A unique self-drive itinerary, this tour is perfect for travellers who want to see Ireland’s highlights without changing accommodation every night. This tour is more relaxed, with four (4) main bases used for exploring the surrounding areas. In 12 nights, you’ll visit key attractions such as Trinity College and Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin, Kilkenny Castle and the Waterford Crystal exhibition in the southeast, Blarney Castle and the Cobh Heritage Centre in Cork, and the Dingle Peninsula and Killarney in Kerry. In Clare, explore the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren landscape, while in Galway, you'll see the Aran Islands and Connemara. As you travel to Dublin, visit Clonmacnoise, Trim Castle, and the Hill of Tara. While the itinerary is packed with Ireland’s most historical and beautiful sites, be sure to take time to enjoy the local culture for the full Irish experience!

14 days | 12 nights

 Format

• Self-guided tour

Trip Highlights

• Destinations that include planned activities and/or overnight stays.
• Ireland
• Kilkenny 
• Kerry 
• Galway 
• Dublin

Inclusions

• Round-trip flights into Dublin (if Flight & Hotel package option is chosen)
• 12 nights of comfort accommodation, a mix of 3-star,4-star hotel and traditional B&Bs
• Breakfast daily
• 12-day car rental in selected category with Collision Damage Waiver, Theft Protection Insurance, Airport Location Fees, Road Fund Tax, Sales Tax, Unlimited Mileage, Third Party Liability Insurance.
• Earn extra Aeroplan® points per member on this tour

Itinerary 

Day 1 | Depart Canada

• Fly to Dublin.

Day 2-4 | Welcome to Dublin, Ireland - County Kilkenny

• Upon arrival in Dublin, proceed to the rental car pick-up location and collect your rental car for the next 12 days.
• Onwards to your accommodation which is located within County Kilkenny and will be your home base for the next 3 nights.
• We suggest:
• Along your route, visit the National Stud and Japanese Gardens. Explore Kilkenny, Ireland’s Medieval Capital, with highlights including Kilkenny Castle, Saint Canice's Cathedral, and the Smithwick’s Experience brewery tour.
• Explore the ancestral home of the Kennedys in Wexford at the Kennedy Homestead, Dunbrody Famine Ship which re-enacts life aboard as she carried her passengers from New Ross to Canada 150 years ago, and Waterford Crystal in the Southeast.
• Visit the Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle in the neighbouring County of Tipperary, or explore Wexford’s attractions, including the Irish National Heritage Park, Tintern Abbey and Hook Lighthouse.
• (Approximately 130 km)
• Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 5-7 | County Kilkenny – County Kerry

• After breakfast, it’s onwards to County Kerry for 3 nights.
• We suggest:
• Travel to Kerry via Blarney Castle and the Titanic Experience near Cork City. Then it’s on to Killarney to explore its beautiful National Park, Ross Castle, the Lakes of Killarney and visit the superb traditional music pubs that the area is famed for.
• Drive the Ring of Kerry peninsula, with its stunning coastal and mountain scenery. Visit Muckross House or maybe take a wonderful tour by pony and trap that takes you through the Black Valley in the Gap of Dunloe before returning to Killarney by boat via the beautiful Lakes of Killarney.
• The Dingle Peninsula has more interesting historic sites and varied mountain scenery than any other part of Ireland. The main town Dingle is the most westerly in Europe and is an Irish speaking district. Also visit Dún Beag Promontory Fort from 800 BC as well as the Blasket Islands and Gallarus Oratory.
• (Approximately 240 km)
• Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 8-10 | County Kerry – County Galway/Mayo

• After breakfast, its onwards to County Galway / Mayo for 3 nights.
• We suggest:
• Travel from Killarney to Galway, stopping at the pretty village of Adare before continuing to Bunratty Castle and the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. Travel through the lunar-like landscape of the Burren region of Clare before continuing on to Galway.
• Explore Galway City, including Galway Cathedral and the Spanish Arch near Galway Bay. Enjoy the wonderfully compact shopping area as well as some of the best traditional music pubs that Galway in famed for.
• Visit the hauntingly beautiful Connemara region with its rugged landscape or take a ferry to the Aran Islands. Highlights include Kylemore Abbey, the Sky Road, and Dún Aengus fort.
• (Approximately 230 km)
• Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 11-13 | County Galway/Mayo – County Dublin

• After breakfast, it’s onwards to County Dublin for 3 nights.
• We suggest:
• Visit the monastic ruins at Clonmacnoise, Trim Castle where the movie Braveheart was shot and visit the Hill of Tara, throne of the ancient kings of Ireland, before heading to Dublin City.
• Explore Dublin, including Christchurch Cathedral, The Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Castle and The James Joyce Centre as well as shopping on Grafton Street. Enjoy Temple Bar’s lively atmosphere in the evening with its excellent pubs and restaurants.
• Continue your sightseeing in Dublin today. Visit EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum and the GPO (General Post Office) which tells the story of the 1916 rising and the aftermath of this historic rebellion or spend time at Kilmainham Gaol, Trinity College or one of the many whiskey distilleries to be found in the Capital.
• (Approximately 240 km)
• Meal(s): Breakfast

Day 14 | Return Home

• After breakfast, return you car rental at Dublin airport before boarding your flight back home.
• As most flights depart early, we recommend that you consider returning your car the afternoon prior to avoid any delays.
• Meal(s): Breakfast

Accommodations

• The hotels listed below are presented as examples for your reference only. Hotel accommodation details will be communicated to you or your travel agent prior to departure.

Comfort Accommodation

•  Kilkenny: Hotel Kilkenny (or similar)
•  Killarney: Torc Hotel (or similar)
•  Galway: Connacht Hotel (or similar)
•  Dublin: Academy Hotel (or similar)

Departure Dates

• Daily departures from
• April 1, 2026 – November 30, 2026
• Not included

Meals and beverages, unless noted

• Fuel, parking fees, traffic violation tickets, car upgrades, intercity toll fees, additional insurance coverage, child car seats, luggage racks, additional rental nights, late drop off fees, cross border fees.
• Comfort Pack does not include: damage to tires, damage to wheels, lost car keys
• Gratuities
• Local city taxes (payable in Euro at destination)
• Porterage

Transportation

• Hertz car rental in category selected:
• CCMN-Manual/Compact/Ford Focus /max 3 
• CCAN-Automatic/Compact/Ford Focus /max 3 
• ECAN-Automatic/Economy/VW Up /max 2 

Important Note

• The order of the itinerary could be altered. The number of consecutive nights per county could vary. Distances in kilometers are estimated and presented as a guideline. The itinerary is for reference only.

Check In, Check Out

• Check-in: 3:00 p.m.
• Check-out: 12:00 p.m.