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      Self Drive Trips in Ireland

      Our Self Drive trips suit people who want to travel Ireland’s remote corners at your own pace. A mixture of guided and self guided days, let us worry about the logistics while you drive the best of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Causeway Coast, the southwest and the Ancient East, meeting up with our expert guides for adventure experiences.

      5 reviews
      Travel at Your Own Pace
      Expert Guided Activities
      Private Road Trip

      Travel At Your Own Pace

      Wilderness Ireland self drive tours allow you the freedom of travelling at your own pace through Ireland’s impressive scenery.

      Enjoy a number of planned activities while staying in some of the finest deluxe accommodation establishments these areas have to offer. Ireland self drive tours offer a great combination of self guided and guided activities, aimed to introduce you to the fascinating people and places of Ireland. 

      We will provide you with wonderful Wilderness Ireland guides to lead you on some of your activities such as sea kayaking, hiking and seaweed foraging as well as delve into the history and culture of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Causeway Coast and Ancient East. 

      For the self-guided days we will supply a range of suggested activities. These activities will take you through landscapes awash with myths and legends, and along the way experience the finest fare and spend time in some great traditional pubs. All you need to do is arrange your transport to Ireland and rent a car while you are here – let us do the rest!

      Are Self Drive trips guided? Read More

      Yes and no. Travel at your own pace and have control over your itinerary with our Self Drive trips.

      For our week-long Self Drive trips, you will take part in a minimum of 3 guided activities led by a hiking guide, local farmer, archeologist, boatman, forager, cycling guide or other local expert every second day. On the other days, you’ll have the flexibility to take advantage of our recommended stops and activities, choose to relax at your accommodation, hand-picked by our expert travel designers, or a bit of both.

      As for our short break Self Drive trips, you will take part in at least one guided activity during your trip. For the rest of trip, you will be self guided with the flexibility to travel at you own pace and visit the recommended stops, hikes and experiences according to your preferences.

      What's included on Self Drive trips? Read More

      On our Self Drive trips, we will provide you with an expertly designed itinerary. Our Self Drive itineraries currently fall into 2 categories: Short Breaks or Escapes, and week-long trips.

      Short breaks are 4 day/3 night trips exploring one region in depth. These trips are self guided but typically include a minimum of 1 guided experience throughout the trip.

      Week-long trips are 7 day/6 night trips exploring 2 or more regions in depth. These trips are self guided but typically include a minimum of 3 guided experiences throughout the trip.

      Both trip types include:

      • Classic standard of accommodation, hand-chosen by our travel design team
      • Best driving routes, maps and guidebook
      • Recommended stops with suggestions for local hangouts
      • Experiences in off-the-beaten-track beaches and trails catered to your ability level
      • Meals: Breakfast included daily and we provide recommendations for restaurants in your area

      Optional Upgrades

      Accommodation: Deluxe standard accommodation upgrades are an option on most Self Drive trips – chat with our sales team to learn more.

      Car hire/rental: Car Hire is not included in the price, however, this is an additional service we can provide for those who request it.

      Optional Activities: All Self Drive trips include optional activity upgrades such as guided walks, interactive workshops, meeting local experts and more. See each dossier for specifics.

      Self drive trips do not include flights, car rental or lunch/dinner.

      Our Self Drive Holidays

      7 Self Drive Trips with 4 Reviews

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      Available Trip Dates
        Location
          Grading
            Duration

              Self Drive – Kerry, West Cork & the Haven Coast

              Trip Flag
              • Explore Killarney National Park, one of Ireland's most beautiful parks.
              • Try foraging & gourmet fishing for an off-the-beaten-path Ring of Kerry experience.
              • Kayak the little-visited West Cork coastline& listen to tales of pirate invasions.
              Region:
              Ireland;South West – Cork & Kerry
              Duration:
              7 Days / 6 Nights
              Grading:
              Your Own Pace ? What does this mean?
              Click here to learn more about our trip difficulty grading system.
              Carbon Footprint:
              66kg ? What does this mean?
              Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.
              Download Itinerary View Trip Details

              Self Drive – Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & Donegal

              2 review(s)
              Trip Flag
              • Visit the world-famous Giant's Causeway and hike along award-winning Causeway Coast
              • Take a boat trip to a fascinating island home to diverse wildlife including puffins
              • Stand atop some of Europe's highest and most remote sea cliffs at Slieve League
              Region:
              Ireland;North West – Donegal & Sligo;Northern Ireland – Giants Causeway & Belfast
              Duration:
              7 Days / 6 Nights
              Grading:
              Your Own Pace ? What does this mean?
              Click here to learn more about our trip difficulty grading system.
              Carbon Footprint:
              96kg ? What does this mean?
              Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.
              Download Itinerary View Trip Details

              Self Drive – Connemara, Dingle & the Cliffs of Moher

              Trip Flag
              • Stand atop the iconic Cliffs of Moher away from the crowds
              • Explore the alien landscapes of the Burren National Park with a local archeologist
              • Immerse yourself in Dingle, lauded by the National Geographic as the most beautiful place on Earth
              Region:
              Ireland;West – Connemara, Burren & Aran Islands
              Duration:
              7 Days / 6 Nights
              Grading:
              Your Own Pace ? What does this mean?
              Click here to learn more about our trip difficulty grading system.
              Carbon Footprint:
              66kg ? What does this mean?
              Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.
              Download Itinerary View Trip Details

              Self Drive – Ireland’s Surf Coast to Westport

              1 review(s)
              Trip Flag
              • Hike and kayak in the most remote and wild corners of the Emerald Isle
              • Cycle along Ireland's first car-free greenway
              • Enjoy some of the strongest bastions of traditional Irish music and food
              Region:
              Ireland;North West – Donegal & Sligo
              Duration:
              7 Days / 6 Nights
              Grading:
              Your Own Pace ? What does this mean?
              Click here to learn more about our trip difficulty grading system.
              Carbon Footprint:
              136kg ? What does this mean?
              Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.
              Download Itinerary View Trip Details

              Self Drive – Ireland’s Ancient East

              1 review(s)
              Trip Flag
              • Hike through Glendalough Monastery and Wicklow Mountains National Park
              • Enjoy activities like canoeing along a river and biking an ancient railway track
              • Step back in time traversing the halls of medieval Kilkenny Castle
              Region:
              South East – Wexford, Waterford & Kilkenny
              Duration:
              7 Days / 6 Nights
              Grading:
              Your Own Pace ? What does this mean?
              Click here to learn more about our trip difficulty grading system.
              Carbon Footprint:
              66kg ? What does this mean?
              Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.
              Download Itinerary View Trip Details

              Self Drive – Connemara Escape

              Trip Flag
              • Hike some of Connemara's best routes
              • Enjoy a local visit to an oyster farm & island visit to the Aran Islands
              • Travel at your own pace on this short weekend break
              • Meet local characters, listen to live traditional music and taste delicious local food
              Region:
              West – Connemara, Burren & Aran Islands
              Duration:
              4 Days / 3 Nights
              Grading:
              Your Own Pace ? What does this mean?
              Click here to learn more about our trip difficulty grading system.
              Carbon Footprint:
              35kg ? What does this mean?
              Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.
              Download Itinerary View Trip Details

              Self Drive – West Cork Escape

              Trip Flag
              • Hike the Sheep's Head Way, named a European Destination of Excellence
              • Explore the bustle of Cork city and the vibrancy of colourful Kinsale
              • Travel at your own pace on this short break
              • Meet local characters, listen to live traditional music and taste delicious local food
              • A short break with optional extras and upgrades
              Region:
              South West – Cork & Kerry
              Duration:
              4 Days / 3 Nights
              Grading:
              Your Own Pace ? What does this mean?
              Click here to learn more about our trip difficulty grading system.
              Carbon Footprint:
              34kg ? What does this mean?
              Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.
              Download Itinerary View Trip Details

              Our holidays reviewed in your own words...

              5
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              0
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              Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

              That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

              PF

              Philip Faris

              Customised Self Drive

              Age: 70 - 80
              Trip Date: 11/09/2022
              Trips Taken: 1

              The Bottom Line

              Show More
              AS

              Amanda Sandberg

              Self Drive - Ireland's Surf Coast to Westport

              Age: 50 - 60
              Country: England
              Trip Date: 14/08/2022
              Trips Taken: 2

              The Bottom Line

              The Bottom Line

              Great fun and a lovely way to have a tasting experience Co. Mayo. We will definitely be visiting this part of Ireland again.

              Show More
              KW

              Keltin Wiens

              Self Drive - Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & Donegal

              Age: 30 - 40
              Country: USA
              Trip Date: 09/05/2022
              Trips Taken: 1

              The Bottom Line

              The Bottom Line

              If you're going to see Ireland, do it like this. Everything, and I mean everything, with Wilderness Ireland was amazing and everything I could have asked for. We continued through Ireland after our official W.I. trip ended and hit some of the popular spots. I realized how very blessed I was to have experienced Ireland in such a unique way, that I felt sorry for the people on the cheesy tour buses.

              Show More

              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

              Visit Our Press Area

              Popular Self Drive Holidays Trips

              TripDifficultyPriceDuration 
              Self Drive – Ireland’s Ancient EastYour Own Pace €1,770 9 Nights Trip Details
              Self Drive – Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & DonegalYour Own Pace €2,550 9 Nights Trip Details
              Self Drive – Connemara, Dingle & the Cliffs of MoherYour Own Pace €2,250 9 Nights Trip Details

              Wilderness Stories

              Hidden Gems of Northwest Ireland

              By Dawn Rainbolt
              Oct 12, 2022

              Hiking Ireland’s Small Hills

              By Eimear Quinn
              Aug 31, 2022

              Irish Folklore: Cuchulain Hound of Ulster

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