WILD ATLANTIC WAY OF IRELAND
7-DAY SELF DRIVE IRELAND ITINERARY
Trip Style: Explore
DISCOVER THE BEAUTY & CHARM OF IRELAND’S WILD ATLANTIC WAY
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STARTING AT $2495 per person
Fully planned & booked 7-day self-guided Ireland itinerary
Self-drive
Minimum of 2 people
Trip Highlights
Wild Atlantic Way landscapes, from Killarney to the Cliffs of Moher and Dingle Peninsula
Ancient stone circles, castles & fairy forts tucked into the countryside
Boutique B&B stays sprinkled with local food, traditional pubs & Irish music
Learn about heritage seeds, biodiversity & food sovereignty with Irish Seed Savers
Self-drive freedom with our carefully curated routes, local recommendations & insider tips
Imagine Ireland with the planning taken care of: the framework, recommendations, reservations, and local knowledge. This 7-day self-drive journey follows Ireland's spectacular Wild Atlantic Way, combining iconic landscapes with the quieter corners of the west that are easy to miss when you're traveling on your own. From the famous sites like the Cliffs of Moher and Killarney National Park to the more hidden ancient stone circles, remote castles, colorful villages along rugged Dingle Peninsula, you'll experience the Ireland you've both imagined and didn’t know existed.
Ireland's history and culture are woven into the landscape, food, music, stories, and traditions you'll encounter along the way. Throughout your journey, you’ll stay in character-filled B&Bs in places like Kenmare, Dingle and County Clare, each offering a more personal connection to the communities you’re passing through. You’ll have time to seek out traditional music and local food, explore lesser-known sites, and follow our recommendations for experiencing popular places at the right time to avoid the biggest crowds. Along the way, you’ll also connect with local people and producers, experience traditional Irish hospitality, and learn about the relationship between Ireland's people and its land.
Book our 7-day Ireland self-drive itinerary with Custom Dates year-round, starting at $2495 per person. See all inclusions, itinerary details, and complete pricing in the drop-downs below.
why this trip?
The freedom of a road trip, without the research
Ireland is an easy place to dream about and a surprisingly complicated place to plan. Which roads are worth taking? Where should you stop? Which attractions are actually worth your time? And how do you see the famous places without spending your entire trip following the crowds?
We've done that work for you.
Rather than handing you a generic road map, our route takes in the essential highlights of Ireland’s west coast while also weaving in the smaller roads, rural villages, historic sites, and local experiences that make the journey feel distinctly your own. You'll have the freedom to stop when something catches your eye, linger over lunch, wander through a village, or take a scenic detour, without spending months researching what to do along the way.
The Wild Atlantic Way is spectacular, but the most memorable parts of an Ireland road trip often happen between the major attractions. Our detailed itinerary and local recommendations help you discover quiet viewpoints, ancient sites, charming pubs, local food, and tucked-away corners you might otherwise drive right past.
And because you're traveling independently, you can actually enjoy them at your own pace. There's no group schedule to follow and no guide waiting for everyone to get back in the van.
This journey also gives you opportunities to understand a different side of Ireland, from the traditions and stories that have shaped rural communities to the people working to protect the country's agricultural heritage. It's a chance to experience Ireland not just as a beautiful destination, but as a living landscape shaped by generations of people, farming, food, and tradition.
Travel with purpose. Every Traverse Journeys departure includes a contribution to a carefully selected Community Partner, supporting organizations creating meaningful impact in the destinations we visit. In Ireland, your trip supports Irish Seed Savers, whose work protects Ireland's heritage plant varieties while promoting agricultural biodiversity, heritage seed conservation, and greater food sovereignty.
Testimonials
Trip Inclusions
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6 nights in our trusted locally-run boutique B&Bs, full of Irish charm
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Detailed driving routes & tips for driving in Ireland
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Visit Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey and Torc Waterfall
Explore the Cliffs of Moher and the Coastal Walking Trail (from secret entrances, away from the crowds)
Visit to a remote castle and other off-the-beaten path sites
Scenic drive around Slea Head with stops at a farm with sheepdog demo, ancient Beehive huts, Coumeenole beach, Dunquin pier & more
Visit select sites in the Burren region of County Clare including ancient dolmens, caves & fairy forts
Special nights with Trad Music at countryside pubs
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Daily full breakfasts + 1 dinner
Restaurant recommendations all along the way
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Visit to our local community partner Irish Seed Savers + donation to their organization
Detailed itinerary with complete self-guided instructions, local recommendations, daily budget estimate, and cultural tips
Traverse representative assisting you from booking through the end of your trip
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Extra nights
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International airfare
In-country rental car
Site entries, unless specified
Additional meals, excursions and activities not listed
Required travel insurance
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Minimum two people required to book. Prices are based on double occupancy. For groups of odd numbers (3, 5, etc.) please add a “my own room” option for one guest.
STARTING AT $2495 per pers
+$495 'My own room' - private room with private en suite
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Extra nights before/after your trip, prices upon request
FAQS
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There are a few options, which are explained in your Welcome Pack when you book. You can start your journey by arriving to Dublin Airport (DUB) or Shannon Airport (SNN) in the morning and driving your rental car to Kerry from there. It partly depends on which flights work best for you and where you’d like to pick up your rental vehicle.
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The first thing to know about driving in Ireland is that they drive on the left side of the road. That means that the driver’s seat is on the right side and the gear shaft is managed with your left hand. The pedals are still the same - clutch on the left, brake in the middle, gas on the right. In general, roads in Ireland are also more narrow. When you select a rental car, you may choose to get an automatic to make it a tad easier!
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Our partners are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions such as Celiac, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan, etc. to the best of their abilities. In this itinerary, your breakfast is included each morning, and some smaller establishments have limited options. That said, we always share your dietary preferences to ensure that you have options to the best we can provide. The great news is that Ireland has many health-oriented markets with lots of fantastic vegetarian, vegan, dairy free and gluten free options so stocking up on snacks is a great plan!
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It is ideal to book this trip at least 6 months in advance to ensure enough space at our selected accommodations; however, we can often accommodate last minute bookings up to 3 months prior to the trip start date.
Terms & Conditions
Please refer to your Registration Packet for complete Terms & Conditions, which can also be obtained by submitting a request to hello@traversejourneys.com
Deposit
A $500 deposit per person per trip is required for each traveler to secure the booking. The deposit is non-refundable and non-transferrable unless otherwise indicated on booking with the exception of our 24-hour No Regrets policy. A booking is not final until you receive a final confirmation from us.
24-hour No Regrets Policy: If, within 24 hours of submitting your deposit, you decide to cancel your booking you may request a refund, which will be granted less transaction fees.
Payment
Payments can be made either by 1) Normal Payment terms of 50% due 30 days after booking and 50% due 90 days prior to departure or 2) Monthly terms of equal installments with a $10 per month fee. Payments options include ACH, wire, credit card or Zelle. Payee is responsible for all transaction or processing fees. Late payments are given a two-week grace period; after that a $10 per month late payment fee will be charged.
Cancellations Policy
Group Trips & Retreats: Cancellations, less the trip deposit, are refundable up to 120 days prior to the trip start date.
Custom and Self-Guided: All payments non-refundable. Requests for transfers may be considered in extenuating circumstances and may incur a change fee.
To cancel a booking, Traveler must submit a request to us in writing by email to hello@traversejourneys.com
Flexible Booking Policy Specific to COVID-19
In the wake of COVID-19, Traverse has implemented a flexible booking policy that allows for deposits and payments to be transferrable to the greatest extent possible to new trip dates should a recurrence of COVID-19 render travel impossible due to border closures and related travel restrictions.
Travel Insurance
The trip price does not include travel insurance. Trip protection-style travel insurance that includes travel medical coverage is required for all trips with Traverse. The coverage must have a minimum $150,000 of medical coverage and include injury, medical, evacuation, and repatriation. See more info at https://traversejourneys.com/insurance
Documents, Personal Identification, Vaccinations
Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for all required travel documents including passport, visas, entry or exit fees, and vaccinations. Traveler is also solely responsible for any adverse consequences resulting from incomplete or defective documentation. Traverse does not cover the cost or assist in obtaining any of the above, and reserves the right to collect information on all.
