Music Tour of Ireland | 10 Day Self-Drive

Ireland plays host to many different genres of music. Between the jigs and the reels to the rock and roll of days gone by, or if country, jazz, or classical suede’s your soul then we have got it all. As you tour around Ireland you will be serenaded by many different melodies, some even combining all types of genre which contributes to a more contemporary variation.

If its a toe-tapping, hand-clapping trip of Ireland you’re looking for then this 10 day tour brings you from a spectacle of traditional music in Ireland’s capital to the west and south-west of the country where all genres can be heard. Get your dancing shoes on and your voice warmed up as you join in the “craic agus ceol”. You can also include many famous attractions along the way for a true taste of Ireland’s heritage.

Day 1: Arrive in Dublin

Make your way to your accommodation and drop off your luggage. It is now time to explore the city. Located in St. James’s Gate Brewery, the Guinness Storehouse is Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction. It’s the home of the Black Stuff, the heart of Dublin and an unforgettable start to your Irish adventure. Next make your way to Trinity College which is an oasis of peace and beauty.

Tonight you will get your first taste of Irish traditional Irish Music. The Merry Ploughboys live in concert is widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin. The show is an entertaining performance of live traditional Irish music, song and Irish dancing. After the show return back to the city to your accommodation for the night.

Day 2: Dublin take two

Rise after a late morning – its time to explore the city. Start off your day in the fresh Dublin air as you take a walk through the Phoenix Park.This park is the largest urban enclosed park in Europe, and is more than twice the size of New York’s Central Park. If the weather is not on your side, you can take a tour of Kilmainham Gaol. Kilmainham Gaol tells part of the story of Irish history. The leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising were executed here while several Irish nationalist leaders were imprisoned here over the years.

In the afternoon you are free to have some time for retail therapy or tour the city at your leisure. You have a couple of options tonight to get your night of music underway. You can book tickets to a concert at Vicar Street theater. The finest venue in city, Vicar Street has witnessed hundreds of memorable shows since it opened for business on Dublin’s Thomas Street 1998. Your second option is a more low-key, yet lively venue. After either of these to venues you can also enjoy some live traditional music in any of Temple bars pubs. Retire to your hotel for a second night.

Day 3: Wandering your way West

After an early rise it is now time to hit the road west to the picturesque stretch of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic coastal route. Westport in Co. Mayo is the next stop on your music tour. Westport’s perfect position on the shores of Clew Bay makes it a dream for water sport enthusiasts. Surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, sailing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, coasteering and RIB tours are all just minutes away from you. Visit Westport house and gardens for a true vision of Ireland’s 16 century architecture.

You also have the option of escaping the hustle and bustle of urban life and take a cycle on Ireland’s longest off-road walking and cycling trail, the Great Western Greenway. The World Class Great Western Greenway, at 42km long, is a traffic free cycling and walking trail which follows the route of the renowned Westport to Achill railway which closed in 1937. Petie Joe’s Bar is the perfect place to for tonight’s entertainment – a popular local Westport pub with live music every night to suit all tastes. Return to your hotel for the night.

Day 4: Achill Island

Today you can take Ireland’s wild Atlantic coastal drive for about an hour to Achill Island. Achill’s rugged landscape features dramatic cliffs, soaring mountains, remote lakes and secluded beaches.

Achill offers over a dozen quality restaurants with fresh Atlantic seafood a specialty – and its pubs and bars provide a traditional Irish welcome. Achill Island is also steeped in History. As you drive around the island look out for megalithic tombs, ancient forts, historic churches and deserted villages. Achill’s long history features a rich cast of characters, from the Pirate Queen Granuaile to artists and writers including Paul Henry and Heinrich Boll. Having spent the day in Achill, it’s time to return to Westport for your second night. Tonight you can take a break from the lively music scene and just relax in your surroundings.

Day 5: Delightful Doolin

Follow the wild Atlantic coastline south-west and stop off for some lunch in Galway city. Walk down Shop Street and experience some raw Irish talent as buskers (musicians) fill the streets with their melodies. Continue on south until you reach the picturesque village of Doolin. It is a charming small seaside village on the northwest coast of County Clare. The Cliffs of Moher in north Clare are the highest cliffs in Europe. Facilities at the Cliffs include car park, visitors center and craft shops. Also at the top of the cliffs viewing points is O’Brien’s Tower. The Cliffs are one of Ireland’s top tourist attractions.

Day 6: Aran Islands

After an early rise and a hearty breakfast, you will catch the ferry today and do some island hopping to the Aran Islands. First en route you will visit  Inisheer the smallest island and the closest to Doolin. As you travel to Inisheer don’t forget look behind and see the captivating view of the Cliffs of Moher on the horizon. Inis Meáin, is the middle Island and offers the most peaceful and genuine experience of this unique landscape and culture. There is just one pub on the island where locals and visitors gather. This tranquility and simple way of living are what make Inis Meáin special.

Finally, the largest island, Inis Mór, means big island. There is plenty to do on Inis Mor. The island stands for rugged beauty. Be it the beaches, the turquoise waters, the thousands of dry stone walls or the steep and brooding cliffs running along the western shore of the island. The most famous historical site on the Island is the fort of Dun Aengus (Dún Aonghasa) probably dating from the iron age. It is situated on top of cliffs that are 100m high and fall straight down to sea level. After your day of Island hopping it’s time to return to the mainland where you can join in a sing-song with the locals of Doolin. You will spend a second night here.

Day 7: Dingle

Your tour today will take you to Dingle via the pretty town of Killarney. Stop here and spend some time perusing the craft shops or have a bite to eat if you wish. On arrival in Dingle the remainder of the day is free for your own personal sightseeing or shopping.

Dingle Town is one of the few places in Ireland where you can enjoy traditional Irish music any night of the week. In addition there are weekly summer concerts in St. James Church with the Dingle Beehive Theatre Company providing the entertainment. Make your way to your accommodation for the night.

Day 8: Dingle Peninsula

Following breakfast depart the hotel and begin a tour of the Dingle Peninsula. Perhaps not as well-known as the Iveragh Peninsula where the Ring of Kerry is located, the Dingle Peninsula is less busy but every bit as beautiful. Visit the dry stone early Christian church Gallarus Oratory. According to locals, if you can successfully climb through the window at the back of the building your soul will then be cleansed. However as you will discover, this is a little hard to do! Then to the west of the town the scenery is particularly rugged with views out to the formerly inhabited Blasket Islands. Visit the Blasket Centre which tells the story of the Blasket Islanders, the unique literary achievements of the island writers and their culture and traditions. Return to Dingle for more “Ceol agus Craic” and relax in your surroundings for the night.

Day 9: Bunratty Banquet

Today you will make your way back towards Clare where your next and final stop will be at Bunratty. By day you can explore Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The castle, built in 1425, was restored in 1954 to its former Medieval splendor and houses the Bunratty Collection, 450 pieces of Medieval furniture and artifacts. Within the grounds is the folk park, where 19th Century life is vividly recreated. Set on 26 acres, the impressive park features over 30 buildings, including a schoolhouse, post office and doctor’s house in a living village setting.

By night, you are in for a real treat as you attend a medieval banquet. The 35 minute spectacle which follows dinner is a superb selection of Irish medieval and traditional songs and instrumental music. The entire evening lasts two and a half hours. Return to your hotel for the night.

Day 10: Return Home

Make your way to Shannon airport and return home.