Best of Ireland 7-Day Tour North
A guided journey through Ireland’s most iconic places.
Why Travel With Best of Ireland?
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Approved Irish Tour Guides
Led by professional Fáilte Ireland National Tour Guide approved guides with deep local knowledge.
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Trusted by 1M+ Ireland Fans
A 7-day route shaped by the team behind one of the world’s largest Ireland travel communities.
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Stress-Free Ireland Travel
Enjoy a carefully planned route with transport, guidance and local recommendations taken care of.
Experience the Best of Ireland in 7 Days
This 7-day journey brings you from Dublin to Belfast, the Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Donegal, Sligo, Connemara, Galway and back to Dublin, taking in some of Ireland’s most iconic landscapes, stories and cultural experiences along the way.
Designed for travellers who want to see as much of Ireland as possible without the stress of planning every stop, this tour includes famous landmarks, coastal scenery, historic cities, charming towns and local recommendations from the Best of Ireland team.
What You’ll Experience
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Dublin & Howth
Begin and end your journey around Ireland’s capital, from historic city streets to beautiful coastal views.
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Belfast City
Explore a city shaped by history, creativity and the world-famous story of the Titanic.
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Giant's Causeway
Walk along one of Ireland’s most dramatic coastal landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Derry & Donegal
Discover ancient city walls, wild coastlines, castles and some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery.
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Sligo & Connemara
Travel through mountains, lakes, fjords and rugged Wild Atlantic Way landscapes.
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Galway City
Enjoy colourful streets, lively pubs, great food and the warm atmosphere of the City of the Tribes.
A carefully planned route through some of Ireland’s most iconic cities, coastlines, landmarks and hidden gems.
Full 7-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Dublin
Arrive in Dublin and spend a full day exploring some of the capital’s most iconic attractions. Highlights can include the Guinness Storehouse, the world-famous brewery experience, the Book of Kells in Trinity College, and Kilmainham Gaol, one of Ireland’s most historic landmarks.
Day 2: Belfast
Travel north to Belfast, the second biggest city on the island of Ireland. Visit Titanic Belfast and HMS Caroline, explore Belfast City Hall, and perhaps enjoy a pint in the famous Crown Bar. There may also be the option to take a political tour of the city, including Crumlin Road Gaol.
Day 3: Giant’s Causeway & Derry
Visit the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Bushmills Distillery. Continue on to Derry, a city known for its historic walls, music, culture and, more recently, the famous TV series Derry Girls.
Day 4: Donegal
Move on to Donegal in the northwest of Ireland. Highlights can include the spectacular Slieve League Cliffs, Donegal Castle and Glenveagh National Park, taking in some of the wildest and most dramatic scenery in the country.
Day 5: Sligo, Connemara & Galway
Head south through County Sligo, with Ben Bulben overlooking the landscape, before continuing on to Connemara. Visit Killary Fjord, Clifden and Kylemore Abbey before staying in Galway City, known as the City of the Tribes and loved for its pubs, restaurants and lively atmosphere.
Day 6: Clonmacnoise, Sean’s Bar & Kilbeggan
Travel east with a stop at Clonmacnoise, the ancient monastic site founded in 544 AD by St Ciarán. There may also be time to visit Sean’s Bar, often described as Ireland’s oldest pub, before continuing to Kilbeggan Distillery, one of Ireland’s most historic whiskey distilleries.
Day 7: Howth & Dublin
Return to Dublin and visit the coastal village of Howth and Howth Head, where you can enjoy beautiful views over Dublin Bay. This final stop offers a relaxed coastal ending to your 7-day journey around Ireland.
What We Can Help Arrange
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Driver-Guided Travel
Travel around Ireland with a professional driver-guide, so you can relax and enjoy the journey.
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Airport Transfers
We can help arrange smooth transfers to and from the airport, your hotel and key stops along the route.
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Accommodation Guidance
Get support choosing comfortable places to stay along the route, based on your travel style and budget.
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Attraction Recommendations
From famous landmarks to local favourites, we’ll help shape each day around memorable Irish experiences.
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Comfortable Group Transport
Travel between destinations in comfortable vehicles suited to your group size and itinerary.
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Local Ireland Knowledge
Benefit from Best of Ireland’s experience sharing standout places, experiences and hidden gems across the country.
Why Travellers Trust Best of Ireland
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Scott Karren
My wife and I spent a week with Colm as our driver. We had a wonderful experience as he was very knowledgeable of many different places that we visited. He provided just enough detail about certain places without overwhelming us with historical data. He was very professional and extremely punctual, but at the same time was always willing to alter the itinerary based on what we wanted to do for the day. He also provided many suggestions and recommendations of things to do that were not on our original itinerary. Colm became much more than our driver as we built a great friendship with him during our stay. We highly recommend using this service when visiting Ireland.
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Joanne
Thank you for our fantastic tour of Ireland. We really appreciated your knowledge, openness and good humor over the past two weeks. We very much enjoyed the trip, and you are welcome to visit us anytime in California.
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Jeff, Jack, Jeannie, Jim, Brian & Cari
Thank you for supporting us on our very special trip to Ireland. Our family has been looking forward to it for many months and the experience delivered. We had so much fun. Thank you for your steady driving and sharing your knowledge of all the places we visited. Your lovely demeanor, sense of humor and calm presence made every day a delightful experience. We all look forward to our return.
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Elena Medellin
We had a fantastic seven-day tour of Ireland with Colm. He was warm and friendly, his professionalism stellar. Not only did he have a great disposition throughout the tour, but he was also very enlightening regarding Irish history and culture. He explained the various sites we visited and continued to interject humor with numerous stories which we very much appreciated and enjoyed. Along the trip, Colm ensured that each one of us had a great experience, taking us to beautiful places on the itinerary but also off the beaten path, which made our trip all the more memorable and special.
Thanks to Colm, we have many great memories of Ireland which we will always cherish. We cannot recommend him highly enough!
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John & Randa
Thank you so much for being our tour guide. We had a wonderful time and made many great memories. We really enjoyed getting to know you.
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Rick, Joe, Al and Gus
Our golf trip to Ireland was a week-long visit and Colm made recommendations of some really pretty links courses on the west coast of Ireland such as Ballyconneely, Rosses Point, Lahinch and the unforgettable Ballybunion. He made the trip so much fun and brought us to each course and collected us when we were done. He’s a good sport and it was nice that he was able to join us for one of our rounds. His choice of accommodation was also excellent too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a private tour?
Yes. This is a private driver-guided tour, designed for your group rather than a large coach group.
Who operates the tour?
The tour is arranged in partnership with a trusted Irish tour operator, with professional driver-guides who know Ireland’s history, culture and landscapes.
Are flights included?
No. Flights to and from Ireland are not included. Guests are responsible for booking their own flights.
Is accommodation included?
Accommodation can be arranged or recommended as part of the planning process, depending on your preferences, group size and budget.
Can the itinerary be adjusted?
Yes. The 7-day route follows a carefully planned itinerary, but elements can be adjusted around your travel dates, pace, interests and practical requirements.
Can the tour start from Dublin or Shannon?
Yes. Tours can be planned around arrival into either Dublin Airport or Shannon Airport.
Is this suitable for families, couples or groups?
Yes. This tour can work well for families, couples, friends and small private groups looking for a comfortable way to experience Ireland.
How far in advance should I enquire?
We recommend enquiring as early as possible, especially for peak travel months, larger groups or trips with specific dates. This gives the best chance of securing suitable availability, accommodation and experiences.