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    Culture & Heritage

    Experience the perfect blend of history, heritage and nature on one of our cultural escapes in Ireland. Delve into the island’s ancient past, explore local traditions, and uncover its rich heritage, all while immersing yourself in Ireland’s breathtaking landscapes. 

    Browse our trips below to find your perfect match.

    Knowledgeable Guides
    Small Groups
    Cultural Highlights
    Slow Travel

    Discover Ireland’s Rich Culture & Heritage

    Discover where history, heritage, and nature come together on our small-group cultural tours of Ireland. Enjoy an immersive and relaxed travel experience on a tour that combines the best of Ireland’s rich history with the serene beauty of its landscapes.

    From enchanting medieval castles and crumbling monastic sites to lively village pubs and local artisanal workshops, our culture-focused tours are thoughtfully curated to bring Ireland’s heritage to life on a slow travel adventure.

    Led by knowledgeable guides passionate about sharing Ireland’s natural and cultural treasures, visit some of the country’s most intriguing monuments, sacred sites and beautiful landscapes. Along the way, connect with local craftspeople, musicians, and storytellers who carry forward the traditions of Ireland. Explore vibrant communities, savour fresh, locally sourced cuisine, and enjoy a relaxed journey where every experience is an authentic celebration of Ireland’s cultural heritage. Each evening, cosy, hand-selected accommodations await.

    As part of a small, leisurely-paced group of no more than eight travellers, join us on a carefully crafted cultural tour that celebrates Ireland’s unique spirit.

    Quality Assured Read More

    At Wilderness Ireland, we want you to love every minute of your holiday. In order to ensure exceptional comfort and friendly service on our small group hiking trips, we handpick each accommodation you stay in. Most of our trips are Classic standard, meaning your accommodation is 3 to 4 star – usually family-run hotels, charming guesthouses, quaint BnBs or even the odd historical manor. Some tours are Deluxe standard, which includes 4 to 5 star accommodations.

    Looking to upgrade? Why not choose the private tour option, available on all of our group trips, to travel at your own pace with your private group, and request to upgrade the hotels.

    Our tours will include your guide, transport, transfers, cultural experiences, and ferries, as well as most meals and entrance fees or activities stated in the itinerary. No need to worry about your luggage – carry only a daypack with what you need for the day.

    Group tours are perfect for single and solo travellers as you get the chance to join like-minded people, as well as for couples, groups of friends or families. However, groups can also choose our Make it Private option, meaning you can book a private version of our trips that includes only your group of friends, family or colleagues.

    Our Culture & Heritage Holidays

    2 Culture & Heritage Trips

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    First Time Visitors

    We love welcoming new travellers to Ireland and sharing our passion for its wild landscapes. Ask any one of us about our favourite trip or region, and you’ll get as many different answers as there are members of our team. From north to south, our beautiful, rainbowy, ancient island offers incredible places perfect for exploring on foot, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

    As a first-time visitor, you’ll likely have a few questions about our adventures and Ireland in general. Luckily, our friendly office team is always on hand to chat through any queries you may have, and we are happy to provide local insight and solid advice about anything from arrival airports to average temperatures, breakfast options, and bird life. Plus, once you arrive in Ireland, our guides will take care of every aspect of your trip, so there is no need to worry about accommodation, meals, trail choice or transfers. Whether it’s enjoying a traditional music session at one of our favourite little pubs or exploring a cliff-top trail that only the locals know about, – our aim is to make your journey with us as seamless, beautiful, and memorable as possible.

    Pre-Trip Planning and Customer Support

    Ok, I’m All Booked, But What Do I Pack? Read More

    Not sure what to pack? Not to worry – we have created a handy and comprehensive kit list for each type of trip – find the hiking kit list here. This list includes essential items, as well as recommended ones, that will ensure you have everything you need for an amazing hiking trip in Ireland. Ideally, if you can pack into a soft duffle bag, it makes life easier packing up our vans.

    Where will your luggage be stored during your trip? While you’re in Ireland with us, your luggage will be kept safe at your accommodation or securely stored in the van during transfers. The only thing you need to bring with you each day is a small day bag large enough for your water, snacks, extra layers, camera and phone, and packed lunch.

    In Ireland, we have a saying that we can get all four seasons in one day. Due to our location in Ireland, the weather is lovely, cool, and fresh, but it can also be changeable. It’s best to be prepared with a variety of layers and include raingear, sunglasses, and, yes, sunscreen. Temperatures are generally mild, ranging from 7° to 21° Celcius (and 45° to 70° F). As Alfred Wainwright famously said, ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.’

    How do I Get to Ireland? Read More

    Ireland has three major international points of entry: Dublin Airport on the east coast, Shannon Airport on the west coast, and Belfast Airport in Northern Ireland. Additionally, smaller airports like Kerry, Knock, Derry, Cork, and a second Belfast airport offer flights to destinations in the UK and Europe.

    For those travelling by sea, ferry services connect Ireland to the UK and Europe, with routes serving Dublin, Belfast, Larne, Rosslare, and Cork. If your journey involves Belfast Airport, transiting through London, or travelling within Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK), an ETA will be required – find more details on our FAQ page.

    Read more about travel to and within Ireland on our comprehensive travel page.

    The Start of Your Trip – Where Do I Meet My Hiking Guide? 
 Read More

    Ireland’s public transport connections make getting around the country relatively easy. All our guided group hiking trips begin and end at a train station or in a city centre, which makes the start and end of any adventure relaxed and stress-free.

    Exactly where and when to meet your Wilderness guide is stated on your chosen hiking trip page under the “Trip Details” section and reiterated in correspondence with your travel consultant before your adventure begins.

    Before and After Your Trip – Stay, See Guides Read More

    Our friendly sales team, who are always on hand to answer any queries, will happily provide you with Stay, See guides for various destinations across Ireland. These guides highlight our recommended accommodations and must-see attractions, ensuring you experience the very best each location has to offer.

    These documents, impeccably researched and designed to make your journey that much smoother, are perfect for making the most of your time before and after your adventure with us.

    What are the differences between a hiking tour and a culture tour? Read More

    Designed by the same team of passionate local experts, both our hiking and cultural mall group tours aim to showcase Ireland’s natural and cultural beauty to visitors.

    However, on our hiking tours, travellers can expect slightly longer hikes with more time spent in rural locations. While cultural highlights are built into every hiking trip, each day centres around a hike through the Irish countryside.

    In contrast, our culture and heritage tours focus on Ireland’s historical and traditional wonders. These trips are still nature-based, with short and gentle routes connecting the heritage site. Any walks included will be leisurely paced. The main focus will be on the history, heritage, culture, and traditions of the Emerald Isle.

    On both trip types, travellers are expected to have a reasonable degree of fitness, enjoy spending much of the day outdoors, and should be comfortable with the grading on that trip. Find out more about trip grading here.

    Destination Experts

    The ancient, wild nature of Ireland can be felt in the land, sea, and sky. The Emerald Isle’s enduring and irresistible appeal is anchored in its diverse natural wonders. On a hiking tour in Ireland, our travellers are immersed in elemental landscapes rich in history and infused with myth.

    Not sure which region of Ireland you would most like to visit? With so many wonderful places to explore, deciding where to go can be tricky. From scree-sloped summits to wave-washed beaches, Ireland offers a wealth of landscapes that are ideal hiking tour terrain. Find out more about some of our best-loved destinations below, and remember, our Adventure Consultants are always pleased to provide advice or inspiration via email, phone, or live chat.

    Sustainability and Responsible Travel

    If our reviews are anything to go by, how we operate our vacations proves that it is possible to travel responsibly without compromising the traveller’s experience. Our hiking itineraries are designed to minimise our carbon footprint, support local communities, and protect the wild places we visit so they can be enjoyed by future generations.

    What Do We Mean By Responsible Travel?

    Travel allows us to visit beautiful, wild places and connect with different cultures around the world. As travellers, we can travel more sustainably by making well-informed choices. We accept that flying to a destination may be the best available option, but once we’ve arrived, we think about staying longer, choosing back-to-back tours, and making our journeys count once we arrive. By choosing Wilderness Scotland, Wilderness Ireland, or Wilderness England, you’re choosing a world-leading travel company fully committed to sustainable travel.

    Our Sustainability Goals

    Our vision for 21st-century travel decisively aims for a more sustainable future. We have taken an industry-leading position on climate change and are one of only a handful of companies committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the first global science-based standard with the aim of achieving true net zero.

    Iconic Sites and Hidden Gems

    As Recommended By...

    You'll be in good company on a Wilderness Ireland Trip. Some of the biggest and best known names in the business have recommended us.

    Los Angeles Times
    National Geographic Adventure
    Vogue
    Men's Health
    USA Today
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