great driver and guide. Bernard built a lovely little community out of our group. Wonderful hotels, food and locales.
Bryce Be August 2024
Amazing tour. Maura and Paddy were amazing guides and driver. I would recommend to anyone.
Anonymous August 2024
I love blue roads tours. This has been my 3rd one and I’m not disappointed. It’s so well organized, the guides and drivers are amazing, and I love all the locations they take us. I also love the...
Read full reviewDonna Sa August 2024
THE TOUR GUIDE AND DRIVER WERE AMAZING AND ALL THE HOTELS WERE LOVELY...WE HAD A GREAT TIME
Susan Cl July 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed the small group size of the tour. We got to know everyone. The flexibility of the tour allowed for some impromptu stops and extra time for places of interest. Our guide was very...
Read full reviewAnonymous October 2023
I just reviewed the tour.
SUSAN SE October 2023
We felt like we sure had a wonderful experience for the cost of the trip. Not too expensive and so professionally done,=.
James Ha August 2023
Very well run tour, good itinerary.
Anonymous August 2023
Long days driving on the bus for hours and hours wish we had more time to explore the towns we visited. We always arrived at our hotel near dinner time. Which little time for exploring.
Anonymous June 2023
I think we got our money's worth with this service.
Pamela ET June 2023
Especially liked touring the National Stud farm and Japanese Gardens. Even the food was good!
Our friendly Customer Service team are available to advise you Monday to Friday.
Full tour details covering accommodation, transport and included experiences are available in our tour notes.
FAQs
Ireland is known for its changeable, wet weather that’s generally mild. We suggest packing for variable weather conditions – layers, an umbrella and a trusty raincoat will be essential, as well as sun hats and sunscreen.
In Ireland, gluten-free options are usually readily available, and allergens are listed on menus. Be sure to share your dietary requirements with us at the time of booking so we can make every effort to cater to your needs.
All the tour details in one handy document available to read at your leisure!
Download tour notesThis tour can be combined with
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