Touring Ireland: Longer tours of Ireland

Itinerary Tour-2: Coastal Explorer, Cork to Connemara from GBP 839 per person for 10nts

The southwest and west of Ireland are perhaps what you might expect from a holiday here - dramatic coastal scenery and welcoming coastal villages, but Ireland can still surprise you at any moment. We have selected a number of unique but equally special places to stay for this leisurely self-drive holiday.

Day One - Kinsale

Your first destination is the popular village of Kinsale,  less  than an hour from Cork, now firmly established as one of Ireland's premier destinations for foodies, with a host of restaurants covering all styles and preferences.

Your hotel 

This unique, personally run, bed and breakfast is in the heart of Kinsale, yet with its peaceful garden and gated entrances offers true haven away from the bustle of the village. All rooms are very tastefully decorated, with a focus on natural textures and colours, with dark wood floors, white walls and beautiful art-work giving an immediate sense of sophistication. However, this is perfectly balanced with the warm reception that you will receive from your hosts, who are mines if information on the numerous local eateries.

Day Two - Exploring

Time to explore this historic, and very colourful village, or take a trip along the coast, where you will find plenty of beaches and welcoming villages. Perhaps head into the nearby city of Cork and visit the world-famous English Market

Day Three - to Baltimore

Your second base is the village of Baltimore, less than two hours further south, with its bustling natural harbour a haven for yachts and ferries to local islands, as well as offering a range of excellent restaurants and friendly bars.

Your hotel

Just on the outskirts of the village, this traditional inn features a bar area crammed with memorabilia of years gone by, leading into a bright and airy restaurant. Sup on sumptuously-fresh seafood as you gaze out to the boats bobbing on the water, or chat over a Murphy’s with the locals. Rooms are extremely spacious, and neatly decorated with splashes of cheery colours. A feeling of being beside the seaside pervades the place, and the welcome is every bit as friendly as you’d expect.

Day Four - exploring West Cork

Time to explore on your own, perhaps heading further west to the village of Schull, with its colourful craft shops, drive to Mizen Head, visit the imposing Bantry House and estate, or enjoy one the numerous coastal walks in the Baltimore area.

Day Five - to Kerry

Your journey now takes you northwest, with options to explore one or more of the fingers of land at the south of Ireland, including the Bere peninsula, before reaching the famous Ring of Kerry, and your next base.

Your hotel

This family run small guesthouse has an enviable waterside location, just off the Ring of Kerry near the village of Sneem. You will enjoy a hearty Irish breakfast with plenty of home-made breads and jams, and there is even a small bar, which serves light meals, but you are not far from several good restaurants for the evenings.

Day Six - Exploring Kerry

Many will take this chance to drive the famous Ring of Kerry, the 120 mile circular drive and one of the country's most popular tourist trails. Although busy, there are plenty of options to avoid most of the crowds and still enjoy the open views of the mountains, coast and islands of the area. Weather-permitting, the boat trip to view the dramatic island monastery at Skellig Michael is highly recommended and there are also plenty of walking trails around.

Day Seven - to Clare

Turning north you cross the Shannon by ferry and reach County Clare, where the true influence of the Atlantic Ocean begins to be felt.  Your next rather special hotel is right on the coast.

Your Hotel

Just a stone’s throw from the shingle beach and the Atlantic Ocean, this majestic tower house effortlessly combines contemporary with classic. Where else can you stay in such splendour, yet be encouraged to help yourself to a beer from the fridge in the country-style kitchen? Time it right and you’ll glimpse chef and his team in full flow preparing superb dishes for dinner. Relax and enjoy these later in the elegant restaurant, with the beautiful backdrop of the sun setting over the sea. The staff will share the history of the house with you – how it was saved from rack and ruin by a local man, who used to play in the grounds as a child. The upkeep of this architecturally-intriguing building presents constant challenges - by staying here, you will play your part in contributing to its long-term preservation.

Day Eight - Exploring County Clare

You are within a short drive of the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, stretching  5 miles along the coast, at a height of over 200 meters above sea level, with often breathtaking views, or head inland to explore the almost mystical landscape of The Burren, almost 100 square miles of limestone pavement, rich with ancient history, cave systems and unique flora.

Day Nine - to County Galway

For the final leg of your coastal tour, pass Galway City and head to the west and the mountains, loughs of Connemara, where you will stay in the village of Clifden. 

Day Ten - Connemara

Connemara - one of the last true wild areas of Ireland - is a broad peninsula to the west of Galway city and is bounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean. Its name derives from "Conmhaicne Mara" (meaning: descendants of Con Mhac, of the sea). With dramatic coastlines, high mountains, sandy beaches, great walking and cycling, not to mention colourful villages such as Clifden and Roundstone, with lively bars, lots of live music and great food, you would not be short of diversions.

Your Hotel

Gems don’t come much more hidden than this one. As you head through Clifden and out onto a single track road, the wild countryside and panoramic sea views open up in front of you. Arriving at your destination, the building looks quite simple, but on entering you will feel the cares of the world slip away. Wooden floors, natural fabrics, hand-made furniture and many sea-side trinkets give this guest house an exceptional atmosphere. Best of all are the breathtaking views out to the sea, islands and peninsulas from the many picture windows. Clodagh is an infectiously enthusiastic hostess, and will point you in the right direction for walks to empty, secret coves, as well as preparing excellent breakfasts and dinners from fresh, local produce. Whether it is sunny or stormy during your visit, you might find it hard to leave this little haven

Day Eleven - Return Home

Finally you will head east, perhaps to Dublin or Cork.

Subject to availability this route could work equally well in reverse.

Prices & Dates

This holiday is available from March to end October 2010.

The price is £839 per person for March & April, £879 per person for May, June, September & October,  £989 per person for July & August, for 10 nights on a bed & breakfast basis.

Travel to Ireland

We would be delighted to book your travel to Ireland for this holiday.

The most convenient ferry routes are the overnight Swansea to Cork service or the Pembroke or Fishguard to Rosslare day time services.

There are direct flight connections to Cork from many UK airports including London airports, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Manchester, Luton, Southampton and Edinburgh. You could also easily base this holiday on return flights to Dublin.

All our holidays include a map of Ireland with recommended routes from your specified starting point, suggestions on places to see and visit depending on your personal interests and our expertise to help you get the most from your holiday.

All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.

The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee

All our holiday prices include a service charge of £8 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday.

We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.

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