2026 Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way - 9 Days/8 Nights
Day 1: Dublin City Tour, Experience Glasnevin & Clontarf Castle
Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from the Clontarf Castle Hotel lobby, a short ride from Dublin Airport and a few miles north of Dublin city center. Discover central Dublin with a local guide, viewing elegant Georgian squares, public buildings, and monuments. Visit Experience Glasnevin at Ireland’s national cemetery – it’s a fascinating “who’s who” of modern Irish history. Join your group for a welcome drink followed by dinner at the castle hotel. (D)
Day 2: Strokestown Park, Blakes of the Hollow Pub & Donegal
At Strokestown Park, hear compelling stories of the Great Irish Famine, brought to life in state-of-the-art exhibits at the National Famine Museum, then tour the grand Strokestown House to understand the human impact of this darkest chapter in Ireland’s past. Next, a CIE Tours exclusive: visit Blakes of the Hollow Pub, a Victorian bar that retains many features original to its founding in 1887. Famed author John McGahern, a regular visitor, described it as “one of the happiest and most beautiful bars in the whole of Ireland”. Take a photo by its official “Game of Thrones” door highlighting the series’ sixth season. Continue your travels north to Donegal. With its windswept hills where only sheep can thrive, Donegal is renowned for woolen production and tweeds. (B, D)
Day 3: Slieve League Cliffs, Triona Design & Nancy’s Bar
Head to Teelin to reach the best viewing point of the Slieve League sea cliffs, the highest in Europe. Enjoy a CIE Tours exclusive experience: sip an Irish coffee as you take in the view from these impressive cliffs. Travel up through beautiful views of Donegal to reach Triona Design in Ardara, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, where spinners and weavers will demonstrate their crafts. Soak in the atmosphere and enjoy dinner at Nancy’s Bar in Ardara before returning to your hotel in Donegal town, a busy little town that was once a Viking port. (B, D)
Day 4: Belleek Pottery & Westport
Discover the secrets that have made Belleek Pottery one of the most enduring success stories of Irish craftsmanship. Tour behind the scenes to see how this world-famous fine china is made. Travel on to Westport for a guided tour of Westport House. This privately owned manor home is a treasure trove of history, built on castle foundations that once belonged to Grace O’Malley, Ireland’s “Pirate Queen”. The evening is yours to dine and explore as you wish. (B)
Day 5: Sheepdog Demo & Galway Walking Tour
Visit a traditional farm to see highly skilled sheepdogs show off their talents at minding their herd. Continue on to Galway, for a walking tour of this vibrant city’s medieval heart. Take free time to explore before heading to Adare, where you’ll dine at your hotel this evening. (B, D)
Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Dingle
Visit the Cliffs of Moher, soaring high above the Atlantic Ocean. Cross over the Shannon via ferry and take a scenic drive to beautiful Dingle. Visit Murphy’s Ice Cream to taste some of their distinctly Irish flavors made with local ingredients, and then take free time to explore this friendly little town. Dine at your hotel this evening. (B, D)
Day 7: Ring of Kerry, Atlantic Irish Seaweed & Killarney
Embark on a tour of the Ring of Kerry, Ireland’s most famous and popular scenic drive. Stop at Moriarty’s in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Continuing on the scenic drive, pause for panoramic mountain views at Moll’s Gap. Stop at Atlantic Irish Seaweed for a guided walk along the shoreline and enjoy a few seaweed nibbles. Visit Killarney for free time to explore before returning to Tralee, where you may dine as you wish. (B)
Day 8: Blarney Castle & Abbey Tavern
Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone or take a walk through the lovely parklands and colorful gardens. At the Abbey Tavern, enjoy an evening of traditional Irish cuisine and entertainment. (B, D)
Day 9: Your Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B)
Authentic Local Experiences:
- See Donegal's spectacular Slieve League cliffs - and enjoy a CIE Tours Exclusive experience as you sip Irish coffee while taking in the view from the clifftop.
- Visit the Victorian Blakes of the Hollow Pub, which famed author John McGahern once called "one of the happiest and most beautiful bars" in Ireland. Enjoy a pint as you view the handcrafted "Game of Thrones" door, carved from the trees of the Dark Hedges.
Trip Highlights:
- Belleek Pottery
- Blarney Castle
- Westport House
- Irish Night in Dublin
- Blakes of the Hollow Pub - A CIE Tours Exclusive
- Experience Glasnevin
- Strokestown Park
- Slieve League Cliffs - A CIE Tours Exclusive
- Galway Walking Tour
- Sheepdog Demonstration
Dining Experiences:
- 8 Breakfasts (B) and 6 Dinners (D)
Hotels:
- Clontarf Castle Hotel | Dublin (1)
- Mill Park Hotel | Donegal (2)
- Knockranny House Hotel | Westport (1)
- Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel | Adare (1)
- The Ashe Hotel | Tralee (2)
- Radisson Blu Royal Hotel | Dublin (1)