Touring Ireland: Coastal Explorer, Galway to Antrim from £690pp for 8 nts

This self-drive Irish touring holiday covers some old favourites and new discoveries in the north west if Ireland - where you can explore beaches, loughs and mountains.

Ireland Holiday Itinerary

Day One - Connemara

Your first base is on the west coast of Galway - the famous area of mountains and loughs known as Connemara, where you will stay in the village of Clifden.

Your Hotel in Connemara

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 Two - Connemara

One of the last true wild areas of Ireland – Connemara 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.

Day Three - Mayo

To reach your next base your route will bring you north to the beautiful coastal county of Mayo, with your guesthouse a comfortable base near the Ballina.

Your Hotel in Mayo

This elegant Georgian Manor House was once described as the last great house in North Mayo. Overlooking Lough Conn, guests can enjoy comfortable accommodation in a beautiful parkland setting. The house is surrounded by mature woodland, through which paths run to the lake offering guests the ideal opportunity to enjoy local flora and fauna. Your host, a direct descendant of the original family who settled on the lands in the 1600's, has earned an enviable reputation for superb hospitality, ensuring guests feel welcome and relaxed during their stay. The family portraits, antique furniture, open fires, good food and wine all contribute to the pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. The six guest bedrooms, all with private bathrooms, are luxurious and spacious and some offer wonderful views of the lake and parkland.

Day Four - exploring Mayo

Mayo stands out as one of Ireland’s most scenic counties. But while you may gasp in awe at the craggy coastline that has been lashed by the powerful Atlantic, make sure to remember that there’s a lot more going on in Mayo. Ceide Fields is the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world, Croagh Patrick is where Ireland’s patron saint fasted for 40 days in 441AD, and Achill Island is a stunning spot on the edge of Western Europe bursting with history and awe-inspiring sights.

Day Five - Donegal

Continue your tailor made tour of the west of Ireland, driving through Sligo then into County Donegal, passing Donegal Town, and keep on to the Inishowen peninsula, the most northerly part of the whole island of Ireland and an area rich with ancient history.

Your Hotel in Donegal

Close your eyes and imagine the perfect Irish pub/hotel: brightly painted, in a small village surrounded by beautiful countryside and glorious beaches, where you will be welcomed as one of the family, treated to home-cooked food and the perfect pint of Guinness while you chat to passers-by. Chances are there will be music too – perhaps a local jamming session in the bar, or maybe a concert by some famous Irish names in the atmospheric venue just through the back. Well you don’t need to imagine, as we have found it. Whether you stop here as part of an Irish music tour, or fit it in to a tailor-made itinerary, this Donegal destination leaves a lasting impression – we can’t wait to go back ourselves!

Day Six - Exploring Donegal

This corner of Donegal is a delight to explore, with many kilometres of scenic driving and some of the best beaches in Ireland. Malin Head, at the tip of the Inishowen peninsula, is the most Northerly point on mainland Ireland (yet it is in the “South” rather than Northern Ireland...). On a clear day, the views stretch across to the Scottish Hebrides and Kintyre peninsula. It can be a wild and windy place, but fantastic refreshments are available from Cafe Banba – a family-run cafe on wheels that serves delicious coffee and home-baking where you least expect to find it! There are many Neolithic sites – standing stones and cairns – if you are interested in pre-history, and a must-visit is the Doagh Famine Village, which tells the story of Ireland from 1845 to the present day in a very different style from any other tourist attraction.

Day Seven - to County Antrim

Your journey now brings you into Northern Ireland, by ferry across Lough Foyle, before reaching the Antrim cost road.

Your Hotel in Antrim

Centuries of history exude from the old timber beams and rough plaster walls of this landmark inn. At its heart is the gaslit sixteenth century snug, with soot-stained walls and ceilings and a pulley suspended above the fireplace. You could spend hours here over a Guinness or a dram, dreaming up romantic notions of encounters goneby. The snug is encased by a mere two-hundred year old inn, with an even more modern, yet sympathetically designed, outer shell. Guest rooms are spacious and atmospheric, with individual character and attention to detail to keep design in-keeping with the building's charm. This place is a genuine meeting point for travellers and locals alike, buzzing with conviviality and conversation throughout a jigsaw puzzle of interconnecting public rooms and cosy corners. The outdoor courtyard and terrace come into their own in the summer months, while open peat fires provide the perfect ambience in other seasons. Service is attentive and friendly, many staff being young, local and very proud of the area. The menu offered throughout the restaurant and conservatory fuses local produce with a touch of creativity to make this one of the most renowned dining destinations in the North of Ireland.

Day Eight - the Antrim Coast

The famous sights of this, one of our favourite coastlines, including the geological phenomenon of the Giants' Causeway, and the much-photographed clifftop ruins of haunting Dunluce Castle, are just a short drive away. For the more adventurous, test your nerve and head for heights by venturing across the suspended rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede. Why not end the day with a visit to the famous Bushmills distillery, or visit Rathlin Island. The city of Londonderry with its famous “walls” is a short drive away.

Day Nine- Return Home

With Belfast less than two hours away or Dublin little more than four - and we can arrange an appropriate stopover for you.

Prices & Dates for this tailor made holiday in Ireland

This self-drive Irish holiday is available from April to October 2012

The price is £690 per person for April & October, £725 per person for May & September and £745 per person for June, July & August. Prices are based on two adults sharing a double or twin room for 8 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 those from Holyhead to Dublin & Dun Laoghaire, and from Scotland to Belfast & Larne.

There are also many air connections to Dublin, Shannon or Belfast which would be convenient.

All our self-drive 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 Ireland holiday 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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