Experience the very best of southern Ireland over the Christmas holiday. Departs 23rd December (4 days / 3 nights)
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Overview
Back by popular demand for Christmas 2025 (2024 is now waitlist only), we are delighted to offer this special 4 day tour of southern Ireland.
The tour starts in Dublin on 23rd December and ends on the evening of 26th December.
Everything will be closed in Dublin on 25th and 26th December, so this tour is an excellent way to experience Ireland over the holiday, bridging the gap with Ireland's very best sights!
Enjoy overnights in Killarney and on the Dingle Peninsula - the very best of County Kerry both town and country.
Highlights along the way include Rock of Cashel (Tipperary), Blarney Castle (Cork), Killarney, Highlights of the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Traditional Christmas Swim on Inch Beach (optional), Cliffs of Moher, Burren and Wild Atlantic Way.
You'll also enjoy a 5 course traditional Irish Christmas dinner on the 25th with the opportunity to discover delicious local eateries according to your own preference through the tour.
Full itinerary below.
Please note that tickets for this special departure are limited as our lodge / guesthouse accommodation in Killarney / Dingle Peninsula can only accommodate a medium sized group over the Christmas period. Once tickets are gone, they are gone! We hope to welcome you in Ireland this Christmas!
With a free cancellation option up to 72 hours before departure you can book with confidence. Lock in your seats (any date for autumn / winter 2024-2025) at the early bird rate today.
Pick-up Points
08:00am - Paddywagon Office, 34 O'Connell Street Lower (The Spire)
08:15am - Molly Malone Statue, Suffolk Street
Itinerary
23DEC24 - Dublin - Rock of Cashel - Blarney Castle - Killarney
Join this wonderful Christmas tour at one of the convenient downtown collection points. Stow your precious Christmas gifts and recline back into your comfortable seat - your holiday has begun!
As your driver navigates out of the city you'll pass Trinity College (1592), Christchurch Cathedral (1030), St. Patrick's Cathedral (1191) and Guinness Storehouse (1759) all basking in the soft glow of traditional Christmas lights.
The tour takes you through the beautiful flat countryside of the Curragh of Kildare (racehorse country) deep into the midlands of Ireland. By mid- morning you'll arrive at Rock of Cashel (ticket included) - a medieval royal palace and cathedral dramatically perched on rocks high above the plains of Tipperary. This most atmospheric location was part of the itinerary of the State Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the UK in 2011 - enjoy ample time here to explore and take some incredible photos amongst the ruins!
This afternoon we'll continue to Blarney Castle where you'll enjoy plenty of time (2 hours) where you can kiss the Blarney Stone if you wish (to receive the gift of eloquent speech also known as the gift of the gab). The beautiful gardens offer a chance to relax with a hot chocolate in the fresh air whilst those seeking last minute gifts can explore the excellent Blarney Woolen Mills, the world's largest Irish shop.
The tour will reach Killarney by late afternoon, capital of the Kingdom of Kerry and gateway to the nearby national park. The town will be bustling with last minute shoppers and locals returning home from the four corners of the world - join the celebrations and enjoy a festive meal, drinks and entertainment in the excellent local pubs. Overnight Killarney
Seasonal tips
St. Mary's Cathedral is a short stroll from our overnight accommodation - pop in to soak up the Christmas atmosphere and traditional crib.
Delicious restaurants include The Tan Yard, Kitty O'Se's Seafood and Grill, Murphy Browne's and The Mad Monk (reservations recommended).
Top local pubs include O'Donoghue's, JM Reidy's, O'Connor's and Murphy's Bar.
24DEC24 - Highlights of Ring of Kerry - Killarney town - Annascaul (Dingle Peninsula)
It's Christmas Eve and a wonderful itinerary awaits you today.
We'll gather after breakfast and explore some highlights of the Ring of Kerry together. Look forward to the beautiful Killarney National Park, Muckross House & Gardens, Lakes of Killarney, Ladies View (a favourite of Queen Victoria), Ross Castle, Torc Waterfall and Moll's Gap.
Some time at leisure in Killarney in the afternoon will allow for last minute shopping and perhaps a last pint, whiskey or Irish coffee in your favourite local bar.
By late afternoon we'll head out onto the magical Dingle Peninsula where we'll settle for the holiday. Here, among some of the most hauntingly beautiful countryside in Ireland you'll find the last parishes before America.
Your overnight location is in the tiny village of Anascaul with its school, church, Gaelic sports club and handful of pubs - mingle with the Gaelic speaking locals, soak up the atmosphere and see who knows more words of the Pogues classic "Fairytale of New York"!
Pull the curtains back, enjoy the wonderful Irish views and make your way at leisure to the breakfast room for a delicious breakfast.
Once everyone is ready we'll head out to explore the Dingle Peninsula. National Geographic count this road trip as one of the best in the world, the stunning landscapes made world famous by the Hollywood movies Ryan's Daughter and Far and Away.
We visit Ireland's longest beach at Inch (where you can partake in the traditional Christmas morning swim if you are brave enough to face the Atlantic in December) and drive around Slea Head with amazing views of Sleeping Giant Island, the Blasket Islands, and Beehive Huts dating back to 2000 B.C.
We'll also visit Dingle, a charming Gaelic speaking fishing town famous for having most pubs in Ireland for its size, 52 pubs and 2000 people.
This stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way is completely Gaelic speaking, you may even get to hear some of the locals converse in this ancient language!
NB: Please keep an eye out for Dingle's most famous resident, Fungi the Dolphin, who played with visitors almost daily between 1983 and 2020 - some scientists have suggested he may have changed location and locals are still keeping a hopeful eye out!
We'll return to Anascaul and enjoy some downtime before gathering for a traditional Christmas dinner. Look forward to a 5 course menu including all the classics. Delicious wine pairings will be available for purchase separately according to individual preference. Cheers, Slainte, Happy Christmas!
St. Stephen's Day, the second day of Christmas, is traditionally a relaxed day at leisure filled with some fresh air, delicious lunch and maybe a few drinks!
In this spirit, we'll wave goodbye to Anascaul after breakfast and tour through the green pastures of counties Kerry and Limerick en- route to Cliffs of Moher - perhaps Ireland's most iconic natural attraction. Enjoy ample time here to take in the incredible views and coastal paths along Europe's western edge.
Afterwards we'll find somewhere good for a local lunch and maybe a pint or two. Popular local options typically include beef or lamb stew, seafood chowder, fish and chips - or maybe just soup and a sandwich after the excesses of the holiday!
As we turn towards Dublin, we'll tour through the spectacular Burren region - famous for its limestone landscapes and iconic stone walls.
The tour will end in downtown Dublin by early evening in time for onward travel or the buzzing atmosphere of Dublin post- Christmas.
Thank you for joining us at this most wonderful time of year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Local Tips
Perhaps make a reservation for dinner at The Bank on College Green - excellent Christmas atmosphere, menus and a friendly local clientele.
Peter's Pub, The Old Stand and Stag's Head pubs will be full of locals catching up with old friends and sharing rounds of Guinness.
Perhaps check out Brown Thomas and Arnott's Department Stores for the holiday sales.
Additional Info
Language
This tour is exclusively in English.
Ticket
You will receive your ticket (featuring your booking number) via email immediately at time of booking. There is no need to print the ticket. If you wish, you can simply show it on your phone or tablet.
Accommodation
Select between Backpacker or Economy options. Backpacker includes a bed in a small to medium mixed youth hostel dorm. Economy includes a double, twin, triple or single room in a bed & breakfast accommodation. For more information regarding the accommodation options for this tour, please visit this page.
Free Cancellation
With a free cancellation option up to 72 hours before departure you can book with confidence. Lock in your seats (any date for autumn / winter 2024-2025) at the early bird rate today.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 72 hours before the tour's start time.
If you cancel less than 72 hours before the tour's start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 72 hours before the tour's start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the local time in Ireland.
This tour is exclusively in English.