Compare Ireland’s Wonderful West: Adare Villa Vacation by Great Value Vacations vs Walking Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way by Exodus Travels

Day 1 Welcome to Shannon!

Arrive in the land of luck and lush greenery! Collect your rental car and take off to your home for the week, the Adare Villas. Enjoy sweeping views from your mountaintop accommodation, then walk into town and get to know the area. 

Day 2 Adare

Grab your camera and take a short drive over to Clare today. Watch magic unfold before your eyes as you stand in-front of the spectacular Cliffs of Moher.

After you've taken enough - okay, way too many - photos, head to nearby Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. Stroll through quaint streets as you experience 19th-century Irish village life, then explore the amazing castle grounds!

Day 3 Adare

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime drive through the Ring of Kerry in Killarney today. Gawk at sparkling seascapes and unbeatable views as you wind around this stunning southwestern trail. Keep your eyes out for the Muckross House, Ross Castle, Lough Leane, and the famous Killarney National Park.

Famous for its Torc Waterfall and other postcard-worthy landscapes, Killarney National Park is an absolute must on your "Ireland bucket list." Hike through rolling greenery and stare at the reflection of enormous mountains in crystal clear lakes. 

Day 4 Adare

Today, consider heading to Cork and visiting the legendary 600-year-old Blarney Castle and Stone. Come face-to-face with this iconic Irish landmark, explore the beautiful castle, then pucker up and give the famous kissing stone a smooch!

You might want to take a short drive down to the picturesque port town of colorful Cobh harbor. Treat yourself to an authentic Irish dinner as you watch fishing boats float by. 

Day 5 Adare

Enjoy a pleasant morning in Adare, then venture out and make a day-trip to Limerick! Only a 20-minute drive from the Villas, Limerick is a bustling city, home to many sights and attractions. Be sure to explore King John's Castle, which overlooks the beautiful River Shannon. 

Day 6 Adare

Spend the day venturing to Viking-founded Waterford, Ireland's oldest city! Immerse yourself in Irish history while frolicking through the city's charming streets.

To add an extra sparkle to your vacation, you may want to explore the famous House of Waterford Crystal. Witness how the crystal is made from molten ingredient to beautiful masterpiece, then tempt yourself at the on-site store. Souvenir shopping, anyone?

Day 7 Depart Ireland

Pack your bags, wave goodbye to Adare, and head to the airport. After returning your car, board your plane and spend your flight dreaming about your next adventure. 

Day 1 Start Dublin; afternoon walking tour

We meet at the group hotel in Dublin at 3pm and then enjoy a guided walking tour of the city highlights plus many areas that are often missed. In the evening, the guide briefs the group on the week’s activities, before we enjoy a delicious evening meal in a local restaurant. Our hotel is not far from the city centre, so those who wish can explore the capital after dinner. Dublin is famous for its nightlife and many of the bars have live traditional Irish music. Accommodation: Ashling Hotel or The Hendrick Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Transfer to County Kerry, hike Torc Mountain in Killarney National Park

We drive south (3hr 30min) to the hiker-loved town of Killarney in County Kerry. It sits on the edge of Killarney National Park, which has three beautiful lakes and the highest mountain range in Ireland. A treat for those who love the outdoors. Upon arrival in Killarney, we have time for lunch before a fabulous hike in the national park. Torc Mountain (1,755ft/535m) is steeped in history and mythology. As we hike to the summit, our guide brings those stories to life as we enjoy majestic views of the national park and the three lakes. Descending from the mountain, we pass the rushing Torc Waterfall before heading to the 19th-century estate house whose owners donated the land to enable the national park to be created in 1932. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the gardens before transferring to our Killarney accommodation. Accommodation: Abbey Lodge (or similar)

Day 3 Walk the Ring of Kerry and learn the secrets of the coast with a specialist guide

Enjoy a scenic drive (1hr 30min) to the western tip of the Ring of Kerry and immerse in the idyllic landscapes around Derrynane National Park. Discover pristine beaches, lush woodlands, ancient abbey ruins and Daniel O’Connell, one of Ireland’s most prominent historic figures, who lived here. During our hike, we meet a local seaweed forager who takes the group for a seashore walk and introduces us to the secrets of the Derrynane Beach region. Following our hike, we continue our scenic drive around the Ring of Kerry with a few stops along the way before returning to Killarney in the late afternoon. Accommodation: Abbey Lodge (or similar)

Day 4 Take a boat ride through the three lakes of Killarney National Park and then hike the ancient woodlands

We take a magical boat ride (one hour) from the 15th-century Ross Castle, which sits on the shores of Lough Leane, through the three lakes of Killarney, providing a unique perspective of Killarney National Park. We depart the boat and hike through ancient woodlands to Galway’s Bridge, which spans the Galway River. From here, our hike takes us south, following an old route through the hills, which has been used for hundreds of years by people travelling on foot or driving animals to market. Enjoy views across the Beara Peninsula as we descend to the colourful heritage town of Kenmare. We then transfer back to Killarney, stopping along the way at the Killarney Brewing & Distillery company for a tour and tasting. It is the largest independently owned brewery, distillery and visitor centre in Ireland and is enveloped by the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains and the Killarney lakes. Accommodation: Abbey Lodge (or similar)

Day 5 Transfer to County Clare; walk the Cliffs of Moher and take a boat ride along the coast

Day 6 Hike the largest of the Aran Islands: Inishmore

We walk to Doolin pier, where a one-hour ferry ride takes us to the largest of the Aran Islands, Inishmore. On reaching the island, a guide who grew up here joins us for a wonderful hike, on which we discover the glories of Inishmore. Following a lovely old trail, we are brought across limestone pavements to reach the fascinating coastal blowhole called Poll na bPeist (Serpents Lair). This natural tidal rock pool is a wonderful location to learn more about this ancient landscape. We continue our hike to reach the stone fortress of Dun Aonghasa, which is magnificently located at the top of a sheer stone cliff. We then hike the northern shores of the island to reach a seal sanctuary. With time to enjoy this coastline and visit some of the older churches, we complete our hike back at the harbour. We return to the mainland on the ferry in the late afternoon and walk to our accommodation in Doolin. Accommodation: The Lodge Doolin (or similar)

Day 7 Black Head trail hike

This morning, before our hike, we visit the ancient burial site of Poulnabrone Dolmen (transfer time: 30 minutes). Our guide explains how these pagan sites are intertwined with the Irish Christian history. We transfer (20 minutes) to the start of our walk, just south of Ballyvaughan village. From here, we follow a rural route – known locally as a green road – into the heart of the Black Head hills, with wonderful limestone pavements and stone walls all around. There are fantastic views over Galway Bay and the Aran Islands as we continue around Gleninagh Mountain. Finishing our walk in Fanore village, we are transported (20 minutes) back to our accommodation for our overnight and farewell dinner. Accommodation: The Lodge Doolin (or similar)

Day 8 End Doolin

Enjoy another delicious breakfast before starting your journey home. There is a group transfer back to Dublin, so if you wish to extend your stay in the capital please speak to your sales representative about booking extra nights.