Itinerary
At a Glance
Day 1: Shannon to Adare and the Skellig Coast, overnight Portmagee at The Moorings
Day 2: Skellig Michael attempt, Valentia Island and the Ring of Kerry, overnight Portmagee at The Moorings
Day 3: Skellig backup day, Valentia Island and the Ring of Kerry to Killarney, overnight Killarney at Killarney Court Hotel
Day 4: Killarney area to Dingle, overnight Dingle at Barr na Sráide Inn
Day 5: Dingle Peninsula, including Slea Head and Conor Pass, time in Dingle town, overnight Dingle at Barr na Sráide Inn
Day 6: Tarbert to Killimer ferry, Cliffs of Moher and Hag’s Head, Burren National Park, overnight Ballyvaughan at Hylands Burren Hotel
Day 7: Doolin to the Aran Islands, Inisheer (Inis Oírr) stop, continue to Inishmore (Inis Mór), overnight Inishmore at Pier House Guest Bed & Breakfast
Day 8: Inishmore (Inis Mór), island day, overnight Inishmore at Pier House Guest Bed & Breakfast
Day 9: Ferry to the mainland, Burren coastline stops, return near Shannon Airport
Day-By-Day Details
Day 1: Shannon to the Skellig Coast
We meet near Shannon Airport and travel southwest via Limerick to Adare, founded in the 13th century and known for thatched cottages and castle and church ruins.
From there, we continue to the Iveragh Peninsula section of the Ring of Kerry. We will make selected stops along the route, where there are stone circles, Ogham standing stones, Iron Age forts, castles, beaches, offshore islands, and small colourful villages.
Portmagee will be our base for exploring the Skellig region over the next two days.
Overnight (2 nights): The Moorings, Portmagee, an award-winning harbourfront boutique hotel.
Day 2: Skellig Michael and the Skellig Coast
Subject to sea conditions, we attempt a landing on Skellig Michael, a sheer Atlantic rock pinnacle and UNESCO World Heritage Site, where a 6th-century monastery clings to the cliff in dry-stone cells and terraces. Reaching the monastery is optional and involves more than 600 steep stone steps. Those who prefer not to ascend, or are unable to, can remain at lower levels on the island.
Back on the mainland, we continue through the Skellig region, with time on Valentia Island and nearby locations along the Ring of Kerry.
Overnight: The Moorings, Portmagee (second night).
Day 4: Killarney to Dingle
We explore the Killarney area, including Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey ruins, Torc Waterfall, the Gap of Dunloe, and Ladies View. Ladies View was named after Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting during her 1861 visit and is traditionally associated with the line, “This is the finest view in all the realm.”
Later, we continue west to Dingle town on the Dingle Peninsula. Dingle is a lively historic port known for traditional music, pubs, culinary excellence, and an artistic atmosphere. It sits within a Gaeltacht region, where Irish is spoken day to day in the community.
Overnight (2 nights): Barr na Sráide Inn, Dingle, a family-run guesthouse and pub on Main Street in the heart of town.
Day 5: Dingle Peninsula
We spend the day on the Dingle Peninsula photographing Slea Head and Conor Pass, with time for stops at beehive structures, Dunquin Pier, several castle ruins, and wide coastal and mountain viewpoints.
Back in Dingle town, there is time to explore the harbour and streets, visit galleries and shops, and take in pubs and traditional music in the evening.
Overnight: Barr na Sráide Inn, Dingle (second night).
Day 3: Skellig Coast to Killarney
If sea conditions prevented the visit on Day 2, we will attempt access to Skellig Michael today. We spend time on Valentia Island, then continue through the Ring of Kerry as we make our way toward Killarney.
Valentia Island offers rugged Atlantic coastline, harbour viewpoints, and quiet back roads. The Skellig region and the Ring of Kerry include further coastal viewpoints and historic sites such as standing stones, forts, castles, and abbey ruins.
We arrive in Killarney in time for dinner. Killarney has a compact, lively centre with restaurants and pubs, traditional music sessions, and jaunting cars (horse-drawn carriages).
Overnight: Killarney Court Hotel, Killarney.
Day 6: Dingle to The Burren
We depart Dingle and travel north, crossing the Shannon estuary by ferry between Tarbert and Killimer, then continuing into County Clare.
At the Cliffs of Moher, we walk out toward Hag’s Head and the signal tower for a less-visited perspective of the cliffs and sea arches.
From there, we continue into Burren National Park and its stark limestone landscape. Additional sites may include the Poulnabrone portal tomb, Kilfenora Cathedral with its high crosses, ancient stone forts, and Leamaneh Castle.
Overnight (1 night): Hylands Burren Hotel, Ballyvaughan.
Day 7: Doolin to the Aran Islands
We travel to Doolin and take the ferry to the Aran Islands, where the landscape includes dramatic sea cliffs, limestone terrain, and an extensive network of hand-built stone walls.
We disembark first on Inisheer (Inis Oírr), the smallest of the three islands, for a brief visit. Key stops include the Plassey shipwreck and O’Brien’s Castle ruins.
We then continue on to Inishmore (Inis Mór), the largest island and our base for the next two days.
The Aran Islands are culturally distinctive because their geographic isolation has helped preserve Irish language, traditional island life, and local crafts that have changed elsewhere.
Overnight (2 nights): Pier House Guest Bed & Breakfast, Inishmore.
Day 8: Inishmore
We spend the day on Inishmore photographing rugged limestone landscapes, prehistoric stone forts, and early Christian ruins.
Highlights include Dún Aengus, a massive prehistoric stone fort at the cliff edge about 100 metres above the Atlantic, the Wormhole (Poll na bPéist), a naturally formed rectangular tidal pool carved into the limestone, and the Puffing Holes, where seawater is forced up through channels in the rock during heavy surf.
We also visit Teampall Bheanáin (St Benan’s Church). Set high above Killeany Bay, it is reputed to be the smallest church in Ireland and is sometimes described as one of the smallest churches in the world.
Overnight: Pier House Guest Bed & Breakfast, Inishmore (second night).
Day 9: Aran Islands to Shannon
We take the ferry back to the mainland, then continue through the Burren on our way to Shannon. The route offers additional limestone terrain and coastal viewpoints, with time for selected stops before the tour concludes near Shannon Airport.
