Celtic Ireland, a tour through the southeast
In the heart of the lush countryside of south-east Irlande, Norman castles and thousand-year-old tombs tell 5000 years of history.
Duration
7 days
From
€640/pers.
Ideal seasons
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Style
Self-drive tour
Comfort
classique
Travelers
Couple, Solo, senior, With friends
The spirit of travel
Between castles, monasteries and thousand-year-old tombs, Irlande possesses a fabulous heritage.
Discover monuments even older than Stonehenge and the pyramids, just a few minutes from Dublin.
Immerse yourself in the Celtic Middle Ages with a journey through the green lands of the south-east, a region filled with castles, abbeys and other remains.
As a bonus, taste delicious whiskey, beers and other local specialties throughout your journey !
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Trim and Slane
Dublin → Slane
Upon arrival in Dublin, pick up your rental car and drive towards County Meath, a concentration of history spanning from a few centuries to millennia.
Step through the threshold of Trim Castle, the largest Norman castle in Ireland. You may recognize it from its appearance in Mel Gibson's film Braveheart.
Celebrate your arrival in Ireland with a visit and Irish whiskey tasting at the Slane distillery.
Overnight stay near Slane.
Newgrange and the Hill of Tara
Go back several millennia to the Boyne Valley (Brú na Bóinne), which is home to some of the most important prehistoric monuments in the world.
Even older than Stonehenge and the pyramids of Egypt, the tomb of Newgrange is one of Ireland's most impressive sites. Built around 3200 BC, its entrance is perfectly aligned to allow the sun to illuminate its corridors during the winter solstice.
Not far away, The Hill of Tara is the ceremonial site where the ancient kings of Ireland were crowned. The Stone of Destiny at its summit features at the heart of many Irish myths.
Overnight at the same location as the previous night.
Kilkenny
Slane → Kilkenny
Join the lovely medieval town of Kilkenny and visit its Kilkenny Castle of the Butlers, which was founded by the Normans in the 12th century. For breathtaking views over the town, climb to the top of the round tower of the Cathedral of St Canice.
Wander through the old town streets, lined with charming shops. Kilkenny is a hub of craftsmanship, perfect for finding quality souvenirs.
Discover the making of the local red ale at Smithwicks Experience and taste a pint of their famous red ale.
The Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castle
Kilkenny → Cashel
Travel through the countryside for a day in County Tipperary. Its rich and fertile lands have always stimulated the covetousness of lords, who built their estates there.
Visit the Rock of Cashel, one of Irlande's iconic monuments: standing on a rock dominating the horizon, this Cashel Castlewas once the seat of the kings of Munster.
Cashel → Cahir
Built a little further along the banks of the Suir River, the Cahir Castle is one of the largest in Irlande and is also worth a visit.
The south of Kilkenny and Wicklow
Kilkenny → Thomastown
Follow the Nore river towards Thomastown. Along the way, visit the ancient Kells Priory and Jerpoint Abbey.
You will then head back towards County Wicklow, nicknamed the garden of Irlande. In the village of Avoca, renowned for its textile and culinary industry, you will find Ireland's oldest mill still in operation. Watch the wool spinning and its transformation into colourful blankets and enjoy a tea and scone in the famous café.
Trace the history of Irish independence at Wicklow Gaol. Costumed guides recount the stories of former prisoners, some of which border on the supernatural !
Thomastown → Enniskerry
Night towards Enniskery.
Glendalough and Powerscourt
Admire the remains of the monastery of Glendaloughand its round tower. Framed by the magnificent peaks and forests of the Wicklow Mountains National Park, it is the starting point for many pleasant hikes.
Stroll through the splendid gardens of the Powerscourt estate, which are among the most beautiful in Europe.
For your last evening in Irlande, attend a dinner show of traditional dance and music and let yourself be carried away by the Irish rhythm !
Overnight at the same location as the previous night.
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
- International and domestic flights
- Airport taxes & visas
- Lunches and dinners
- Beverages, personal expenses & tips
- Travel insurance & assistance
- Everything that is not indicated in "Inclusions"
Included
- 6 nights in B&B in double or twin room with bathroom and toilet facilities
- 6 Irish or Continental Breakfasts
- Rental of a category 2 vehicle, type Opel Corsa 3-door or equivalent for 2 people, category 3, type Opel Astra 5-door or equivalent for 4 people, manual transmission, unlimited mileage, with comprehensive insurance, theft insurance, airport taxes for 7 days
- Your personalized travel journal
- English-speaking telephone support 7/7
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 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
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 — East Dublin
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
