All posts tagged: "Wild Atlantic Way Private Driver Tours"

Cliffs of Moher Private Tour

• Kinvarra & Dunguaire Castle

  

  Kinvarra & Dunguaire Castle

  First up on The Cliffs of Moher Private Tour is Dunguaire Castle; a 16th-century tower house on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay in County Galway, Ireland, near Kinvara. The name derives from the Dun of King Guaire, the legendary king of Connacht.

• Hazel Chocolate Mountian & Bell Harbour

  

  Hazel Chocolate Mountian & Bell Harbour

  Unique experience only 2% of the world’s chocolate made this way.

• Corcomroe Abbey

  

  This Abbey is beautifully situated on the edge of the rocky hills of the Burren. The Abbey was founded for Cistercian monks in 1195 in order to serve as a link between the Abbey located at Inisloughnaght, Co. Tipperary.
• The Burren & Ballyvaughan Village

  

  The Burren & Ballyvaughan Village

  Another popular stop off along the tour is The Burren National Park. The park is located in the southeastern corner of the Burren and is approximately 1500 hectares in size. The word “Burren” comes from an Irish word “Boíreann” meaning a rocky place. Ballyvaughan village is an ideal base for visitors exploring the Burren

• The Poulnabrone Dolmen

  

  The Poulnabrone Dolmen

  Located on the Burren limestone plateau, The Poulnabrone Dolmen is one of Ireland’s most iconic archaeological monuments. The Poulnabrone Portal Tomb is the oldest and one of the most photographed megalithic monuments in Ireland. This is mainly due to its superb sculptured form and easy access from the road.

• Leamaneh Castle & Kilfenora Village

  

  Leamaneh Castle & Kilfenora Village

  Built around 1480 by King Turlogh O’Brien, the name of the castle ‘Leamaneh’ is said to derive from the Irish ‘Leim an eich’ or in English, ‘The horse’s leap’. According to folklore, there is a number of haunted Irish castles. Surely one the most famous is Leamaneh Castle. Red Mary (the most famous inhabitant) is widely known in Irish folk culture for her notoriously bloody past.

• Lisdoonvarna Town

  

  Lisdoonvarna is rich in both history and Irish music and home to the world-famous Lisdoonvarna Match Making Festival Europe biggest singles event. Furthermore, the village boasts a Victorian Spa Complex and Health Centre which is located in attractive parkland. The Spa’s therapeutic mineral waters of sulphur, iron and magnesium have been dispensed since the 18th century.

• The Cliffs of Moher

  

  The Cliffs of Moher

  The iconic Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most visited natural attractions. The Cliffs stretch for around 8km 5 miles along the Atlantic coast of Clare and they reach 214m 700 feet at their highest point. Therefore, if you would like to update your social media profile against an Irish backdrop, this is the place to do it. The cliffs are probably the most visited tourist attraction in the west of Ireland and the Second in the Country after Guinness.

• Doonagore Castle & Doolin Village

  

  The Cliffs of Moher

  Nearing the half way of our tour we will explore Doonagore Castle. This is Doolin’s iconic tower house castle located on the hill overlooking Doolin Point. A 16th-century tower house with a small walled enclosure, this castle is located about 1 km above the village of Doolin.

• Gus O’Connors lunch stop

  

  Gus O’Connors lunch stop

  The lunch stop on The Cliffs of Moher Private Tour is Gus O’Connor’s Pub located in the heart of the picturesque village of Doolin beside the Cliffs. Established in 1832 and host to Legendary music sessions, delicious Irish food and a warm welcome. One of Ireland’s best-loved traditional pubs.

• OPTIONAL EXTRA – Cliffs tour by sea.

  Explore the cliffs from all sides with this guided ferry tour. We will take you to Doolin pier where you can set sail with the wonderfull Doolin Ferry Co. You will be in great hands with Bill O’Brien and his team. VIEW 300 MILLION YEARS OF HISTORY UP CLOSE.

• OPTIONAL EXTRA – Aran Islands Day Tour.

  Sail to the Aran Islands (Inisheer) all in the one day from Doolin. Our Driver tour guides will sail with you all the way to the Island and then provide you with a guided tour. The 1 hour Tour Boat trips from Doolin in order to see the Cliffs by Sea are available with The Doolin Ferry Company.

• Muckross House

  Built in 1843, This nineteenth-century Victorian mansion is set as a focal point within Killarney National Park, The house stands close to the shores of Muckross Lake, one of Killarney’s three lakes, famed worldwide for their splendour and beauty.
• Innisfallen Island

  Sitting approximately 1 mile offshore from Ross Castle, Innisfallen Island is home to the ruins of Innisfallen Abbey. Accessible via motorboats. The Islands ruined monastery hosts some of the most impressive archaeological remains from early Christian times to be found in Killarney.

• Derryane Beach

  Visit the stunning sheltered sandy beach with a natural harbour. With it’s Blue Flag, the Derrynane Beach is lifeguarded during the summer season. Along on the Ring Of Kerry, this beach is located near the village of Caherdaniel and Derrynane Abbey & Burial ground.
• Kenmare Town

  Locals describe this place as “a haven of tranquillity”. Kenmare Village is home to gourmet food, superb accommodation, Golf Courses, Riding & Trekking and breathtaking scenery in one of the most natural, unspoiled environments in Europe.

• Stone Forts

  Stone Forts are a common element of the archaeological remains in the west of Ireland. One of the most famous stone forts is Staigue Fort in Co. Kerry. Stone Forts represent the best examples of non-ecclesiastical monumental architecture which survives in Ireland from the pre-Norman period.

• Torc Waterfall

  Torc Waterfall (from Irish: Easach Toirc, meaning “cascade of the wild boar”) is a 20-metre high, 110-metre long cascade waterfall formed by the Owengarriff River as it drains from the Devil’s Punchbowl corrie lake at Mangerton Mountain. The waterfall, lies at the base of Torc Mountain, in Killarney National Park, is 4.3 miles (7 kilometres) from Killarney. The waterfall is a popular site on the Ring of Kerry and the Kerry Way tours.

• Gap of Dunloe

  The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass forged between the MacGillycuddy Reeks and Purple Mountain by glacial flows. The river running through the gap is the river Loe from where the Gap gets its name. The Gap begins at Kate Kearney’s Cottage. The road is narrow in many places. Winds through the pass and descends into The Black Valley passing five lakes, Coosaun Lough, Black Lake, Cushnavally Lake, Auger Lake and Black Lough. Within easy walking distance from Kate Kearney’s cottage is a picturesque old bridge known as the ‘Wishing Bridge’. It is said that wishes made here really do come true!

• Fogher Cliffs

  Geokaun Mountain is the highest mountain on Valentia Island and the Fogher Cliffs are sea cliffs of 600ft on its northern face. It offers beautiful views of Valentia Island, the wild Atlantic ocean and the mainland just off the island. This attraction, first of all, includes a 1200 meter roadway/pathway from the public road to the peak. And then, a particularly spectacular viewing deck at Fogher Cliffs.

• The Black Valley

  The Black Valley or Cummeenduff (Com Uí Dhuibh, meaning “Black Glen”) is a remote valley at the southern end of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range in Kerry, situated south of the Gap of Dunloe and north of Moll’s Gap; with it’s primary use as a southerly access into the Gap of Dunloe. Usually accessed by driving to Moll’s Gap, and then, continuing east until a small side-road descends steeply north into the valley.

• Skellig Michael Island

  Dating back to 600AD, The largest of the Skelligs is Skellig Michael (Sceilg Mhichil) and was once home to one of the earliest monastic settlements in Ireland. During the time of the Penal Laws, Skellig Michael and Little Skellig became a safe haven for Catholics whose beliefs and rights were being suppressed. In 2014, scenes from Star Wars (Episode VII) “The Force Awakens” were filmed at the islands.
• Inch Beach

  The Blue Flag Inch Beach stretches for 5 kilometres and is the perfect place providing a safe environment for all types of water sports including Surfing, Kayaking, Windsurfing, Kite Surfing, Hangliding and Fishing. The area is steeped in history, mythology and traditional Irish culture. In 1970, Inch Beach & Dingle were introduced to the world through the film Ryans Daughter. To this day film fans from all over the world flock to the area every year.

• Killarney National Park

  Ireland’s oldest National Park formed in 1932 when Senator Arthur Vincent and his family entrusted Muckross House & Estate into the care of the Irish State. Today, it’s the focal point for many visitors to Killarney, Muckross House & Gardens has been entertaining as a 19th-century mansion, containing all original pieces of furniture, artwork, trophies and many other furnishings from that period.
• Dingle

  The world-famous Dingle is a small port town on southwest Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula. Known for its rugged scenery, trails and sandy beaches, it’s the home of harbour resident Fungie the dolphin is by the waterfront. Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium has penguins, otters and sharks. To the northwest, Gallarus Oratory is an ancient dry-stone church with sloping sides. Clifftop Dún Beag is a prehistoric promontory fort to the southwest.

• Slea Head Drive

  Located on Ireland’s western-most edge, Slea Head on the Dingle Peninsula boasts a cluster of ancient sites, cozy villages, and breathtaking scenery. This quintessential Irish circular driving route starts and ends in the town of Dingle, where pubs, music, shopping have charmed generations of visitors.

• Famine Cottages

  The 1845-built Famine Cottages, once the home of the Kavanagh family, contains the primitive furniture and cooking utensils evoke the hardship of the famine in Ireland.

• Fahan Beehive Huts

  These ancient houses stand as humble testaments to the island’s medieval stonemasons. The exact age of the houses is uncertain, historians place them anywhere from the 8th to 12th centuries AD. At one point in history, more than 400 of these intriguing abodes dotted the hillside. While many have vanished over time, a significant number of them are still standing.

• The Conor Pass

  The Conor Pass is one of the highest mountain passes in Ireland, and provides the most dramatic and scenic way of crossing from the north to south coast of the Dingle Peninsula. This narrow, twisting road runs for 12kms between the town of Dingle on the south and Kilmore Cross on the north of the peninsula, where roads fork to Cloghane/Brandon or Castlegregory. The views from the road are breathtaking, with a glaciated landscape of mountains, corrie lakes and a broad sweeping valley spread out below.

• Blarney Castle & Gardens

  Blarney Castle (the third to have been erected on this site) was built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster. This medieval fortress draws visitors each year who wish to kiss the famous Blarney Stone. According to Irish folklore, anyone who kisses the stone receives the ability to speak with eloquence, or as the Irish say “The Gift of the Gab.” The stone, however, is not Blarneys only attraction, explore Badger’s Cave, The Court, The Dungeon, The Witch Stone, The Estate, The Battlements View, The Stone from Below, Wishing Steps, Witch’s Kitchen, The Lake, The North Wall.
• Blarney Woollen Mills

  Blarney Woollen Mills was built in 1823 and was used mainly for spinning and weaving wool. The mill briefly closed for two years between 1973 and 1975, after which it was re-opened as an Irish heritage shop.

• Jameson Whiskey Distillery

  The world-famous John Jameson and his passion, whiskey. From the day John Jameson walked through the doors of the Bow St. Distillery, there has been a relentless focus has been on producing the world’s best Irish whiskey. Today, every drop of Jameson is still produced here. Enjoy the world’s best Irish whiskey at the source. Take a tour of the Jameson distillery and enjoy a host of unique experiences, from a workshop at the state of the art Jameson Academy to developing a new appreciation of Irish whiskey, from grain to glass.
• Kinsale

  The historic port and fishing town of Kinsale has it all, great stories, gourmet food, amazing scenery, sailing and some of the best golf links in the world. With its significant military history, Kinsale has something for everybody.

• Cobh

  Known as the Titanic’s last port of call in 1912, Cobh is a town on an island in Cork city’s harbour. Visit the Titanic Experience with a themed attraction in the former White Star Line ticket office. North of town, the iconic Fota Wildlife Park is located on Fota Island.

• Desmond Castle

  Desmond Castle was built by Maurice Bacach Fitzgerald, the 9th Earl of Desmond in 1500. The castle consists of a keep with storehouses to the rear and domestic offices on the first and second floors. Since 1997, Desmond Castle has housed the International Museum of Wine. This exhibition documents the fascinating story of Ireland’s wine links with Europe and the wider world.

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park Tour: The Castle it’s considered one of the most historic castles on the west coast of Ireland. It was built in 1425 and restored in 1954 to its medieval splendor, and now contains mainly 15th & 16th century furnishings, tapestries and works of art. Folk Park is set over 26 acres. Enjoy the sights of this enchanting place as you stroll from house to house or around the charming village street. Complete with school, post office, doctors house, hardware shop, printers and of course the local Pub.