6-Day All Ireland Tour from Dublin Including Accommodation

Ireland’s greatest hits come quickly on this six-day loop: Giant’s Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney, and Blarney Castle all make the cut. You also get Belfast, Derry, Galway, the Burren, and the Wild Atlantic Way without driving on narrow roads yourself.

I like the broad route and the practical setup. Five nights, six breakfasts, transport, entrance fees to Titanic Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre, the Cliffs of Moher, and Blarney Castle are bundled together. The guides also make a real difference. Danny, Brian, Vincent, Gordon, Alex, Rory, and Gabriel have all led departures, with especially warm praise for their stories, humor, driving, and local tips.

The tradeoff is pace. You cover a huge amount of Ireland, so some stops feel brisk and many days involve long hours on the coach. Accommodation can also vary, especially if you choose the lower-cost hostel option or encounter room overflow.

Key points to know before booking

• Ireland’s big scenic circuit: Belfast, Derry, Giant’s Causeway, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, Killarney, and Blarney Castle all fit into one trip.
• Two accommodation choices: Backpacker means a mixed youth-hostel dorm, while Economy means a private room in a hotel or bed-and-breakfast.
• Strong guide element: Guides such as Danny and Brian add stories, music, humor, and practical advice to the long drives.
• Optional local experiences: Add a Belfast black taxi tour and a horse-drawn carriage ride through Killarney National Park.
• Strict timing matters: This is a scheduled group tour, with a maximum of 56 people, and late arrivals can be left behind.
• Best for first-time visitors: You get a fast, useful taste of most of Ireland, but not much time for slow exploration.

Ireland’s biggest sights in one six-day loop

At $1,087.65 per person, this tour is not a bare-bones bus ticket. It covers five nights of lodging, six breakfasts, an air-conditioned coach, WiFi, USB charging points, live commentary, and several major admissions.

That makes the price reasonable for someone who wants one booking to handle most of the moving parts. You still pay for lunches, dinners, drinks, optional tours, and any extras. The real value is time: you do not need to plan a route across the island, reserve several separate hotels, or face Ireland’s left-side driving and narrow country roads.

The route is also ambitious. It is built for coverage rather than leisurely stays. I would choose it if this is your first visit and you want to see the country’s famous sights in a short window. I would not choose it if you want long walks, museum time, or two or three nights in each town.

Day 1: Monasterboice, Belfast, and the Titanic story

The morning begins at 7:50 a.m. from Paddy’s Palace at 5 Beresford Place in Dublin. The pickup point can be confusing, so look for the large green Paddywagon bus and allow extra time. Some departures have used a nearby spot in front of Trinity Church, so confirm the exact meeting instructions before setting out.

The first stop is Monasterboice, an early monastic settlement dating to 501. Its main treasures are finely carved Celtic crosses and a complete round tower. This is a good opening stop because it introduces Ireland’s early Christian past before the tour reaches the modern city of Belfast.

In Belfast, the main included visit is Titanic Belfast. The attraction follows the ship from its design and construction in Belfast through its launch, maiden voyage, and sinking. You get about two hours, enough to see the major exhibits without turning the day into a full museum visit.

You can also pay your guide or driver for an optional black taxi tour. This is one of the more useful add-ons because it takes you to the Peace Wall and political murals, while also covering places such as City Hall, Queen’s University, Albert Clock, and the Botanic Gardens. The tour adds context to Belfast’s recent past in a way that a standard city drive cannot.

You spend the night in Belfast. This first day is full, but it balances archaeology, industrial history, and modern Northern Irish politics well.

Day 2: The Dark Hedges, Giant’s Causeway, and Derry

Day two follows Northern Ireland’s north coast. The Dark Hedges is a short photo stop, usually about 20 minutes. The avenue of beech trees was planted in the 18th century by the Stuart family and later appeared as the Kingsroad in Game of Thrones.

It is attractive, but keep your expectations sensible. This is a quick stop, not a woodland walk or a major historic site. The trees have suffered damage over time, and the appeal is mainly visual.

Giant’s Causeway gets about an hour and a half. The famous hexagonal basalt columns were formed by volcanic activity, though local legend credits the giant Fionn and his Scottish rival Angus. The coach includes admission to the visitor centre, which explains the geology and stories of the site.

From the visitor centre, the walking path to the stones takes about 10 minutes. A mobility bus is available for a small fare if the walk is difficult. Wear shoes with a firm grip, especially in wet weather, and keep your hands free for uneven paths and slippery steps.

The day ends in Derry, where an included walking tour follows the city walls, built in the early 17th century, and the Bogside district. The tour gives attention to the Troubles and the events connected with Bloody Sunday. That history is important, but the amount of political commentary can depend heavily on the guide. If you prefer more ancient history, art, or architecture, ask for a broader explanation during free time.

You spend the night in or near Derry, with Letterkenny also mentioned as an evening base. This is a long touring day, but Giant’s Causeway and Derry are two of the trip’s most worthwhile stops.

Day 3: The Wild Atlantic Way and Galway

The third day shifts from Northern Ireland to the west coast. Much of the appeal comes through the coach windows: ocean views, open countryside, beaches, and small towns along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Strandhill in County Sligo is a lunch stop. You can eat at a local pub, walk near the beach, or simply stretch your legs. The area is known for surfing, and the stop gives you a bit of fresh air after a morning on the bus.

You reach Galway by midafternoon. The schedule allows time to join a free walking tour or explore on your own. This is one of the better-balanced days because you get a scenic drive and a town visit rather than a chain of short photo stops.

Galway works well as an overnight base. You can use the free time for a walk, a meal, or a pub with music, though the exact amount of free time depends on road conditions and the group’s pace. The city is not explored in depth, but you get a useful taste of its streets and atmosphere.

Day 4: The Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, and Adare

Day four is another major scenic day. The coach follows the west coast toward the Burren, a stark limestone region known for unusual plant life. Alpine, Arctic, and Mediterranean flowers grow in the area, a detail that helps explain why the Burren feels so different from the green fields seen elsewhere.

There is a short stop in Doolin for lunch and perhaps a drink. Doolin is close to the Cliffs of Moher, so it makes a sensible break before the day’s main sight.

The Cliffs of Moher receive about 90 minutes and included admission. The cliffs rise more than 700 feet above the Atlantic and are home to seabirds including puffins and gannets. This is one place where the schedule can feel tight. You have time for the main viewpoints and photographs, but not a long coastal walk.

The route then crosses the River Shannon and continues through Limerick before stopping in Adare. Adare is known for its thatched cottages and tidy village center. The stop lasts only about 30 minutes, so consider it a pleasant look at a traditional town rather than a full visit.

The overnight stay is on the Dingle Peninsula. Pay close attention to the wording here: the accommodation may be in a small settlement on the peninsula rather than in Dingle town itself. One departure stayed in Annascaul, about 18 kilometers from Dingle, where evening choices were limited but the group had a memorable pub night.

Day 5: Slea Head, Inch Beach, and Dingle

This is one of the most beautiful days of the route. The Slea Head Drive circles the western end of the Dingle Peninsula, with views toward the Blasket Islands, Sleeping Giant Island, beaches, and ancient beehive huts.

The area is part of the Gaeltacht, where Irish remains a living spoken language. You may hear it in local conversation, a small but meaningful reminder that Ireland is not just scenery and castles.

Inch Beach is included as part of the peninsula drive. It is a good place to stretch your legs and see the Atlantic coast at a slower pace. The road itself is narrow and winding, so the coach ride can take time, but that is also why having someone else drive is useful.

Dingle town gets about 90 minutes. You can browse arts and crafts shops, find a pub, or simply walk along the colorful streets. The town is famous for its many pubs relative to its size, and local music may be available in the evening.

I would happily trade a little time elsewhere for more time in Dingle. The scheduled visit gives you a taste, but the town rewards lingering. If your overnight accommodation is outside town, check how you will get back after dinner before making evening plans.

You then continue to Killarney, County Kerry’s main touring town. Depending on the accommodation, you may be able to walk into town or toward Killarney National Park. The lodging is usually basic to comfortable, but standards are not identical from night to night. Economy rooms are the safer choice if you value privacy and a proper bed.

Day 6: Killarney National Park and Blarney Castle

The final morning offers optional activities in Killarney National Park. You can pay for a horse-drawn carriage ride or choose horseback riding if you want a more active outing. The carriage is the easier choice and provides a relaxed way to see the park without adding much walking.

Afterward, the group crosses the Cork and Kerry mountains toward Blarney Castle. The castle visit lasts about two hours and includes admission. You can kiss the Blarney Stone for the traditional gift of eloquent speech, though you can also skip that and focus on the castle grounds.

The gardens are a strong part of the visit. They provide room to walk and breathe after several days on the coach. Blarney Woolen Mills is nearby for last-minute Irish gifts, but you do not need to shop there to enjoy the castle.

After lunch, the coach returns to Dublin through the Golden Vale, an agricultural region known for farming and livestock. Arrival is in the late afternoon, leaving your evening open for dinner or another Dublin plan. Do not schedule a tight flight or an important same-day connection, since the stated return is late afternoon rather than a guaranteed minute.

Accommodation choices: pay more for sleep

You choose between Backpacker and Economy accommodation. Backpacker means a bed in a small or medium mixed-gender youth-hostel dorm. That can be a fine fit if price, social energy, and shared rooms matter most, but rooms may be crowded and noisy.

The Economy option provides a single, double, twin, or triple room in a hotel or bed-and-breakfast. Rates are generally based on sharing, while the single option covers a private room for one person. Email your preferred room setup after booking so the operator knows if you need a twin or double.

Accommodation quality varies. Some departures had clean, comfortable hotels and B&Bs, while others found older beds, no elevators, or poor ventilation. One Killarney overflow property drew particularly harsh complaints, including an unpleasant smell and uncomfortable beds. This is the main reason I would choose Economy, but I would still pack lightly because stairs may be involved.

Six breakfasts are included, though the exact breakfast experience can vary by property. Food and drinks beyond the included breakfasts are your responsibility.

What the coach setup is really like

The coach has air conditioning, WiFi, USB charging at every seat, and live commentary. Those details matter on long driving days. You can charge your phone for photos and use the ride to rest, though WiFi quality can vary as the route crosses rural areas.

The group size can reach 56 people, but the actual vehicle and group may be smaller on some departures. One departure had around 20 people on the Belfast day, while another had only five people during part of the route. Later days may combine groups, making the schedule more structured.

Plan to be punctual at every stop. The tour runs on a fixed route, and one clear warning is that a coach may leave if you are more than 15 minutes late. Bathroom breaks are built into the day, but the schedule still involves long stretches on the road.

Guides shape the experience. Danny is repeatedly praised for safe driving, stories, music, humor, and careful instructions. Brian is also noted for detailed commentary and a considerate manner. Vincent is praised for bathroom breaks, flexibility, and practical tips, while Gordon receives high marks for warmth and humor. Your guide will vary, so treat those names as examples of the style you might receive rather than a promise.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to a first-time visitor with six days, limited interest in driving, and a strong wish to see Ireland’s famous sights. It also suits solo visitors who want built-in company and couples or families who prefer one organized route instead of several hotel and transport bookings.

The tour is less suitable for you if you dislike early starts, long coach rides, shared accommodation, or fixed schedules. It is also not ideal for someone who wants to spend several days in Dublin, Galway, or Dingle, since Dublin is mainly the starting and ending point.

Weather can change quickly, so bring a waterproof jacket, layers, and shoes that handle wet ground. Take care on the first few coach steps when they are wet, and keep your daypack light enough to carry during short walks.

The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so read the room category and dates carefully. Optional activities are paid separately to the guide or driver.

Should you book the six-day Ireland tour?

Book it if your goal is to see Ireland in broad strokes with the least driving stress. The route reaches the Giant’s Causeway, Derry, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, Killarney, and Blarney Castle, and the guides can turn long road hours into part of the experience.

Choose the Economy room category if you can afford it, and add the Belfast black taxi tour and Killarney carriage ride if the timing and extra cost work for you. Skip this tour if you want slow travel or firm control over every hotel and meal. For a fast first look at the island, though, it delivers a lot in six days.

FAQ

Where does the tour start in Dublin?

The listed meeting point is Paddy’s Palace, 5 Beresford Place, Gardiner Street Lower, Dublin 1. The stated start time is 7:50 a.m. Look for the large green Paddywagon bus and confirm the exact pickup instructions before departure.

Where does the tour finish?

The coach returns to the Dublin meeting point in the late afternoon on day six.

How many nights of accommodation are included?

The tour includes five nights, with stays in Belfast, Derry, Galway, the Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney.

What does the Backpacker accommodation option include?

Backpacker accommodation provides a bed in a small to medium mixed-gender youth-hostel dorm.

What does the Economy accommodation option include?

Economy accommodation provides a single, double, twin, or triple room in hotel or bed-and-breakfast accommodation. Rates are generally per person sharing, while the Economy single option is for one person in a private room.

Are meals included?

Six breakfasts are included. Other food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated.

Are the Belfast taxi tour and Killarney carriage ride included?

No. The Belfast black taxi tour and the Killarney horse-drawn carriage ride or horseback ride are optional activities paid separately to the guide or driver.