In partnership with Keogh Tours–Are you the kind of traveler who likes to experience a new destination with a small, friendly group of people? Are you looking for a tour where you can delve into a new landscape and culture, discovering not just a country’s most popular attractions but its hidden gems as well?
If so, then Keogh Tours Ireland has launched a brand-new Small Group Tour of the South – 7 Days, 6 Nights that you’ll love — and it’s one that features the best Ireland has to offer for both first-time and returning visitors.
Co-owners Anton Keogh and Thelma Barrett have discovered that taking small groups of people around Ireland and immersing them in unforgettable activities, the kind that reveal the essence of the Emerald Isle, is the most satisfying for them as tour operators.
Plus, it also offers better value and a more wholesome experience for their customers.
Over 7 days and 6 nights, you’ll get a guided touring experience in a small group tour that is capped at 18 people.
Enjoy traveling across the southern half of Ireland in a luxury mini coach, stopping at several popular attractions as well as lesser-known hidden gems.
The cost is €2,135 per person sharing. That includes 7 days of touring; 6 nights of luxury accommodation, with breakfast each morning; entries to all listed attractions; and travel in a luxury mini coach with a dedicated driver/guide.
Check out the other services offered by Keogh Tours Ireland, including its private tours and golf transfers.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect.
Day 1: Dublin to Galway
You’ll begin your exploration in Dublin. From there, you’ll make your way across the country to Galway, Ireland’s cultural capital.
The “City of the Tribes” is a happening spot with a thriving music and arts scene, as well as plenty of great restaurants and other eateries where you can sample the local cuisine.
A guided walking tour will give you a taste for the city’s history as you meander its narrow cobbled streets, explore a centuries-old church where Christopher Columbus once stopped on his journey to the New World, and see up-close some of the city’s other historic landmarks.
Of course, there will be time to see the city on your own, too.
Many visitors spend their free time shopping or enjoying a bite to eat in one of Galway’s casual pubs — perhaps the best place to enjoy a wholesome Irish meal — and later catch a traditional Irish music session.
Day 2: Galway to Connemara
Galway is the perfect base from which to explore the more rural parts of the county, including Connemara, where the emphasis will be on the outdoors. That means less time spent traveling in the mini coach and more quality time spent discovering.
Kylemore Abbey is the highlight in this part of County Galway.
The beautiful castle, which was built in the mid-1800s, sits across from Pollacappul Lake near Letterfrack, with the Connemara Mountains as a backdrop to one of Ireland’s most impressive attractions.
The mountain vistas, together with the lakes and fjords in the area, not to mention the many sheep roaming free on this pristine landscape, are an unexpected surprise for visitors.
Day 3: Galway to Killarney
The tour group makes it way south through the amazing Burren landscape of County Clare, the iconic Cliffs of Moher and across the Shannon estuary to the Kingdom of Kerry.
Along the way, you’ll meet a local farmer and his loyal sheepdog.
It's a great opportunity to experience farm life in Ireland and watch a centuries-old tradition that speaks to the powerful bond between handler and dog, and to get up close to the animals.
Killarney is a bustling town that serves as the gateway to the Ring of Kerry and The Dingle Peninsula.
Activities in the region on Day 3 of the tour include a visit to the Kerry Woollen Mills, where you’ll see authentic Irish wool being turned into Aran sweaters and other apparel.
Day 4: Killarney to Dingle (Day Trip)
Located in the western-most part of Europe, Dingle is an absolute must for any visitor interested in experiencing Ireland.
Its stunning scenery, rich cultural heritage, friendly locals, and buzzing food and whiskey scene all combine to make this one of the most popular places in the country.
The 42-kilometer circular route known as The Slea Head Drive is the highlight of this day trip, with several stops along the way before returning to the town of Dingle where you can explore on your own.
If Galway whetted your appetite for traditional Irish music, the traditional show of music, song and dance in Killarney later that evening will get you tapping your feet in no time.
Day 5: Killarney-Blarney-Kinsale
Other activities planned for guests on the second day of the tour in Killarney include a traditional jaunting car ride through the beautiful Killarney National Park, where you’ll get the chance to see local herds of deer, the famous Lakes of Killarney and Ross Castle.
Blarney Castle and Gardens is on the agenda later in the day, followed by your arrival in the pretty town of Kinsale where you are free to explore the town’s many pubs and excellent restaurants, earning it the reputation as being one of Ireland’s premier foodie destinations.
Day 6: Kinsale to Kilkenny
An understanding of this colorful town can’t be fully appreciated without learning its history in a revealing walking tour.
Kinsale is famous for being the site where 28 ships from the Spanish Armada docked in 1601 and where the Battle of Kinsale took place, an event that had dire consequences for Irish independence.
A visit to the 17th-century Charles Fort follows before continuing to the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary and on to the ancient city of Kilkenny.
During your last overnight stay in Ireland and before you depart for Dublin the next day, there will be plenty of time to explore all that Kilkenny has to offer.
It's a city that you won’t easily forget, with its medieval streets and fascinating history that can be found in popular attractions like Kilkenny Castle, the Medieval Mile Museum, St. Canice’s Cathedral, and more.
Day 7: Kilkenny-Wicklow-Dublin
On your last full day in Ireland, we’ll take you to the monastic city known as Glendalough located in Wicklow National Park.
On a guided tour, you’ll walk in the footsteps of Saint Kevin, who founded the 6th century monastery and you can marvel at all of the ancient buildings that make up this popular attraction.
They include the 30-meter round tower that provided a safe haven from Viking armies, the 10th-century cathedral, which is one of the largest ruins of the monastic site, as well as St. Kevin’s Church and St. Kevin’s Kitchen.
Keogh Tours Ireland has amassed a worldwide following with over 120 5-star reviews across all social media platforms. The dedication of a small team of professionals really shines through in the feedback from its customers.
If you are considering a private trip, a customized itinerary or simply want to join a group of like-minded individuals, like the one described above, feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] or visit https://keoghtoursireland.com/tour/small-group-tour-of-the-south-ireland/ for more information on this tour and other experiences.
Both Barrett and Keogh can be reached on WhatsApp at +353-86-043-7878 (Barrett) and +353-86-163-7231 (Keogh) if you wish to arrange a consultation.
