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Self Drive Trips in Ireland

Our Self Drive trips suit people who want to travel Ireland’s remote corners at their own pace. These trips offer you 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.

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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 provide a great combination of self guided and guided activities to introduce you to the fascinating people and places of Ireland.

Our wonderful Wilderness Ireland guides will accompany you on various activities such as sea kayaking, hiking, and seaweed foraging. They will also delve into the history and culture of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way, Causeway Coast, and Ancient East.

We will supply a range of suggested activities for the self guided days. 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 three guided activities led by a hiking guide, local farmer, archaeologist, boatman, forager, cycling guide or other local experts 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 the trip, you will be self guided with the flexibility to travel at your 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 two 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 one guided experience throughout the trip.

Week-long trips are 7 day/6 night trips exploring two or more regions in depth. These trips are self guided but typically include a minimum of three 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 is 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

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Self Drive – Kerry, West Cork & The Haven Coast

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 reviews

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

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

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

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

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

2 reviews

Hike the Sheep's Head Way, named a European Destination of Excellence
Explore the bustle of Cork city and the vibrancy of colourful Kinsale
Meet local characters, listen to live traditional music, and taste delicious local food

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

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Our holidays reviewed in your own words...

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.

Greg Hart

Self Drive - West Cork Escape

Age: 70 - 80
Country: United States
Trip Date: 24/08/2024
Trips Taken: 3

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

We requested a “dip our toes into Ireland” agenda and it was perfect! We plan to return to the Emerald Isle!

David O'Hagan

Self Drive - West Cork Escape

Age: 70 - 80
Country: Canada
Trip Date: 26/04/2024
Trips Taken: 5

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Dingle peninsula, our guide Denis, our fellow travellers, and surprisingly good weather have made this a memorable visit to Ireland. Can wholeheartedly recommend this to all likeminded folks without reservation

Simon Howie

Self Drive - Kerry, West Cork & The Haven Coast

Age: 50 - 60
Country: South Africa
Trip Date: 22/06/2023
Trips Taken: 1

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Wilderness Ireland turned our dream of visiting Ireland for a family holiday into reality. They took care of all the details, allowing us to focus on the wonderful history, scenery, people, and food! It was the trip of a lifetime and excellent value for money. Well done and thank you to the Wilderness Ireland team, especially Cathriona!

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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.

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Wilderness Scotland

Self Drive Trips in Ireland

Travel At Your Own Pace

Our Self Drive Holidays

Filter by: Clear Filters

Self Drive – Kerry, West Cork & The Haven Coast

Self Drive – Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & Donegal

Self Drive – Connemara, Dingle & The Cliffs of Moher

Self Drive – Ireland’s Surf Coast to Westport

Self Drive – Ireland’s Ancient East

Self Drive – Connemara Escape

Self Drive – West Cork Escape

Our holidays reviewed in your own words...

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Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

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Pre-Trip Service

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