Northern & Southern Ireland

8 Days | Rugged coastline and charming pubs – Irish style

4.7 out of 5 based on 28 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
USD $3,695
View dates and book

The northern nooks and the regal Republic – see it all on an eight-day adventure on both sides of the Irish border. Travel past green pastures, stunning lakes, striking cliff faces and, in the evening, head straight to the pub for a Guinness (or two). Visit medieval castles and ancient sites filled with folklore and whimsy, and marvel at the views of Ireland's rugged coastline, including the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher and the Giant's Causeway. Hitting the cities of Belfast and Dublin, don't forget to gather your travel crew together for some pub grub and live music to cap off a tour that hits all the hotspots of Ireland. ‘To be sure?’, you say? Why yes, we’re sure.

Trip overview

Map of Northern & Southern Ireland including Ireland and United Kingdom
Start
Belfast, United Kingdom
Finish
Dublin, Ireland
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
United Kingdom, Ireland
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
BMSA
This trip generates 33.86 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Walk through Ireland’s unspoilt natural wonders of the Rings of Kerry and see shepherds in action, with a sheep farm visit and herding demonstration for your small group.
  • Scramble about the clustered pillars of Giant's Causeway and decide for yourself if it’s a natural phenomenon, or the work of giants, as legends may say.
  • Explore the rugged coastline of the Aran Islands, with time to explore ruins and remains from the Bronze and Iron Age with your local leader.
  • Stroll through Belfast's city centre and learn about recent historical events brought to life in their monuments and buildings – one most notably being the story of the Titanic.
  • Revel in Dublin's energetic nightlife – it’ll feel like there’s a pub on nearly every corner, and its creative neighbourhoods are teeming with hip bars and eateries.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Ireland can be cold at night throughout the year, especially at the start and end of the season. Please bring appropriate clothing for adverse weather conditions, including base layers, hat, gloves, scarf, waterproof clothes/umbrella and anything else that you think may be applicable.
  • As accommodation on this trip is twin share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. However, if you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge (some exceptions may apply). Please ask your travel consultant for more details. Also, hotels in Europe can seem small by Australian or American standards, and often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart.
  • This trip is quite fast paced to make the most of your time in Ireland. We will take you on regular orientation walks, so you'll be on your feet quite a lot. While this may be tiring for some, it’s the best way to get your head around a place and to set yourself up for further discoveries. Please remember that on this trip you don't have a lot of time in Belfast and Dublin at the start and the end of the trip respectively, so if you're keen to explore these spectacular cities in depth we recommend you arrive a day or two before the start of the trip and/or extend your stay at the end.

Itinerary

Map of Northern & Southern Ireland including Ireland and United Kingdom

Inclusions

Meals

7 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Ferry

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Hostel (2 nights)

Activities
  • Giant's Causeway - Day Trip
  • Aran Islands - Guided Day Trip by Ferry
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Killarney - Ring of Kerry Day Trip
  • Killarney - Sheep Dog Trials (seasonal)
  • Cork - leader led city tour
Add on activities
  • Belfast - SS Nomadic Museum - GBP7
  • Belfast - Botanical Gardens - Free
  • Belfast - Ulster Museum - Free
  • Belfast - Titanic Museum - GBP25
  • Belfast - Black Cab Tour - GBP50
  • Belfast - History of Terror Guided Tour - GBP20
  • Galway - Cathedral - Free
  • Killarney - Ross Castle - EUR5
  • Dublin - St Patrick Cathedral - EUR9
  • Dublin - Guinness Storehouse - EUR25

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability.  Please note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.  
2. You don't have a lot of time in Belfast and Dublin at the start and the end of the trip respectively, so if you're keen to explore these spectacular cities in depth we recommend you arrive a day or two before the start of the trip and/or extend your stay at the end.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 28 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Candice · Traveled December 2023
Great trip with awesome features and guides/leaders. We were busy seeing all we could in a short amount of time but also had some down time. I recommend this trip!!
Review submitted 20 Dec 2023

Amy · Traveled September 2023
The tour through Ireland was a great introduction and crash course into the history of the country as well as a fast paced way to see the key attractions. Our guide was stupendous and the local drivers and guides incredibly friendly. For this trip, be prepared to walk about 5 mi. a day, frequent pubs with local fare, and have unpredictable weather - which is navigable with comfy shoes, a waterproof jacket, and a hearty interest in Irish food or ale. This was my first trip with intrepid and I look forward to more in the future.
Review submitted 03 Oct 2023

Roel · Traveled September 2023
The trip is truly enjoyable! Though short as it was, we managed to see the highlights of Ireland. The Aran Islands is not to be missed! If anyone is thinking of travelling in small groups, go for Intrepid!
Review submitted 23 Sep 2023

Kerrie · Traveled September 2023
Our fast-paced tour of Northern and Southern Ireland offered experience of a variety of places from small towns to cities and the journey in between. Live music, amazing people and scenery were among my trip highlights. Our leader Shane's knowledge, care and flexibility in a small group made this experience a memorable one!
Review submitted 21 Sep 2023

Keith · Traveled September 2023
Our tour of Ireland was really great! Our tour leader Steph was fantastic, very knowledgeable, organized and fun! This Intrepid trip was honestly better than I was expecting. Definite recommend
Review submitted 17 Sep 2023
Northern & Southern Ireland
From
USD $3,695