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Ireland 5-Day Small Group Tour: Cliffs of Moher, Galway & Blarney Castle

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Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/17

Duration5d

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

From Dublin to wild coasts and ancient castles with new friends

You’ll ride from Dublin through Ireland’s wildest corners: sipping whiskey at Kilbeggan Distillery, standing on windswept cliffs above the Atlantic at Moher, wandering Killarney’s lively streets by night and tracing ancient stones at Rock of Cashel. Expect laughter with your small group and moments where Ireland just gets under your skin.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dublin to Galway via Kilbeggan and Clonmacnoise

Visit Kilbeggan Distillery
See Clonmacnoise abbey ruins
Lunch at traditional village pub
Travel to Galway City

Day 2 — Galway to Killarney via Burren and Cliffs

Explore the Burren region
Visit Kilfenora cathedral
Lunch in local village
Walk Cliffs of Moher trails
Pass Lahinch beach and ferry Shannon Estuary
Arrive in Killarney

Day 3 — Dingle Peninsula day trip from Killarney

Stop at Inch Beach
Drive to Slea Head for views
Explore Dingle town and harbour
Enjoy seafood lunch
Evening stroll in Killarney National Park

Day 4 — Ring of Kerry and scenic stops

Visit Carrauntoohil mountain
Drive coastal road through Glenbeigh and Kells
Lunch in Portmagee village
Optional Skellig Experience on Valentia Island
Photo stop at Waterville
View from Coonmakista pass
Visit Derrynane House and gardens
Stop at Moll’s Gap and Ladies View
Walk to Torc Waterfall
Return to Killarney

Day 5 — Return to Dublin via Blarney and Kinsale

Kiss Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle
Lunch and explore Kinsale town
Visit Rock of Cashel
Travel back to Dublin

The Experience

We rolled out of Dublin early — I still had that half-awake feeling as our guide, Mark (he’s got this dry Irish humor), eased the minivan toward Kilbeggan Distillery. The air inside was a mix of coffee and rain jackets. First stop: whiskey. I’m not usually a morning drinker but honestly, sipping that smoky glass in Kilbeggan’s old stone walls just felt right. Mark told us stories about monks and smugglers; I tried to picture it all through the dusty light. Afterward at Clonmacnoise, the wind off the Shannon River made the grass ripple around those ancient crosses — there’s a kind of hush there you can’t fake.

The second day started with the Burren’s limestone stretching out like a moonscape. Our group wandered over the slabs, picking out tiny wildflowers between cracks (someone said they’re rare here). Lunch was in a pub where everyone seemed to know each other — I fumbled my order but the bartender grinned and sorted me out. Later at the Cliffs of Moher, gulls wheeled overhead so close you could hear their wings cut the air. It was windy enough to steal your hat if you weren’t careful. That view sticks with me — not just for how high up you are but how small you feel looking down at all that wild water.

Killarney turned into home base for a few nights — live music drifting from pubs every evening, people spilling onto sidewalks even when it rained (which was often). We looped around Dingle Peninsula one day; Inch Beach is so wide it almost tricks you into thinking Ireland is endless. Our guide pointed out ruins older than most countries and let us ramble along cliff tops near Slea Head while clouds moved in fast from the Atlantic. Back in Dingle town, seafood chowder warmed us up — I still think about that bowl sometimes.

The Ring of Kerry drive was full of quick stops: sheep blocking roads, mist on Coonmakista Pass, a photo op at Charlie Chaplin’s favorite spot (who knew?). Derrynane House felt lived-in somehow; maybe it was the old family portraits or just how quiet it was by the sea. We finished with a walk to Torc Waterfall — wet leaves sticking to boots, everyone laughing about whose shoes would survive.

Blarney Castle on our last morning was busier than I expected but kissing that stone is weirder than it looks (I almost chickened out). Lunch in Kinsale meant bright houses and salty air from the harbor; then Rock of Cashel rising up like something out of legend before we finally headed back to Dublin together, tired but sort of reluctant for it to end.

What’s included

Your days include travel by comfortable Mercedes mini-coach with an expert driver-guide leading your group.
four nights’ en-suite accommodation with breakfast each morning.
entry fees for highlights like the Cliffs of Moher.
stops for lunch in local villages.
plenty of time to explore places like Galway City, Killarney and Dingle Peninsula before returning to Dublin together in the evening.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Rabbie's Small Group Tours Ireland