6-Day South of Ireland Tour from Dublin

Ireland’s best scenery comes in long ribbons of road, and this six-day loop from Dublin gives you plenty of it without asking you to drive on the left. You’ll move from monastic ruins and medieval towns to the Dingle and Kerry peninsulas, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and Connemara.

I like two things right away: breakfast, lodging, and entry fees are bundled, and the tour gives you time in places that deserve more than a quick photograph. Guides such as Barry, Brian, Joe, Rory, Shaun, and Dan have been singled out for humor, local stories, and calm driving. The main caution is the pace. Some days put you on the road for eight hours, and the route or stop order can change with weather and traffic.

Key points to know before booking

• Glendalough starts the trip with ancient ruins and mountain walks, a gentle introduction to Ireland beyond Dublin.
• Dingle and Slea Head are the scenic high point, with beaches, stone huts, island views, and a strong Gaelic character.
• Killarney gives you two full nights, useful for slowing down and adding an optional horse and cart or horseback ride.
• The Cliffs of Moher and Burren arrive on a full Wild Atlantic Way day, followed by an overnight in Galway.
• The tour suits first-time visitors who dislike self-driving, especially on narrow coastal roads.
• B&B lodging can mean stairs and separate properties, so ask about your room setup if luggage or mobility is a concern.

What this six-day Ireland tour really covers

Despite its southern title, this is not just a County Cork and Kerry trip. The route reaches Ireland’s southeast, southwest, west coast, and Connemara before returning to Dublin.

You meet at Paddy’s Palace on Beresford Place in central Dublin at 9:00 a.m. The tour ends back at the same meeting point on Day 6. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll need to reach the starting point yourself.

The price is $1,057.38 per person. That is not a bare-bones bus fare. It includes five nights of accommodation, five breakfasts, transport, and entrance fees. You still pay for lunches, dinners, drinks, and optional Killarney activities, but the main costs are known before you leave.

The group limit is listed as 56 people, though some departures use a much smaller vehicle. That difference matters. A compact group can make stops easier and create a friendlier mood, while a full coach means more people getting on and off at every stop. If group size is important to you, ask Paddywagon Tours which vehicle is planned for your date.

Day 1: Glendalough, Kilkenny, and Waterford

The first morning leaves Dublin for the Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough, known as the Valley of Two Lakes. The appeal is easy to understand: a peaceful mountain setting, early Christian ruins, Celtic crosses, and a round tower that gives the site its unmistakable Irish profile.

You have leisure time here rather than a tightly scripted walk. That is good news if you want to take photographs or stretch your legs on one of the local paths. Wear shoes that can handle uneven ground, since this is a ruin-and-trail stop rather than a polished museum visit.

The tour continues to Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s most appealing medieval towns. You have about an hour and a half to explore at leisure. The castle, cathedral, abbeys, churches, cobbled streets, and old Norman-era center all sit within the town’s compact core.

The time is enough for a brisk look, but not for a detailed visit to every major sight. You’ll need to choose. I would prioritize a walk through the center and the castle area, then save time for a drink or snack.

Waterford follows, with an evening in the old Viking-founded city. The included Waterford Crystal visit lasts about an hour and shows artisans cutting glass in the traditional manner. There is also a shopping outlet, so this stop is partly cultural and partly retail.

The overnight is in Waterford City. With seafood restaurants and pubs nearby, this is your first chance to enjoy Ireland after the driving day ends.

Day 2: Cobh and Blarney Castle

Day 2 brings you to Cobh, the historic port in County Cork. Its strongest connection is with ocean travel and emigration, and the Titanic Museum occupies the former White Star Line ticket office. Museum admission is not listed as included, so treat it as an optional use of your free hour.

The town itself deserves attention. Give yourself time to look around the harbor and absorb the setting before moving on. Cobh is less about checking off a single sight and more about understanding why this port mattered to so many people leaving Ireland.

The main stop is Blarney Castle and Gardens, with about two hours on site and admission included. The castle is famous for the Blarney Stone, which you may kiss if you wish to pursue the traditional gift of eloquent speech. The visit involves the castle itself, gardens, and the chance to shop at Blarney Woolen Mills.

Blarney is a well-known attraction, so expect a popular stop rather than a quiet ruin. The gardens help balance the crowds, and two hours gives you a reasonable amount of time, though you may have to choose between the castle, stone, grounds, and shopping.

After lunch, the route heads toward the Dingle Peninsula. The overnight is among the western parishes before America, a phrase that reflects the area’s position at Ireland’s far western edge and its long connection with emigration.

Day 3: Dingle and the Slea Head Drive

Day 3 is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. Dingle is a small fishing town with a Gaelic-speaking tradition, colorful streets, seafood, and an unusually high number of pubs for its size. The tour description cites 52 pubs for a population of about 2,000, which tells you something about the town’s social life.

You have time to visit Dingle before taking the Slea Head Drive. The drive is the real prize. It follows the western edge of the peninsula, with views toward the Sleeping Giant and Blasket Islands, beaches, and ancient beehive huts said to date back to around 2000 B.C.

This is the sort of road where having a driver makes practical sense. Coastal lanes can be narrow and the views distracting. You can look out the window instead of worrying about meeting an oncoming vehicle.

The plan also includes time connected with Fungi, the famous Dingle dolphin. Because wildlife appearances cannot be guaranteed, you should treat this as an extra possibility rather than the core reason to book the day.

The full stop lasts about eight hours, including travel and sightseeing. That sounds long, but Slea Head needs time. You’ll want to stop for photos, look at the huts, and take in the sea views without rushing from one viewpoint to the next.

You spend the night in Killarney, moving from the small-town feel of Dingle to one of Ireland’s best-known bases for outdoor sightseeing.

Day 4: The Ring of Kerry and Killarney National Park

The Ring of Kerry day brings a classic Irish road trip into a guided format. The route includes Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, Leprechaun Crossing, Killarney National Park, the Lakes of Killarney, and Torc Waterfall.

The views shift constantly between pasture, mountain passes, lakes, and villages. Weather can change the experience quickly. On a clear day, the outlooks are broad and dramatic. In rain or mist, the mood becomes quieter and more atmospheric, but distant views may disappear.

You get a second night in Killarney, which is a real advantage. Many short tours rush through the area and leave before you have time to enjoy the town. Here, you can explore Killarney after the main circuit and use the evening for a meal or pub music.

Optional activities include a horse and cart ride through Killarney National Park or a horseback ride for those who want a more active outing. These are not included in the tour price and are arranged and paid for through the driver.

One important caution: the exact order of stops may change. Weather has caused some departures to alter the plan, and at least one reported schedule change meant the Ring of Kerry was missed. That is not a reason to reject the tour, but it is a reason to understand that Irish road tours must bend to conditions.

Day 5: The Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, and Galway

Day 5 is another long eight-hour outing, but it packs in some of western Ireland’s most famous sights. The Cliffs of Moher are the headline stop, rising more than 700 feet above the Atlantic.

The cliffs are home to seabirds including puffins and gannets. Admission is included, and you’ll have time to walk around the viewing area and take photographs. Stay alert near edges and allow time to simply watch the sea. The cliffs are impressive, but the weather can be fierce, and wind or rain may limit how long you want to remain outside.

Doolin is the lunch stop. It is known for traditional Irish music, though the schedule only promises time for lunch, not a concert. You’ll need to pay for your own meal and drinks throughout the tour unless something is specifically stated as included.

The route then crosses the Burren, a broad area of exposed limestone shaped over hundreds of millions of years. Underground rivers, waterfalls, and unusual rock formations give it a very different character from Kerry’s green hills.

The day continues along County Clare and Galway Bay, with views toward the Aran Islands, before arriving in Galway. Galway is a good overnight choice because you can eat seafood, walk through the city, and look for traditional music venues.

You will not have unlimited time in Galway, but an overnight is much better than a short photo stop. The city has a strong cultural identity, and it is worth using the evening for a walk rather than staying at the accommodation.

Day 6: Connemara and the return to Dublin

The final day leaves Galway for Connemara, including Maam’s Cross and Maam Valley. This part of the route carries a serious historical weight. The area was badly affected by the famine of 1845, when more than a million people died of starvation across Ireland.

The trip also includes Glengowla family farm and silver mine. This gives the day a more specific focus than a simple scenic drive, connecting rural life and mining with the wider story of the region.

After Connemara, the tour crosses the midlands on the way back to Dublin. The return takes most of the day, so do not plan an evening flight or a fixed appointment immediately after the stated end time. The activity finishes at the original central Dublin meeting point.

Guides can make or break the long drives

The strongest part of this kind of tour is often the person behind the wheel. Barry has been praised for historical anecdotes, humor, and an easy manner. Brian, including Brian Kerwin, has also been described as entertaining and factual. Joe is noted for stories, friendliness, a comfortable newer bus, and Wi-Fi.

Other named drivers include Rory, Shaun, Dan, Jackie, and Malcolm. The tone can vary from one departure to another. Several guides have helped create a relaxed, family-like group atmosphere, but one account describes rude language and another raises serious concerns about driving behavior and limited assistance.

That mixed experience is worth taking seriously. You are spending many hours in a vehicle, so safe driving, clear instructions, air conditioning, and help with luggage matter. Do not assume every driver will provide the same level of commentary or service.

Accommodation, luggage, and daily comfort

Five nights are included, with stays in Waterford, the Dingle Peninsula, Kerry for two nights, and Galway. The accommodation can be in bed-and-breakfast properties or economy-style lodging, depending on the option booked.

The B&B format can be a pleasure. It gives the trip a more local, home-style feel, and some departures have enjoyed sitting together in the evening to talk through the next day. Rooms may not all be in the same property, however, and some buildings have several floors without elevators.

Pack light enough to carry your own bag up stairs. One particularly useful lesson from the practical feedback is that luggage help may not always be available. If you need a ground-floor room or assistance with bags, contact the operator before departure and get any arrangement confirmed.

Five breakfasts are included. Lunches, dinners, drinks, and optional activities are not. That gives you freedom to choose, but you should budget for six days of meals beyond breakfast.

How much value do you get for $1,057.38?

The price is fair for a six-day guided circuit if you value convenience. You are paying for transport between widely scattered regions, five nights of accommodation, five breakfasts, Blarney Castle admission, Waterford Crystal, and the Cliffs of Moher.

The route would be costly and tiring to organize independently, especially if you are uncomfortable driving narrow roads on the left. You also avoid booking several one-night stays and working out how to connect Dingle, Killarney, Clare, Galway, and Dublin.

The tradeoff is control. You cannot linger wherever you want, skip a long drive, or change the route at will. The tour is best value when you want a broad first look at Ireland and accept that some days are road-heavy.

The experience is booked about 71 days ahead on average, so popular dates may fill early. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, which makes travel insurance and firm planning especially important.

Who should choose this tour?

I would recommend it to a first-time Ireland visitor who wants the major southern and western sights without renting a car. It also fits mixed-age groups. One group included people from their twenties through their eighties and found the format workable, though walking and luggage demands still vary by person.

It is a good match if you enjoy scenery, short town walks, castles, ruins, local stories, and meeting people from different countries. The shared road time can create a friendly group, especially when the driver is engaging.

I would think twice if you need a slow schedule, guaranteed hotel facilities, quiet private touring, or complete control over meals and sightseeing. The advertised group limit of 56 is substantial, even though some departures are much smaller. Also check the transport arrangement, since the information describes both a coach and a private vehicle for the tour group.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Paddy’s Palace, 5 Beresford Place, Gardiner Street Lower, Dublin 1, at 9:00 a.m. on Day 1. It ends back at the same meeting point on Day 6.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must reach the central Dublin meeting point yourself.

How many nights of accommodation are included?

Five nights are included: one night in Waterford City, one on the Dingle Peninsula, two in Kerry, and one in Galway.

Are meals included?

Five breakfasts are included. Food and drinks are otherwise not included unless specifically stated.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. All entrance fees are included, including the listed admission for Blarney Castle and the Cliffs of Moher, along with the Waterford Crystal visit.

Are the Killarney horse and cart or horseback rides included?

No. These activities are optional and payable separately to the driver during the tour.

Can the pickup point be changed?

You can request another Paddywagon Tours pickup location by phone or email no later than 5:00 p.m. the evening before. The change is only guaranteed once confirmed in writing.

Should you book the six-day South of Ireland tour?

Book it if you want to see a lot of Ireland in six days and would rather watch the scenery than manage left-side driving. The best parts are the Slea Head Drive, the Ring of Kerry, Glendalough, and the Cliffs of Moher, while the included lodging and breakfasts keep the planning simple.

Before paying, ask about your departure’s group size, vehicle, accommodation type, and luggage arrangements. If the answer suits you, this is a practical way to reach Ireland’s most memorable southern and western corners. If you prefer slow mornings and long stays, build your own trip instead.