From Dublin we head to Newgrange, a monumental passage tomb, where if its walls could talk, they’d tell you stories older than the Egyptian pyramids. After this grand opening, cue drum roll, as it’s full tilt ahead for the Titanic experience at Titanic Belfast. It was voted the worlds leading Tourist Attraction 2016 for a reason. You may descend the famous staircase, peruse a first-class menu and explore the shipyards in this splendid interactive experience, set in the birth-place of this ill-fated vessel. There’s an optional but must-see ‘Black Cab’ Tour; an intimate way to see this beautiful city, once bomb-ravaged during the ‘Troubles’. Hear first-hand accounts of the conflict as you navigate former political hotspots and murals. If you’d rather do your own thing, go rogue and check out the busy shops, The Ulster Museum or the Parliament Buildings at Stormont. Estimated driving time: 2 hours, 30 minutes Excluding stops Read more

Benedicts of Belfast

The Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is not for the faint hearted. Swaying 30 meters above the churning Atlantic, we’ll walk the creaking wooden slats to tiny Carrick Island. Then it’s off to the Giant’s Causeway, a natural world heritage site, formed by a volcanic eruption, 60 million years ago. Learn about the legend that was the burly giant, Fionn MacCool. It’s on to Derry, the last walled city to be built in Europe and home to some very famous walls such as the Bogside Murals and Free Derry Corner. Explore the city by night as the lights shimmer on the River Foyle, before heading for a cocktail in Granny Annie’s or some toe-tapping jazz, in Bennigans. Estimated driving time: 3 hours Excluding stops Read more

Shipquay Hotel, Derry

After the Full Irish, (cooked breakfast) we’ll take on a walking tour of the city, its bog-side murals and its 6th century, monastic past. The Hills of Donegal are calling and after a jaw opening drive over the Glengesh Pass, we’ll visit the Assaranca Waterfall. Last stop for the day is Ardara in the Gaeltacht, (Irish speaking area) a cosy village which is home to the famous ‘Cup of Tea Festival’; a homage to the traditional Irish reel which alludes to the cheeky drop of Poitín added to your tea. Before we ‘lay our hat’, we might try the local Portnoo crab, before hitting Nancy’s on Front Street, to learn a "cúpla focal" (few words of Irish) and down a champagne and oyster shot, (yes, it’s a thing). Estimated driving time: 3 hours, 30 minutes Excluding stops Read more

Nesbitt Arms, Ardara

We will ‘arise and go now’ through Yeats’ country before heading for Westport, nestled between the Carrowbeg river and in the shadow of Croagh Patrick. Connemara National Park is calling and The Lost Valley, a deserted famine village where the road literally runs out. As we plough through rugged Connemara, we’ll make for Kylemore Abbey, a working Benedictine abbey built on the grounds of an 18th century castle. It has had more than a few past lives and boasts an imposing position at the foot of Druchruach Mountain, overlooking Kylemore Lake. It’s onto Cilfden, ‘the Capital of Connemara’ for the night and it’s time to relax, as you’re officially on West of Ireland time. Why not shuck some Dooncastle oysters or devour a whole Cleggan crab while the stout is settling? Cock an ear and listen out for ‘the session’, (traditional music) coming out of the many pubs and settle yourself in. After the ceol agus craic (music and merriment) you could always wake up in an 18th century Castle, feeling like Royalty because you’ve the added option of staying in Ballynahinch castle. Estimated driving time: 4 hours Excluding stops Read more

All The Twos, Clifden

Fed and watered, it’s off to nearby Rossaveal Pier to catch the ferry to Inis Mor (literally ‘big island’), the largest of the Aran Islands. Here you can explore the 6km by 2km island by bike or by special request, a jaunting cart with your very own driver and pony. It’s off to Dún Aonghasa, a prehistoric hill fort which dominates the edge of a vertical cliff, 300 ft above the choppy waters of the Atlantic. Refresh "le cupán tae"(a cup of tea) and island porter cake and shop for an original Aran Sweater, perfect for shearwater and other seabird watching. Then we’re off to Galway, the City of the Tribes and the home of the Claddagh Ring to chase down the ceol agus craic, (music and fun), street performers, artists, buskers and the last of the Bohemians. Estimated driving time: 2 hours Excluding stops Read more

Victoria Hotel, Galway

Now that you’ve a ‘feel’ for Galway, our guide will take you down its narrow medieval streets where you can duck in and out of brightly coloured shops. Try on Claddagh rings and Galway shawls, pass through The Spanish Arch and hear tales of Gaelic bards and visit Galway's ancient fishing village. Then it’s Southwest to The Burren, 125 square miles of limestone rock and The Burren Centre where you’ll see dolmens and megalithic tombs, some older than the Egyptian pyramids. The Cliffs of Moher is next; 14 km of dramatic coastline standing 300 metres above the churning Atlantic. Standing at the ledge, you’ll feel like you’re at the very edge of the world. We’ll also swing by the 12th century Corcomroe Abbey and Dungaire Castle, a 16th century tower house which sits on a rocky outcrop on Galway Bay before heading for Kinvara, a colourful fishing village full of cafes and curiosities. As evening draws in, we’ll spend it in Doolin, the home of Irish music and between the music and the foot-tapping, the blackstuff and the company, ‘the craic will be ninety’! Estimated driving time: 2 hours Excluding stops. Read more

O'Connors Guesthouse, Doolin

We’ll take in a portal tomb at Poulnabrone, locally referred to as ‘Hole of the Sorrows’, the oldest megalithic burial site in Ireland, dating back to 3000BC. From the long-time dead, we’ll meet up with the lively farmers of Caherconnell who’ll treat you to a sheep dog trial. With a whistle here and a whistle there, watch as they direct the collies to run rings around the sheep. The rest of the day belongs to Dingle, home to a very famous dolphin and where Inch is a strand with miles of beaches. Tóg go bóg é (take it easy) and wander round its craft shops selling Irish flutes and seaweed cheeses. As evening draws in, take a trip to hardware store, Foxy John’s. But don’t be alarmed, the only DIY you’ll be doing is ordering a drink from its fully stocked bar. And did we tell you about the Leather Shop, Dick Mac’s? It comes with a pub, a gang of lively locals and a charismatic bartenders. Estimated driving time: 3 hours, 15 minutes Excluding stops Read more

Dingle Marina Lodge, Dingle

Fungie, the dolphin arrived in Dingle in 1984 and has been the town’s most photographed celebrity ever since. We’ll go in search of the A list star in kayaks and explore the nearby caves too. If you haven’t got sea legs, stay on terra firma with a hike up Mount Brandon, where panoramic views of the bay and Castlegregory, will be your reward. Heading for the Slea Head Drive, we’ll go on a journey through Irish-speaking villages, famous Hollywood film locations on our search for the water of life (Uisece Beatha) at The Dingle Whiskey Distillery. Here, you’ll get a flavour of how our ‘nectar’ is made and even savour a drop of their single pot still whiskey, matured in aged bourbon casks. Then it’s back for another night in Dingle and a spot of DIY in the local hardware store, Foxy Johns (wink, wink). Estimated driving time: 2.5 hours Excluding stops Read more

Dingle Marina Lodge, Dingle

It’s bye-bye Dingle and hello to some of the sights of the Ring of Kerry; Have your phones fully charged to take photos of Moll’s Gap, Torc waterfall and Ross castle in Killarney National Park. Built in the 15th century, this stronghold is said to have a resident ghost, that of O’Donoghue Ross, the chieftain who came to an untimely end, when he allegedly fell out of one of its windows! Sightseeing and ghost-hunting over, it’s time for a spot of lunch in Kenmare, a village full of treacle scones, Guinness breads, quirky shops and curiosities. It’s off for our last night, (boohoo) and to historic Kinsale, a gourmet’s utopia. Head to The Spaniard, an olde world inn perched high above Kinsale, serving up Spanish Ruby Ports and West Cork black pudding or if it’s all fish you want, how about Fishy, Fishy? Meander the picturesque streets and find silversmiths, galleries and antique shops before settling in for the evening at The Armada bar or The Silent Banjo, which unlike the name suggests, is jumping with music and ‘jammers’ (packed) with locals Total driving time: 3 hours 30 minutes Excluding stops Read more

Blindgate House, Kinsale

The full Irish (cooked breakfast) will set you up for a guided historical amble through the narrow streets of Kinsale. Then it’s off for a bit of kissing and to the famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that whoever kisses it, gets the gift of the gab, and your fellow bus buddies will be sure to tell you if it works! Our final photo stop before returning to Dublin and her sweet Molly Malone is The Rock of Cashel. As our guides take you back to The Capital, they’ll give you tips and recommendations if you plan to stay on in Dublin. Goodbyes will have to be said but it’s slán go fóill, (see you soon), from all of us at Overland Tours. Total driving time: 3 hours 15 minutes Excluding stops Read more