- May–Oct
- 10 Days
- Limited to 12 Travelers
From $12995
Few countries capture the heart and soul like Ireland. And few journeys bring its people, stories, music, art and nature together as irresistibly as this lively adventure does. From the cobbled lanes of old Dublin to the Wild Atlantic Way hugging the windswept west coast, each day of discovery reveals a new layer of Irish identity. Our itinerary spans millennia as we wander ancient sites like the cliffside fort of Dún Aonghasa, explore the Aran Islands where Gaelic is still spoken, stand atop the nearly 2,000-foot-high Slieve League sea cliffs, forage for native culinary plants and seaweed, and trace the history of the Troubles in Derry. In the evenings, cozy up in convivial pubs for fiddle reels and storytelling as we meet Ireland’s keepers of tradition, sharing their heritage in word, song and whisky. Sláinte!
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Trip Highlights
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Meet the People Who Keep Irish Traditions Alive
Enjoy personal connections with farmers, fishermen, foragers, cheesemakers, musicians and storytellers who share their lives with us
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Experience the Aran Islands When Day Trippers Are Gone
Most visitors hop over on the ferry to spend a few hours—we slow down for a two-night immersion in enduring Gaelic culture and language
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Explore Less-Visited Nooks on the Wild Atlantic Way
Find evocative windswept coast, tall sea cliffs and traditional villages off the tourist track as we trace Ireland's rugged western edge
An Insider's Encounter with Ireland You Won't Find Anywhere Else
You’ll find plenty of guided tours of Ireland out there. But we are pretty sure none is as novel and distinctive as this one. Our itinerary is crafted to give you unusual access to Irish life as it’s lived by everyday people. See what’s in store:
Tap Our Local Relationships for Special Access
When you join us, you’ll meet people you wouldn’t be likely to encounter on a more conventional tour or on your own — farmers, foragers, cheesemakers, oyster producers, storytellers, musicians, community leaders and more.A Small Group—No More Than 12—Allows for Genuine Exchange
Most Ireland tours involve big groups aboard motorcoaches. Not here. With just 12 guests, we’re small enough to have access to private spaces, intimate experiences and personal conversations. You’ll feel like an honored guest, not an anonymous tourist.A Slower Pace Enhances Your Encounters with Real Irish Life
We deliberately focus on fewer places, with more time in each, so you are able to linger and soak up the experience and the ambience. We’re based in just four locations, so no rushed one-night stays and tiring, long drives. You’ll find a more meaningful encounter with Ireland as a result.Experience Living Irish Culture as It Exists Today
While we don’t forego special highlights, our focus is beyond the typical tourist sites. You’ll meet people where they live, work, eat, drink and celebrate. Travel through traditional Gaeltacht regions to hear the ancient Irish language spoken. Your journey becomes about Ireland’s people, more than its monuments—although we don’t miss those, either. It’s an unusual blend of experiences and activities you won’t find elsewhere.Enjoy a Rare Stay in the Aran Islands
Very few Ireland itineraries offer an immersion in one of its most traditional outposts, the Aran Islands. We cross Galway Bay by ferry to spend two days meeting the hardy islanders, hearing their stories, learning about their enduring ways of life, and hearing the Irish language spoken in this region where it remains the primary voice.Discover Fresh, Windswept Nature on the Wild Atlantic Way
Just because we highlight Ireland’s culture, we don’t leave nature out—in fact, Irish heritage is deeply tied to it, from traditional sheep farmers in the Aran Islands to storytellers sharing myths steeped in wild sea cliff settings. On this itinerary, you’ll follow a lengthy stretch of the rugged west coast on the Wild Atlantic Way, a showcase route for some of Ireland’s most dramatic scenery.Dip into Northern Ireland & Its History in Derry
Many Ireland trips don’t take you over the border into Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. On our day trip to Derry from Donegal, we explore the history of Irish nationalism and sectarian divisions, getting an intimate view of the Troubles, and the sensitive reconciliation since, through a personal witness storytelling event.Travel with a Top Expedition Leader & Insightful Local Guides
You'll be with a highly capable Expedition Leader from start to finish, whose deep knowledge of Ireland’s past and present ties together your diverse experiences. And you'll also meet a diverse slate of characters along the way, local people who share their lives and stories with us, revealing personal dimensions of place that only a local guide can offer.