Ireland in a Classic Car
Ireland reveals itself at the pace of a vintage roadster, between wild cliffs and authentic villages.
Duration
8 days
From
€3,800/pers.
Ideal seasons
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Self-drive tour
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Couple, Solo, With friends, Honeymoon
The spirit of travel
Embark on an unusual adventure in Irlande at the wheel of a classic car, to experience a memorable journey and total escape. The country with the green shamrock is discovered by taking its winding roads, its little side roads and crossing its authentic villages.
With your vintage vehicle and your elbow casually resting on the window, you will travel through splendid landscapes of lakes and mountains, wild heaths and lush pastures.
Set off without delay on the mythical Ring of Kerry, contemplate the majestic Cliffs of Moher or explore Connemara at your leisure, taking time to admire each panorama.
For the rest, Alainn Tours takes care of everything, by selecting charming accommodations (intimate hotels, small manor houses) near essential sites. Each stop is chosen to guarantee secure parking for your precious vintage treasures.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
From Cork to Kenmare: colourful villages, Bantry House and the wild Beara Peninsula
After leaving Cork, set off on a 180-kilometer route to be savored without restraint. Rest assured, these 180 kilometers will be punctuated by carefully selected stops to discover the best of Ireland's must-see sites and hidden gems.
Stop at the small port of Clonakilty, known for its numerous shops and warm pubs, before heading to Kenmare. One of our favorite stops along the way: Bantry House and its elegant gardens.
Along the way, enjoy colorful villages, gardens with varied blooms, and the wild Beara Peninsula. Be sure to visit Dursey Island thanks to its curious cable car that transports both visitors and sheep.
Ring of Kerry
This is one of the unforgettable circuits in West Irlande. Once again, mother nature takes centre stage, offering a concentrate of what the country has to offer at its best: sublime beaches like the famous Derrynane Beach, valleys to explore on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback, as well as numerous islands, including the magnificent Valentia Island.
For your gourmet breaks and shopping moments, make a stop in the fishing villages and seaside resorts: Waterville, once frequented by Charlie Chaplin, the Skellig Chocolate Factory café in Keel, or Killorglin and its "Puck Fair" festival in August.
In the heart of the Killarney National Park lies Ladies View, a majestic viewpoint named in tribute to Queen Victoria who admired it, in skirts and without crampons, accompanied by her ladies-in-waiting.
Finally, the fortress of Ross Castle and the ruins of Ballycarbery Castle bear witness to the troubled history of the region during the medieval period.
Dingle & Slea Head
Park your car in colorful fishing villages like Dingle for an authentic waterside break, wandering through charming streets dotted with lovely shops and restaurants.
Treat yourself to an ice cream at Murphy Sean, the iconic ice cream parlor of the Dingle Peninsula, or enjoy one of the best beers in the country in one of its 50 pubs.
To admire the spectacular landscapes of the region, take the Slea Head Road which winds along the coast between steep cliffs and black rock faces.
Coumeenoole Beach and Inch Beach, two beautiful fine sand beaches, as well as the summit of Connor Pass inland, are worth a stop.
Once at the top, enjoy a 360° panoramic view over Brandon, Tralee and Dingle bays.
County Clare: Cliffs of Moher, Lunar Burren and Music in Doolin
You enter County Clare via the Shannon estuary by taking the ferry from Tarbert, before heading to the automated lighthouse at Loop Head, near Kilkee.
Walk along the impressive Cliffs of Moher, perched at 214 metres high, while avoiding selfies taken too close to the edge.
Then discover the almost lunar plateau of the Burren National Park, scattered with stones that seem as if they were moved by cyclops. The Poulnabrone dolmen, a true rock star of the region, bears witness to its megalithic past.
End your day in the village of Doolin, at the south-west tip of the Burren, renowned for its traditional music sessions and the electrifying atmosphere of its four Irish pubs.
Galway
Stroll through the pedestrian streets of Galway and continue on Quay Street to listen to an Irish music group while enjoying a fresh pint of beer.
Then take a walk along the Salthill promenade by the seafront and admire the brave Irish who swim there year-round or dive from the Blackrock promontory, which is 5 metres high.
As night falls, enjoy the bustling nightlife of Galway, punctuated by its renowned festivals that attract visitors and enthusiasts from all over the county.
Connemara and Inishmore: secret villages, romantic abbey and wild landscapes
Alainn Tours always favors more discreet stops to immerse you in the heart of local populations and cultures.
Discover the village of Roundstone, renowned for its peatlands and fish market, near the Mweelrea cliff.
Among the must-see sites, admire the Kylemore Abbey, as magnificent as the love story surrounding it, explore the Connemara National Park with its mountains, forests and moorlands, and stop in Clifden, the starting point of the scenic Sky Road route.
Plan a full day to visit the island of Inishmore. On foot, by bike or by horse-drawn carriage, discover this timeless piece of land where you can sense how harsh and demanding life must have been there.
Return from Galway to Cork: Medieval stop at Bunratty
The journey between Galway and Cork via the M18 will take you just under 3 hours to cover 195 kilometres.
Take the opportunity to stop at the folk village of Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, visit its castle, have lunch or a drink at the Dirty Nellie's pub, and then do some shopping in the surrounding shops, such as Woollen Mills, renowned for its quality wool.
See you soon in Irlande!
The return embarkation will take place in the mid-afternoon at Ringaskiddy, the passenger port for France located near Cork.
Take advantage of your morning to visit the city, stroll through its English Market and walk its shopping streets for your last purchases before departure.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Air Transport and Travel Insurance
- The single room supplement
- The franchise buyout and the addition of an extra driver
- Lunches, dinners and all other services not mentioned
Included
- The tailor-made creation of your circuit
- 7 nights in charming residences, in rooms equipped with bathroom and toilets
- 7 small breakfasts
- 7 days of MGB Roadster vehicle rental, with comprehensive insurance and taxes included
- The booking and prepayment of all your services
- Your complete travel notebook
- English-speaking telephone assistance 7 days a week
- The offsetting of your trip's carbon footprint with local organizations
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
• Plus de 45 jours avant le départ : retenue de l’acompte (30% du montant total)
• Entre 30 et 44 jours avant le départ : 50 % du montant total
• Entre 15 et 29 jours avant le départ : 75 % du montant total
• Moins de 15 jours avant le départ ou non-présentation : 100 % du montant total
Certains services réservés (notamment vols non remboursables, billets d’événements, hôtels à conditions spéciales) peuvent entraîner des frais d’annulation supplémentaires, indépendamment du barème ci-dessus. Ces services seront signalés comme non remboursables au moment de la confirmation.
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travellers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland and Canada travelling to Ireland for a tourist stay. Entry rules may change, so we recommend you verify the information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport and identity card
Ireland is a member of the European Union but is not part of the Schengen area. For nationals of the EEA and Switzerland, entry is possible with a valid passport or, for EU citizens, with a valid national identity card.
Canadian nationals must hold a valid passport for the entire duration of the stay.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn or altered pages).
Tourist stay without visa
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Canada benefit from visa exemption for tourist stays in Ireland.
Citizens of the EEA and Switzerland may stay in Ireland without time limit as community nationals. Canadian nationals benefit from a visa exemption allowing a stay of up to 90 days.
Irish authorities may request:
an outbound ticket from the territory (return or onward flight),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay,
an accommodation address in Ireland.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Ireland is introducing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for certain foreign nationals. To date, citizens of the EEA, Switzerland and Canada are exempt. However, we recommend you verify the situation with the Irish authorities before your departure, as conditions may change.
Travelling with children
Minors must hold their own valid passport or identity card covering the duration of the stay.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorisation to leave the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Travellers concerned should enquire with the embassy or consulate of Ireland in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for repatriation assistance and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To purchase insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The comprehensive insurance solution designed for worry-free travel!
Choose the plan that best suits your needs:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend taking out one of these plans.
If you choose to purchase one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claim declaration procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claim declaration procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
No, Ireland is a member of the EU (although outside the Schengen area). French nationals can travel there with a valid ID card or passport. The currency is the euro. Border controls are minimal but do exist.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, plan between 200 and 340 euros per day and per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (150-400 euros return) are additional. Car rental is almost essential (left-hand driving).
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Southwest Kerry
Celtic lands accomplice, based in Sligo
Ireland has this rare ability to create genuine connection very quickly. A landscape, some music, a conversation in a pub – and the trip takes on a whole different dimension.
— Charline
