The Emerald Isle,
done properly.

Ireland rewards those who take their time — the coastal drives that take all day, the luxury castle stays that feel lived-in, the pubs where the music starts without announcement. Juniper designs luxury custom Ireland tours built around exactly that kind of trip.

Best Time to Visit
May – October
Typical Trip Length
9 – 14 Days
Your Specialists
Taryn · Lexi · Audrey
Trip Types
Custom · Honeymoon · Group

Plan My Ireland Trip

Ancient, wild, and completely unlike anywhere else in Europe

Ireland is one of those places that works on you slowly. The landscapes are dramatic — the Cliffs of Moher, the moonscape of the Burren, the impossibly green countryside of County Kerry — but what stays with travelers long after they’re home is something less obvious. The pace. The people. The way a conversation with a stranger at a pub can turn into an invitation.

It’s also one of the most logistically satisfying countries to travel through. Whether you’re self-driving along the Wild Atlantic Way with no fixed agenda or moving between luxury castle hotels with a private driver, Ireland rewards planning and punishes rushing. Our specialists have been designing Ireland itineraries for decades — the kind of experience that means you get the real hotels, the real experiences, and none of the tourist traps.

Designed Around You
Self-drive freedom or fully chauffeured luxury — your itinerary is built around how you want to experience the country, not a fixed departure schedule.

Castle Stays & Boutique Hotels
Ireland has some of Europe’s finest castle hotels — places that are genuinely extraordinary to stay in. Our specialists know which ones actually deliver.

Most-Booked Destination in Europe
Ireland consistently ranks as Juniper Tours’ most requested destination. Our team has designed more Ireland itineraries than any other country — the depth of local knowledge behind every booking is unmatched.

Great European travel is an investment. Most clients spend $5,000–$15,000 per person for a complete custom Ireland itinerary — trips start at $2,500 and your specialist will walk through exactly what that looks like for yours.

Self Drive Tour of Ireland — 9 Days

Dublin · Kilkenny · Dingle · Galway

This is a sample itinerary — for inspiration only. Every Juniper trip is designed from scratch around you. Many clients love an itinerary very similar to this one — if something here resonates, your specialist can build something just like it (or better) specifically for your travel style, dates, and group.

1
Arrive in Dublin
Dublin City
+
You land in Dublin and settle in. This first day is built for gentle immersion — your specialist will have pre-arranged the perfect introduction depending on your interests. An Irish food tour through the city’s markets and historic neighborhoods, a tour of the Guinness Storehouse with views across the skyline, or simply a walk along the quays and an early evening in one of the city’s great old pubs. The goal is simple: arrive, breathe, and start to feel the rhythm of the place.

Overnight: Dublin
2
Explore Dublin
Dublin City
+
Dublin is small for a capital city but dense with history, culture, and personality. Today is a full day to explore — a historical walking tour through Georgian squares and cobbled lanes, a cruise along the River Liffey, or a morning at the Chester Beatty Library followed by an afternoon in the Liberties. Your specialist will have shaped the day around your interests. By evening, Temple Bar and beyond offer some of Ireland’s best live traditional music.

Overnight: Dublin
3
Dublin to Kilkenny
via Powerscourt & Wicklow
+
After breakfast you collect your rental car — compact, automatic, and pre-arranged — and set out into the Irish countryside. Your first stop: Powerscourt Estate, one of Ireland’s finest gardens, set against the backdrop of the Wicklow Mountains. From there you take the scenic route south through Wicklow, the “Garden of Ireland,” with dramatic moorland and valley views that are worth every detour. By afternoon you arrive in Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s best-preserved medieval cities.

Overnight: Kilkenny
4
Exploring Kilkenny
The Marble City
+
A full day in the Marble City. Kilkenny Castle is the centerpiece — your specialist can arrange a private guided tour of one of Ireland’s finest surviving Norman structures. Beyond the castle, the medieval streets reward slow exploration: craft galleries, independent restaurants, and some genuinely excellent craft beer from the Smithwick’s brewery that’s called Kilkenny home since the 14th century. The afternoon is yours to wander at your own pace.

Overnight: Kilkenny
5
Kilkenny to Dingle
via Blarney & Rock of Cashel
+
Today’s drive west is lined with some of Ireland’s most famous landmarks. Blarney Castle and its stone said to bestow the gift of eloquence, the dramatic Rock of Cashel rising from the Tipperary plains, and the original Jameson Distillery in Midleton — all are en route and all are worth a stop. Your specialist will help you choose based on your interests and timing. By evening you arrive in Dingle, a small harbor town on the far western edge of Ireland with some of the country’s finest restaurants and most atmospheric pubs.

Overnight: Dingle
6
A Full Day in Dingle
Dingle Peninsula
+
The Dingle Peninsula is one of Ireland’s most spectacular stretches of landscape — and today it’s entirely yours. Drive the famous Slea Head loop for dramatic coastal views and ancient archaeological sites, visit the Dingle Distillery for a tasting of its award-winning whiskey and gin, or take a boat out on the water. The pace is yours to set. Evenings in Dingle have their own particular magic — traditional music sessions, fresh seafood, and a town small enough that you quickly start to feel like a local.

Overnight: Dingle
7
Dingle to Galway
via the Cliffs of Moher
+
An early start and one of the great drives of this itinerary. Head north along the Wild Atlantic Way toward the Cliffs of Moher — 700 feet of limestone cliff face dropping sheer into the Atlantic, stretching for five miles along the Clare coast. You can walk the cliff path for as long as you like, or take in the views from below on a ferry ride out on the water. From there it’s a relatively short drive north into Galway, Ireland’s bohemian western capital.

Overnight: Galway
8
A Day in Galway
County Galway
+
Galway rewards time. The city itself — its pedestrianised Latin Quarter, its street musicians, its particular combination of student energy and centuries-old character — is easy to spend a morning in. For the afternoon, consider heading north into Connemara: one of Ireland’s wildest and most beautiful landscapes, passing the Connemara Mountains and the extraordinary Kylemore Abbey tucked into its lake-reflecting hills. Your specialist can arrange a guided half-day or leave it entirely to your own pace.

Overnight: Galway
9
Depart for Home
Shannon Airport
+
A final Irish breakfast, then you head south to Shannon Airport to return your rental car and depart. Most guests leave already thinking about their next visit — Ireland has a way of making itself feel unfinished. Your Juniper specialist is available if any questions come up on departure day, and your in-app itinerary remains accessible throughout.

Love this itinerary? Let’s make it yours.

Many of our clients travel a very similar route — customized for their travel style, dates, group size, and accommodation preferences. Book a free consultation and your specialist will build from here.

Build My Ireland Trip

Luxury custom Ireland tour ideas to inspire your trip

Every luxury custom itinerary below is a starting point, not a fixed package. Click any card to see the day-by-day — then book a free consultation and your specialist will build something just like it (or better) around you.

Sample
Most Popular
10 Days

Best of Ireland

Dingle · Kilkenny · Dublin · Belfast

The perfect first introduction to Ireland — coastal drama in the west, medieval cities in the midlands, a vibrant capital, and Northern Ireland’s extraordinary history. City life, country life, and Atlantic coastline in one journey.

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1Arrive · Cliffs stop en routeDingle

Private airport pickup, Atlantic landmark stop, settle into Dingle.

2Dingle PeninsulaDingle

Falconry, distillery tour, or coastal drive — pre-arranged around your interests.

3Dingle to Kilkenny via BlarneyKilkenny

Private transfer, Blarney Castle stop, arrive in the marble city.

4KilkennyKilkenny

Privately guided castle tour, medieval streets, excellent dining.

5–7Dublin — 3 nightsDublin

History, food tours, Guinness Storehouse, traditional pub evenings.

8–9BelfastBelfast

Titanic Belfast, Ulster Museum, Cathedral Quarter.

10DepartBelfast Airport

Private transfer to airport. Final Irish breakfast.

9 nights · 4★+
Daily breakfast
Private transfers
Pre-arranged experiences
Plan a Similar Trip


Sample
Honeymoon
15 Days

Romantic Ireland

Dublin · Galway · Kerry · Killarney · Kildare

Ireland’s most romantic regions woven into fifteen unhurried days. Castle hotel stays, the Wild Atlantic Way at leisure, intimate countryside inns, and experiences chosen for couples who want to feel Ireland rather than check it off.

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1–2Arrive · DublinDublin

Settle in, explore the Georgian city at leisure, romantic dinner in the Liberties.

3–4County KildareKildare

Ireland’s horse country — stud farms, spa hotel, countryside walks.

5–6Galway & ConnemaraGalway

Vibrant city streets, Connemara National Park, Kylemore Abbey.

7–9Ring of KerryKerry

Iconic coastal drive, private stops, dramatic mountain and sea scenery.

10–12KillarneyKillarney

Killarney National Park, lake jaunting car, castle hotel stay.

13–14Cliffs of Moher & The BurrenClare

Ireland’s most dramatic natural landmarks, unhurried.

15DepartShannon or Dublin

Private transfer to departure airport.

14 nights · 4★+
Daily breakfast
Private transfers
Romantic add-ons available
Plan a Similar Trip
Ireland Honeymoon Guide


Sample
Luxury
8 Days

Castle Hotels & Whiskey Tour

Dublin · Limerick · Cork · Kildare

Two of Ireland’s finest pleasures: genuine castle hotel stays and a guided tour through the country’s extraordinary whiskey-making tradition. A private driver-guide handles everything — this one is designed to be fully relaxed from arrival to departure.

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1Arrive DublinDublin

Private pickup, first night in a landmark Dublin property.

2–3County Kildare — Castle StayKildare

First castle hotel — grand, historic, with grounds worth exploring. Whiskey distillery visit nearby.

4–5Limerick — Dromoland RegionClare/Limerick

Second castle stay in one of Ireland’s most celebrated properties. Cliffs of Moher day trip.

6–7Cork — Whiskey CountryCork

Distillery tours, Blarney Castle, third castle hotel stay in County Cork.

8DepartCork or Dublin

Private driver transfer to airport.

7 nights · Castle properties
Daily breakfast
Private driver-guide
Distillery experiences
Plan a Similar Trip


Sample
City Break
7 Days

Irish City Break

Dublin · Belfast

A focused week in Ireland’s two great cities — Dublin’s literary streets, Georgian squares, and Michelin dining paired with Belfast’s regenerated waterfront, Titanic quarter, and political history. No driving, no transfers between countryside hotels — just two world-class cities and a private train between them.

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1Arrive DublinDublin

Private airport transfer to your Georgian-era hotel. Evening at leisure.

2Literary & Historic DublinDublin

Trinity College Long Room, Book of Kells, Georgian squares with a private guide.

3Dublin at LeisureDublin

Whiskey tasting, Michelin dining, or independent exploration of Temple Bar.

4Dublin to BelfastBelfast

Private rail transfer. Afternoon Titanic Quarter and Cathedral Quarter.

5Belfast Black Cab TourBelfast

Political murals tour with a local driver — the most powerful way to understand The Troubles.

6Causeway Coast Day TripAntrim Coast

Optional private day trip to Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede, and Bushmills.

7Depart for HomeBelfast

Private transfer to Belfast International Airport.

6 nights · 5★ city hotels
Private rail Dublin–Belfast
Daily breakfast
Private guides + transfers
Plan a Similar Trip


Sample
Adventure
10 Days

Highlights of Scotland & Ireland

Edinburgh · Inverness · Isle of Skye · Galway · Clare

Experience the dramatic landscapes of both Scotland and Ireland. Four days exploring the Scottish Highlands, Isle of Skye, and Edinburgh, then cross to Ireland for six days through Connemara, the Burren, and Galway Bay—seamless transitions, unforgettable scenery.

View Day-by-Day



1Arrive EdinburghEdinburgh

Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, city walking tour. Private transfers throughout.

2Inverness & Loch NessHighlands

Travel through the Cairngorms, explore Loch Ness region, scenic Highlands exploration.

3–4Isle of SkyeSkye

Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, fairy pools, dramatic cliff scenery.

5Transition to IrelandDublin

Flight to Dublin, afternoon exploring Temple Bar and city center.

6–7Galway & ConnemaraGalway

Colorful harbor town, mountain drives, coastal villages.

8–9The Burren & ClareClare

Limestone landscapes, Cliffs of Moher, traditional villages.

10Depart ShannonShannon

Morning final explorations, private transfer to Shannon Airport.

9 nights · 4★+
Daily breakfast
Private transfers & guide
Select experiences
Plan a Similar Trip

Don’t see your Ireland?

Castle-hopping in Connemara, a heritage trail through County Clare, a multi-generational route built around family roots — tell your specialist what you have in mind and they’ll build from there.

Talk to a Specialist

Planning an Ireland Honeymoon?

Ireland is Juniper’s most-booked honeymoon destination. We have a dedicated guide covering the best regions for couples, the castle hotels worth staying in, and what makes an Ireland honeymoon genuinely different from a standard trip — put together by our specialists, who have planned more Ireland honeymoons than they can count.

Ireland Honeymoon Guide

Everything handled. Nothing left to chance.

Hand-Selected Accommodations
4 and 5-star hotels, historic castle stays, and character-rich boutique properties — chosen specifically for your travel style, not from a generic list.

Private Transfers & Transport
Airport pickups, inter-city transfers, self-drive car rental, or a private driver-guide — all arranged and confirmed before you travel.

Daily Breakfast
A full Irish breakfast is included daily (except arrival day) at your accommodations — one of Ireland’s genuine pleasures and the right way to start each day.

Pre-Arranged Experiences
Entrance tickets, guided tours, private experiences — pre-booked in the right sequence so you never wait in line for the things that matter.

Travel App & Offline Itinerary
Your full day-by-day itinerary, accommodation details, and local contacts — accessible on your phone without cell service throughout Ireland.

In-Destination Support
Local partner numbers for on-the-ground help, plus your Juniper specialist remains reachable for anything that needs escalation while you travel.

The team behind your trip

Every Juniper itinerary is designed and managed by a dedicated Ireland Travel Specialist — from your first consultation through your last day abroad.

Taryn Harrison
Ireland · Scotland · Iceland · UK · Portugal · Spain
25Years
85+Ireland Visits
CMSCCertified

Juniper’s most tenured specialist. With 25 years of experience and over 85 personal trips to Ireland, Taryn is a Certified Master Specialist in Celtic Countries and a former Peace Corps volunteer. She knows which castle hotel has the best breakfast, which Dingle pub has the best session on a Tuesday night, and which booking needs to be made six months out or it won’t happen.

Book a Consultation →


Lexi Blade
Italy · Switzerland · Portugal · Spain

Florence and Austria-based, Lexi designs European itineraries from inside the destinations she plans. Her accommodation relationships are personal — she knows which properties genuinely deliver and which look better in photos than they feel in person.

Book a Consultation →


Audrey Gabrys
Scotland · Ireland · UK

Having lived across six countries, Audrey brings a genuinely international perspective to every itinerary. She specializes in Scotland’s Highlands and islands — the remote, the dramatic, the deeply local — and designs Ireland and UK itineraries with the same firsthand depth.

Book a Consultation →

What our Ireland travelers say

★★★★★

“Our trip was the experience of a lifetime. Taryn knocked it out of the park 10x over. This was our honeymoon and our first time traveling outside of the States. The scenery was incredible, the food an absolute treat.”

Amelia M. · Ireland Honeymoon
★★★★★

“Should you book the travel advisor? My husband and I have a simple but passionate answer: undoubtedly YES! Taryn blew them all out of the water. Two countries, ten counties in fifteen days — absolutely the most perfect honeymoon.”

Chelsea M. · Ireland & Scotland
★★★★★

“My family of 6, from a 4 year old to a 71 year old, traveled through Ireland with 2 private drivers who were so accommodating and informative. Every aspect of our trip went smoothly and every detail was attended to.”

Kathleen W. · Ireland Family Trip
★★★★★

“I randomly came across Juniper Tours on a Google search. I’m glad I did. Our specialist put together a perfect getaway to Ireland for our honeymoon — everything from the hotels to attractions to the recommended restaurants was amazing.”

Matt J. · Ireland Honeymoon
★★★★★

“We just got back from a tour in Ireland and Scotland put together by Juniper. From the moment we landed at Dublin to the time we left, we experienced a truly memorable vacation. Each of the 6 of us will have these memories forever.”

James L. · Ireland & Scotland
★★★★★

“Juniper helped us out of a huge jam on short notice. Truly an unbelievable once-in-a-lifetime experience — a wonderful, stress-free trip from start to finish. We would not hesitate to recommend them.”

Christopher B. · Ireland Trip
Read hundreds of verified Google reviews →

Ireland travel questions

What is the best time of year to visit Ireland?


Late spring (May–June) and early fall (September–October) offer the best combination of mild weather, longer days, and manageable crowds. Summer (July–August) has the best weather but the busiest sites — book well in advance if traveling then. Ireland is genuinely beautiful year-round: winter travel brings dramatic skies, fewer tourists, and a more intimate local experience.

How long should a trip to Ireland be?


Most Juniper Ireland itineraries run 9–14 days, which gives you time to move through multiple regions without feeling rushed. A 7-day trip works well for a focused itinerary — Dublin and one region. 10–14 days lets you experience the full island coast-to-coast, which is the way most clients describe their ideal trip when they start planning.

Is Ireland a good honeymoon destination?


Yes — Ireland is Juniper’s most-booked honeymoon destination. Castle hotels, dramatic coastal scenery, intimate countryside stays, and genuine Irish hospitality make it a deeply romantic choice. It’s also a popular first international trip, and the combination of English language, easy driving, and extraordinary landscapes makes it accessible without feeling ordinary.

Do you need to drive in Ireland?


Not necessarily. Juniper designs both self-drive itineraries (compact automatic car) and fully chauffeured trips with a private driver-guide. Self-drive is popular with independent travelers comfortable driving on the left — and the freedom of the open road in Kerry or Connemara is genuinely special. Chauffeured is ideal if you want to fully relax and take in the scenery without navigating. Your specialist will help you decide.

How much does a luxury custom Ireland tour cost?


Great European travel is an investment. Most Juniper clients spend $5,000–$15,000 per person for a complete custom Ireland itinerary — trips start at $2,500 and your specialist will walk through exactly what that looks like for yours. Pricing depends on trip duration, accommodation level, and whether you choose self-drive or chauffeured travel.

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