6-day All Ireland & Northern Ireland Rail Tour from Dublin

This six-day tour packs a remarkable amount of Ireland into one trip, from Blarney Castle and Cobh in the south to the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, the Aran Islands, and Belfast. You’ll use trains for key transfers, but much of the sightseeing happens from an escorted coach.

I like the way the trip combines major sights with places that are harder to arrange alone, especially Inis Mór and Kylemore Abbey. I also like having hotels, train seats, ferry arrangements, selected admissions, and a host organized in advance.

The trade-off is time. Several days begin early and run long, and large coaches can carry up to 53 people. This is a fast-moving Ireland sampler, not a slow village holiday or a private custom tour.

Key points to know before booking

• Six days, many regions: You cover Cork, Kerry, Clare, Galway, the Aran Islands, Northern Ireland, and Belfast in one continuous trip.
• Train travel is useful, but limited: Reserved rail tickets connect the main bases, while many sightseeing days use shared coaches.
• Five breakfasts are included: Lunches and dinners are not, so budget for meals at each stop.
• The Aran Islands day is special: Inis Mór includes Dún Aonghasa, the Seven Churches, and a local island tour, but admission to the ancient fort is extra.
• A host stays with the trip: Your host helps with transfers, departure times, hotel directions, and day-to-day organization.
• Long days are part of the bargain: The schedule suits you if seeing a lot matters more than having plenty of free time.

What this Ireland rail tour really delivers

At $2,662.94 per person, this is not a cheap way to move around Ireland. Its value lies in the amount of planning it removes. You do not have to coordinate several hotels, rail reservations, coach excursions, a ferry to Inis Mór, or admissions to major sights.

That convenience matters in Ireland, where a six-day route covering this much ground can become a tangle of separate bookings. You also get a host throughout the trip, escorted coach travel, reserved train seats, accommodation, five breakfasts, and entry to the Cliffs of Moher and several other attractions.

Still, do not read rail tour as a trip spent mostly on trains. The trains handle the longer links between cities, but the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara, and Inis Mór are reached by road, coach, or ferry. If you want a classic Irish rail journey with long stretches spent watching the countryside from a carriage, this may not be the right fit.

The group can reach 53 people. That allows the operator to offer a broad route at a fixed price, but it also means you need to follow firm meeting times. A guide praised by name is Brendon, who is described as informative and personable. Since several local guides and drivers may handle different sections, your experience can vary slightly from day to day.

Day 1: Blarney Castle, Cobh, and the road to Killarney

The first day begins early at Dublin Heuston Station, with a 7:00 a.m. start. You take the train to Cork Kent Station, scheduled to arrive at 9:35 a.m., then transfer to a coach.

Your first major stop is Blarney Castle and Gardens. The castle dates from the medieval period, but the main draw for many people is the Blarney Stone. The traditional ritual requires leaning backward to kiss the stone, supposedly earning the gift of eloquence.

You get about two hours here, including time for the castle, gardens, shopping, and lunch. Pay attention to the meal advice: this is the day’s best chance for a substantial lunch. Later stops are shorter, so do not assume you can wait until evening for a proper meal.

Blarney works well early in the tour because it gives you one of Ireland’s most famous sights without requiring a separate day from Dublin. The drawback is that the stop has a strong sightseeing and souvenir focus. If you are not interested in the stone, you may prefer to spend your time in the gardens and village.

The coach then continues to Cobh, pronounced Cove. You pass through Cork City on a short city tour before reaching St. Colman’s Cathedral. The cathedral sits high above the town and is one of Cobh’s most recognizable buildings.

The visit to the cathedral is brief, only about 15 minutes, so think of it as a quick look rather than an extended architectural visit. You then continue along the waterfront, passing the former White Star Line offices and the restored Victorian railway station and transatlantic terminal.

That station now houses the Cobh Heritage Centre. Its Queenstown Story covers the Great Famine and the large movement of Irish people who left for new lives abroad. The stop gives the day more weight than a simple castle-and-photo outing, connecting Cobh to emigration and ocean travel.

You leave Cobh by train for Killarney via Mallow. The evening is free, which is welcome after a full first day. Killarney has cafés, restaurants, bars, and opportunities for traditional Irish music, so you can choose your own pace rather than follow another scheduled activity.

Day 2: The Ring of Kerry by coach

The Ring of Kerry day begins around 9:45 a.m., a gentler start than Day 1. You are collected from your accommodation and spend about seven hours circling the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and the shores of Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay.

This is one of the tour’s strongest scenic days. The route passes through villages including Glenbeigh, Waterville, and Sneem, with stops for photographs, morning tea, and lunch. Carrantuohill, Ireland’s highest mountain at 1,041 meters, can be seen along the way.

You also return through Ladies View, the Lakes of Killarney, and the oakwoods of Killarney National Park. The appeal is variety: mountain passes, coastal views, small villages, and changing weather over the water.

The coach format makes sense here. The route is long and winding, and you can look out the window instead of concentrating on directions. You also avoid the problem of trying to fit the full circuit into a rental-car day while learning unfamiliar roads.

The limitation is that your time at each stop is set by the group. The Ring of Kerry is famous for its scenery, but the best part may be the view between stops. Bring a camera, a light waterproof layer, and patience for the road. The evening is free again in Killarney.

Day 3: Bunratty, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Burren

Day 3 starts early, with collection between 7:00 and 7:15 a.m. You transfer by road to Limerick and join a coach tour leaving shortly after 9:00 a.m. This is one of the longest and fullest days, but it also includes several of the trip’s biggest sights.

Bunratty Castle was completed in 1425 and has been restored after years of neglect. The grounds also include a folk park, where buildings from different parts of the region were taken apart and rebuilt on site.

You have about 90 minutes here. That gives you enough time for the castle and a sample of the folk park, but not a leisurely exploration of every corner. The stop is useful for seeing both a fortified medieval building and a recreated view of older rural life in one place.

Lunch comes at a local pub in Doolin before the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs are among the highest sea cliffs in Western Europe, and the two-hour visit gives you a fair amount of time for the main paths and viewpoints.

This is a place where weather controls the experience. On a clear day, the Atlantic views are the star. In mist or rain, visibility may be limited, but the cliffs can still feel dramatic. Stay aware of the departure time because the coach cannot wait for late returns.

From the cliffs, the route follows the coast road through the Burren. This national park is known for its exposed limestone and unusual plant life. The name comes from an Irish word meaning rocky place, which is a plain description of the terrain.

The stop in the Burren may be brief and mainly for photographs. You continue through Ballyvaughan and Kinvara, pass Black Head, and reach Galway shortly after 5:00 p.m. The coach sets you down near Eyre Square and the railway station, with your hotel close by.

Ask your host if time allows a short walk around Eyre Square. Galway is best enjoyed on foot, but this is not a full city tour. Your evening is free, so you can eat, listen to music, or simply rest after a long day.

Day 4: Kylemore Abbey and Connemara

Day 4 explores Connemara, one of Ireland’s Gaeltacht areas where Irish is spoken. The main visit is Kylemore Abbey, an 18th-century castle now run by Benedictine nuns.

The site includes the abbey, a Victorian walled garden, a pottery, a gift shop, and a restaurant. Lunch is taken here, which simplifies the day but also means you will want to watch the clock if you hope to see both the buildings and grounds.

Kylemore is a good contrast to the previous day’s cliffs and limestone. The setting, gardens, and restored interiors create a quieter visit, although the stop still has a clear visitor-center side with shopping and dining.

The return route follows Galway Bay through the Gaeltacht villages of Inverin and Spiddal. Across the bay, you may see the Burren and the hills of County Clare, places visited the day before.

This day is shorter than some others, but the information supplied does not give a precise start and finish time. You should still expect a structured coach outing rather than a completely open day. The views across Galway Bay are a major reason to keep your attention on the road, even when no formal stop is scheduled.

Day 5: Ferry to Inis Mór and Dún Aonghasa

Day 5 shifts from mainland Ireland to the Aran Islands. You transfer to Rossaveel for the ferry to Inis Mór, pronounced Inish More, the largest of the Aran Islands.

On arrival at Kilronan, you have roughly 20 minutes to use the toilet and buy refreshments. Then you meet the local hosts near the Aran Sweater Market for the island tour, which departs around noon.

The four-hour tour includes the Seven Churches, Dún Aonghasa, and Kilronan for lunch. Dún Aonghasa is a pre-Christian stone fort set near dramatic Atlantic cliffs, and it is likely to be the most distinctive stop of the entire trip.

Admission to Dún Aonghasa is not included, so carry extra money for that visit. The schedule also means you should arrive prepared for the island outing, since the short window after the ferry is intended for basic needs and refreshments, not a long wander around Kilronan.

Inis Mór adds a different feel to the route. It is not simply another castle or viewpoint. The island’s stone fort, church ruins, village, and ocean setting give you a closer look at one of Ireland’s older cultural regions.

The ferry transfer also creates a practical risk: the day depends on connections and a firm return schedule. If you prefer flexible island time, a separate overnight stay on Inis Mór would give you more freedom. Within a six-day circuit, though, this is an efficient way to include the island without arranging it yourself.

Day 6: Titanic Belfast and a city overview

The final sightseeing day takes you to Belfast. Titanic Belfast occupies a striking ship-shaped building at the site connected with the city’s shipbuilding past.

Inside, nine interactive galleries cover the ship’s design, construction, and maiden voyage. You can see authentic artifacts, recreated cabins, and observation areas looking toward the historic slipways where Titanic was built.

The planned visit lasts about two hours. That is enough for a meaningful introduction, but the museum can reward a longer visit if you like exhibits and technical detail. Since the tour continues to another activity, you will need to keep moving.

After Titanic Belfast, you have a hop-on hop-off bus tour with 19 stops. The route includes major sights such as the Ulster Museum, Peace Walls, political murals, and Titanic Belfast. A full loop takes about one hour and 10 minutes, but the format allows you to get off and rejoin the bus as you choose.

This gives you a quick look at Belfast’s divided past and changing identity. It is a useful overview, though the number of stops and the limited time mean you will not explore every district in depth.

The tour returns to Dublin at Connolly Station at approximately 10:15 p.m. A driver then transfers you to your Dublin hotel for the last night. That late finish is important when planning your onward travel. Do not schedule an early flight or a tight connection the next morning without allowing plenty of margin.

Hotels, meals, and the real value of the price

The provider describes the accommodation as a minimum four-star standard, with clean rooms and breakfast included each morning. Some published feedback has described the hotels as closer to three-star properties, so I would treat the category as a guide rather than a guarantee of luxury.

The practical value is clear: hotel changes, rail seats, and transfers are handled for you. You receive five breakfasts, but meals are otherwise excluded. Lunch opportunities are built into the sightseeing days, yet you pay for them yourself.

At this price, I would compare the tour with the cost of booking five nights, trains, coaches, ferry arrangements, admissions, and day tours separately. You are also paying for a host and a fixed route. If you value convenience and want to see many regions in a short visit, that can justify the premium.

If you prefer budget hotels, independent restaurants, and long stays in one town, the price will feel high. The trip is designed for people with limited time who want someone else to keep the route moving.

Who should book this six-day route?

I would recommend it most strongly if you are visiting Ireland for the first time, have only six days, and do not want to drive. It also suits couples, parent and adult-child trips, and solo visitors who prefer an organized structure.

You should be comfortable with early starts, shared coaches, scheduled departures, and several long days. Most people can participate, but children under 16 cannot book independently and must remain with a parent or guardian.

I would not choose this trip if your main goal is slow travel. You will have free evenings in Killarney and Galway, but the daytime schedule leaves limited room for spontaneous stops or extended visits.

The published rating is 4.2 out of 5 from 37 reviews. The strongest praise centers on helpful guides, clean and well-placed hotels, good organization, and the amount of Ireland covered. One guest singled out Brendon as an excellent guide, while another described the trip with a mother as easy because the company removed the guesswork and dealt quickly with a problem.

There are also fair criticisms to consider. One account found the tour overpriced for what was described as a mostly large-bus experience, with days lasting 14 to 15 hours and hotels feeling less luxurious than expected. The operator says the long days are clearly set out and that the hotels meet a four-star minimum.

My advice is simple: book for access and ease, not for luxury or leisurely pacing. Read the daily schedule before paying, accept that many other people may share your coach, and budget separately for meals and Dún Aonghasa admission.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Dublin Heuston Station on Saint John’s Road West at 7:00 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour arrives at Dublin Connolly Station at approximately 10:15 p.m. A driver then transfers you to your Dublin hotel for the final night.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately six days.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Accommodation is included in the tour cost.

How many breakfasts are included?

Five breakfasts are included.

Are lunch and dinner included?

No. Meals other than the included breakfasts are not included.

Are train seats reserved?

Yes. Return rail tickets and reserved train seats are included.

Is transportation to Inis Mór included?

Yes. The transfer to Inis Mór by ferry is included.

Is admission to Dún Aonghasa included?

No. Admission to Dún Aonghasa on Inis Mór is not included.

How large can the group be?

The tour can have a maximum of 53 travelers.

Can children under 16 book alone?

No. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least six full days before the start time. Cancellation two to six full days before the start time receives a 50 percent refund, while cancellation less than two full days before the start time is nonrefundable.