Ireland’s Northwest: Land, Sea & Living Traditions
a different side of the Wild Atlantic Way
October 1 – 9, 2027
Travel Ireland’s northwest from Galway to Donegal, where Atlantic islands, rugged coastlines, lively towns, and long-held traditions shape the journey.
Explore Inis Mór, Connemara, Achill Island, and the towering cliffs of Slieve League, with experiences that bring you closer to the places you visit—from boat trips and sheep herding to local crafts, guided tours, and a memorable castle stay. Along the way, enjoy great food, welcoming pubs, and time to settle into the character of each destination.
Tour begins and ends in Dublin.
Highlights of Ireland’s Northwest Tour
Traveling in Ireland Tours feature intimate group sizes, ensuring a cozy and personal experience. This tour has a maximum of 14 travelers.
Accommodations: Enjoy 8 nights in carefully selected 4- and 5-star accommodations, chosen for comfort, character, and location — including a memorable castle stay.
Local Flavors: Enjoy daily breakfast, memorable group dinners, an expertly guided food tour, and tasting experiences that bring the flavors of Ireland’s northwest to the table.
Group Dining: This tour includes three group dinners, a picnic lunch, a late-afternoon meal, and a guided food tour along the way. Other meals are yours to explore and find your own favorite flavors.
Immersive Highlights: Your journey will be filled with memorable experiences:
- Ireland’s Oldest Pub: Sip an Irish coffee at Sean’s Bar while hearing the stories and history behind a pub with roots stretching back centuries.
- Explore Inis Mór: Leave the usual island route behind on an off-road tour that takes us across Inis Mór to experience its rugged landscape, ancient sites, and island life.
- Experience a Shepherd’s Life: Watch skilled sheepdogs at work in Connemara and get a closer look at the farming traditions that continue to shape life in the west of Ireland.
- A Donegal Tradition: Go behind the scenes at Hanna Hats to see how its iconic tweed caps are made, with a hat – or another Hanna piece – to take home.
- Ireland’s Celtic Past: Step back thousands of years in the Boyne Valley, where ancient monuments and stories offer a glimpse into Ireland long before castles and pubs.
Comfort & Convenience: Travel comfortably in a luxury touring vehicle with a private driver guide who brings Ireland’s history, culture, and stories to life along the way.
Personal Touch: Your host, Jody Halsted, is here to help before and throughout the tour. You’ll receive pre-trip recommendations and personal guidance for making the most of your free time, plus planning help if you’d like to extend your Ireland vacation before or after the tour.
Tour Planner & Journal: Receive a custom planner created especially for this journey, filled with practical pre-trip information, your tour itinerary, and helpful tips for packing, money, connectivity, and more. During the tour, use the journal pages to capture favorite moments and memories along the way.
Gratuities Included: No need to budget separately for gratuities for your driver guide or included group meals — they’re already covered in your tour price.
Flexible Payment Options: Pay in full when you book, secure your place with a deposit and pay the balance 60 days before the tour, or spread the cost over monthly payments.
$4615 per person, double occupancy
- Price is per person sharing a room
- Single supplement ($950) applied to solo travelers.
- Tour price does not include airfare
Secure your place with a $750 per person deposit
Daily Highlights
Add a day or two in Dublin
While our trip begins and ends in Dublin, Ireland’s capital city is not included in the tour. If you would like to explore the city for a day or two, Jody will help you plan your perfect itinerary.
Have a look at the County Dublin Travel Guide for inspiration.
Day 1: Dublin to Connemara
Our journey begins in Dublin as we travel west across Ireland toward Clifden and Connemara.
Our first stop is Sean’s Bar in Athlone, where we’ll enjoy an Irish coffee and discover the history behind Ireland’s oldest pub. From there, we’ll continue to Clonmacnoise, one of Ireland’s most important early Christian sites, set along the River Shannon.
After arriving in Clifden and settling in, we’ll gather for our first group dinner at a local pub known for putting an upscale spin on Irish pub grub.
Overnight: Clifden Station House Hotel
Day 2: Island Adventure on Inis Mór
We’ll set sail from Rossaveel Harbour for Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. Once ashore, we’ll head beyond the usual island routes on an off-road tour, exploring the rugged landscape, ancient sites, and traditions of island life.
You’ll have some free time to pick up a light lunch on your own, or bring a snack and use the time to wander and explore.
On our return to Clifden, the evening is yours to enjoy. Dining and activity recommendations will be provided, whether you’re ready for a lively pub, a good meal, or a relaxed evening on your own.
Overnight: 2nd night in Clifden
Day 3: Connemara to County Mayo
Today we’ll experience some of the highlights of Connemara, including a visit to Kylemore Abbey and a sheep herding experience where we’ll watch skilled working dogs in action.
From there, we’ll cross into County Mayo, following a scenic route with stunning coastal views before arriving in Westport. After settling in, we’ll gather for a group dinner and enjoy our first evening in this lively town.
Overnight: Castlecourt Hotel
Day 4: Achill Island
Today we’ll explore Achill Island, where centuries of history meet some of Ireland’s most dramatic coastal scenery. From the tower associated with Ireland’s legendary Pirate Queen and the remains of a Famine-era village to sweeping views and white-sand beaches, Achill offers plenty to discover.
We’ll have a packed picnic lunch along the way – hopefully with a beach view and a bit of sunshine!
We’ll return to Westport, where the evening is yours to enjoy, with options ranging from Michelin-recognized dining to lively pubs and traditional music.
Overnight: 2nd night in Westport
Day 5: Along the Coast through Sligo to Donegal
Today we’ll continue north toward Donegal, with two very different stops in County Sligo. First, we’ll step thousands of years into the past at Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, one of Ireland’s most significant prehistoric landscapes.
Then we’ll turn our attention to something considerably tastier with a guided Sligo food tour, sampling local flavors and meeting some of the people behind them.
After our time in Sligo, we’ll continue north into County Donegal and settle in Donegal Town. The evening is yours to enjoy, with plenty of pubs, music, and craic to be found.
Overnight: Mill Park Hotel
Day 6: Donegal Traditions & Slieve League
We’ll begin the day at Hanna Hats, where we’ll tour the workshop to see how these iconic Donegal caps are made, with time for a bit of shopping afterward. Then we’ll visit Donegal Castle before leaving town.
After a late lunch near the coast, we’ll visit the magnificent Slieve League Cliffs, where some of Ireland’s highest sea cliffs rise dramatically above the Atlantic.
This evening we return to Donegal Town, where the evening is yours to enjoy.
Overnight: 2nd night in Donegal
Day 7: County Fermanagh and Cabra Castle
Leaving Donegal, we’ll cross into County Fermanagh, a corner of Northern Ireland that many visitors never explore. We’ll visit Belleek, famous for its distinctive pottery, before venturing deeper into Fermanagh to discover some of its more ancient stories. On Boa Island, enigmatic stone figures have watched over an old burial ground for centuries, while at Drumskinny, a prehistoric stone circle offers another glimpse into Ireland’s distant past.
This afternoon, we’ll arrive at Cabra Castle, where the rest of the day is yours to enjoy the grounds, relax, or explore the castle a bit before gathering for a farewell group dinner in true storybook surroundings.
Overnight: Cabra Castle
Day 8: Boyne Valley and back to Dublin
Enjoy a relaxed morning at the castle before our late-morning departure for Dublin. We’ll travel through the Boyne Valley, with possibilities including Fore Abbey, the Hill of Tara, Trim Castle, or Fourknocks.
We’re leaving a little flexibility in this day to see where the road—and our interests—take us before arriving at our airport hotel for our final night in Ireland.
Overnight: Maldron Hotel, Dublin Airport
Slán go fóill
Whether your journey leads you to Dublin Airport for your flight home or onward to explore more of Ireland, it’s “goodbye for now.”
It’s been a week of exploring, shared meals, new experiences, plenty of laughter, and good conversation. Wherever your travels take you next, I hope you’ll carry a little of Ireland with you.
Slán abhaile (safe home)
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon do I need to decide?
Sooner is better than later as space is limited to 14 people.
Do you have payment options?
I do! You can make monthly payments or pay in a lump sum after booking or 60 days prior to the tour date.
What is a single supplement?
Room rates are based on 2 people sharing a room. If you are traveling solo and not sharing a room, then you pay the full room rate.