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Ireland
Explore spectacular western Ireland in the company of our very special energetic guide brimming with enthusiasm and friends everywhere you go!
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Ireland is a small country with a big heart, the most amazing scenery and above all friendly people. You may have visited well-known places like Dublin, Killarney and Cork or gone back to trace that long lost family member.
But have you ever considered the lesser visited county Mayo on the Atlantic west coast, away from the crowds, yet with everything that’s great about Ireland.
Those who will come on our Ireland trips will find wild scenery, sensational sea cliffs, beaches rivalling anywhere and crystal clear waters for snorkelling and swimming.
So why wait any longer and let our local guide introduce you to the quintessential Irish way of life and ‘craic’, taste the local food, pull your own pint of Guinness and mingle with the locals in the pub, who will always be up for a chat.
Walking
The perfect way to explore Ireland's unspoilt scenery from gentle strolls on isolated golden sand beaches along the Wild Atlantic Way to the more challenging ascents of Achill island's two 650m peaks, there are walks to suit everyone.
Cycling
County Mayo's back roads are wonderfully quiet and picturesque - your only hazard might be a few sheep! You'll be able to cycle the Great Western Greenway (a disused railway line), cross beautiful Ballycroy National Park and explore Achill Island. Daily routes are 40-50km so there's always plenty of time for stopping to admire the scenery.
Baking
You'll get to spend time in your guide's 'Mam's' friendly kitchen where she'll have you baking scones, traditional Guinness soda bread and Irish potato cakes. Don't worry because you'll get to eat them all afterwards washed down with a nice cuppa.
Whiskey tasting
Take part in our guide's very special Whiskey appreciation session and you'll soon work out which Whiskeys you like and why.
What’s the currency in Ireland?
The official currency in Ireland is the Euro (€) and has been since Ireland withdrew legal tender status for the Irish Pound in 2002. Ireland was one of the first countries to adopt the Euro, in 1999.
What’s the craic?
If you’re having a good time with others in Ireland, you’re almost certainly having a good craic (pronounced the same as the English word ‘crack’). Craic is a Gaelic word that’s hard to precisely define in English. Essentially it’s ‘fun’ but there’s definitely a social element to the definition. Generally, craic is a noun and it can be used in the singular or plural: ‘Yeah, we had some great craic today’. ‘Today was a good craic’.
Craic can’t be purchased, unless you’re in the middle of a serious misunderstanding.
You’re guaranteed to have a good craic on our holidays in Ireland!
What is the Wild Atlantic Way?
The Wild Atlantic Way is a road route along the length of the Atlantic west coast of Ireland, stretching from Londonderry in the North to Kinsale in the South. The Wild Atlantic Way was launched in 2014 by the Irish Tourist Board to raise awareness of and showcase the stunningly beautiful, diverse and lesser-populated Atlantic west coast of Ireland.The full signposted route is some 2,500Km long and passes through nine counties. It’s subdivided into six zones: The Northern Headlands, The Surf Coast, The Bay Coast, The Cliff Coast, The Southern Peninsulas and The Haven Coast.
For our Ireland holidays, we’re focusing on County Mayo and County Sligo, bounded by The Surf Coast and The Bay Coast sections of the Wild Atlantic Way.
How do you pour the perfect pint of Guinness?
You’ll have the chance to learn from a local if you’re on some of our guided days out in our Ireland holidays. But here are the steps to pouring a perfect pint of the Black Stuff.Step one – the glass is important. Choose a slightly ‘tulip’ shaped glass with a Guinness logo. As well as looking the part, the logo provides a visual aid…
Step two – you’ll need to hold your Guinness glass at a 45 degree angle whilst the Guinness logo is facing downwards.
Step three – here’s where the logo is helpful – pull the Guinness tap towards you and position your glass so that the stream hits in the area of the harp logo. The angle works it’s magic here as it discourages the Guinness stream from bouncing and creating large air bubbles.
Step four – watch for the liquid level and as it reaches the bottom of the harp, slowly return the glass to the upright position. Once the Guinness reaches the top of the harp, smoothly and slowly close the tap to stop pouring.
Step five – place the glass down for the magic phase, the ‘surge and settle’, as tiny bubbles form the iconic creamy head. If you’ve done it right then once the liquid is settled the wording ‘Guinness’ on the logo should be framed in black liquid, whilst the head should be between the bottom and the top of the harp.
Step six – hold the glass again under the pouring tap and push the tap away from you to slowly raise the head to the top of the glass. The perfect head should be about 20mm in height.
Step seven – drink and savour! If you need more practice, simply pour another ;).
Where are the tallest cliffs in Ireland?
The most well-known cliffs in Ireland are the Cliffs of Moher which run for some 14Km along the coast of County Clare. They’re certainly impressive with their vertical drop of 214m and they’ve become famous due to the visitor’s centre developed in the 1990s and opened in 2007. Between one and two million people visit every year. However, these cliffs are dwarfed by the tallest Ireland has to offer…The cliffs of Slieve League in County Donegal fall steeply from the summit of 601m to the ocean far below. Slieve League can be accessed by a short walk from the road. The drop is not as sheer as Moher but the cliffs are nearly three times as high! They’re still not the winner though… Slieve League is notable due to it’s accessibility however the real winner of the title is further south and west in County Mayo.
The tallest cliffs in Ireland are the sea cliffs of the remote mountain of Croaghaun on Achill Island which rise an incredible 688m from sea to summit. This makes them the highest not only in Ireland but also in all of the British Isles. They’re proudly also the third highest in all of Europe. To view the cliffs from Croaghaun summit requires commitment and fitness – and plenty of British hill walking experience or a guided hill walking day.
There’s a chance to see the cliffs of Croaghaun on our holidays in Ireland that include time on Achill Island.
Is Ireland in the UK?
By area, the Republic of Ireland is roughly 85% of the island of Ireland, the remaining 15% being Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom is a unitary sovereign state currently comprising Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England. So no, the Republic of Ireland is not in the UK. But yes, Northern Ireland is in the UK. You may find this confusing but confusion’s been the least of it since the creation of Northern Ireland via the Partition Act of 1922.Where is Ireland?
The Republic of Ireland is part of the British Isles, an archipelago of over six thousand islands large and small lying off the coast of continental Europe, bounded to the west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the east by the North Sea. The two largest of these islands are Great Britain (comprising England, Scotland and Wales) and the island of Ireland (comprising the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland).How do I get to Ireland from the UK?
For UK travellers, the good news is that there are daily flights from many UK airports straight to County Mayo, arriving at Knock airport. There are also daily flights to other Irish airports including Dublin and Belfast making a through-trip possible on your Irish holiday.How do I get to Ireland from the US and Canada?
From the USA and Canada, direct flights go from many international airports to Dublin – from New York, Chicago, Orlando, Toronto, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, Baltimore.How do I get to Ireland from continental Europe?
Very many continental European airports offer direct flights to Dublin.
Dublin airport is very well connected and so we can organise your holiday in Ireland to include flights from anywhere in the world.In our experience these are the best times of the year to visit Ireland:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Ireland is a small country with a big heart, the most amazing scenery and above all friendly people. You may have visited well-known places like Dublin, Killarney and Cork or gone back to trace that long lost family member.
But have you ever considered the lesser visited county Mayo on the Atlantic west coast, away from the crowds, yet with everything that’s great about Ireland.
Those who will come on our Ireland trips will find wild scenery, sensational sea cliffs, beaches rivalling anywhere and crystal clear waters for snorkelling and swimming.
So why wait any longer and let our local guide introduce you to the quintessential Irish way of life and ‘craic’, taste the local food, pull your own pint of Guinness and mingle with the locals in the pub, who will always be up for a chat.
Walking
The perfect way to explore Ireland's unspoilt scenery from gentle strolls on isolated golden sand beaches along the Wild Atlantic Way to the more challenging ascents of Achill island's two 650m peaks, there are walks to suit everyone.
Cycling
County Mayo's back roads are wonderfully quiet and picturesque - your only hazard might be a few sheep! You'll be able to cycle the Great Western Greenway (a disused railway line), cross beautiful Ballycroy National Park and explore Achill Island. Daily routes are 40-50km so there's always plenty of time for stopping to admire the scenery.
Baking
You'll get to spend time in your guide's 'Mam's' friendly kitchen where she'll have you baking scones, traditional Guinness soda bread and Irish potato cakes. Don't worry because you'll get to eat them all afterwards washed down with a nice cuppa.
Whiskey tasting
Take part in our guide's very special Whiskey appreciation session and you'll soon work out which Whiskeys you like and why.
What’s the currency in Ireland?
The official currency in Ireland is the Euro (€) and has been since Ireland withdrew legal tender status for the Irish Pound in 2002. Ireland was one of the first countries to adopt the Euro, in 1999.
What’s the craic?
If you’re having a good time with others in Ireland, you’re almost certainly having a good craic (pronounced the same as the English word ‘crack’). Craic is a Gaelic word that’s hard to precisely define in English. Essentially it’s ‘fun’ but there’s definitely a social element to the definition. Generally, craic is a noun and it can be used in the singular or plural: ‘Yeah, we had some great craic today’. ‘Today was a good craic’.
Craic can’t be purchased, unless you’re in the middle of a serious misunderstanding.
You’re guaranteed to have a good craic on our holidays in Ireland!
What is the Wild Atlantic Way?
The Wild Atlantic Way is a road route along the length of the Atlantic west coast of Ireland, stretching from Londonderry in the North to Kinsale in the South. The Wild Atlantic Way was launched in 2014 by the Irish Tourist Board to raise awareness of and showcase the stunningly beautiful, diverse and lesser-populated Atlantic west coast of Ireland.The full signposted route is some 2,500Km long and passes through nine counties. It’s subdivided into six zones: The Northern Headlands, The Surf Coast, The Bay Coast, The Cliff Coast, The Southern Peninsulas and The Haven Coast.
For our Ireland holidays, we’re focusing on County Mayo and County Sligo, bounded by The Surf Coast and The Bay Coast sections of the Wild Atlantic Way.
How do you pour the perfect pint of Guinness?
You’ll have the chance to learn from a local if you’re on some of our guided days out in our Ireland holidays. But here are the steps to pouring a perfect pint of the Black Stuff.Step one – the glass is important. Choose a slightly ‘tulip’ shaped glass with a Guinness logo. As well as looking the part, the logo provides a visual aid…
Step two – you’ll need to hold your Guinness glass at a 45 degree angle whilst the Guinness logo is facing downwards.
Step three – here’s where the logo is helpful – pull the Guinness tap towards you and position your glass so that the stream hits in the area of the harp logo. The angle works it’s magic here as it discourages the Guinness stream from bouncing and creating large air bubbles.
Step four – watch for the liquid level and as it reaches the bottom of the harp, slowly return the glass to the upright position. Once the Guinness reaches the top of the harp, smoothly and slowly close the tap to stop pouring.
Step five – place the glass down for the magic phase, the ‘surge and settle’, as tiny bubbles form the iconic creamy head. If you’ve done it right then once the liquid is settled the wording ‘Guinness’ on the logo should be framed in black liquid, whilst the head should be between the bottom and the top of the harp.
Step six – hold the glass again under the pouring tap and push the tap away from you to slowly raise the head to the top of the glass. The perfect head should be about 20mm in height.
Step seven – drink and savour! If you need more practice, simply pour another ;).
Where are the tallest cliffs in Ireland?
The most well-known cliffs in Ireland are the Cliffs of Moher which run for some 14Km along the coast of County Clare. They’re certainly impressive with their vertical drop of 214m and they’ve become famous due to the visitor’s centre developed in the 1990s and opened in 2007. Between one and two million people visit every year. However, these cliffs are dwarfed by the tallest Ireland has to offer…The cliffs of Slieve League in County Donegal fall steeply from the summit of 601m to the ocean far below. Slieve League can be accessed by a short walk from the road. The drop is not as sheer as Moher but the cliffs are nearly three times as high! They’re still not the winner though… Slieve League is notable due to it’s accessibility however the real winner of the title is further south and west in County Mayo.
The tallest cliffs in Ireland are the sea cliffs of the remote mountain of Croaghaun on Achill Island which rise an incredible 688m from sea to summit. This makes them the highest not only in Ireland but also in all of the British Isles. They’re proudly also the third highest in all of Europe. To view the cliffs from Croaghaun summit requires commitment and fitness – and plenty of British hill walking experience or a guided hill walking day.
There’s a chance to see the cliffs of Croaghaun on our holidays in Ireland that include time on Achill Island.
Is Ireland in the UK?
By area, the Republic of Ireland is roughly 85% of the island of Ireland, the remaining 15% being Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom is a unitary sovereign state currently comprising Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England. So no, the Republic of Ireland is not in the UK. But yes, Northern Ireland is in the UK. You may find this confusing but confusion’s been the least of it since the creation of Northern Ireland via the Partition Act of 1922.Where is Ireland?
The Republic of Ireland is part of the British Isles, an archipelago of over six thousand islands large and small lying off the coast of continental Europe, bounded to the west by the Atlantic Ocean and to the east by the North Sea. The two largest of these islands are Great Britain (comprising England, Scotland and Wales) and the island of Ireland (comprising the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland).How do I get to Ireland from the UK?
For UK travellers, the good news is that there are daily flights from many UK airports straight to County Mayo, arriving at Knock airport. There are also daily flights to other Irish airports including Dublin and Belfast making a through-trip possible on your Irish holiday.How do I get to Ireland from the US and Canada?
From the USA and Canada, direct flights go from many international airports to Dublin – from New York, Chicago, Orlando, Toronto, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, Baltimore.How do I get to Ireland from continental Europe?
Very many continental European airports offer direct flights to Dublin.
Dublin airport is very well connected and so we can organise your holiday in Ireland to include flights from anywhere in the world.In our experience these are the best times of the year to visit Ireland:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Talk to someone who loves Ireland!
If you’re interested in our holidays and want to know more, then send us a few details using this quick fill form.
Where is Ireland?
