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Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
Ireland your way

Tailor-made Ireland vacations shaped around your passions

Dingle Peninsula, Ireland

Renowned for its warm welcome, literary genius, live music and green fields, Ireland is a small isle with enormous character. It's compact enough to explore easily, yet also incredibly diverse. Our Ireland specialists have a deep affinity with the island — north and south — and can bring you closer to the landscapes and the Irish people even at its most famous attractions such as Giant's Causeway.

Our Ireland specialists know the country inside out and can lead you to experiences you won’t find in a guidebook. On a tailor-made vacation to Ireland with Audley, you’ll see the highlights — and much more — your way. We’ll design your ideal trip with you, paying close attention to your interests, your travel style and your budget.

Try kayaking to romantic ruins on the Lakes of Killarney, take a literary pub crawl around Dublin or gain an introduction to Northern Ireland’s political history on a black taxi tour of Belfast. We also recommend getting well off the beaten path in places like the little-visited Beara Peninsula or along the stone-walled roads of the island of Inis Mór. Wherever you go, you'll be welcomed with that legendary Irish charm, regaled with stories and persuaded that the only way to do this place justice would be to plan a return visit.

Creating tailor-made tours for over 25 years

Suggested tours for Ireland

These tours give you a starting point for what your vacation to Ireland could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.

Suggested activities for Ireland

Whatever your interests, our specialists will build activities into your trip that connect to how you want to experience Ireland.

  • The Cliffs of Moher by boat
    Cliffs of Moher at sunset

    The Cliffs of Moher by boat

    The Burren

    The Cliffs of Moher by boat

    See the towering Cliffs of Moher from the sea on this one-hour cruise along the cliff base, getting you close to colonies of nesting seabirds, dramatic sea stacks and the sheer faces of one of Ireland's most famous landmarks.

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  • Explore Inis Mór by horse and cart
    Horse and cart, Inis Mor

    Explore Inis Mór by horse and cart

    Inis Mór

    Explore Inis Mór by horse and cart

    Explore the island of Inis Mór in Galway Bay by horse and cart with a local driver who will reveal much about the island's history, geology and traditional culture as he takes you to ancient forts, natural wonders and deserted beaches.

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  • Tour of the Ring of Kerry & Skellig Ring
    Skellig Michael

    Tour of the Ring of Kerry & Skellig Ring

    Killarney

    Tour of the Ring of Kerry & Skellig Ring

    Discover the scenery of the Ring of Kerry on this immersive full-day tour that brings you to some of Ireland's most scenic spots. Take in views of rugged cliffs, ancient monastic sites, stone forts and the legendary Killarney National Park.

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Why travel with Audley?

  • 100% tailor-made tours
  • Fully protected travel
  • Established for over 25 years
  • 98% of our clients would recommend us

Best time to visit

Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Ireland, including information about climate, events and festivals.

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Useful information for planning your vacation in Ireland

What languages are spoken in Ireland?

Ireland has two official languages English and Irish. Irish is a Celtic language related to Scots Gaelic, Welsh, and Breton, and is predominantly spoken in Gaeltacht areas in the west of Ireland but you’ll see it on road signs and all official documentation.

What's the currency of Ireland?

In the Republic of Ireland, which covers roughly five-sixths of the island of Ireland, the currency is the euro (€), while In Northern Ireland, which is a part of the United Kingdom, the currency is the pound sterling (GBP).

ATMs are easy to find, all major credit and debit cards are accepted, and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere. Euros can be used across Europe, but Northern Ireland notes, which are different to those used elsewhere in the UK, are often unfamiliar to retailers outside Ireland and it may be best to exchange those in a bank or post office.

How much should I tip in Ireland?

A standard tip in Ireland is between 10% and 15% for a restaurant meal. Check the total though — a gratuity is often added automatically. Tipping in pubs and bars is not expected. Drivers, guides, and hotel staff will appreciate a tip, but it isn’t always expected.

Where can I find the latest travel advice for Ireland?

For the latest travel advice for Ireland, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Canadian Government Travel & Tourism website.

What food and drink should I try in Ireland?

Food and drink is a huge part of Irish culture and in recent years the focus has been on locally sourced and seasonal produce, artisan food stuffs, and distinctive regional products.

Being an island nation, fish and seafood is plentiful. You’ll find delicate smoked salmon, creamy chowders, and fresh oysters and mussels along the coast. Although traditional dishes such as Irish stew, colcannon (mashed potato with cabbage and scallions) and boxty (fried grated potato) still appear on some menus, you’re more likely to encounter pan-European influences in most dishes.

Traditional Irish soda bread remains a local staple and you’ll find it in all shops and on most breakfast plates. Although Guinness, Ireland’s rich, full-bodied stout, is served everywhere, in Cork, order a pint of Beamish, a locally brewed rival with a more substantial bite. Whiskey distilleries are long established in Ireland, but craft beer and cider are also gaining ground.

What can I experience in Ireland?

A small island with a rich history and culture, dramatic landscapes, and a fair bit of rain, Ireland provides a wealth of experiences for the visitor. You could follow in the footsteps of literary heavyweights such as Joyce, Wilde, or Beckett on a literary pub crawl in Dublin, delve into prehistory on a guided tour of the Neolithic passage graves in Newgrange and the Boyne Valley, or discover the wonders of the Giant’s Causeway and the Antrim Coast.

Romantic castle ruins, wild national parks, and stone-walled fields litter the country, and whether you’d enjoy visiting cheesemongers and chocolatiers on a Dublin food tour, sipping peaty spirits at the Jameson Distillery, or exploring the Cliffs of Moher by boat, Ireland offers plenty of choice.

Where can I stay in Ireland?

The choice of places to stay in Ireland is as varied as the landscape. You can stay in historic castles decorated in opulent traditional style, fishing lodges nestled in secluded valleys, or urban hideaways with sleek, contemporary design. The Irish are renowned for their hospitality, and whether you choose to stay in a family-run guesthouse or a plush, urban hotel, you’ll find a special welcome waiting.

In Belfast, history and grandeur combine in the Merchant Hotel. In Kilkenny, you can stay in stately Butler House, former home of the Earls of Ormonde, while on the shores of Lough Erne, you can stargaze in a dome as you fall asleep to the sound of the water. To get some ideas, browse our collection of places to stay in Ireland, and start planning your trip.

Where should I go in Ireland?

Most trips to Ireland begin in Dublin, the Republic’s capital. It’s a beguiling place where political and literary history collide, and local life never takes itself too seriously. From Dublin, you can head west to see the wild, raw beauty of Connemara, the otherworldly landscape of the Burren, or to join an impromptu traditional music session in Galway, Westport, or Doolin.

Discover Donegal’s deserted beaches or hike along the towering cliffs at Slieve League, visit the Dark Hedges that featured in the Game of Thrones, Belfast’s poignant Titanic Museum, or learn about the city’s troubled past on a black cab tour.

To the south, Cork has a character so strong its people joke about it becoming their own republic, Killarney sits at the foot of the country’s highest peaks, and Dingle is all windswept beaches and pubs that have changed little with the passage of time.

How long does it take to fly to Ireland from Canada?

Flights from Toronto in Canada to Dublin take around six and a half hours. From Calgary, you can expect to spend around eight hours in the air, and from Vancouver, around eight and a half hours.

What's the time zone in Ireland?

The time zone in Ireland is UTC+1 hour. Daylight Savings Time is observed from late-March to late-October.

What's the best way of getting around in Ireland?

Self driving in Ireland is easy and efficient and is one of the best ways to get around. You’ll need to be comfortable driving on the left, however. Trains are modern and reliable, but the rail network is a little limited and if you choose to travel by train, you’re likely to need to use buses or taxis as well. We can also arrange private drivers to take you directly to your destination.

There’s no border control between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and if you’re driving, the only difference you might notice is a subtle change in the road signs and markings.

Do I need a visa to visit Ireland, and what do I need to check with my passport?

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Ireland. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Ireland?

There are currently no additional vaccination requirements to visit Ireland, but your doctor is best placed to offer up-to-date advice. You can check recommended vaccinations by visiting the Government of Canada - travel vaccinations website. It’s also worth ensuring you’re up to date on all vaccinations recommended at home.

Other popular destinations

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