ireland tours seniors

What Are The Best Ireland Tours for Seniors?

Travel expert Danielle answers your questions about why Driftwood Tours are the best guided Ireland bus tours for seniors.

Ireland Tours for Seniors At A Glance

💚 Small Group = Personal Service

😌 Easy Pace — No Rushing Around!

🏰 Quality Time At Each Location

💰 Superb Value

🐑 Authentic Irish Culture & Amazing Experiences

🍲 Great Food & Music

🚐 Convenient Tour Pickup Point

Hello from Ireland, I'm Danielle 👋

Every day, I'm asked to recommend the best Ireland vacation packages for seniors.

I always point people in the direction of Driftwood Journeys of Discovery .

The group size is small, the flexible itineraries are focused on culture and the reviews from recent guests are 5/5!

Now read on to learn why I reckon Driftwood Tours are the perfect choice for senior travellers...

Small Group = Personal Service 🚐

With Driftwood, you are never just a number.

There are NEVER more than 15 guests on any Driftwood tour of Ireland.

With this small group size, each and every one of our guests benefits from personalised service.

Our tour guide team go above and beyond to devote special attention to everyone on board, tailoring each day's activities to the group's taste.

I guarantee that your VagaGuide will be on first-name terms with you during your tour.

What's more, being in a small group allows you time to get to know your fellow travel buddies.

"Andrew, our guide, took such good care of everyone and was funny and kind and knowledgable ..." The group was perfect. I enjoyed that the group was small enough to get to know each other and to enjoy each other throughout the tour. Liz - TripAdvisor , September 2023

Unlike normal bus tours of Ireland, our slick and comfortable Mercedes tour vehicles are compact in size.

Not only does that allow your Driftwood group to explore off the beaten path, it means your VagaGuide can hear — and answer — all of your questions.

And, most importantly, you can hear your VagaGuide's stories, songs and jokes, even from the back seat!

Ireland Tours — But At Your Own Pace 😌

There's no rush with Driftwood.

Driftwooders don't hike, they stroll!

In contrast to our active tour style , which features adventure activities, the amount of walking on a Driftwood itinerary each day is kept to a minimum.

Our VagaGuides are highly-trained to accommodate every guest’s fitness and mobility levels.

If you walk with a cane, or have a condition that makes exertion challenging, there's absolutely no need to worry. You’re in good hands.

Quality Time To Explore 🏰

Driftwood itineraries leave you plenty of time to stretch your legs.

Forget about hurrying from tourist spot to tourist spot.

By focusing on smaller towns and less-visited attractions, Driftwood gives you the best possible experience.

Stroll through quaint villages , stopping to shop for souvenirs and browse craft shops.

We'll bring you to the best of Ireland's spectacular natural scenery where you can breathe in the fresh air and really connect with Ireland.

"While it's a scheduled tour, they gave us the opportunity to make additional stops to see more sights if the time allowed. We never felt rushed or that we missed anything because of time ... It was so nice to have your time in Ireland planned out, and you can let someone else do all the driving. I could take a nap or talk with my fellow travelers! This tour allows you to see the beautiful countryside and historical sights and time for shopping." Caroline - TripAdvisor , September 2023

Relax into your seat for a once-in-a-lifetime journey of discovery to our favourite hidden gems around Ireland.

Superb Value Tours of Ireland 💰

Driftwood are not only the best tours of Ireland for seniors, but the best value as well.

Just look at what we include in the price of our fabulous 11 Day Driftwood Discover Tour of Ireland:

• 😎 The services of a highly-trained and professional VagaGuide tour guide for 11 full days on tour
• 🏰 10 nights' accommodation in high quality hotels  — including 1 night castle hotel stay
• 🍳 10 delicious and filling hot Irish breakfasts
• 🐑 A sheepdog demo & Irish sheep farm experience
• ⚔️ Guided tour of 18th century Bantry House
• 🏰 Guided tour of historic Aughnanure Castle  + Entrance fee for Dunluce Castle
• 🛡️ A guided historic walking tour of Derry/Londonderry  in Northern Ireland
• 🌳 Entrance fee for Kylemore Abbey
• 👑 Entrance fee for the Giant’s Causeway , a World Heritage Site
• 🌹 Entrance into the famous Blarney Castle & Gardens
• 😇 Entrance into the Rock of Cashel
• 🛥️ Ferry tickets for crossing the River Shannon

All of that is before you get to the optional extras and secret destinations that your VagaGuide will inevitably mix into your tour.

I'm proud to say that all of our departures are 100% guaranteed from the moment you confirm a booking with one other guest.

Unique Irish Experiences 🐑

What's the best way to get to know culture in Ireland?

We think it's by meeting locals and experiencing Irish history, culture and hospitality.

Authentic and memorable Irish cultural experiences are guaranteed with Driftwood

Stay In An Irish Castle Hotel

You don't just hear about history on a Driftwood Tour, you sleep in it!

We've selected elegant and historic castle hotels around Ireland that we know you'll love.

Soak up centuries of history as you indulge in modern comforts and delicious dining.

Expect a warm welcome and hotel features including battlements, towerhouses, landscaped gardens and open fireplaces.

You might even encounter a ghost who once made your castle hotel home!

For example, our 7 Day Driftwood Irish Castles & Kingdoms Tour features a magnificent castle stay at Ballyseede Castle Hotel in Kerry.

Great Food, Pubs & Music 🍲

Visiting authentic Irish pubs and restaurants during your tour of Ireland is a memorable experience.

Savour seafood chowder, Irish brown bread and butter as well as warming Irish stew and delicious desserts.

These are just some of the foods you'll get to sample as your tour circles around Ireland.

We are strongly committed to supporting locally-produced, Irish-made foods that are grown, caught and cooked in the communities we visit.

That's the real flavour of Ireland!

On the evening menu is live traditional music!

Rely on our expert VagaGuides to receommend their favourite eateries and music venues in each town you visit.

We'll show you all the delights Ireland has to offer.

Convenience Before & After Your Tour 🚐

All Driftwood Tours start and end at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin.

Because we pick you up and drop you off here, staying at the Grand Canal Hotel gives your trip added convenience.

As a Driftwood passenger, you'll receive a discounted rate at the Grand Canal Hotel. Of course, you are free to choose your Dublin accommodation.

Celebrate Your Milestone In Ireland

25th. 40th. 50th.

No matter which anniversary you're celebrating, we know you want something truly special.

What better way to mark your magical union than with an incredible Irish journey of discovery?

We truly set out to exceed expectations at Driftwood Tours.

Our amazing destinations, years of experience and highly-trained guides ensure that you and your partner will have the most unforgettable experience of Ireland.

Free to Chat?

We’d love to talk!

Contact Michael, Dee or John , our friendly experts via enquiries@vagabond.ie

Or give us a call on our USA toll-free number: +1 833 230 0288

🕓 PLEASE NOTE: Our office hours are 9:30am – 5:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 9:30am – 5:00pm Fridays.

We work to the Irish timezone (GMT). If you ring outside these hours, just leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Ireland Tours and Trips for Senior Citizens 2024/2025

The best tours and trips for seniors in Ireland. Are you a senior traveller looking for a great trip? Choose from 111 senior tours to Ireland with tour durations varying from 3 to 21 days. Our tours for senior citizens have received 60 customer reviews. If you are looking for something special, you can also design and customize your own senior tour to Ireland , where a travel expert will help build the trip of your dreams.

111 senior tours in Ireland

• Starts Dublin, Ireland
• Ends Dublin, Ireland

Irish Explorer

• Best price guaranteed
• No booking fees
• Tour Type Group Tour
• Activities Art and architecture & Cultural, religious and historic sites
• Accommodation Hotel
• Transport Coach
• Age Range 10-99 yrs
• Operated in English
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,480
• Special Deal (23%): - US$ 335
• Total Price from: US$ 1,145
• Mar 16 10+ seats left
• Mar 30 10+ seats left
• View More Jan 1, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Jan 3, 2019

Best of Ireland

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture & Local culture 'data-more-tripid='21020'>+1 more
• Age Range 5-99 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,975
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 446
• Total Price from: US$ 2,529
• Apr 19 Only 8 seats left
• May 03 10+ seats left

• Starts Belfast, Ireland

Northern & Southern Ireland

• Tour Type Small Group Tour
• Activities Natural landmarks sightseeing & Wildlife Natural landmarks sightseeing , Wildlife , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Party and nightlife , Safari & Beach 'data-more-tripid='5505'>+4 more
• Accommodation Hostel & Hotel
• Transport Ferry, Train, Bus, Private Vehicle & Minibus
• Age Range 15-99 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,875
• Special Deal (15%): - US$ 581
• Total Price from: US$ 3,294
• May 20 Only 1 seat left
• May 31 Only 2 seats left

Irish Wonder

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture & Natural landmarks sightseeing 'data-more-tripid='21273'>+1 more
• Brochure Price: US$ 1,875
• Special Deal (18%): - US$ 340
• Total Price from: US$ 1,535
• Apr 28 10+ seats left
• May 19 Only 7 seats left

Irish Highlights

• Activities City sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites City sightseeing , Cultural, religious and historic sites , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Local culture 'data-more-tripid='23154'>+2 more
• Transport Ferry & Coach
• Age Range 5-95 yrs
• Apr 21 Only 6 seats left
• May 12 Only 8 seats left

• Activities Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture Cultural, religious and historic sites , Art and architecture , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Local culture 'data-more-tripid='23430'>+2 more
• Transport Coach & Ferry
• Apr 21 Only 10 seats left
• May 12 Only 5 seats left

Amazing Ireland

• Activities Chill out
• Brochure Price: US$ 4,450
• Special Deal (10%): - US$ 445
• Total Price from: US$ 4,005
• Apr 21 10+ seats left
• May 05 Only 6 seats left

• Ends Belfast, Ireland

Country Roads of Ireland

• Activities Food tours & Natural landmarks sightseeing Food tours , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='21191'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hotel & Guest House
• Transport Coach & Private Vehicle
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,781
• Special Deal (0%): - US$ 12
• Total Price from: US$ 3,769
• Apr 20 10+ seats left
• Apr 22 10+ seats left

• Starts Bunclody, Ireland

The Wicklow Way - 9 Days

• Tour Type Private Tour
• Activities Walking tours & Trekking and Hiking
• Accommodation Guest House
• Transport Bus & Taxi
• Age Range 18-99 yrs
• Apr 16 10+ seats left
• Apr 17 10+ seats left

Irish Experience

• Activities Art and architecture & Natural landmarks sightseeing Art and architecture , Natural landmarks sightseeing & Cultural, religious and historic sites 'data-more-tripid='22530'>+1 more
• Transport Ferry, Taxi & Coach
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,625
• Special Deal (17%): - US$ 610
• Total Price from: US$ 3,015

• Starts Tinahely, Ireland

The Wicklow Way - 7 Days

• Transport Train, Bus & Taxi

Highlights of Ireland

• Activities Natural landmarks sightseeing & Art and architecture
• Transport Private Vehicle
• Age Range 12-95 yrs
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,599
• Special Deal (20%): - US$ 520
• Total Price from: US$ 2,079
• May 18 Only 2 seats left
• Jun 22 Only 1 seat left

Castles and Manors

• Activities Art and architecture & Cultural, religious and historic sites Art and architecture , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Waterfalls 'data-more-tripid='20915'>+1 more
• Accommodation Hotel & Lodge
• Brochure Price: US$ 3,775
• Special Deal (10%): - US$ 378
• Total Price from: US$ 3,397
• May 11 Only 6 seats left
• May 25 Only 9 seats left

Focus on Ireland

• Activities Food tours & Cultural, religious and historic sites Food tours , Cultural, religious and historic sites & Art and architecture 'data-more-tripid='21219'>+1 more
• Brochure Price: US$ 2,595
• Special Deal (10%): - US$ 260
• Total Price from: US$ 2,335
• Apr 28 Only 6 seats left

Ireland Trip Reviews

• Andrew The Ex Pom From Oz

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Touring Ireland as a Senior

Ireland is one of the most popular destinations in the world for tourists of all ages, but today we’d like to focus specifically on older travelers. We’d like to write a brief but informative guide for seniors visiting Ireland. If anything we write inspires you to travel with Overland Ireland, please browse our Jewel Small Group Tours of Ireland .

If you’d like an even more personalized experience, consider our Ireland private guided tours instead. Please get in touch if you have any questions; we always like hearing from people interested in visiting Ireland.

Is Ireland a Good Tourist Destination for Seniors?

Yes. Ireland is a great tourist destination for older people. That’s the simplest answer to the question… 

The longer answer looks at the kinds of activities available in Ireland, how close Ireland’s attractions are together, and other myriad factors, including the type of vacation you choose (but more on this later).

Ireland’s best and most beautiful attractions are relatively close together — at least in comparison to the US, Canada, and other larger countries. When you consider that Ireland is eight times smaller than Texas, you begin to get a sense of the size. 

But what we lack in geography we more than make up for with our extensive history, stretching back through our castles, stately homes, and neolithic structures — many of which are significantly older than the Egyptian pyramids.

Lower Travel Times in Ireland

Having such a dense array of historical and cultural treasures means that travel times in Ireland are smaller than many other tours. You can journey for twenty minutes in Ireland and arrive somewhere completely new, with its own unique history, and people who speak with a different accent. 

While some 70-year-old travellers are in better condition than most 30-year-olds, they’re the exception. Most seniors have one or two health or movement issues that can be exacerbated by long stretches of time spent driving around the country. This is why Ireland’s smaller size and densely packed attractions are ideal for seniors.

Lower travel times aren’t just good for older people; they’re better for everyone. However, less time spent in a tour vehicle (even our extremely comfortable Overland Ireland mini-coach) is better for anyone with sore joints, injuries, aches, and pains. To put a number on it, the travel time per day averages at slightly less than 3 hours her day, excluding stops.

What are the Best Irish Tours for Seniors?

It’s really hard to define exactly what constitutes the best tour of Ireland for seniors. This is because we don’t know you (whoever is reading this). We also have serious doubts about any company that thinks all people over 60 are alike and would therefore enjoy exactly the same experience…

Instead, it’s much easier to describe the kind of Ireland tour that is more likely to suit seniors. All of our Jewel Tours are designed for a more relaxed kind of traveller, making them ideal for seniors.

We designed our Jewel Tours to offer a laidback travel experience with as much personalization as possible. How do we make it personal? We keep our small group tours of Ireland especially small, meaning that guests have plenty of time with their own dedicated tour guides.

While some tours might have too many people to allow everyone to ask questions, we actively encourage everyone on our tours to ask as many questions as possible. 

After all, what is travel or tourism but curiosity in its most pure, most joyful form?

To help you make some decisions about your next Irish adventure, we have put together a short summary of three of our most popular Irish tours below: 

The Ultimate Ireland 10-day Package — This is exactly what it sounds like: our best attempt to make the best Ireland tour possible over 10 days. Highlights include a trip to the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, the stunning Dingle Peninsula, and the Giant’s Causeway up in Northern Ireland.

The Ireland to Island 7-day Tour — This tour package takes you to many of the most sought-after places in Ireland, such as Killarney National Park, Galway Bay, and the Aran Islands. But what makes it stand out is that the tour also takes you to Skellig Michael, an enigmatic mountainous island off the coast of Kerry that has an ancient monastery built atop its peak. 

The Magical Southern 5-day Ireland Tour — This tour is shorter than the other two, which may suit travellers who can’t commit to a week or longer. While only five days, Ireland is packed with wonderful sights, and we fit as many as possible into the itinerary without ever making it feel rushed. Visit the Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park, Dingle, and the Cliffs of Moher!

Learn About Your Irish Ancestors on Vacation

While people young and old can show an interest in their ancestors, we tend to find that as people get older they reflect more on where they’ve come from.

And, given the extensive size of the Irish diaspora (especially in North America, Australia, and New Zealand), we find that a lot of our guests have one or two places they’re interested in visiting specifically because it’s where their grandparents are from, or because they can trace back a distant ancestor to a specific little village. 

If your place of interest is along the route of your Overland Ireland Tour, please tell your tour guide as there’s a good chance they’ll be able to stop off for a while.

And if they can’t, they will be happy to give you the information needed to visit this spot on your own, after the tour is over. It’s this kind of personalized service that gets us so many 5-star reviews .

There is much more we could say about Ireland, but we hope we’ve at least convinced a few readers that Ireland is an excellent place to visit as an older traveller.

If you have any questions, please get in touch . Your grand Irish adventure might be only a few clicks away!

Planning on visiting Ireland soon? Get our free guides! We answer your Ireland Travel FAQs + offer local tips for visiting Dublin.

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Magical Southern 5-Day Ireland Tour

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Wild Atlantic Wanderer 6-Day Self-Driving Tour of Ireland

The Ultimate 10-Day Self-Drive Ireland Tour

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Learning about Ireland | Travel tips for Seniors

Learn about Ireland the place before you join an escorted small group tour for mature and senior travellers to the Emerald isle. Our client profile is couples and also for single senior tours of Ireland.

1 Jun 20 · 16 mins read

Learning about Ireland for Seniors

Since 1983 Odyssey traveller has been offering escorted small group tour to mature and senior travellers around the World. One of the best destinations we tour each year is to Ireland. Our client profile is couples and also for single senior tours of Ireland. Odyssey’s small group tour is a coach tour of typically 6 -14 travelers of couples and single traveller (s) taking a trip around the emerald isle. This escorted tour with a tour leader, leads the group tour on a day tour collection into Southern Ireland from Dublin to Glendalough in the National park network of Ireland, the Dingle peninsula, to Killarney, the wild Atlantic way and Aran islands and the spectacular scenery of this coastline including Moher. The guided tour continues on to explore Northern Ireland typically finishing in Belfast. And today, many a Ireland tour will include a visit to the Titanic Belfast exhibition, though on a Odyssey small group tour we also seek to provide a guided tour experience that enables you to discover Ireland through the local guide engaged to share their stories with you on your trip.

In order to uncover the treasures of Ireland, you must connect its rich heritage with its physical beauty. Explore geological wonders and natural history at the magnificent Cliffs of Moher and Slieve League or the karst land of the Burren. Take a literary walk through Dublin to experience the city’s art and culture. Feel the presence of religion at the ‘Seven Churches’ on Inis Mor Islands and the pilgrimage sites of Knock and Glencolmcille. And visit the incredible clifftop fort of Dun Aengus to deepen your understanding of Ireland’s history and Irish culture. Of course, you must also seek out the mythology and folklore of this unique country. Kiss the Blarney Stone at medieval Blarney’s Castle or scale the spectacular basalt pillars that make up Giant’s Causeway. Learning about Ireland is best discovered by immersing yourself into the very qualities that make it special. We are offering guided sightseeing tours of Ireland for seniors 2022, our guided sightseeing tours of Ireland for seniors 2021 where cancelled.

Odyssey Traveller tours of Ireland for Seniors

Odyssey’s Treasures of Ireland small group tour commences in Dublin, before crossing to Killarney in County Kerry . We explore the Dingle Peninsula and the famous Ring of Kerry. We travel north, via the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, to County Galway. From here we visit Connemara National Park and the romantic Abbey of Kylemore before taking a ferry bound for Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands. Our journey then takes in the North West Ireland itinerary and the stunning scenery across to the Atlantic coast. Continuing along the west coast of this Ireland road trip to the North west via County Silgo and Sligo to Glenties in County Donegal and Donegal Town. The North west Ireland itinerary explore the heritage of this north west corner of Ireland before heading east via the Giant’s Causeway along the causeway coastal route towards Belfast. We stay a night in each of the historic towns of Derry and Belfast.

This thorough program includes activities for immersive learning. There are talks by informed speakers, contact with nature on our walks, visits to a host of monuments and other diverse historical sites, and interaction with the Irish people on this Ireland itinerary.

If you wish to learn more about Ireland, read on. We cover Ireland’s climate and spectacular geomorphology first, followed by its rich and complex history. Later, we will include details of what sets our small group tours apart.

Understanding Ireland

Ireland sits among the ‘British Isles’, to the west of Great Britain across the Irish and Celtic Seas. Its jagged western coastline faces the Atlantic Ocean. It lies closer to the Polar regions than any parts of Australia or New Zealand.

Ireland consists of two political units, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom. Great Britain refers to the island on which England, Wales and Scotland are found.

The Climate

Strong oceanic influences, particularly the Gulf Stream, determine the generally mild temperatures and wet climate experienced by most of Ireland. Warmed in the tropics, ocean water flows north from the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Drift onto the southern and western coasts of Ireland. This warm water also affects the air masses blowing over the ocean and onto the island.

Polar maritime air masses from the northwest pass over the relatively warm sea and are thus rendered unstable and moist. The resulting turbulence is responsible for gusty winds, showers and broken cloud in all seasons of the year. Arctic and Continental air masses may bring snow in winter but for most of Ireland, the average is less than ten days when snow actually lies on the ground. There are, for example, fewer than ten days of frosts on average for most of County Kerry in the south-west. This is the warmest part of Ireland. Ireland’s average maximum temperature is 5°C during winter, and 15°C in the summer.

1,080 millimetres is the average precipitation with 80% of all Ireland receiving between 762 millimetres and 1,270 millimetres per year. The wettest parts are in the highest and most western locations and the elevated parts of the west of Ireland average as many as 2,400 millimetres per year. Most of the west of Ireland (including counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick and Kerry) has more than 250 rain days per year, whilst the rest of the island has between 200 and 250 rain days. A very small area around Wexford is the only area to average less than 200 rain days!

Geology & Geomorphology

Another factor contributing to the mildness in temperature is the lack of high mountains. Less than one-fifth of Ireland has an elevation of higher than 150 metres. The highest point is Carrantouhill, 1041 metres, located in the central part of the Ring of Kerry. By way of contrast, the average elevation of Australia is about 300 metres, the highest point being 2,226 metres. New Zealand’s highest point is 3,754 metres. Maximum depth of the Irish Sea is 180 metres, however 50 kilometres to the west of Ireland the sea bed plunges to 2,400 metres and more in the eastern Atlantic.

The oldest rocks are Pre-Cambrian (older than 570 million years) and are usually schists and other well-folded rock of mainly igneous or metamorphic origin. These ancient rocks are seen in NW Ireland, for example, near Glenties. In fact, they are of similar origin to most of the Scottish Highlands: the geology in this part of Ireland is a continuation of the southern uplands of Scotland.

Basalt flows and Giant’s Causeway

Also found in the north are extensive areas of horizontal basalt flows of Tertiary age (between 2 and 63 million years ago) such as the Antrim Plateau. Not only has this volcanic rock given rise to rich soils, but its cooling structure is seen at Giant’s Causeway where the dramatic geometrically-shaped basalt columns have been exposed by the sea to produce a landform that has captured the imagination of many cultures.

Amazing limestone landscapes

Much of the midlands of Ireland is composed of surface sedimentary rocks of Palaeozoic age (between 230 and 570 million years ago). Slates, shale and sandstone are common in the oldest of these beds. Those rocks laid down later in the Carboniferous period (within the Palaeozoic between 280 and 354 million years ago) are commonly limestone and are fairly widely represented. One of the most dramatic expressions of a limestone-dominated landform is the Burren in County Clare and the landscape of Inis Mor in the Arans where horizontally bedded limestone is seen as bare limestone pavement along with a wide range of Karst features (caves, dolines, sinkholes, dry valleys and, in world-wide terms, an extremely large polje). A granite batholith forms the core of the Wicklow Mountains south of Dublin, extending down the east coast into County Wexford.

Sculpted by the Ice Age

Most of Ireland’s landforms were sculpted by moving ice sheets or glaciers during and following the peak of the last Ice Age some 23,000 years ago. The U-shaped valleys and eskers or gravel ridges of the lowlands, for example, are a direct result of ice movement and weathering and the subsequent deposition associated with glacial melting. In central Ireland the ice sheets dropped drift (sand, silt, clay and boulders), the basis for most current soils. Many of the lakes in the uplands are cirques or corries – these owe their origin to the gouging action of ice.

Several other landforms we see are the remnants of glacial deposition. Drumlins are the most common and they may be found as swarms of streamlined hills composed of glacial till. They vary in height from 7 to 60 metres and in length from tens of metres to many kilometres. A belt of drumlins stretches across Ireland from Sligo Bay to County Down on the northeast coast. Many ill-drained areas owe their origin to glacial drift deposits which have restricted water-flow into streams. Many of these situations have provided a suitable habitat for the growth of patches of raised bogs and the formation of lakes.

The Ice Age which developed many of these landforms came to a rapid halt some 14,000 years ago only to be followed by another freeze that ended about 11,000 years ago. After this time temperatures began to increase, ice melted and re-colonisation by plants and animals began. Humans were still 6,000 years away from Ireland.

Ireland’s heritage

Ireland’s population, settlement and its changing political scene have produced a heritage that is both rich and visible.

Stone Age farmers came to Ireland over 5,000 years ago by way of a land bridge from Scotland. Temperatures then were some 2°C warmer than today. The bog plant communities which formed the extensive peat areas of recent times had not yet started to form. This latter process began when the climate cooled about 3,000 years ago. Some of the remains of this early culture are the Court Tombs and associated stone tools. Another wave of immigrants from central Europe, later Stone Age farmers, have left Portal Tombs as evidence of their occupation.

The arrival of the Celts

The Iron Age brought the Celts to Ireland. Celts held sway in Europe from the Balkans to western Ireland. When they started to arrive in Ireland around about 700 – 500 BC, they easily assimilated with the bronze-armed inhabitants. As farmers, the Irish Celts raised cattle. The last of their migratory waves arrived about the time of the birth of Christ. Celtic myths and legends, the Brehon Law system and their ancient language remained strong until about 200 years ago. Their pagan rites, however, were effectively replaced by Christianity by the eighth century.

Roman occupation and influence dominated France and England during this period. However, the Romans did not cross the Irish Sea to conquer even though they coined Ireland’s Latin name of Hibernia (the winter place). Yet Rome’s influence was felt as a result of human traffic between the two islands, by trading and raiding, and, of course, Christianity.

Christianity

Christianity reached Ireland around 400 AD. However, most of the credit for converting the Irish goes to St Patrick, who did not begin his ministry until 432. A couple of generations saw Christian monasteries established and in them, a flowering of art and scholarship. Within a century of Patrick’s death around 462, Irish missionaries had reached the islands of western Scotland and began converting the Picts, Scots and Britons, and eventually the Angles. In 563 St Colmcille (Columba) arrived from Ireland and set up a base in Iona for his ministry in Scotland. He was one of a number of Irish Saints and monks to influence the Scottish pagans and those further afield in Europe during the Dark Ages.

Irish church scholars actively recorded Celtic history and copied down the Celts’ myths and legends and poetry. The greatest product of the Irish monastic scene was the Book of Kells, dating from the end of the eighth century. This 340-page book of the four Gospels was scribed in Latin by monks and is the most richly illustrated of the Irish illuminated manuscripts. It was probably begun at Iona in Scotland, brought to a monastery in Kells, County Meath, then held in the parish church. It was finally taken to the Dublin Trinity College Library for safe-keeping during the destructive Cromwellian period.

The Age of Invasion: the Vikings

At the end of the 8th century, Vikings began their raids in Ireland, meeting no concerted national resistance. Round Towers, which date from this era are now thought to have been used as bell-towers or visible markers for pigrims. We also see the establishment by the Vikings through the 800s and 900s of settlements and trading centres that today have become the cities of Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Cork, Limerick and Galway.

Eventually, Brian Boru attempted to oust the Vikings. A regional king from West Clare, Boru had made himself High King of Ireland from 1002. Viking influence was contained after 1014 when Boru defeated a combined Irish-Viking army at Clontarf just outside Dublin.

The arrival of the Normans

150 years later, from 1169, came the Normans. Their incursions, according to historian Robert Kee, started the conflict between Ireland and England. Many of these people intermarried with the Irish and assimilated Irish practices, a situation that worried later rulers like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Today we can recognise this Norman-English Irish group by their small castles (Tower Houses and Pale Castles, especially those built between 1400 and 1600).

The Normans began a steady takeover of land under Henry II, leading to dominance of government under the Plantagenets and prescription of religion by the Tudors, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Not that the Irish did not resist or react – great violence was done on both sides. However as a result of the Reformation, the Plantations and persecution, land ownership was gradually lost by the Irish to English and Scottish settlers.

The Tudor Re-Conquest

The turning point was Elizabeth I’s determination to establish Tudor rule throughout the country. Ulster’s Hugh O’Neill realised that, despite earlier good relations with the Crown, his chiefly status and Catholic faith were not going to be acceptable and that he could be implicated in plots against English rule. O’Neill, the Earl of Tyrone, and Rory O’Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell (see Donegal castle), led a national uprising (supported by the Spanish) between 1594 and 1603. After its collapse, the Earls, along with many other leaders, left Ireland in 1607 for the Continent in response to English domination. This is known as ‘The Flight of the Earls’. Both Earls died overseas.

Elizabeth began, and the Stuarts continued, the process known as ‘The Plantations’, especially of the six Ulster counties that are modern Northern Ireland. Their aim was to stabilise the English government and economy in Ireland. The Plantations of Ulster bequeathed a majority Ulster-Scot population that is mainly Presbyterian amidst a largely Catholic minority.

18th & 19th Centuries

The war between James II and William III settled Ireland’s fate by 1691. For a century or more (known as the Penal Era) Catholics were subjected to numerous civil disabilities and land continued to pass into the hands of Anglo-Irish Protestant aristocracy and gentry. At the end of the 1700s Irish radicals, both Catholic and otherwise, began pushing for the independence of Ireland. The resulting 1798 Rebellion, including invasion from Napoleonic France, failed in the attempt.

In 1800 the English dissolved the Irish Parliament and the government moved from Dublin to Westminster. Ireland became part of the United Kingdom, symbolised by the addition of the red diagonal Cross of St Patrick to the Union Flag. Ireland was represented by some 100 members in the House of Commons but none could be Catholic. In 1829, Catholic Emancipation brought to an end most of the penal laws against Catholics.

Lasting legacies

A group of men were famous for maintaining the Irish cause against British rule generally and unfair landlords in particular. Right up till the end of the 1800s, this group included Henry Grattan, Wolfe Tone, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, Robert Emmet, Daniel O’Connell, William Smith O’Brien, Charles Stewart Parnell and Michael Davitt. Of these, Daniel O’Connell, ‘The Liberator’, did most to give confidence to the Irish people by demonstrating the power of collective opinion. Evidence of his fame is everywhere.

Likewise, evidence of the Great Famine of 1845 – 1852 is also everywhere. This cataclysm resulted from successive failures of the potato crop due to fungal disease (Late or Irish Blight caused by Phytophthora infestans) combined with inadequate government assistance to alleviate starvation and disease. The net result was the death of around one million people and the emigration of at least as many, mainly to North America. The trend in emigration continued to the extent that the population in 1900 was half that of pre-Famine days. National population only began to grow again in the 1970s.

Politicians & Political Events since 1900

Irish nationalism hardened in those hard years, bringing with it various forms of revolutionary action. The modern era, in effect, begins with Sinn Fein, founded in 1904 with the main aim ‘to clear the British out of Ireland, bag and baggage’. Pre-existing groups like the Irish Republican Brotherhood (Fenians) infiltrated Sinn Fein as well as cultural groups such as the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Volunteers. The latter had been formed in 1913 to protect the passage of the Home Rule Act which would have returned to Dublin a diminished local parliament. By 1914 Sinn Fein had covertly mobilised the nation and the IRB was planning an armed insurrection.

Concerted action against British rule began openly during World War I. The Easter Rising in 1916 saw heavy fighting against British troops in Dublin where action centred on the GPO. Michael Collins, a Sinn Fein leader, was heavily involved in this and subsequent actions in the cause of independence. At the end of the World War, general elections returned a majority of Sinn Fein members. Many were in English gaols and all boycotted the Westminster House of Commons in favour of Dail Eireann (Irish Parliament). The Dail organised military resistance and for two years waged a War of Independence against Britain, ending with the Treaty of 1921. It created a twenty-six-county Irish Free State with Dublin as the capital. It also confirmed the creation of a new state, Northern Ireland, in the six north-eastern counties, with Belfast as its capital. The partition of Ireland tended to confirm the sectarian bias (in jobs, housing and other social services) that was already operating in the north-­eastern corner. Dissatisfaction among republicans over this Treaty led to civil war between Irish Free State groups (1922 – 1923). It left alive the republican ideal in the North that, almost ever since, has had a military aspect.

In 1922 the Irish Free State was inaugurated and set about building a distinct nation and a viable economy. A gradual severing of relations with Britain began with the formation of Eire in 1937. It was completed by the unilateral declaration of the Republic of Ireland in 1948.

The Last Half Century

The border between north and south caused ongoing friction. It was not only because the north was part of the UK, but also because of the dominance that Protestants there wielded over local Catholics. This situation encouraged the reformation of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). It also fueled old and new differences between the most vocal Protestant group, the Unionists, and the Catholic Nationalists. Since 1969, these tensions intensified in Northern Ireland into ‘The Troubles’, as these war-­like conflicts are called. Differences of opinion persisted between Unionists and Republicans, and between both these groups and successive Irish and British governments

On 8 May 2007 a new era of power-sharing came into being in Northern Ireland. Devolution was restored to the Northern Ireland Assembly following the election of a four-party executive of 12 ministers. Old enemies Rev Ian Paisley and Martin McGuiness were sworn in as First Minister and Deputy First Minister respectively. Under this new arrangement, Paisley’s Democratic Unionists headed four ministries while Sinn Fein had three. Significantly, all new government ministers took an oath of office that required them to ‘uphold the rule of law based as it is on the fundamental principles of fairness, impartiality and democratic accountability, including support for policing and the courts’. Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the time, summed up the situation as follows: “These implacable foes have individually and collectively said that now is the time for Northern Ireland to move forward into a new era. They have together taken charge of the process from the British and Irish governments. This is where we have wanted to be since before the Good Friday Agreement was signed almost nine years ago.”

So far, the devolution process has enabled Northern Ireland’s leaders to enact various reforms, including housing, health and environmental issues and, significantly, on 5 February 2010, they agreed on a ‘roadmap’ and time-line for the devolution of policing and justice powers.

In the past years, the commitment and support of the former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Taoseach of the Republic of Ireland (until recently Brian Cowen) and the former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been vital factors in the continuation of the still-fragile relationship between the parties. On Odyssey’s Treasures of Ireland tour, we have the opportunity of talking to an eminent historian of Northern Ireland who will update us on the current situation and expectations.

Odyssey Traveller tours to Ireland for seniors

If you are passionate about learning while you travel, you will find a variety of opportunities with Odyssey Travellers Ireland escorted tours. We offer two tours to Ireland with several departures each year. Our Historic Ireland tour has August departures. We also offer a Walking tour of Ireland and England’s Lake District and Gardens of Ireland Small Group Tour . This group tour collection is not only couples but is a single senior tours of Ireland. Whether on walking tour or just to discover Ireland as the first time traveler, this is a destination an Odyssey tour leader will know well and enjoys sharing that knowledge with you on a escorted tour.

We are offering guided sightseeing tours of Ireland for seniors 2021, our guided sightseeing tours of Ireland for seniors 2020 where cancelled.

Odyssey offers a variety of tours to some 80 countries, including in Europe , Africa , and the Middle East . We even run a Summer School series based in Hobart, Tasmania . As long as you remain inquisitive, we continue to design programs to challenge and excite.

About Odyssey Traveller

We specialise in educational small group tours for seniors, typically groups between six to 12 people from Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Britain. Our maximum number of people on a tour is 18 mature aged travellers. Typically, our clients begin travelling with us from their mid 50’s onward. But be prepared to meet fellow travellers in their 80s and beyond! Both couples and solo travellers are very welcome on our tours. We have some 150 tours and offer 300 scheduled departures on offer each year. Odyssey has been offering this style of adventure and educational programs since 1983.

Odyssey Traveller is committed to charitable activities that support the environment and cultural development of Australian and New Zealand communities.

Odyssey Traveller scholarship for Australia & New Zealand University students.

We are also pleased to announce that since 2012, Odyssey has been awarding $10,000 Equity & Merit Cash Scholarships each year. We award scholarships on the basis of academic performance and demonstrated financial need. We award at least one scholarship per year. We’re supported through our educational travel programs, and your participation helps Odyssey achieve its goals. Students can apply for the scholarship by clicking on this link to find out more details.

Join our loyalty program when you join an international small group tour.

Every International small group tour taken typically contributes to your membership level in our Loyalty Program for regular travellers. Membership of the alumni starts when you choose to take your first international small group tour with Odyssey Traveller, discounts in tour pricing for direct bookings accrue from your third tour with Odyssey Traveller. To see the discounts and benefits of being a Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond alumni member with us, please see this page .

For more information on Odyssey Traveller and our educational small group tours, visit and explore our website , and remember to visit these pages in particular:

• Terms and conditions applicable for booking an Odyssey Traveller tour.
• FAQ’s about Odyssey Traveller

Alternatively, please call or send an email.

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Experience the Best of the Emerald Isle

Ireland is the land of breathtaking landscapes, friendly people, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. CIE Tours' vacations to Ireland help you experience the real Emerald Isle, whether you’re raising a pint with new Irish friends at a lively pub, following in the footsteps of your ancestors among the rolling hills and picturesque castles, or enjoying the best of Irish culture through tastings and authentic experiences. You’ll see Ireland in a whole new light.

• Ballintubber Abbey

Elaborately carved Celtic crosses dot the grounds of this ancient church founded in 1216, in Ireland's scenic County Mayo.

O'Brien's Tower

Originally built as a viewing area for 19th Century visitors, O'Brien's Tower sits near the high point of the Cliffs of Moher.

A vibrant arts and culinary scene—and colorful buildings set along medieval streets—make Galway a can't-miss stop.

• Blarney Castle

Kissing the "Stone of Eloquence" may be the reason millions of tourists flock to Blarney Castle every year, but the gardens around it—including its new Poison Garden filled with dangerous and toxic plants—are another reason to add this to your must-do list.

Trinity College & Book of Kells

Ireland's oldest college houses one of the country's most cherished treasures—a beautiful illuminated version of the New Testament Gospels, created by monks in the 9th century. It's one of the essential things to see in Dublin.

Giant's Causeway

Legend has it that the basalt stone columns were set into the sea by giants creating stepping stones—but volcanic activity set these stones in place millions of years ago.

Kylemore Abbey

This 19th century grand manor and its legendary gardens became the home to Benedictine nuns fleeing Belgium during World War I.

• Skellig Experience

Learn about the island of Skellig Michael, where early Christian monks lived in austere conditions. This beautiful and remote location was used in the film "Star Wars VII".

Dublin's Ha'penny Bridge

This cast-iron walking bridge, which spans the River Liffey, was built in the 19th century. Join the 30,000 Dubliners and visitors who walk across Dublin's iconic Ha'Penny Bridge each day.

• Ring of Kerry

The Ring of Kerry offers one of the most scenic drives in the world, with emerald green meadows, stark cliffs and sandy shores dotted with ruins.

• Dingle Peninsula

The Irish mainland's westernmost point features wide, sandy beaches and rocky cliffs along its edges, and dramatic hills and mountains at its center.

Aran Islands Cliffs

These beautiful cliffs rise dramatically along the entire western side of Inis Mor island and yield great views of the Cliffs of Moher across Galway Bay.

Musicians and artists are an integral and vibrant part of fabric of the lively, cultured city of Galway.

Cheesemonger

Ireland's food renaissance includes many artisan producers who take full advantage of its natural bounty.

• Bunratty Castle

This splendid 15th-century tower house in County Clare includes a living reconstruction of the life of Ireland over a century ago.

Get a fascinating glimpse into Ireland's long-practiced art of falconry, the country's traditional "Sport of Kings."

Flavors of the Sea

Ireland abounds with the savors of the sea and the folk who fish it.

Fine Dining

A generation of culinary innovation and exploration has made modern Ireland a foodie's paradise.

In Ireland, fresh seafood is never more than a short swim away.

Merry Ploughboy

Dine at this iconic pub and come alive to the fancy footwork of Irish step dancers and lively traditional tunes.

• Cliffs of Moher

These shale and sandstone cliffs rise 700 feet above the Atlantic, and serve as one of the most iconic pieces of scenery in all of Ireland.

Sheep Herding

Ireland's emerald green pastures are home to countless flocks of sheep. Irish wool is used for the intricately knitted Aran sweaters and other goods.

Ireland Tours

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• Royal Route
• Russborough House
• Russian Folklore
• Saxon Gardens
• Schiller Theater
• Schloss Charlottenburg
• Scone Palace
• Secret Lagoon
• Seine River Cruise
• Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
• Selska Sora
• Semper Opera House
• Senate Square
• Sergiev Posad
• Shakespeare’s Birthplace
• Sheepdog Demonstration
• Shepherd’s Museum
• Shrewsbury Walking Tour
• Skaftafell National Park
• Skofja Loka
• Skogafoss Waterfall
• Skogar Folk Museum
• Slieve League Cliffs
• Smallest House in Britain
• Smolny Cathedral
• Snowdonia National Park
• South Pole Inn
• Spanish Steps
• Spean Bridge
• Speyside Distilleries
• Sponza Palace
• Square of the Five Wells
• St. Anastasia
• St. Andrews Castle
• St. Andrews Walk
• St. Anne’s Church
• St. Asaph’s Cathedral
• St. Basil’s Cathedral
• St. Catherine’s Church
• St. Columba’s Cathedral
• St. David’s Cathedral
• St. Fagans Castle
• St. Fagans National Museum of History
• St. George’s Basilica
• St. Isaac’s Cathedral
• St. Isaac’s Square
• St. Jacobs Cathedral
• St. John’s Cathedral
• St. Magnus Cathedral
• St. Mark’s Church
• St. Mary’s Church
• St. Michael’s Mount
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• St. Patrick’s Grave
• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• St. Peter and Paul’s Church
• St. Peter’s Church
• St. Stephen’s Cathedral
• Step Dancing
• Stirling Castle
• Staff Picks
• Price (Low to High)
• Price (High to Low)

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Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way

Starting from $2,695

Discover the untamed nature and rich cultural heritage of Ireland’s western coast, with its spectacular ocean vistas, enchanting towns, and craftsmanship deeply rooted in tradition.

​Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups

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Taste of Ireland

Starting from $1,395

This fast-paced, short-and-sweet Ireland tour is the perfect introduction to the Emerald Isle. Taste of Ireland hits all of the "greatest hits" highlights—from Blarney Castle to the Cliffs of…

​Guided Tours, Guided Small Groups, Independent Adventures

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Irish Adventure

Starting from $1,945

Make the most of every moment of your Ireland vacation—you'll discover all the can't-miss Irish scenery and history on this fast-paced tour.

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Taste of Scotland & Ireland

Starting from $3,195

The perfect combination of two great countries in one itinerary. Start in Glasgow before exploring the Scottish Highlands with a Loch Ness cruise and whisky tasting. Visit St Andrews and Edinburgh…

Best of Ireland South

Starting from $1,845

Give us a week, and we'll tour the best of Ireland with you. Thrill at the amazing Cliffs of Moher and the gorgeous Dingle Peninsula on this perfect introduction to the Emerald Isle. 

Starting from $2,445

Take your time on this Ireland tour, which explores the most acclaimed sights in the south and west, including the mountainous beauty of Connemara.

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Irish Odyssey

Starting from $3,395

Explore Ireland's gorgeous scenery and rich history on this comprehensive Irish tour that hits every corner of the island.

Ireland South Daytripper

Starting from $2,295

Turn your Irish vacation into a staycation. Set up your home base in the lovely village of Adare, then set out on day trips to see some of Ireland's top attractions. 

Irish Legends

Starting from $2,745

Delve into Ireland and its past on this tour, which mixes in plenty of hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path sights among the tried-and-true favorites. 

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Irish Classic

Starting from $3,745

Skirt along the entire rugged coastline to see the highlights on this Ireland tour. 

A hidden gem

Ireland at a glance

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July & August

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Craic (fun)

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So much beauty in one country as we travel from coast to coast…I truly was not ready to leave.

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7 ways to vacation in Ireland if you're a senior

Have you always wanted to visit ireland then don't let your age put you off..

Have you always wanted to visit Ireland? Then don't let your age put you off.

Still harboring dreams of visiting Ireland but worried you might be a little too old to make the trip? We say where there's a will there's a way, and here are five ways to vacation in Ireland as a senior.

READ: 5 travel hacks to make your vacation in Ireland a little easier

Travel during the right time of the day .

Let's face it, you no longer have the energy or stamina you once had, and those red-eye flights while undoubtedly cheaper can cost you days of vacation time as you struggle to adjust to a different time zone. Instead, spend a little more and choose flight times that make the journey a little easier. Mid-morning or early evening flights are best for those of us outside our 20s.

Be realistic about your needs 

Are you less mobile than you once were? Do you tire more easily or does comfort matter more than ever? However, your travel needs and wants have changed over the years now is the time to recognize that. If comfort matters, maybe shorten your trip and upgrade your hotel. If you tire more easily then see less but spend more time at each site? Ask yourself why you're traveling and work backward from there. 

Make it a family trip

If you have Irish ancestry why not make it a family vacation ? Bring the kids and grandkids along and show them their family history in person. Not only will it be a hugely bonding experience it will also provide you with much-needed support when it comes to navigating a new country. 

Hire a driver 

Ireland is a small country, with most areas of the country accessible in only a few hours. However, public transport and driving can be tiring, especially in a new place, so why not opt for private tours which offer the services of a driver ? See the sights that matter to you in comfort while taking advantage of your driver's local knowledge. 

Plan a bespoke tour

Beat the crowds and the stresses that come from trying to plan your days on the ground by doing the research before you travel. If you know what you want to see and over what time frame, then why not opt for a bespoke tour ? Take the stress out of traveling completely by building your own itinerary that removes the impact of other factors. 

Book your trip with a company you trust

There's a huge amount of freedom that comes from booking vacations as an independent traveler. But on the other hand, booking a trip through a company you trust brings with us a sense of security, and a single point of contact for any questions or problems you may have. Did you know that Irish Central can organize your trip to Ireland? Check out our range of available options here , and if you have any questions please reach out. 

Bring your hobbies with you 

Do you love to golf ? Are you a huge foodie? Or is culture and history more your bag? Whatever you love to do at home try to do when you travel. Apart from helping restore a sense of routine, it will also provide a whole new way to see Ireland. 

READ: Planning a trip to Ireland? Have an authentic B&B experience

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12 Best Tours of Ireland for Seniors 2024

Ireland is situated west of the United Kingdom. Every year, many tourists travel and visit this country. Most of the geological attractions and tourist destinations are located along the coastline. 

Tours of Ireland for senior citizens are famous here. Cliffs of Moher and The Burren are the two most favourite places.

Tours of Ireland for Seniors

What is the best time to visit Ireland?

Although you can visit Ireland any time of the year, from March to May and September to November is the best time.

Ireland’s average maximum temperature during winter is five °C, and in the summer, 15°C. It experiences mild temperatures and rain all the time.

The County Kerry in the southwest is the warmest and favourite part of Ireland. Whether you are above 60, travel is also meant for you. A 7-day tour package starts from 117.33 Euro or 131.14 United States Dollars per day.

Weather in Ireland in August

In August, the average temperature is 16 – 20°C (60 – 68°F). In summer, July and August is the hottest month. There are 18 hours of daylight; after 11 p.m., it becomes dark.

Ireland in April

This month, the average temperature is 8 – 12°C (46 – 53°F). Thus, April is a pleasurable month and the end of springtime.

Ireland in December

In December, the average temperature is 4-6 °C (39 – 42°F), and snowfall is rare. However, sometimes it becomes rainy, making you feel slightly colder than usual.

Being a senior keeps a few travel hacks in mind.

• Start the journey in the daytime.
• Always hire a driver to visit the local scene. Also, try to avail of a bus tour.
• Carry the hobbies you love.
• Book the tour with a trustworthy travel company.

Read Bird Sanctuary in London

Ireland Tour with my Grandfather

We started our journey from India and reached Dublin (the capital of Ireland) in 10 hours. We hired a car for sightseeing, which I felt was much better than a bus tour.

Ireland tour is an expensive tour but an affordable one. One week costs $2685 per person, including flights, food, accommodation, etc. It was a fantastic trip with busy and action-packed days.

• Day 1:  We started and ended our tour in Dublin. In Dublin, Ha’penny Bridge is famous. It’s the first pedestrian bridge built in 1816 across the Liffey River. The tour was for seven days. We reached the Ashling Hotel by the shuttle service provided by the airport. After taking a rest for a few hours, we visited River Liffey. We also experienced the Guinness Storehouse, where the ticket cost was €25 for adults, €18.5 for students and seniors, and children €16 (13-17). Other fabulous places are Christchurch Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Custom House. Our local tour director guided this orientation of tours.
• Day 2 : We departed from Dublin and headed towards Killarney. First, we stopped in Cahir to see the castle. Then, we climbed the ramparts in Blarney Castle to enjoy the scenic beauty.
• Day 3 : We went to The Ring of Kerry to enjoy mountain and sea views. You can also go for a hike there. Must carry good walking shoes, sunscreen, and rain gear.
• Day 4 : We visited Killarney- Foynes- Cliffs of Moher- Limerick, Pan Am’s Flying Boat in Foynes. The invention of Irish coffee was a part of learning there. ‘Cliffs of Moher’, whose beauty is incomparable. It’s the most visited tourist place and our memorable part also. From here, we can see outstanding natural beauty. The Cliff is 702 feet. It’s also a specially protected area for seabirds.
• Day 5 : The destination spot was Dingle. We explored the beautiful peninsula with historical wonders. Inch Beach was our first stop. Then we went to the edge of Europe, also known as Sla Head. Don’t miss clicking the photo with Fungi (name of a Dolphin) that has been there for 30 years.
• Day 6 : We departed from Doolin village and explored moon-like terrain. Last came back to the hotel in Dublin, and our flight was at 6:00 pm.

12 Top Tours of Ireland for Seniors Citizens

• Scottish & Irish Gold Tour
• The Celtic Voyage.
• Introduction to Ireland Tour
• Treasure of Ireland.
• Great Atlantic Adventure Small Group Tour.
• Jewels of Ireland Tour
• Irish Vacation
• Castle and Manors
• Emerald Explorer Small Group Tour
• Irish Adventure Tour
• Odyssey Traveller
• My Ireland Tour

1. Scottish & Irish Gold Tour

Destinations are Glasgow city tour, Loch Lomond & Inveraray Castle, Isle of Skye & Loch Ness, Culloden battlefield & sheepdog trials, Blair castle & whisky tasting, Glamis Castle & St Andrews, etc.

• Start City: Glasgow
• End City: Dublin
• Age- 8+ years old
• Style- Escorted Tour
• Length- 16 Days/15 Nights
• Price- Starts from $4,399
• Rate- 4.3 stars
• Operator- CIE Tours

Also read : Save Money While Traveling

Recommended hotels

• Crosshill House Glasgow
• Charing Cross Hotel Glasgow
• Smiths Hotel Glasgow
• Best Western Woodlands Hotel Dundee

2. The Celtic Voyage

Destinations are Dublin, Slea Head, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Killarney, Dingle, and Burren National Park.

• Age- 5-99 years.
• Style- Adventure, Coach/Bus
• Length- 6 days.
• Price- Starts from 683.233 EUR or 770.152 USD.
• Rate- 4 stars.
• Operator- Wild N Happy.

Read Safest and Cheapest places to live in the UK

3. Introduction to the Ireland Tour

Destinations are  Kildare–Cashel–Limerick–Ennis, and Ennis. west coast excursion, Killarney, Blarney–Waterford, Avoca–Glendalough, etc.

• Starting City: Dublin
• Length-  – 7 Days
• Price- Starts from $1,556
• Rate- 4 stars
• Operator- Globus Tours

4. Treasure of Ireland

Destinations are Dublin, Glendalough, Waterford, Cork, Cobh, Blarney, Killarney, Foynes, Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, and Shannon.

• Style- Coach/Bus.
• Price- Starts from 1104.112 EUR or 1243.435 USD
• Rate-4 star.
• Operator- Trafalgar.

Recommended Hotels

• Roxford Lodge Hotel Dublin
• The Leeson Lodge Dublin
• Charleville Lodge Hotel Dublin

5. Great Atlantic Adventure Small Group Tour

Destinations are Dublin, Cashel, Cork, Blarney, Kinsale, Kenmare, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Westport, and Dingle.

• Age- 6-106 years.
• Style- Adventure Tours
• Length- 7 days.
• Price- Starts from 1328.793 EUR or 1497.079 USD
• Operator- Overland Ireland.

6. Jewels of Ireland Tour

Destinations are Tour of Dublin & Taylors Three Rock Pub, Kinsale, Blarney Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Burren Village, Connemara Catamaran Cruise, Belleek Pottery & Donegal Castle, etc.

• Start City: Dublin
• Style- Best Escorted Tours Ireland
• Length-  –  15 Days/14 Nights
• Price- Starts from $ 3,439

7. Irish Vacation

Destination- Dublin, Cashel, Galway, Ashford, Blarney, Cliffs of Moher, Connemara National Park.

• Style- Coach/ Bus.
• Length- 8 days.
• Price- Starts from 2194.470 EUR or 2473.058 USD
• Operator- Insight Vacation.

8. Castle and Manors

Destinations are Dublin, Galway, Cashel, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Kildare, Kinvarra, and Connemara.

• National Park, Clifden.
• Style- Historical, Bus/Coach.
• Price- Starts from 2311.560 EUR or 2605.256 USD

9. Emerald Explorer Small Group Tour

Destinations are Blarney, Ross Castle, Aran Islands, Galway, Victorian Walled, Garden, Kylemore, Doolin, Slea Head, and Cliffs of Moher.

• Style- Adventure.
• Price – Starts from 1329.134 EUR or 1497.874 USD.
• Rate – 4 stars.
• Operator – Overland Ireland- Small-Group Tour.

10. Irish Adventure Tour

Destinations are Glendalough & Waterford Crystal,  Cobh & Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry Drive & Killarney, Cliffs of Moher & Galway, Sheepdogs & Derry’s Medieval Walls, Giant’s Causeway & Titanic Belfast, etc.

• Length –  9 Days/8 Nights
• Price – Starts from $1,709
• Operator – CIE Tours

11. Odyssey Traveller

If you are interested in learning while travelling, Odyssey Travellers will provide you with various opportunities. Odyssey has been providing adventure and educational tours since 1983. These Ireland trips are not only for couples; single senior tourists over 50s can also join. Usually, in a group, they allow 6 to 12 people.

They have several tour programmes throughout the year. Every year, conduct almost 150 tours with 300 organized schedule departures.

Their top-rated tours are

• Ireland and Lake District walking small group tour — From AUD 11,650
• Small Group tours exploring the Treasures of Ireland — From AUD 9,450
• Gardens of Ireland Small-Group Tour — from AUD 6,950
• The historic Ireland Tour of Ireland

12. My Ireland Tour

My Ireland Tour is a family-based business company founded in 1989. They provide customized Ireland tour packages and lots more.

For their excellent service, they became the top-rated Ireland tour provider in Ireland.

They arrange 9 best Ireland Tours for 2021

• 6-day iconic scenes of Ireland price starts from €995
• Discover Northern Ireland tour price starts from €995
• Seven days castles and back roads tour price starts from €1695
• 8 The Ancient Ireland tour price starts from €2590
• 10-day iconic scenes of Ireland price starts from €1490
• 10-day deluxe Irish castles tour price starts from €2290
• 14-day iconic scenes of Ireland price starts from €2290
• iconic Ireland & Scotland tour price starts from €2690
• The 14-day iconic scenes tour price starts from €2290

Walking tours of Ireland for seniors

For the splendid views in Ireland, walking tours are best. A Historical tour in Dublin will cost $16.30 (seniors), and $13.60 (adults). They provide guided tours to understand the history and culture of the glorious city of Dublin. They cover Nelson to Spire, Dublin’s monuments, and the Statues of Radical Dublin. Some tour operators are:

• Operator – Hill walk tours

Tour name – Ireland hiking tour by Dingle Way, Wicklow Mountains, Kerry Way, Beara Way, etc.

Cost – starts from € 399 per person

• Operator – Foot Falls Walking Holiday Tour

Tour name – Walking Hiking, Walking Hiking, Cycling Tours, Walking Short Breaks, etc.

Cost – starts from € 200 – € 350

Many tour companies also provide walking tours. Like, Donegal Way Walking Tour, the Waterford Walking Tour, The Emerald Isle Walking Tour, and Globus Tours.

Walking Tours of Ireland reviews

Walking tours are highly recommended for visitors. Free walking tours of Sherman’s always became a great introduction. Visitors learned tons about the areas they visited. The best way to discover Dublin is a walking tour.

Many tourists take a walking tour to explore the scenic routes of Ireland. Many tourists reviewed sample traditional Irish food equivalent to a full meal. On the walking tour, you must visit Ireland’s countryside to see its natural beauty. Experience Dublin literature and pub in the pub crawl of Dublin literature. You can also visit Howth, which is near Dublin.

Tour companies in Ireland

In Ireland, lots of travel planners and travel companies are available. 

• Historical Walking Tours of Dublin (Visit Dublin)
• Rail Tours Ireland
• Paddywagon Tour
• Wild Rover Tours
• Shamrocker Adventure
• Vagabond Tours
• Game of Thrones Tour in Ireland
• Extreme Ireland

1. Historical Walking Tours of Dublin (Visit Dublin)

Dublin is a fascinating place for exploring. It is full of historical spots. A good tour guide is essential To explore them. Since 1986, they have been operating tours. They also lead the tourists with an excellent sense of Irish humour.

Every walk takes 2 hours. In this tour, Trinity College Dublin becomes the starting point. “Book of Kells” Has been displayed in this college. The House of Lords, Temple Bar, and Christ Church Cathedral are highlighted. The cost is around 14 EUR.

2. Rail Tours Ireland

Rail Tours Ireland is a quick and budget-friendly tour organization founded in 1998. The company is associated with the Irish Rail Service.

The tour of Ireland provides tourists with the opportunity to explore Ireland as much as possible in the shortest time. They are arranging a fully hosted tour of Ireland on a rail’s luxury coaches. There are over 40 different tour options for every day of the week.

3. Paddywagon Tour

It started in 1988 and offered both day and multi-day tours. Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, The Giant’s Causeway, and the other attractions in Northern Ireland. Range from 45 EUR – 65 EUR. They have special trips for students as well. For a multi-day tour, costs start from 149 EUR and 689 EUR for a nine-day tour.

4. Wild Rover Tours

Wild Rover Tours is the best tour company in Ireland for families. They have multi-day tours and a fantastic day trip. This Irish tour for seniors company always remembers that comfort matters for families and their younger children.

They coordinated luggage storage services, Airlink Express, and Fast Track discount tickets for the Guinness storehouse. Their leading tour is the “Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains and Glendalough Day Tour.” Wild Rover has four individual private tours from Dublin.

5. Shamrocker Adventure

Shamrocker Adventure can be a good option if the budget becomes a problem. They try to provide independent travel and senior group trips to Ireland. Here you can have a choice in the level of accommodation. In addition, they offer a passionate Irish storyteller as a guide.

They focus on the South or West for 3 to 7 days. The cost for a small day trip is 300 EUR, and for seven days, it’s 609 EUR, 589 EUR (for students). The main areas covered are Giant’s Causeway, Galway, and Blarney Castle.

6. CIE Tours

The CIE (International Ireland & Britain) tour is about 85. CIE Tours has arranged the highest quality travel around Ireland with flexible options, including coach, self-propelled and private-driver tours.

Each of their tours is universal, with no hidden extra fees or features. If a tourist travels without a group, the CIE offers various lodging and food choices and can book previously. CIE’s “Taste of Ireland” tour is the leading choice for Irish Travel.

7. Vagabond Tours

The company offers two kinds of tours. Driftwood Tours and Vagabond Tour. Driftwood Tours is for those who want a simple trip. In Dublin, the Grand Canal Hotel is where the Driftwood Tours begins and finishes.

Hiking, Sea kayaking, and Cycling are included in the Vagabond trip. Vagabond Tours has been certified eco-tourism since 2017. The tour range lasts 6 to 11 days, costing around 2,900 EUR. They also provide food and adventure tours, including a visit to the Skellig Islands. Also, tours for history lovers, castles, and kingdoms are focused.

8. Game of Thrones Tour in Ireland

Since launching the hugely popular HBO fantasy drama, Ireland has become synonymous with the Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones tours provide plenty of options for those wishing to go to their favourite scene sets. Now the place is a prime visiting centre.

Tourists can ride bicycles in the forest, and even you can enjoy archers for a day or lose yourself in the set of Game of Thrones. The shooting spot provides photographic opportunities, including props and locations.

9. Extreme Ireland

Provide an adventurous tour along with “Atlantic ways” for 12 days. Small groups (maximum 16) are taken by a professional guide. They provide a safe and adventurous tour, 1,100 EUR for a quick trip and 2,200 EUR for a 12-day journey. It includes a bike ride, paddle boarding, hikes along sea cliffs, surfing, etc.

10. Intrepid

The company conducts small and comfortable group tours (maximum 12) and provides one-day to 8 days trips. Intrepid also explores the Aran Islands. In one day, the trip covers major attractions and sights. The cost is around 2,300 EUR.

8 small group tours for seniors in Ireland

A tour becomes more comfortable when it feels like a family. The fewer the number of tourists, the more attention you get. Most of the seniors prefer small group tours. The smaller the group, the more personalized service received.

• Wild South – Multi-Day – Small Group Tour of Ireland
• Spectacular South and West small group Tour of Ireland
• Great Atlantic Adventure Small Group Tour
• West Coast Explorer
• Corners of Southern Ireland
• The Emerald Isle
• Escape to Ireland
• Celtic Tours World Vacations

1. Wild South – Multi-Day – Small Group Tour of Ireland

Destination: The Rock of Cashel and Cork City, Mizen Head Peninsula, The Ring of Kerry and Valentia Island Tour, etc. Tour Operator: Wild N’ Happy.

• Start and end in Dublin
• Max group size: 16
• Duration: 7days
• Age range: 5 to 99

2. Spectacular South and West small group Tour of Ireland

From Dublin to Dublin

Destination: Cork and Kiss the Blarney Stone, Magical Kingdom of Kerry and Castles, Explore the Dingle Peninsula, etc.

• Tour Operator: Overland Ireland – Sm
• Max group size: 15
• Duration: 5 days

3. Great Atlantic Adventure Small Group Tour

Destination: Cork and Kiss the Blarney Stone, Magical Kingdom of Kerry and Castles, Explore the Dingle Peninsula, Mighty Cliffs of Moher, etc.

• Duration:   7 Days

4. West Coast Explorer

• Duration – 5 days.
• Cost- $ 838

5. Corners of Southern Ireland tours

• Duration- 7 days. 
• Cost- $ 2,151.

(Must visit the Grand Canal in the south. It was planned to create connectivity with Dublin. Grand Canal was started in 1756 and finished in 1803.)

6. The Emerald Isle

• Duration-14 days.
• Cost- $ 4,112

7. Escape to Ireland

• Duration- 7 days.
• Cost- $ 1,315.

8. Celtic Tours World Vacations

This tour company arranges Celtic Dream Tour, an 11-night tour plan. They provide professional travel guides and drivers. Celtic Dream Tour covers Belfast, Derry, Dublin, and lots more.

Tours of Ireland for Families

Irish Tourism

They mainly provide  different kinds of tourism with exclusive family tour packages with kids. They offer everything in their package tour, such as staying at the 5-star castle. Moreover, they have selected hotels with children’s camps, games rooms, petting zoos, etc.

Their package tours are-

• Ireland with Kids – 5 Star Castle Adventure, 7 NIGHTS
• Ireland with Kids – Adare, 7 NIGHTS
• Ireland with Kids – Ballycotton 7 Nights
• Ireland with Kids – Dingle 7 Nights. Etc

Rick Steves’ Ireland tours

Rick Steves Ireland Travel provides a legendary tour for your Europe travel. They offer to travel with a small group, accommodation in upscale hotels, and a knowledgeable guide. They say it is a lifetime memory of togetherness.

• Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour

Destination – Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, Galway, Old Bushmills Distillery, Aran Islands,  Kinsale, Giant’s Causeway, Connemara,  and the compelling city of Belfast, etc. 

Cost starts from $4,195 per person + air

• Heart of Ireland in 8 Days Tour

Destination – Rock of Cashel,  Adare Village, Dingle, the Cliffs of Moher, Glendalough, the Great Blasket Centre, Kilkenny Castle, crystal cutting,  the Brú na Bóinne archaeology site, whiskey tasting, and more.

From $2,395 per person + air

Wilderness Ireland Tour

• Family Adventure Paddling and Pirates

Destination – Connemara, Burren, Burren National Park & Aran Islands

Type – Family

Duration: 6 night(s) From €2,910

• Family Adventure Giants, Myths and Legends

Destination – Northern Ireland – Giants Causeway & Belfast

Duration – 6 night(s) From €2,450

• Family Adventure Legends of the Southwest

Destination – South West – Cork & Kerry

Duration – 6 night(s) From €2,850

Tenon  Ireland tours

Tenon Tours provides plenty of family vacation packages.  Hopper tours, self-drive tours, chauffeur tours, honeymoon tours, and private group tours.  And many of them can be customized, depending on where you want to go.

7 Best Escorted Tours Companies in Ireland

An escorted tour highlights Ireland’s Celtic heritage. An escorted tour means it is specially designed for you. It only focuses on the things that you want to see and wants to do. You can stay at a particular location as long as you wish. Below, it is mentioned with a few escorted tours. They are all privately escorted tours.

1. CIE Tours Ireland

CIE Tours is globally one of the biggest escorted tour companies. They have over 85 years of travel experience and organized more than 35 types of different tours of Ireland.

The tour extends from five days and is all-inclusive with accommodation. Most of the tour starts and ends in Dublin. A 5-day tour almost covers half of Ireland. For long trips, it covers the full circle of Ireland.

2. Vagabond Tours in Ireland

Vagabond was dignified by “National Geographic Travelers” in 2013. Lifetime Tours. Vagabond Tours in Ireland offers fully covered small-group trips to the Emerald Isle.

In a group maximum, 13 tourists are allotted. The tour is 5 to 12 days long. The Vagabond Tours tries to showcase the local life of Ireland so that the group members can test the traditional cultural events in small villages.

3. The best trip in Ireland with Trafalgar  

Trafalgar has consecutively won the “Travel News” Reader’s Choice Awards for international tours for five years. Trafalgar Tours offers an 11-day Best of Ireland tour that begins and ends in Dublin. They provided 14 meals and high-class accommodations for the tourists during the trip.

4. Paddywagon Tours

It is an Ireland-based company. They offer escorted native travel experiences for the visitor. The Paddywagon Tours is recognized by The Derry City Council and the Irish Tourism Council for its excellent service and contribution to Irish travel. Paddywagon showcases the joy and strength of Irish culture. This tour operator provides meals and accommodations as well.

There are many other tour companies available like-

5.  Custom Tour of Ireland

6.  Irish Castles Tour 

7. Southern Adventure.

1. Back-Roads Touring Co.

Tours of Ireland from England

Visit local villages and explore medieval castles with Back-Roads Touring Companies. They have a famous guided tour called – 12 Days in Ireland. The tour starts and ends in Dublin. They also have a six-day tour of Northern Ireland.

2.   Bike Adventures Cycling Holidays

Bike Adventures Cycling Holidays arranges a “Round Ireland” two-week tour for an excursion in Ireland. This adventurous and challenging tour starts and ends in Belfast.

3. British and Irish Walking Holidays

The British and Irish Walking Holidays is the leading company for walking tours of Ireland. It is a unique experience. It would be best if you appreciated the scenery while getting familiarized with the local guide on the walking trip. The company offers six guided walking tours in Ireland. These walking tours walk 10 to 18 miles per day.

Tours of Ireland for singles

Gazing at the Cliffs of Moher is more beautifully spent when anyone is alone.

There are plenty of tours for singles of all ages. Like-

•  Luxury Single Tour : The tour consists of modern amenities. It’s for those who want a relaxing vacation. This tour is mainly hosted during the matchmaking festival at Lisdoonvarna. In 10 days of tours, a full Irish breakfast and dinner are included (for four days).
•  Lynott Tours : It’s for those who want to see Ireland on foot. Fourteen miles are covered every day by the group members. Shuttle service is also included in the package.
• Tenon Tours : There is a separate tour for people above 50. Castles, landscapes, and Pubs are mainly focused on this tour. They provided transportation between the cities.

Ireland bus tours for seniors

Destinations Covered: Dublin, Mayo, Donegal, Derry, Belfast, Dublin. 

Ireland, being extremely senior-friendly, offers a range of touring opportunities to enjoy post-retirement. Tour operators have different kinds of Ireland tour packages for the elderly. Comfortable bus/motor coaches with a driver and a guide are available. Here is a list of bus tours for seniors in Ireland:

• Vagabond Tours of Ireland
• Days: 6 days 5 nights
• Price: 1345.50 euros 
• Discovering Island  

Destinations Covered: Dublin, Blarney, Killarney, and Cliffs of Moher

• Days: 5 days 4 nights
• Price: 1352 euros
• Celtic Tours
• Days: 11 days 10 nights
• Destinations Covered: Dublin, Belfast, Donegal, Sligo, Roscommon, Killarney, Blarney, Cobh, Waterford, Dublin
• Price: starting from 2969 euros
• Age: Any (special care for 50/60+) small group tour
• Overland Ireland  
• Destinations Covered: Dublin, Clonmacnoise, Connemara, Galway, Aran Islands, Cliffs of Moher, Lahinch, Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Kindle, Cork, Blarney Stone, Rock of Castle, Dublin 
• Age: Special care for seniors (60+)
• Days: 7 days 6 nights
• Price: starting from 1349 euros
• Go Collette 
• Destinations Covered: Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Blarney Stone, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Adare, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Tullamore/Kilbegan, Kingscourt.
• Age: Seniors
• Days: 10 days 9 nights
• Price: starting from $2199
• Love Irish Tours
• Destinations Covered: Dublin, Clare,  Kilkenny, Kinsel, Killarney, Limerick, Cork, Dublin.
• Price: starting from 1495 euros per person

PGA European Tour

PGA European Tour is an organization operated by three leading companies – The Elite European Tour, The European Senior Tour, and The Development Challenge Tour.

Driftwood Tours & Vagabond Tours

The number of tourists never crosses 15 on tour. Have experience in staying in a beautiful and historic Irish castle. Enjoy Driftwood Irish Castle and Kingdom tour at Ballyseede Castle Hotel in Kerry. They design this tour for all ages and are much more comfortable with plenty of time.

It’s a special tour of Ireland for seniors. Grand houses, gardens, and artisan crafts are focused more. It’s beautiful but not as active as the Vagabond tour. Vagabond Tours adds some more adventure tours to the trip.

The highest pub in Ireland

1.   Top of Coom

Ireland’s highest point is Carrauntoohill (3,407 feet 6 inches). Top of Coom is Ireland’s Highest Pub at 1,046 feet above sea level. Here, you get authentic experiences of Ireland.

2.   The Ponderosa

This pub was founded in 1858. It’s at 946 ft above sea level. So you can spend your available time joyfully.

3. Johnnie Fox’s

It is the most famous pub in Ireland, near Dublin. Standing at 910 ft above sea level—Johnnie Fox is renowned for its traditional music nights and food.

What to wear in Ireland?

• light jacket or sweater  
• Water-resistant or Rain jacket: Women’s and Men’s
• short- and long-sleeved shirts 
• Moisture-Wicking Scarf
• jeans or warmer travel pants 
• Hiking shoes: Women’s and Men’s
• Water-resistant walking shoes or boots for exploring the countryside
• knit gloves

What to pack for Ireland?

• Travel Insurance
• Proof of Age of Driver’s License 
• Money Belt 
• Basic Medication 
• Jet Lag relief pills
• Universal Waterproof Phone Case
• Ireland Power Adapter
• Water bottle with built-in filter
• Alcohol-Based hand Sanitizer
• Mask (n-95)
• Dress ( as mentioned above)
• Every Essential for Kids

9 Interesting Facts about Ireland

• Snakes are not found in Ireland.
• The Irish consume 131.1 litres of beer per year.
• English and Irish are both the official languages.
• There is no death penalty in Irish laws.
• The longest coastal driving route in the world is in Ireland, Wild Atlantic Way.
• Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden are some of the top tourist attractions in Ireland. It is one hour from Galway.
• Irish are love sheep. So, their human population is 4.8 million, and the sheep population is 5.2 million.
• It’s a safe, beautiful country to visit. But roaming late at night is not encouraged.

What is the best tour in Ireland?

Shamrocker, Rail Tours Ireland is the best for traveller who wants to lower their budget. It’s a seven-day trip. 609 EUR (adults) and 589 EUR (students).

What is Ireland known for?

• Saint Patrick
• Irish Castles
• Coasts and Countryside
• Irish Whiskey
• Book of Kells display in Dublin at Trinity College.
• sports(Rugby, Racing, Football, play Golf)

Dublin Freedom Ticket

The Dublin Freedom Ticket is your perfect travel partner for exploring this beautiful capital city of Ireland. It’s a transport ticket especially made to help the tourists visiting Dublin. This ticket serves multiple purposes. It’s an additional perk alongside the DoDublin Hop on Hop off tour. The Hop on Hop off tour is a guided tour that takes the traveller around Dublin’s most famous sightseeing spots via public transportation systems.

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The Freedom Ticket provides excellent discounts on the cost of these public transports and the DoDublin City Sightseeing buses. The ticket allows a free walking tour of Dublin city, and this ticket also covers the entry cost of the famous Little Museum.

Public transport discounted under this ticket includes the commuter train Dart, buses and Luas tram. All buses between the city centre and Dublin Airport are covered on the 16 and 41 routes. There are multiple other discounts under this ticket at attractions throughout the city. It’s also valid in some out-of-Dublin regions such as Howth, Skerries, Enniskerry, Sandymount and more.

The ticket validity is 72 hours with 48 hours of a guided tour. It costs €45 for an adult.

Dublin City Pass

The Dublin City Pass is the best way to explore Dublin City on a pocket-friendly budget. This pass allows free entry to 36 tourist attractions in and around Dublin.

A 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket is also included in this pass. Currently, it’s available only in digital format. This pass also has the perk of skipping long lines at most sites. Some of the sites require prior reservations even when having the pass. Dublin Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse, Dublinia and GPO Museum are a few famous attractions covered in this pass.

The Dublin Pass is available in five categories. All categories include the same destination numbers. Children aged between 5 to 15 get special concessions with the child ticket. The price of each pass is as follows:

Dublin Travel Card

The Dublin Travel Card is known as the Leap Visitor Card. It’s a transportation card for visitors and tourists in Dublin. It’s especially useful in getting the user to and fro the airport without additional charges.

It offers unlimited journeys during its activity time on Airlink buses, Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Commuter Rail. This pass can be bought online or from the Dublin airport as well. It’s also available for sale at tourist information centres like Visit Dublin Center and Discover Ireland Center.

The card comes in three categories according to its validity. They are as follows:

The card activates from the first trip, and you can extend the validity by topping it up with an extra period of 1, 3 or 7 days.

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HI TRAVELLER …Myself Ruma Dey Baidya. I’ve been backpacking for the last 20+ years. Photography and travelling have been my passion since my childhood. Whenever I got an opportunity, I never missed it. I am not a solo backpacker, so I always try group travel. I prefer budget travel, and it also helps me to save expenses. We know that memories are not constant, so I decided to document them and created this travel diary. This website [ TheHolidayStory ] is dedicated to those who passionate about travel like me. Please feel free for any information related to my blog. I am always happy to reply. Mail id – ruma[@]theholidaystory.com

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Find Your Tour:

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• Tours for Solos
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2024 Tour Packages:

• All Ireland Tours & Vacations
• Iconic Britain & Ireland Tour 18 Days | From €4390 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• Iconic Britain Tour 10 Days | From €2490 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour 14 Days | €3690 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• 14-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 14 Days | From €2890 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• 10-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 10 Days | From €1690 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• 8-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 8 Days | From €1590 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• 6-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 6 Days | From €990 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• Deluxe Irish Castles Tour 10 Days | From €2790 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• Historic Irish Castle Tour 7 Days | From €1790 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.
• Ancient Ireland & Scotland Tour 13 Days | From €5390 | 2024 | Max 8 ppl.
• Ancient Ireland Tour 8 Days | From €3390 | 2024 | Max 8 ppl.
• Discover Northern Ireland 6 Days | From €995 | 2024 | Max 26 ppl.

2025 Tour Packages:

• Iconic Britain & Ireland Tour 18 Days | From €4590 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour 14 Days | €3990 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• Highlights of Ireland & Scotland Tour 9 Days | €2490 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• 14-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 14 Days | From €2990 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• 10-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 10 Days | From €1990 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• 8-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland 8 Days | From €1690 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• Deluxe Irish Castles Tour 10 Days | From €2890 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• Ancient Ireland & Scotland Tour 13 Days | From €5690 | 2025 | Max 8 ppl.
• Ancient Ireland Tour 8 Days | From €3290 | 2025 | Max 8 ppl.
• Discover Northern Ireland 6 Days | From €1090 | 2025 | Max 26 ppl.
• Tour Guides / Drivers
• Reviews of our Tours

Further Information

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Travelguide

About tour packages

• Choosing a Tour
• The Tour Hotels
• The Tour Buses

About private tours

• Arranging a Tour
• Private Tour Accommodation
• Private Tour Vehicles

Ireland Tours 2024 & 2025

Looking to customize a bespoke vacation? Check out our Private Tours

We are still Ireland's best-reviewed tour operator, with 97.3% five-star reviews.

Our UK & Ireland Tour Packages

Scroll through our Britain and Ireland tour packages for 2024 & 2025. Alternatively, you can also see what's available on your preferred dates .

Iconic Britain & Ireland Tour

• 34 attractions
• Max. 26 ppl

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime 18-day adventure as you behold the most famous and captivating attractions that Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England have to offer.

Iconic Britain Tour

• 14 attractions

Embark on a unique and unforgettable 10-day journey as you explore the most renowned and captivating attractions that England and Scotland have to offer.

6-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland Tour

• 13 attractions

Experience the true essence of Ireland in under a week. Ireland's unmissable destinations and the Wild Atlantic Way in one unforgettable hub-and-spoke tour.

Deluxe Castle Tour

• 22 attractions

Live like royalty for 10 days across Ireland, staying in real Irish castles and country manors. Enjoy the finest all-inclusive tour Ireland has to offer.

Historic Irish Castle Tour

• 15 attractions

A truly unique tour of Ireland. Visit the must-see attractions whilst discovering unique experiences beyond the tourist trail. All woven together by Ireland's historic castles.

14-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland Tour

• 25 attractions

Discover the Island of Ireland, North and South with this unforgettable 14-day tour. Spend 4 days in Ulster, and 10 more in Eire.

Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour

Discover the best of Ireland and Scotland with this unforgettable 14-day tour. Compare the cultures of these historic Gaelic nations during a magical fortnight.

10-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland Tour

Experience all that is Ireland in this 10-day adventure. Ireland's best-loved attractions and its best-kept secrets, including the Wild Atlantic Way.

8-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland Tour

• 17 attractions

Take in the essence of captivating Ireland as you embark on an unforgettable 8-day adventure, immersing yourself in the Emerald Isle's beauty and charm.

Highlights of Ireland & Scotland Tour

Explore the wonders of Ireland and Scotland on this remarkable 9-day tour. Immerse yourself in the rich cultures of these historic Gaelic nations as you embark on a captivating journey.

Discover Northern Ireland Tour

• 8 attractions

Northern Ireland's natural beauty awaits on this six-day fully-inclusive tour of Ulster. Picturesque towns, untamed coastlines and friendly locals await.

Ancient Ireland Tour

• 19 attractions

An exclusive tour capped at max. 8 guests, travelling through the idyllic scenes of The Wild Atlantic Way. Including an overnight stay in an Irish castle.

Ancient Ireland & Scotland Tour

• 24 attractions

Embark on a unique and intimate journey through the Celtic heartlands of Ireland and Scotland on this exclusive tour designed for a maximum of 8 guests.

Hello from everyone here at My Ireland Tour

Welcome! We are thrilled that you are interested in visiting our country. We're proud to say that we're still an independent family-run business, based right here in Cork. We offer a range of Britain and Ireland vacation packages , as well as our bespoke private customised tours . We're looking forward to chatting with you and showing you what makes Ireland such a magical place.

Eric O'Gorman, Founder & Director

What are you looking for?

We offer various types of tour to suit all ages, interests and group sizes. What kind of vacation suits you best?

All our Ireland Tours

Ireland's best-loved destinations and its best-kept secrets, all on one magical tour.

Private Custom Tours

Custom private tours, crafted uniquely for you. All group sizes from two people to 100.

Castle Tours

Live like royalty, staying in real Irish castles steeped in history and tradition.

UK & Ireland

Tour Ireland and Britain at the same time with a tour that shows you the best of England, Ireland and Scotland.

Scotland & Ireland

Two great celtic nations, one unforgettable experience. Visit Scotland and Ireland in one trip.

Three unique tour collections

It's now even easier to find your perfect vacation. We have grouped most of our tour packages into three unique collections. Whatever your interests, whatever your budget, we have the perfect range of Irish tours for you and your group. We also offer our popular Discover Northern Ireland Tour (6 days). Alternatively, you can even customize your own bespoke private tour , just for you and your group.

Iconic Scenes Tours

Discover Ireland's best-loved attractions and its best-kept secrets. All with unbeatable value, while staying in some of Ireland's best four-star hotels.

• Compare all Iconic Scenes Tours
• 18-Day Tour (Ireland, England & Scotland)
• 14-Day Tour (Scotland & Ireland version)
• 14-Day Tour (Ireland-only version)
• 10-Day Tour (England & Scotland)
• 10-Day Tour
• 9-Day Tour (Scotland & Ireland version)

Ancient Luxury Tours

Get closer to the action on a tour which is limited to max. eight guests. On these luxury tours, you will be staying in four- and five-star hotels and castles.

• Compare our Ancient Luxury Tours
• 13-Day Tour (Ireland & Scotland)

Luxury Castle Tours

Live like royalty on a tour that is steeped in the rich history and traditions of the Emerald Isle. Stay in Ireland's best four- and five-star hotels and castles.

• Compare our Castles Tours
• 7-Day Historic Irish Castle Tour
• 10-Day Deluxe Irish Castles Tour

Made in Ireland, by us

We are not a reseller or an agent. We only sell our own tours, designed with care in our family office here in Cork, Ireland.

No Middleman

You will not find our tours on any other website. And with no middleman, we can provide unrivalled value with a much more personal experience.

We're here for you

On the phone, you can chat to Eric, Kristel, Shannon, Shauni, Keith or Catriona. We will be delighted to help with any questions you may have.

Britain & Ireland Tours

Why not add England and Scotland to your Irish tour experience? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compare and contrast these unique but interconnected cultures. Experience a rich and overlapping history, told from three singular perspectives. Three distinct outlooks, three separate national identities — one friendly welcome. Compare the royalty and pageantry of London with the very different majesty you will find in the rolling glens, lochs and highlands of Scotland. Of course, we think that Ireland holds the crown, with a landscape, a culture and a heritage that puts the Emerald Isle among the jewels of all European travel.

Customize your own tour

Looking for something truly unique? Why not arrange a bespoke private tour exclusively for you and your group? Our private tours can be customized to suit any group size, from two guests to a party of 100 or more. We will work with you to create the perfect tour itinerary for your group, taking away all the stress and leaving you with an unforgettable vacation experience that works for everyone. Certain destinations you want to visit? We can make it happen. Want to stay in a castle or on a working farm? Just say the word.

Stay in real castles

Experience the rich history of Ireland first-hand when you stay in some of the Emerald Isle's most enchanting castles and stately manors. That's right — with our Irish castle tours, you not only visit real Irish castles, you get to stay overnight in them, too. Choose from four castle tour vacation packages , crafted for you by our Irish-born team of tour experts. Whichever tour you choose, you can expect to live like nobility for the duration of your time with us here in Ireland.

Our small groups guarantee Never more than 26 guests per tour

We always keep our tour group sizes small. That's because we want every guest to get the comfort, space and service they deserve. Although many other companies squeeze in groups of up to 50, even the largest of our tour packages are strictly limited to just 26 guests. That leaves empty seats on the coaches. So why do we limit our tours to such small group sizes? Here are six reasons.

Superior Service

Guests consistently list our small group sizes as a top reason why they would book with us again. See our reviews...

More focus on you

With a smaller group, our tour guides have more time to get to know you and your interests.

We deliberately leave empty seats on our coaches, so you can relax and spread out.

Experience each attraction up-close and personal, with more time to ask questions and see what interests you.

Speedier Check-Ins

Compared with many of our rivals, our smaller group sizes make checking in and out of the hotels a breeze.

More Relaxed Pace

Experience Ireland at your own pace. No rushing to keep up and no waiting around for large groups to assemble.

You might also be interested in...

• Sample Itineraries
• Transport Options
• Genealogy Tours

2024 Tour Packages

• Iconic Britain and Ireland (18 Days)
• Iconic Britain Tour (10 Days)
• Iconic Ireland and Scotland Tour (14 Days)
• 14-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland (14 Days)
• 10-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland (10 Days)
• 8-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland (8 Days)
• 6-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland (6 Days)
• Deluxe Irish Castles Tour (10 Days)
• Historic Irish Castle Tour (7 Days)
• Ancient Ireland & Scotland Tour (13 Days)
• Ancient Ireland Tour (8 Days)
• Discover Northern Ireland (6 Days)

2025 Tour Packages

• Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour (14 Days)
• Highlights of Ireland and Scotland Tour (9 Days)

Adare Village and Thatched Cottages

About Adare Village and Thatched Cottages

Adare is a small town in Co. Limerick, known for its quaint and colourful thatched cottages. Adare is considered to be one of Ireland's most beautiful towns so stop and take in the view. Don't forget your camera today - the perfect chance to capture the essence of old Ireland.

Explore Adare Village along the Wild Atlantic Way .

Black Taxi Tour Belfast

About Black Taxi Tour Belfast

Take a journey through this once troubled city. See the murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road & Nationalist Falls Road. The Troubles took their toll on the economic life of Belfast, but the past ten years of peace have returned much prosperity while the genuine friendliness of the city never left.

• Blarney Woollen Mills

About Blarney Woollen Mills

Originally built in 1823, Blarney Woollen Mills was mainly used for the spinning and weaving of wool. After it closed in 1973, it reopened in 1975 — as an Irish heritage shop.

Visit their website...

Culloden Battlefield

About Culloden Battlefield

The Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre commemorates the last pitched battle fought on British soil, in April 1746. Learn more about the Jacobite intent to overthrow the House of Hanover and return the House of Stuart to the British throne.

Glenveagh Castle

About Glenveagh Castle

Located within Glenveagh National Park, Glenveagh Castle was built by Captain John George Adair between 1870 and 1873. Having made his fortune through land speculation in America, Adair return to Ireland and began large amounts of land in County Donegal. The castle was built in the Scottish Baronial style and is surrounded by a garden and commands stunning views of the nearby mountains, lakes, woodlands and valleys.

Highland Folk Museum

About Highland Folk Museum

About Highland Folk Museum is a museum and open-air attraction located in the Scottish Highlands. It is designed to showcase the domestic and working lives of the early highland people.

King John's Castle

About King John's Castle

Located alongside the River Shannon in County Limerick, on King's Island. Dating back to 922, to a time when Vikings were the inhabitants of the island (Thormodr Helgason, the Viking sea-king, built the first settlement here. The castle itself was built in 1200, under the instruction of King John of England.

About Moriarty's

Located close to the Killarney National Park, Moriarty's is an Authentic Irish Gift Store and Restaurant. Hand crafted Irish jewellery, Waterford Crystal and classic and modern tweed fashions and furnishings are all on offer at the gift store. The restaurant is an 85 seater offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Mount Congreve Gardens

About Mount Congreve Gardens

Mount Congreve Gardens. Located in Kilmeaden, County Waterford, Mount Congreve Gardens is an 18th century Georgian estate and mansion. It was designed by the same architect that created both of Waterford's cathedrals, John Roberts.

Mount Stewart House & Gardens

About Mount Stewart House & Gardens

Recently recognised as being one of the top 10 gardens in the world, Mount Stewart is a rich tapestry of planting plant life and stunning walking trails. The house dates back to the 19th century, and was the Irish seat of the Vane-Tempest-Stewart family.

Muckross House

About Muckross House

Located on the grounds of the expansive and idyllic Killarney National Park. Muckross House, and its 11,000-acre grounds, was donated to the Irish state in 1932.

Muckross House Traditional Farms

About Muckross House Traditional Farms

Located on the grounds of the picturesque Muckross House and its impeccable gardens. Take a step back in time and see the Irish farming lifestyle of the 1930s and '40s. A time when the horse was responsible for much of the labour and the weather was the be all and end all in terms of production.

The Quiet Man Museum

About The Quiet Man Museum

The Quiet Man Museum. A reproduction of the quaint thatched cottage from the John Wayne starring, John Ford directed movie of the same name. all costumes, artefacts and furnishings have been recreated in precise detail, to reflect the setting of the 1952 classic. Located in the picturesque village of Cong, County Mayo.

18-Day Iconic Britain & Ireland Tour

• Free time in London
• Shakespeare's Birthplace
• Manchester River Cruise
• Tour of York City
• York Minster
• Jedburgh Abbey
• Tour of Edinburgh City
• Holyrood Palace
• Tour of Glasgow City
• Tour of Belfast City
• Titanic Belfast
• Giant's Causeway
• Kylemore Abbey
• Cliffs of Moher
• Ring Of Kerry
• Blarney Castle
• Irish Emigration Museum
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Guinness Storehouse
• Departure flight home

10-Day Iconic Britain Tour

• Roman Baths
• Broadway to Cheltenham Railway
• Afternoon Tea at Broadway Hotel
• Chatsworth House
• Edinburgh Castle
• Stirling Castle
• Loch Lomond Cruise
• Glasgow City

14-Day Iconic Ireland & Scotland Tour

• Arrival at Edinburgh Airport
• St. Andrews Golf Club
• Kingsbarns Distillery Tour
• Loch Ness cruise
• Glasgow Cathedral
• Belleek Pottery
• Sheepdog Demo
• Blind Piper Pub
• Rock of Cashel

14-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland

• Trim Castle
• Belfast City
• Belfast Murals
• Hillsborough Castle & Gardens
• Bushmills Distillery
• Derry City Walls
• Lough Erne Cruise
• Devenish Island
• Jameson Distillery Midleton

10-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland

• Dublin Airport
• Clonmacnoise
• Free time in Galway City
• Killary Fjord
• Free time in Cork City
• Charles Fort
• Irish National Stud
• Traditional Farm Lunch

8-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland

• Mikey Ryan's Bar
• Killarney National Park
• Hazel Mountain Chocolate Factory
• Galway City
• Free time in Dublin City
• St Patrick's Cathedral

6-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland

• Glendalough Monastic Site
• Ring of Kerry

• Dublin Airport arrival
• Waterford Crystal
• Kilkenny Castle

• Arrival in Edinburgh Airport
• Edinburgh City tour
• Dalwhinnie Distillery
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Isle of Skye
• Glasgow City tour
• Belfast City tour
• Derry City tour
• Dublin City tour

• Lough Eske Castle
• Derry City Tour
• Free time in Derry City

• Pearse Lyons Distillery
• Traditional Music Night

• Derry City walking tour
• Ulster American Folk Park

9-Day Highlights of Ireland & Scotland Tour

• Cruise Loch Lomond
• Clydeside Distillery Tour
• Glasgow City Tour
• Ferry to Belfast
• Belfast City Tour
• Glenshane Country Farm
• Giants Causeway
• Hillsborough Castle
• Carlingford Lough Ferry
• Farewell dinner and show

My Ireland Tour:

My Ireland Tour is a family business based right here in County Cork. Thanks for visiting our website: we're thrilled that you're interested in visiting the country we call home. As an independent Irish business, we're proud that we can give each guest the kind of service that has made us Ireland's top-rated tour operator. We hope to offer you a real Irish welcome soon. Our family business (My Ireland Tour Limited) is registered in Ireland, Company Number 547775.

Contact Us:

• 5 Church Hill  Carrigaline  Co. Cork  P43 X376  Ireland

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• My Ireland Tour Home
• Ireland Tours
• Ireland & Scotland Tours
• Singles Tours of Ireland
• Ireland Travel Guide
• Terms and Conditions
• Sustainability Policy
• Book a Tour

Best of Ireland: Privately Escorted Tour for Seniors

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We match you with top tour companies that specialize in the trip you want,  whether it's a customized private tour or a group tour.

• Trip Overview

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist

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Countries Visited

Places visited, suggested duration, customizable itinerary, dublin – iconic introductions.

Georgian townhouses stretch through the streets of Dublin, and their faded stone and elegant style make for a postcard view. After landing at Dublin’s international airport, you will be transferred to one of these townhouses. It has been converted into a small boutique hotel and allows you to sleep inside the city’s heritage. Cute touches and time-period architecture further showcase Dublin’s coming of age era, and you should not be too surprised when you see other tourists who are taking photos of your accommodation as you will be staying on one of Dublin’s most enchanting streets. This evening will be at your leisure, and your guide can make some suggestions about restaurants and pubs for you to try.

What's Included:

Dublin – Georgian Squares and Old-World Dublin

By taking a slow walk across Dublin, you can really get to know the heritage, from 18th-century Georgian squares back to St Patrick’s Cathedral in addition to the more recent Irish Parliament. As with every day on this private tour, you will first discuss the route with your guide. Some senior visitors can walk further than others, and some attractions may not be interesting to you. With a privately chauffeured tour, you have complete flexibility for each day of your tour. For example, if you love literature, then your guide can adapt today’s tour to include famous locations from James Joyce's novels.

Dublin’s most unmissable attractions are the two cathedrals and Trinity College, which is where the sublime Book of Kells is far more impressive than any photo suggests. However, the city’s main highlight is found in its atmosphere. You can feel the energy on every street and experience the Irish heritage at almost every corner. It will all just seems so Irish , which is quite a contrast from European capitals that have lost their local authenticity and charm. Temple Bar will provide a fitting conclusion to your day. Here, you will sit down to a classic Irish pub dinner as a traditional storyteller weaves a fanciful tale upon the stage.

Waterford – Waterford Crystal and Irish Music

Landscapes of many green shades will dominate as your chauffeur takes you into the south of Ireland. It will be classic, Irish scenery the entire way with farmhouses that dot the valleys and cute stone bridges that connect the rolling hills. Waterford crystal is world-famous, and you will go on a private tour of the factory, learning why it is unique and how it gains the unique sparkle. After Georgian Dublin, Waterford can hit you with a feast of color with each of the houses having been painted a distinctive hue. Once again, you will stay in a boutique hotel that will be within the heart of the old city. For tonight, you will follow the music to a small, historic pub. The evening of song and dance is not just put on for tourists and can help you understand how the Irish’s musical traditions remain part of the everyday.

Blarney – Classic Experiences in Southern Ireland

Iconic attractions will dominate today as you travel from Cork to Cobh and then Blarney. Cork immerses you in old-world charm with the compact city center being a wonderful place to walk slowly and drink tea at a 100-year-old cafe. The Cobh Heritage Centre provides a superb illustration of the 19th-century, Irish exodus to America. At the center, your guide can help you try and trace any Irish family roots with great ledgers that tell of all the different names and places in Ireland. Blarney Castle completes the trilogy of famous sights, and you can lean back and kiss the Blarney Stone should you wish although you should be aware that it is not the most comfortable experience if you do not have a schoolboy’s flexibility. Most likely, you will prefer to watch everyone else doing it.

Killarney – Quaint Sights and Old Estates

Peaceful lakes contrast rugged hills around Killarney. The roads here are slow and winding, which is part of the experience that gets you to really appreciate the landscape rather than simply rushing through it. Irish estates dot this landscape, and none are more iconic than Muckross House. You will enter through its gate where you can experience Ireland from the Middle Ages with an expert local guide who will narrate why this place is so important to local history. After a private tour, you will continue your journey into Killarney, where you will have some time to explore the old city at your leisure. This evening, you will transfer to the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, which is where tales of the past are revealed through song and dance.

Killarney – Highlights of the Ring of Kerry

Ireland is famous for its scenic landscapes, and the Ring of Kerry is the best-known landmark. Unfortunately, this delightful, driving route has become a little overrun with tour buses. This will be a private tour, so your guide will take you in the opposite direction to what is normally recommended. By using expert knowledge, your guide will know exactly where to go and at what time of day, so you can avoid the crowds and experience the Ring of Kerry at its uninterrupted best. As part of the route, you will watch a sheepdog demonstration, explore tiny fishing and farming villages, enjoy fabulous Black Mountains vistas, and see the places where Gaelic culture remains incredibly prevalent.

Galway – Colorful Villages and Epic Cliffs

Dramatic cliffs stand high above Atlantic Ocean waves. Gazing down the coastline, you can feel the roar of the wind and the surf and sense the isolation of Ireland’s edge. These are the Cliffs of Moher, and their enormity cannot be understood through photos. To appreciate this work of nature, you will need to be here, stand on the cliffs, and gaze out to the Atlantic. From these 700-foot structures, you then cross a luscious, green countryside where you will have the opportunity to make a stop in any of three small Gaelic villages. Galway will be the day’s destination, and by now, you will be accustomed to these old Irish towns, particularly how the evenings can provide endless music, food, and new friends.

Westport – Embracing Ireland’s Rugged Western Coast

Connemara is another iconic Irish attraction that photos struggle to replicate. You can gaze at an image of a rugged mountain range, or dry-stone walls that tumble towards the Atlantic. However, only when crossing the national park can you understand how raw and wild it all feels. Kylemore Abbey is located deep in this wilderness landscape, occupying a dramatic setting above Kylemore Lough. A local guide will narrate the story of this peculiar place, including how it came into the hands of Benedictine nuns. The town of Westport is nearby, and you will notice how it feels completely untouched by tourism. While Killarney and Waterford are on most travel itineraries, you are now venturing into areas where it will be difficult to find a fridge magnet or even a postcard for sale.

Letterkenny – Remembering W.B. Yeats and Into Northern Ireland

This is a privately chauffeured tour, so the timing for each day will be flexible. Each evening, your driver will discuss what is on tomorrow’s itinerary. You will have the opportunity to dictate the start time along with whether to add on an extra stop or skip one of the proposed destinations. The driver will also be your guide at some of the attractions, while at others you will be led by specialized, local guides. For example, today you will drive to Drumcliff and Sligo, which are the towns that are central to many W.B. Yeats poems. A literary guide will take you to the poet’s grave and discuss his legacy in the area as well as reciting some of the more unmissable lines. After this, you will make a visit to the Belleek pottery factory to admire the sublime, cream-colored China before resting up at a country estate in Letterkenny.

Letterkenny – The Fascinating and Controversial City of Derry

Derry’s history is painted onto city streets. Enormous murals cover houses and walls, providing images of civil war and a controversial, divided city. There is nowhere better to understand and experience Ireland since the 1900s, especially the role of religion. After spending a morning of exploring both the Derry and Londonderry points of view, you will next travel into the countryside for a bucolic afternoon around Glenveagh National Park and Glenveagh Castle. Charming destinations like these are your reward for spending more than a week in Ireland. By taking two weeks, you will see the famous sights but also go off the beaten track, which is where you will find that you can have a place like the Glenveagh Victorian gardens all to yourself.

Belfast – Exploring Giant’s Causeway and Bushmills

Walking can be kept to a minimum on this tour for travelers that do not wish to do much walking and exercising. Even at wild outdoor destinations like Giant’s Causeway, there will be different options depending on your preferences. Often, these walks are also dictated by the weather, which is notoriously fickle on Ireland’s northwestern coast. With each day, you can see how you feel. So today, you can even climb onto one of the Giant’s Causeway volcanic clifftops should you wish. These dramatic outcroppings are followed by something very sedate. Bushmills Distillery provides the main stop this afternoon, and you will taste 400 years of history before driving past Northern Irish lakes to spend three nights in Belfast.

Belfast – Immersed in the Victorian City

While Dublin is Georgian, Belfast had its heyday in the Victorian era. The copper-domed roof of City Hall shimmers even when the skies are gray. Parliament buildings and the Grand Opera House evoke a period of artistic grandeur and are the most emblematic of all the city’s architecture. Like Dublin, you will feel a strong, local flavor here with the experience being as much about soaking up the atmosphere than any specific attraction. With your local guide, you will explore how Northern Ireland has created an identity that is distinct from the south. Then, you will tour two sides to the Irish divide with a black taxi tour that ventures on both sides of the Belfast Wall. It will be an eye-opening experience, especially how the murals can depict the same person as a hero or a killer, based on which side of the wall they are drawn.

Belfast – Medieval Heritage in Mourne and Trim

The Mourne Mountains and Trim Castle will provide the highlights on your final full day in Ireland. You drive into Belfast’s bucolic surroundings and first visit Carlingford, which is a medieval fishing town that is full of pungent smells and rugged, coastal walls. Next, it will be Trim Castle on the River Boyne, which is the largest of all Ireland’s Anglo-Norman castles. This will give you an insight into the early medieval era. As with each day, there will be various places that you can stop for lunch, including Ireland’s trademark fish and chips in Carlingford. Farewell dinner with your guide will culminate your day, which will be enjoyed at a traditional tavern in central Belfast.

Belfast – Departure

After breakfast, you will depart Ireland from Belfast’s international airport.

Trip Highlights

• Indulge in Irish heritage, including evenings of Irish dance and cabaret
• Explore old-world castles and cathedrals, including the iconic Saint Patrick and Blarney
• Discover legendary, coastal landscapes, including Giant’s Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher
• Immerse yourself in quaint Irish towns and cities such as Killarney, Waterford, and Letterkenny
• Luxuriate for two days amid the Georgian splendor of Dublin
• Uncover the gritty beauty of Victorian Belfast
• Marvel at the highlights of the Ring of Kerry and Connemara National Park
• Stroll the streets of controversy during an afternoon in Derry
• Bask in a tour of the Bushmills whiskey distillery, Waterford crystal factory, Kylemore Abbey, and Belleek pottery factory
• Relax in comfort as you will spend two weeks on a privately chauffeured journey through Ireland

Detailed Description

Everywhere you go in Ireland there will be iconicity. Streets of cobblestone and color stretch through old towns and villages while castles and cathedrals paint an image of a forgotten time. Folk singing emanates from pubs all across the country, and coastal landscapes will not appear to be real with their rugged cliffs and rocks that rise above the Atlantic Ocean waves. On this tour for senior travelers, you will be immersed in all this splendor from the streets of Dublin to controversial Derry and delights on the Western coast. Privately chauffeured and handcrafted to include all of the major highlights, this two-week excursion means that you can travel at a relaxed pace and really connect with the local heritage.

This is not a large island, but travel time can add up for visitors who try to see too much in a short amount of time. Two weeks is ideal for exploring the entire island. You will start in Dublin, travel south to Waterford and Cork, spend six days discovering the beautiful West Coast, and then devote your final few days to Northern Ireland. As this is a private tour, you can adjust each day to your interests and energy levels, and there is no need for any early starts. On this tour, you can take your time, embrace the local culture and atmosphere, and get to know more than just the famous sights and attractions.

Two days in Dublin will provide you with a lively welcome as Georgian architecture, and Irish storytelling are integral to your experience. You will Travel south to Waterford on day three, which is a city that is famous for its crystal and music. Cork, Cobh, and Blarney will all provide their own highlights on day four before you venture towards the west coast and Killarney. Day five is all about old-world Ireland, and then day six will showcase the best of the Ring of Kerry. Continuing north, you will drive past the Cliffs of Moher to Galway and then through Connemara National Park to Westport. Letterkenny is a wonderfully authentic base for days nine and ten as local excursions narrate Yeats and Derry. You will then complete your tour for senior travelers in Northern Ireland by staying in Belfast and experiencing highlights such as the Giant’s Causeway and Trim. Before boarding your flight home, you will most likely already be planning your return trip to this lush paradise.  Consider learning more about our travelers’ best Ireland vacation experiences by reading their Ireland travel reviews .

Starting Price

$7,275  per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

• Accommodations
• In-country transportation
• Some or all activities and tours
• Expert trip planning
• 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

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19 best ireland tours: dublin, giant's causeway & more.

Make the most of the stunning scenery in Ireland and Northern Ireland with the help of knowledgeable locals.

19 Best Ireland Tours

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Whatever attracts you to Ireland – the verdant landscape, the ancient castles and cathedrals or some of its famous manufactured goods – these tours will help you make the most of your time here. With the help of expert and traveler input, U.S. News determined that these tours in Ireland (and a few in Northern Ireland) are the best on offer. While the tours take differing approaches, ranging from boats and buses to horse-drawn carriages, they all have guides well-versed in local history and lore. Indeed, the guides' storytelling skills are often cited as highlights of these outings, which may last as little as an hour or as long as an entire day.

Lally Tours – Galway to Connemara and Kylemore Abbey Full Day Tour

Price: Adults from 50 euros (about $54); kids from 40 euros (about $43) Duration: 7.5 hours

Explore the west coast of Ireland, where the Irish language (Irish Gaelic) remains prevalent, on this daylong bus trip. In addition to learning about the various sights, you may acquire a few words of the local lingo from the onboard guides, whom tour-takers find enthusiastic, knowledgeable and entertaining. The route on this excursion winds through the photogenic Twelve Bens mountain range. Among the stops are a scenic mountainside village and the extravagant Kylemore Abbey, a 19th-century abbey featuring a Victorian walled garden and a neo-Gothic church.

The fee includes admission to Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden, but does not include lunch. Outings depart Galway daily at 10 a.m. Hotel pickup is available for no additional charge. Lally Tours also offers full-day excursions to the Cliffs of Moher, among other destinations.

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Irish Day Tours – Blarney Castle Day Tour From Dublin

Price: Adults from 85 euros (about $92); kids from 42.50 euros (about $46) Duration: 12 hours

Blarney Castle, which dates back to the 1400s, ranks as one of the most popular attractions in Ireland. The medieval stronghold, which stands approximately 5 miles west of Cork, houses the legendary Blarney Stone – purported to bestow the gift of eloquence on those who kiss it. In addition to visiting the famed castle, this tour stops at another highly popular destination, the Rock of Cashel and its cluster of medieval buildings, including Cormac's Chapel (which contains Romanesque frescoes) and the Hall of Vicars. The trip also includes a visit to Cahir Castle, a 13th-century defensive structure constructed on an island on the River Suir. Those who've taken the tour report enjoying the impressive castles, as well as the guides' amusing commentary. Many reviewers said this was a long day, but worth it to see and hear more about Irish history.

Tours depart daily from Dublin at 6:50 a.m. and return to central Dublin around 7:30 p.m. Irish Day Tours offers a variety of day trips, including excursions to Wicklow, Connemara and more.

Deros Tours – Ring of Kerry Coach Tour

Price: Adults from 38 euros (around $41); kids from 23 euros (about $25) Duration: 6 hours

Observe the unique landscape of the Iveragh Peninsula, including Ireland's highest mountain, on this half-day bus tour. Stops include the villages of Glenbeigh, Waterville and Sneem. From March to October, coaches also stop for a demonstration of how dogs are trained to herd sheep. A high point – literally – is a visit to Moll's Gap, which affords views of MacGillycuddy's Reeks, including its tallest peak, Carrantuohill, which stands more than 3,400 feet high. Another highlight is the Ladies View (named in honor of Queen Victoria and her retinue) at the Killarney Lakes. Tour-takers sing the praises of the witty, attentive guides and the many photo stops. Others were pleased they opted for tour instead of trying to drive the Ring of Kerry themselves.

Buses leave from Killarney at 10:30 a.m. daily and return around 4:30 p.m. Deros Tours also operates tours of the Gap of Dunloe as well as the Dingle Peninsula, among others.

Midleton Distillery Experience

Price: From 26 euros (about $28) Duration: 75 minutes

See how world-renowned Jameson Irish Whiskey is produced on this tour of the original Midleton distillery, which is located about 15 miles east of Cork. Along the tour, your guide will show you several of the distillery's buildings, where you'll have the opportunity to observe the distilling process. The tour ends with a tasting flight of three whiskeys. Travelers offer high marks for the engaging, well-informed guides. Reviewers also appreciate the whiskey samples and say this is a fun activity even if you're not a whiskey fan thanks to the incredible history and architecture on display.

There are also guided tours of the Jameson Bow St. Distillery in Dublin.

Game of Thrones Tours – Iron Islands & Giant's Causeway from Belfast

Price: From 49 euros (about $53) Duration: 10 hours

"Games of Thrones" fans can visit some of the spots where pivotal scenes of the series were filmed on this full-day excursion to the Glens of Antrim. Highlights include the Giant's Causeway, the Cushendun Caves (where Melisandre births a dark spirit), a beach that served as Dragonstone and the Dark Hedges, an avenue of beech trees where Arya Stark made her escape. Guides, who served as extras on the show, share information about the various sights as well as some behind-the-scenes scoop from the set. Reviewers report finding the passionate guides' commentary insightful and appreciate the small group size. Others took advantage of the costumes and props to snap some memorable photos.

Tours depart from Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Wednesday and Saturday at 7:30 a.m. year-round; additional Sunday departures are available in select months. Be aware that this tour involves some walking on uneven ground and that children younger than 12 are not permitted due to the adult content featured in the tour. The company also offers tours that depart from Dublin, among other locales.

Yellow Umbrella Tours – Traditional Pub Tour

Price: From 42 euros (about $45) Duration: 3 hours

If you've come to Ireland hoping to experience its lively pub culture, then this Dublin tour is for you. With a local leading the way, you'll visit three pubs on the north side of the river, away from the tourist crowds. Samples of Irish beer, whiskey and gin are included, and you'll have the option to purchase traditional Irish dishes, if you're feeling peckish. After visiting the pubs, you'll end the tour listening to live music. Reviewers say guides are friendly, entertaining and share lots of history about the drinks and Dublin. Participants also said the pubs featured on the tour are interesting and fun.

Tours are generally offered daily at 6 p.m.; they meet at The Spire on O'Connell Street. If you're traveling with kids and looking for a more family-friendly experience, consider the company's two-hour Dublin history walking tour.

Irish Day Tours – Cliffs of Moher

Price: Adults from 80 euros (about $87); kids from 40 euros (about $44) Duration: 13 hours

Travel west from Dublin to marvel at the Cliffs of Moher and enjoy panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean on this full-day bus trip. In addition to the nearly 400-foot cliffs, this tour visits the village of Doolin for lunch and the flower-filled Burren National Park, as well as the city of Galway before returning to Dublin. Tour-takers typically appreciate both the remarkable scenery and the astute and entertaining guides. Many reviewers said this is the best thing you can do while visiting Dublin.

Trips depart from the statue of Molly Malone on Suffolk Street daily at 6:50 a.m. and return to the city center around 7:30 p.m. Note: Fees do not include the cost of lunch. Be sure to bring headphones if you want to listen to the commentary on Irish Day Tours' multilingual mobile app. The company also offers tours to the Giant's Causeway, Blarney Castle and more.

Belfastology Walking Tours – Eclectic Belfast Walking Tour

Price: Adults from 20 pounds (about $25); kids from 12 pounds (about $15) Duration: 2.5 hours

Admire Belfast's architecture and hear about the city's history on this jaunt around town. Highlights include City Hall, the Cathedral Quarter, Waterfront Hall and the Albert Memorial Clock – one of Belfast's top landmarks. Reviewers applaud the enthusiastic guides' well-informed commentary; they also appreciate that the tour can be tailored to suit groups' particular interests.

Tours are typically offered multiple times a day starting at 10:30 a.m. Belfastology Walking Tours also offers themed tours, such as political murals and street art and music.

Galway Tour Company – The Aran Islands & the Cliffs Cruise

Price: Adults from 70 euros (about $76); kids from 65 euros (about $71) Duration: 10.5 hours

Experience both the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher on this daylong outing. Buses leave Galway at 9 a.m. and travel along the Wild Atlantic Way south to the fishing village of Doolin. From there, tour-takers ride an express ferry to the smallest of the three Aran Islands, Inisheer, where – for at least two hours – they can explore cafes, castles, churches, lighthouses, shipwrecks, pubs and other attractions. After lunch, the journey continues by coach to the incredible cliffs. Travelers praise the guides' amusing and educational commentary and call the views phenomenal.

Buses typically return to Galway around 7:30 p.m. Tickets include admission to the Cliffs of Moher, but not lunch or any optional activities on Inisheer. Note: This tour is available daily from the beginning of March to the end of October. Galway Tour Company also take visitors to Connemara and the Kylemore Abbey, among other popular destinations.

Wild Atlantic Way Day Tours – Connemara and Connemara National Park Day Tour from Galway

Price: Adults from 45 euros (about $49); kids from $43 Duration: 9 hours

Take in the sights of Connemara on this day trip from Galway. Traveling both the Wild Atlantic Way and the Sky Road, this bus ride passes through the picturesque villages like Barna, Furbo and Spiddal, and makes stops at locales like Pines Island and the town of Clifden. The excursion also includes a three-hour visit to Connemara National Park or Kylemore Abbey (you get to choose). The views along the drive are often deemed a high point, and guides win kudos for their knowledgeable narration and skilled driving of the narrow roads. The route winds through the Maumturks and Twelve Bens mountains on the way back to Galway, where the trip usually ends around 6:30 or 7 p.m.

Tours depart from the Kinlay Hostel on Merchants Road at 9:30 a.m.; they are offered daily year-round. Fees do not include lunch, but do include the entry fee for Connemara National Park. The company also offers tours that depart from Limerick and Ennis.

Wild Rover Tours – Kilkenny, Wicklow Mountains, Glendalough Day Tour from Dublin

Price: From 43 euros (about $47) Duration: 10 hours

Spend a day learning about the history and folklore of eastern Ireland on this combination walking and coach tour. Take a guided stroll through the cobblestone streets of Kilkenny and then explore the city on your own, possibly opting to visit Kilkenny Castle, which dates to the 12th century. Then, traverse the photogenic Wicklow Mountains, where scenes from movies – including "Braveheart" – were filmed. The outing's visit to Glendalough, known for its glacial valleys and lakes, includes a guided tour of its monastic city, which was built circa A.D. 600. The trip also features a stop at a working sheep farm. Both the scenery and the guides' expert commentary and recomendations consistently win praise from travelers.

Tours are available daily all year, but the order in which you visit attractions varies seasonally. Pickups from a trio of Dublin locales occur between 8:10 and 8:30 a.m.; tours conclude back in the city around 6:20 p.m. Note: Prices do not include lunch or any attractions in Kilkenny. Wild Rover Tours also offer "Game of Thrones"-themed outings, as well as day trips to the Cliffs of Moher.

LetzGo City Tours – Skip the Line: Guinness Storehouse & Jameson Irish Whiskey Experience Tour

Price: From 112 euros (about $122) Duration: 4 hours

If you're hoping to visit the Jameson Distillery and the Guinness Storehouse on your trip to Dublin, consider this half-day tour, which includes skip-the-line access to both attractions, as well as expert commentary from a local guide. You'll start at the Jameson Distillery Bow St. to learn about and, of course, sample some celebrated whiskey. Then head over to the Guinness Storehouse, a seven-story monument to Ireland's renowned stout, and ascend to its Gravity Bar, a rooftop bar boasting unrivaled views of Phoenix Park, the Wellington Monument, the Wicklow Mountains and more. Along the way, hear about the city's brewing and distilling history from guides. Reviewers typically find the guides' stories entertaining, as well as educational. They also enjoyed the photo stop outside the oldest pub in Ireland, which dates back to the 11th century.

Skip-the-line tours are generally offered several times daily starting at 10:45 a.m. The company also hosts pub and city tours, as well as skip-the-line access to the Book of Kells and Dublin Castle.

McComb's Coach Travel – Giant's Causeway Tour

Price: From 35 euros (about $38) Duration: 10 hours

Take a scenic drive to Northern Ireland's famed Giant's Causeway, the sole UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland, on this daylong tour. Along with its World Heritage Site status, Giant's Causeway is also a site of geological significance comprising approximately 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns. Other stops along the Causeway Coastal Route include Carrickfergus Castle, the Dark Hedges and Dunluce Castle, as well as a pub for lunch. Tour-takers generally appreciate the good humor and insights of the drivers/guides.

Coaches depart Belfast daily at 8:30 a.m. and return around 6 p.m. Note: This outing involves some walking on uneven surfaces. McComb's Coach Travel offers a variety of other tours, including a "Game of Thrones" tour.

House of Waterford Crystal – Factory Tour

Price: Adults from 17.50 euros (around $19); kids from 9.50 euros (about $10) Duration: 1 hour

Get a behind-the-scenes look at how world-famous Waterford Crystal is made on this tour, which visits the factory's blowing, mold-making, cutting, sculpting, engraving and inspection rooms. Visitors consistently find the crystal-making process fascinating and the guides informative and friendly. If you're in the Waterford area, many reviewers called this the No. 1 thing to do.

Tours are available year-round multiple times on most days, though there are none on Saturday and Sunday from November through February. Start times are determined upon your arrival at the plant in its namesake city, so be sure to check hours of operation, which vary by season. If you like what you see being crafted and want some crystal to take home, you can stop at the factory's retail store after the tour.

DC Tours – A History of Terror

Price: From 22 pounds (about $28) Duration: 2.5 hours

Learn about some of the most contentious moments in Northern Ireland's decades-long ethno-nationalist conflict (known as the Troubles) on this walking tour of Belfast. Tours start outside Belfast City Hall daily (barring some holidays) at 10:30 a.m. and conclude on the banks of the River Lagan. Stops along the way include Donegall Place, site of a 1972 bombing; Cathedral Quarter, the city's cultural district; and the Spirit of Belfast, a sculpture often called "The Onion Rings." History buffs generally find the passionate and engaging guides' commentary both informative and entertaining. Reviewers also say you don't need to know much about the Troubles to enjoy this tour.

This tour entails walking for about a mile and a half and is not recommended for children younger than 12. If you're looking for more of an overview of the city, DC Tours also conducts a three-hour "Best of Belfast" tour, among other experiences.

Taste & Tour – Belfast Food Tour

Price: From 67 pounds (about $85) Duration: 4 hours

Sample the Belfast dining scene on this four-hour stroll in the center of the city. After starting in St George's Market, the tour proceeds to various area bars and shops, as well as a restaurant in the Cathedral Quarter. Food and drinks sampled along the way should be sufficient for both breakfast and lunch, according to Taste & Tour. Foodies enjoy the ample food and beverage offerings as well as the friendly guides' culinary wisdom.

Tours typically depart from St. George's Market at 10:15 a.m. on Fridays and 10 and 10:45 a.m. on Saturdays. The company also offers tours that explore the city's cocktail and craft beer scene.

DoDublin – Hop-On Hop-Off

Price: Adults from 30 euros (about $33); kids from 10 euros (about $11) Duration: 2 hours

Explore multiple Dublin attractions at your own pace on this hop-on, hop-off bus tour – or stay on board and see the sights. The tour's route includes EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, the Guinness Storehouse, the Little Museum of Dublin, St. Patrick's Cathedral and much more. Drivers provide running commentary about the city's sights (and recorded narration in nine languages is available). Tourgoers applaud the drivers' witty remarks and recommend taking this tour at the start of your Dublin visit to familiarize yourself with the city.

Bus tours operate daily and depart every 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the day), with the first departing 59 Upper O'Connell St. at 9 a.m. and the last at 5 p.m. DoDublin offers both single- and two-day tickets for its hop-on, hop-off tours. For each adult ticket purchased – regardless of duration – a child younger than 15 can ride for free. Moreover, the fees include admission to the Little Museum. In addition to its hop-on, hop-off tours, DoDublin also operates a nightly ghost bus tour.

Killarney Jaunting Cars – From Park to Castle Tour

Price: Adults from 65 euros (about $70); kids from 10 euros (around $11) Duration: 1 hour

On this hourlong horse-and-carriage ride, you'll travel to both Killarney National Park and Ross Castle, passing sights like St. Mary's Cathedral and MacGillycuddy's Reeks along the way. Why a carriage ride? This mode of transportation allows visitors to see parts of the park where motor vehicles are not allowed. Travelers consistently describe the guides as humorous and well-versed in area culture and history. Reviewers also say the ride is relaxing; many called the tour the highlight of their trip.

Carriages depart from the Great Southern Killarney hotel several times daily, with the first usually heading out at 9:30 a.m. and the last at 5:15 p.m. Killarney Jaunting Cars also offers a variety of combo tours, in addition to a five-hour tour to the Gap of Dunloe.

Killarney Lake Tours – Killarney Water Bus Tour

Price: Adults from 15 euros (about $16); kids from 8 euros (about $9) Duration: 1 hour

See the sights of Killarney from Lough Leane, the area's largest lake, on this hourlong boat ride. Water buses launch from and return to Ross Castle and pass attractions, such as Innisfallen Island's monastic ruins and O'Sullivan's Cascade; cruisers also get an eyeful of the nearby mountains. Tour-takers say this activity is reasonably priced and enjoy the guides' anecdotes and historical observations. They also rave about the views.

Trips are available multiple times daily with standard departure times of 11 a.m. and 12:30, 2:30 and 4 p.m.; additional times may be added in the summer. Water bus tours can also be combined with a horse-drawn carriage (aka jaunting car) ride around Killarney.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best Dublin Tours
• The Best Places to Visit in Ireland
• The Best Travel Insurance for Europe

Tags: Tours , Travel , Ireland , Vacations , United Kingdom , Europe , Europe Vacations , United Kingdom Vacations

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England and Ireland Tours for Seniors

Explore England and Ireland with other Seniors. These 31 tours include popular destinations like Dublin and London.

31 trips for 'over 50s' in England and Ireland with 1,203 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Coach / Bus

Essential Britain & Ireland

Hello, We have just returned from the UK, we thoroughly enjoyed our tour and excursions, except for the last day in Edinburgh were on the morning of 24th Aug we went to the dinning room with our tour group to find no breakfast, and no porter to help with our luggage, we were drop off at the train station were our tour guide left us at the top of the train station and we were told to make our own way to the platform with all our luggage and no assistance. After fining the correct train there was no assistance what so ever to board the train, and being a bank holiday in the UK the trains were absolutely jam packed a very uncomfortable ride and very disappointed and very hot. Once arriving back into London, we need to unload our own luggage, and had find the Cosmos tour guide ourselves, she was un certain of where to go and what to do due to the public holiday as the pickup point had changed, we had to drag our luggage down some stairs in 32 degree heat, a homeless man luckily assisted us to get down the stairs, there were a couple of elderly gents who were very distressed as you can understand, very unprofessionally organised. We had a wonderful trip but the last day spoiled our vacation, and the 14 other passengers on the tour who were also on the train agreed this should have been better organised knowing it was a public holiday in the UK

Britain and Ireland Experience (12 Days)

Fast paced tour, covered a lot. Stuart was an excellent driver and Hamish a very knowledgeable guide, both got us from A-B safely & on time. Breakfast were all good, three set dinners okay. Hotels clean, comfortable but locations mostly remote.

Best of UK & Ireland

We enjoyed the tour very much!! Ailenn and ashley did an excellent job keeping the tour group of 51 people informed of times and events. Everyday was packed full of things to see and do. We fill maybe there was to much down time in some areas to walk around-could have been alittle shorter so we could get to our housing for the night alittle sooner. We were alittle disappointed that they showed no highlights of the city of london. We saw them on our own

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Wonders of Britain and Ireland (12 Days)

Really enjoyed having Greg for our Tour Director, he was so organized and efficient. Empathetic to people's needs. He is very knowledgeable and made the tour a lot of fun.

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Britain and Ireland Panorama (16 Days)

Anna was amazing. I really enjoyed the trip it actually was more than I expected. Our guide ANNA really made the trip.

The Best of Britain & Ireland

I realized that booking through TourRadar for a Cosmos tour was probably a bad decision. There were a number of things Tour Radar left off or did not offer to those who booked straight through Cosmos. My questions is this...why did we not get the same advantages that other Cosmos direct tour members did? Why did I pay a premium when I did not get the concierge-level service? In theory, I should have gotten a level above-and-beyond those who just booked with Cosmos but I did not even get the basics. I am thoroughly disappointed with the Tour Radar aspect of the tour arrangements and that was so fairly obvious to others who booked through Cosmos. No luggage tags, no travel book, no extra information. You had the tour guide wrong, the rooms were not as requested. The Cosmos tour guide was your saving grace. She was fantastic but she works for Cosmos. If I had to do it all again, I would book direct through Cosmos. Also, the Tour Bus was substandard compared to other Cosmos tour buses we saw on our trip. No tray tables, no usb chargers, and the wifi was non-existent. That is more Cosmos than you but I am still disappointed. Driver was great...bus was too full and lacked basic functionality.

Britain & Ireland Explorer (Small Groups, 15 Days)

Romantic Britain & Ireland (Small Groups, 18 Days)

Greg is very professional but still greets with a smile and loves to.have a laugh-he is informative and there to assist when needed he gives a very positive outlook to all that he does and makes it a very cheerfull stress free happy holiday

From the Shannon to the Thames

Many great locations but too little time in several places. Long hours on the bus.

• Sightseeing

From Dublin to London

Exploring Britain & Ireland featuring England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales (Edinburgh to Dublin) (2024)

Castles & Kingdoms (21 Days, Door To Door)

Exploring Britain & Ireland featuring the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (Edinburgh to Dublin)

Romantic Britain & Ireland (Classic, 18 Days)

Highlights of Britain & Ireland

What people love about england and ireland tours for seniors.

Very nice itinerary ... jam packed days and evenings. I chose not to do any of the extra evening excursions that were offered so I was able to use the time to explore every overnight stop on my own. The tour guide was amazing... so full of knowledge about all the countries/areas we visited.

Excellent service and planning to maximize our time to see everything

I would recommend this tour. Our tour guide was wonderful. Our coach driver was wonderful. Wish we had more time at some of our stops but overall it was great.

• Solo/Single tours (60)
• For Couples (38)
• Budget tours (7)