Make your way to Galway by today to start the tour tomorrow. Accommodation in Galway is included and you will get to know the other members of your group over dinner. Overnight in Galway

Time to slow down and to enjoy the freedom of Galway city on a day of ‘organised independence’. Your guide will have briefed you thoroughly about how to make the most of this small jewel in Ireland’s crown. It is a ‘walking city’ and you’ll enjoy exploring the shopping alleyways, cathedral, literary sites and pubs at your own pace. Those who might like to, can take an excursion by boat to the unchanged Arran Islands (not included in your tour price if you are only taking the Ulster and Donegal short section) and then explore Galway itself tonight. Dinner is not included this evening to allow for freedom of choice, perhaps a theatre visit or just a relaxed evening in one of the city’s many pubs that offer traditional music.

We have a wonderful day planned today with a typical Back-Roads Touring Co. mix of 'must-see' icons and sights, and a range of additional attractions that are not always visited by the tourist masses. Following the coast road, we'll visit some Galway Bay harbours such as Kinvarra. As ever, we'll be taking you behind the tourist façade but we'll begin our day with a visit to the world-famed Cliffs of Moher. En route, you'll probably see some turf-cutters and perhaps a stop at the commemorative Great Famine site will prove interesting. Then we tour through the lunar-landscape of the Burren with stops at points of interest and some incredible prehistoric burial sites. Overnight in Killarney/Tralee

This part of Ireland is a magnet for tourists, attracted by the incredibly scenic Dingle Peninsular and the Ring of Kerry. Though ‘must sees’, despite the occasionally coach-crowded roads, we’ll be following the back-roads and will spend more time at the less crowded Dingle. If it suits group interest, we may be able to explore northern parts of the Ring and MacGillycuddy's Reeks. If we don't have time today then we'll see parts of the Ring tomorrow.

We’ll also leave some time for Killarney itself where, with some free-time for independent sightseeing, tour participants can decide on whether they want to take a jaunty car experience, see Muckross House, or simply shop. Overnight in Killarney/Tralee

Just when you thought that the scenery you've seen already could not be bettered, we have a good attempt at doing so! We take the hair-raising mountain road from Killarney to Kenmare and onward to the very pretty harbour of Bantry Bay. Here you'll have time to have a delicious seafood lunch or find some interesting local shops! Our drive next will take us over the Healy Pass, one of the most spectacular drives in Ireland. Finally, no Irish tour could be complete without at least a cursory visit to Blarney Castle. Yes, of course every coach tour goes there, but let’s join the herd for once! At least we’ll be there after the main tour parties have left and we’ll have the place much to ourselves. Overnight in Cork/Blarney


A brief tour of Cork begins our day. Next, to nearby Cobh, a naval base during the Napoleonic wars when much of the present day buildings were built. It was one of the major departure points for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950, and also for the men, women and children who were deported to penal colonies such as Australia. On 11 April 1912 Queenstown (as it was then known) was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic as she set out across the Atlantic on her ill-fated maiden voyage.

Also locally we have the fine harbour of Kinsale, considered by many to be Ireland's prettiest. There are certainly many historic sites, and it was just of the coast here that the Lusitania was sunk. The local museum has a great display relating to this terrible Great War event and on a lighter note, the famed Kinsale giant's boots! Overnight in Cork/Blarney


Departing Cork we have a full and memorable final day seeing a selection of Ireland's major icons (how many we manage will depend on time, weather and group interests as ever on a Back-Roads Touring Co. tour). First, we'll run through Waterford, where those who feel they want to can have a quick look at the crystal outlet. Next, a choice; either to Cashel and the medieval town of Kilkenny or to Glendalough. The former is one of the oldest and most interesting towns of Ireland with the magnificent Cathedral of St. Candice one of the finest unruined churches in the country. At the alternative Vale of Glendalough (glen of the two lakes) we'll find the remains of a Celtic village, the 6th Century church of St Kevin, the 9th Century cathedral ruin and the amazing 33 metre high Round Tower.