6-Day All Ireland Tour from Dublin Including Accommodation

Ireland packs a lot into six days here: Titanic Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, and Blarney Castle all make the cut. You ride a coach rather than wrestle with narrow roads, parking, and left-side driving, then sleep in a different Irish town most nights.

I like the practical setup: five nights, six breakfasts, WiFi, USB charging, and key admissions are bundled into the price. I also like the mix of famous sights and smaller stops such as Strandhill, Adare, Inch Beach, and Derry’s city walls. The tradeoff is a brisk schedule, with long rides and only limited time at some major sights.

Key points to know

• Six days, nearly the whole island: Northern Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way, County Kerry, and County Cork are all included.
• Economy is the wiser comfort choice: You get a private room in a hotel or B&B, while Backpacker means a mixed hostel dorm.
• Guides shape the experience: Danny, Dan, Brian, Vincent, Gordon, Alex, Rory, and Gabriel have all led departures, with storytelling and humor often central to the trip.
• The famous sights come with time limits: You may have about 90 minutes at the Cliffs of Moher and two hours at Blarney Castle.
• Optional extras add local flavor: Consider the Belfast black cab tour and a horse-drawn ride through Killarney National Park.
• Be ready for early starts: Pickup is scheduled for 7:50 a.m. from Paddy’s Palace on Beresford Place in Dublin.

Is six days enough to see Ireland?

No, not to see every corner. But six days gives you a strong first taste of the island, especially if you want the famous sights without renting a car.

The route covers Northern Ireland first, then cuts west to Galway and the Atlantic coast before turning south toward Kerry, Cork, and Dublin. That means you spend plenty of time on the road, but the riding is part of the experience. You see changing scenery from the coach window instead of concentrating on traffic.

The group can reach up to 56 people, though some departures use smaller vehicles or have fewer people. That difference matters. A small group may feel easier and more personal, while a full coach requires stricter timing at every stop.

This is a scheduled group tour. The route cannot be changed for individual requests, and the guide needs everyone back at the coach on time. One practical rule matters above all: do not wander off at a stop without checking the return time. A published tour note warns that very late passengers may be left behind.

Day one: Monasterboice, Belfast, and Titanic Belfast

The first morning starts in Dublin at 7:50 a.m. Pickup is listed at Paddy’s Palace, 5 Beresford Place, Gardiner Street Lower. The meeting point can be confusing because the coach may park up the street or near Trinity Church on some departures, so confirm the exact spot before setting out.

Your first stop is Monasterboice, an ancient monastic site with carved Celtic crosses and a complete round tower. It offers a quiet opening to the trip, before the city sights begin.

Belfast gets the main share of the day. The included Titanic Belfast visit follows the story of the ship from its design and construction in Belfast to its launch, maiden voyage, and sinking. The attraction is a major reason to choose this tour over a simple Belfast transfer, since admission is already covered and you have about two hours there.

You can then pay separately for a Belfast black cab tour. I consider this one of the best optional additions. It brings you past political murals, the Peace Wall, City Hall, Queen’s University, Albert Clock, and the Botanic Gardens, while giving context about the Troubles. The tour takes about an hour and is arranged and paid for directly with the guide or driver.

You spend the night in Belfast. Accommodation quality varies by room type and departure, but the Economy option is designed for a private room rather than a dorm.

Day two: the Dark Hedges, Giant’s Causeway, and Derry

Day two heads north along the coast. The Dark Hedges is a short photo stop, usually around 20 minutes. The tree-lined road was planted by the Stuart family in the 18th century and became famous as a filming location for Game of Thrones.

The stop is quick, so treat it as a picture opportunity rather than a full visit. Crowds and weather can affect the atmosphere, and there is not much time for lingering.

Giant’s Causeway gets about 90 minutes. The striking hexagonal basalt columns were formed by volcanic activity, though your guide will also share the old tale of the Irish giant Fionn and his Scottish rival.

Admission to the visitor center is included. The path to the stones takes about ten minutes from there, and a mobility bus is available for a small fare if walking down is difficult. You should still expect uneven ground and outdoor conditions, so sturdy footwear and a rain layer make sense.

Derry follows, with a walking tour of the 17th-century city walls and the Bogside district. This is one of the more meaningful stops because it connects the city’s streets to the political events of the 20th century, including Bloody Sunday.

The overnight details need careful checking. The route describes an evening around Derry and Letterkenny, while the accommodation summary lists Derry. Ask for the confirmed town and hotel area before departure if that detail affects your plans.

Day three: Strandhill and Galway

The route now turns south along the Wild Atlantic Way. This is a scenic riding day, with ocean views, open countryside, and changing weather.

Strandhill in County Sligo provides about an hour for lunch and a walk near the beach. The town is known for surfing, and you may have time to visit a pub such as Strand Bar for a meal or drink. It is a welcome pause after the morning drive.

Galway is the overnight base. You arrive around mid-afternoon, giving you a chance to join a free walking tour or explore independently. Compared with the tightly timed coastal stops, Galway offers a little breathing room.

I like this balance. You are not simply being marched from attraction to attraction. You get a town where you can choose your own pace, shop, eat, or sit with a drink. Still, the time is limited, so do not plan an elaborate evening program.

Day four: the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher

Day four is one of the strongest scenic days. The coach follows the Atlantic coast through County Clare, with beaches and sea views along the way.

The Burren looks unlike the green fields many people expect from Ireland. Its pale limestone pavement gives the area a stark, almost lunar appearance. The guide also explains how plants associated with Alpine, Arctic, and Mediterranean regions can grow in the area.

You stop in Doolin for lunch before continuing to the Cliffs of Moher. The Burren stop itself may be brief, around 20 minutes, so your main walking time comes at the cliffs.

The Cliffs of Moher are allotted about 90 minutes, with admission included. The cliffs rise more than 700 feet above the Atlantic and provide some of the most dramatic views on the route. You may see seabirds such as puffins and gannets, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

Ninety minutes is enough to reach the main viewpoints, take photographs, and walk a little. It is not enough for a long coastal hike. If you want slow walking and quiet time at the cliffs, a dedicated day trip would suit you better.

After crossing the River Shannon, the coach stops in Adare, known for its thatched cottages and tidy village center. You then continue to the Dingle Peninsula for the night. The accommodation may be in a rural village rather than in Dingle town itself, so do not assume you can walk from your lodging to the famous pubs.

Day five: Inch Beach, Slea Head, and Dingle

Day five brings the most memorable coastal riding of the tour. Inch Beach is one of Ireland’s longest beaches and offers a broad stretch of sand and sea.

The Slea Head Drive continues around the Dingle Peninsula, with views toward Sleeping Giant Island and the Blasket Islands. You may also see ancient beehive huts, stone structures associated with early settlement.

This is where the pace feels most rewarding. The road is scenic, the stops feel less formal, and the peninsula gives you a clearer sense of western Ireland beyond the headline attractions. The area is part of the Gaeltacht, where Irish is still spoken, so you may hear the language in everyday use.

Dingle town receives about 90 minutes. It is known for colorful pubs, traditional crafts, music, and a strong fishing-town character. The schedule lets you shop and get refreshments, but many people will wish for more time here.

That is a real limitation. If Dingle is high on your list, use the free time carefully. Pick one pub, one shop, or one short walk rather than trying to do everything.

The group then continues to Killarney. You can walk into town after arrival, and the National Park is nearby. The Killarney overnight gives you a more settled evening after several long touring days.

Day six: Killarney National Park and Blarney Castle

The final day begins around Killarney National Park. A horse-drawn carriage ride is optional, as is horseback riding for more active visitors. These extras are arranged and paid for with the guide or driver.

The carriage ride is a good choice if you want scenery without adding a demanding walk. It also gives the morning a distinctly local feel. If you skip it, you still regroup with the coach for the trip toward Blarney.

Blarney Castle and Gardens receives about two hours, with admission included. You can climb through the castle and kiss the Blarney Stone for the traditional gift of eloquence. The gardens provide room to slow down after the castle visit.

Nearby Blarney Woolen Mills is promoted as a large Irish shopping stop. It may suit you if you need last-minute gifts, but you should decide how much shopping time you want before spending too long indoors.

After lunch, the coach crosses the Golden Vale and returns to Dublin in the late afternoon. The drop-off is back at the original meeting point, leaving your evening open for dinner or another Dublin plan. Do not schedule anything that requires a precise arrival time, since road conditions and the full touring schedule can shift the return.

What the $1,087.65 price really covers

At $1,087.65 per person, the value depends heavily on the room choice. The price includes five nights, six breakfasts, an air-conditioned coach, live commentary, WiFi, USB charging, and admission to Titanic Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway visitor center, the Cliffs of Moher, and Blarney Castle.

You are also paying for the convenience of moving across the island without renting a car. Fuel, parking, navigation, and the stress of narrow roads are handled for you. For a first visit, that can be worth more than a bare room comparison suggests.

The Economy option gives you a single, twin, double, or triple room in a hotel or B&B, priced per person sharing except for the single option. Send your preferred room arrangement in advance.

The Backpacker option uses a small or medium mixed youth hostel dorm. It can save money and suit social solo travelers, but shared rooms may be crowded and noisy. One listed stay involved a very small mixed dorm, while another had no breakfast, so you should choose Economy if sleep, privacy, or predictable comfort matters.

Accommodation is generally basic and often central, allowing you to walk around town after the coach stops. Conditions can vary. Some rooms may lack air conditioning or elevators, and one Killarney overflow arrangement was particularly disappointing. The operator may also place some Economy passengers in different accommodation when rooms fill, so ask how substitutions are handled.

Guides, coaches, and the human side of the trip

Your guide is both driver and storyteller, and that person can shape the whole week. Danny and Dan received especially warm praise for humor, clear instructions, music, and Irish stories. Brian, Vincent, Gordon, Alex, Rory, and Gabriel have also led departures, each bringing a different style.

That variation is worth understanding. One guide may allow extra stops when time permits, while another may keep the published schedule tightly. Some guides focus heavily on modern political history, while others spend more time on legends, local life, and practical advice.

The coach includes WiFi and USB charging at every seat. Trips may use a smaller bus or a larger coach, and the group size can reach 56. Expect regular bathroom opportunities, but you still spend long stretches seated.

The tour currently has a 4.6 rating from 254 ratings, with 90 percent recommending it. Those figures suggest a strong overall experience, but they do not erase the basic tradeoff: this is an efficient road trip, not a slow holiday.

Who should book this Ireland tour?

I would choose it if you have limited time, want the major sights, and do not want to drive. It is also a good fit for solo visitors who want built-in company, included transport, and an easy way to meet people.

It suits active sightseers who can manage coach steps, uneven paths, wet weather, and quick walks. Ireland’s weather can change fast, so pack waterproof layers and take care on wet bus steps.

I would hesitate if you need a fixed hotel standard, dislike early departures, or want long independent visits in each town. The route is fixed, days are full, and some stops are short.

The tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so trip insurance is sensible. If illness or another problem cuts your tour short, do not assume unused days will be refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this six-day tour if your goal is to see Ireland’s headline sights in one organized sweep. Choose Economy rather than Backpacker if you can afford it, and consider adding both the Belfast black cab tour and Killarney carriage ride.

Skip it in favor of a slower self-drive or regional tour if Dingle, Galway, or the Cliffs of Moher deserve several days of your attention. For a first look at Ireland, though, this route delivers a lot: dramatic coasts, political history, ancient stones, lively towns, and enough free time to make the trip feel like more than a bus transfer.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin in Dublin?

The listed meeting point is Paddy’s Palace, 5 Beresford Place, Gardiner Street Lower, Mountjoy, Dublin 1. The scheduled start time is 7:50 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original Dublin meeting point in the late afternoon of day six.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the designated meeting point.

How many nights of accommodation are included?

Five nights are included, in Belfast, the Derry area, Galway, the Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney.

Are breakfasts included?

Yes. The tour includes six breakfasts, although the exact breakfast arrangement can vary by accommodation.

What is the difference between Backpacker and Economy?

Backpacker uses a bed in a small or medium mixed youth hostel dorm. Economy uses a single, double, twin, or triple room in hotel or B&B accommodation. Economy rates are normally per person sharing, except for the private single-room rate.

Are the major attraction admissions included?

Admission is included for Titanic Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway visitor center, the Cliffs of Moher, and Blarney Castle and Gardens.

Is the Belfast black cab tour included?

No. It is optional and paid separately to the driver or guide.

Are the Killarney carriage ride and horseback ride included?

No. Both are optional activities arranged and paid for separately with the driver or guide.

Can the route be changed?

No. This is a scheduled group tour, and the published route cannot be modified by individual request.