10-Day Ultimate Small-Group Tour of Ireland from Dublin

Where to begin… friendliest people on the planet? Yes. Most stunning seaside cliffs and beaches on the planet? Yes. Best tour experience imaginable? Yes! Best travel guide ever? Without a doubt! Traveled to Ireland with my sister in April 2026 not knowing what to expect in the slightest. I don’t know if it was pure luck or divine intervention, but every moment of our tour was pure magic, starting with and due to our guide Conan Sweeny’s smiling face greeting us at our hotel Tuesday morning and every morning thereafter. His enthusiastic knowledge and love of country and heritage is truly infectious, making the tour feel like a music infused big screen adventure. He was always gracious, always helpful, always smiling. This was my first time switching hotels nearly every night, and while it can be somewhat daunting to consider, this didn’t bother me in the least. There is so much Irish history to learn and jaw dropping scenery to see that without this pace we wouldn’t be able to cover important highlights of this super special island nation. The only downfall was there are so many adorable towns, it would have been nice to spend several days in each… but without making is a month long tour, would be impossible. The hotels were all top notch and in convenient proximity to local pubs and restaurants, which Conan recommended in each town. We chose pubs, all seem to serve traditional Irish dishes (nom nom), and always feel like home. Again, another tip of the hat to the friendly Irish people! Make sure to take advantage of the full Irish breakfast every day! I cannot begin to try to select one or two highlights or towns to gush over, but the stonework of various castles, forts, homes and even fencing was prevalent as a reminder to the thousands of years the tough and persistent Irish people called this gem home. Ireland captured a huge piece of my heart, but gave back so much in exchange. My most treasured Irish souvenir is a song shared by Conan… Paul Brady’s rendition of “The homes of Donegal.” If I want to return, I simply play this and am swept back into the magic.

Our 10-day trip to Ireland was absolutely spectacular from start to finish! A huge part of what made the experience so memorable was our tour guide, Mark; he was truly fantastic, providing insightful knowledge and ensuring every detail was handled perfectly. Additionally, our small group of 11 travelers worked wonderfully well together, creating a friendly and cohesive atmosphere that made the journey even more enjoyable. I cannot recommend this tour highly enough!

It is an excellent way to see Ireland. The small bus lets you go where the big buses cannot. The accommodation was unique including castles. The food was above average. The drivers were great and the commentary was good. Andrew and Barry were a good team . We saw a good overview of Ireland. We also spent two days before the trip in Belfast and toured the Guinness brewery and the epic museum. We used the hop on hop off bus. Barry graciously arranged for us to meet a commercial farmer after the trip since we wanted to do that because we farm. After driving around the island and observing the bus drivers I felt very confident renting a car and touring myself around for an additional three days. Even the one way curvy roads were fine after experiencing 11 days being driven around. Driving was not recommended by a few friends and family but it was easy after the driftwood trip. Our own vehicle allowed us to find the homestead that my wife's ancestors left in 1842. Some of the places we stayed are in the pictures below

From beginning to end, this tour exceeded every expectation. Our guide, Hugh, was the perfect blend of knowledgeable, humorous, courteous, and incredibly intuitive. He quickly picked up on our group’s interests, energy level, and travel style, and thoughtfully tailored parts of the experience to fit us perfectly. Every question was met with insight, enthusiasm, and genuine care — a true class act. The itinerary itself was outstanding — a wonderful balance of iconic highlights and lesser-known hidden gems that turned out to be some of the most fascinating experiences of the trip – a true credit to our fantastic guide! The accommodations were exceptional and beautifully varied, from a castle elegance to charming historic properties to modern inner-city luxury, each one memorable in its own way. This was far more than a tour; it felt like a thoughtfully curated experience designed specifically for our group. Truly unforgettable.

Awesome experience. Ireland is beautiful. Accommodations were great but best part was our guide Breta. She made it Awesomer.