South West Ireland Uncovered — Self-Launched 5-Day Route
5 days · South West Ireland (Dublin, Galway, Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Cork)
On The Go Tours charges £1,100
No-markup version: ~£570 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched DIY version of On The Go Tours' 5-day small-group loop from Dublin, hitting the same beats — Kilbeggan Distillery, Clonmacnoise, Galway, the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Slea Head and the Dingle Peninsula, the Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle, Kinsale and the Rock of Cashel — but using Irish public buses and trains, hostel/guesthouse beds and self-bookable tours. On The Go quotes about £1,100 pp (US$1,463, discounted from US$1,950) for the guided version; done independently with a small group of friends or solo, the same route comes in around £520-£620 pp excluding flights. Costs are realistic 2025/26 backpacker estimates in GBP and will shift with season and how far ahead you book.
Day-by-day
Dublin → Kilbeggan → Clonmacnoise → Galway
Dublin / Kilbeggan / Clonmacnoise / Galway
Start early from Dublin. Take an Irish Rail or Bus Éireann service west toward Athlone (Bus Éireann route 20/X20 Dublin–Galway stops near Kilbeggan; ~£12-15, 1h45). Book the Kilbeggan Distillery tour and tasting directly on the distillery's website (~£15-18, 45-60 min) — the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland and a genuinely good small-group visit. From Kilbeggan, hop a local bus or a short taxi (approx £10-12) to Clonmacnoise monastic site on the Shannon, entry ~£5-6, then continue by bus to Athlone and a train or bus on to Galway (~£10-12, 1h30). Check into a hostel or B&B in Galway's Latin Quarter — Snoozles, Barnacles or a Woodquay guesthouse run £22-35 for a dorm or ~£45-60 for a twin. Evening: trad session in Tigh Neachtain or The Crane Bar, pub dinner £12-16.
🚌Bus Éireann / Irish Rail Dublin–Athlone–Galway, local bus + short taxi to Clonmacnoise (~£30 total)
🛏Hostel dorm or B&B in Galway Latin Quarter (~£22-35 pp dorm / £45-60 double)
- →Kilbeggan Distillery tour and whiskey tasting (book direct, ~£15-18)
- →Clonmacnoise monastic ruins and round towers (~£5-6 entry)
- →Galway Latin Quarter evening and trad session
Galway → The Burren → Cliffs of Moher → Killarney
Galway / The Burren / Cliffs of Moher / Killarney
Book the Cliffs of Moher day tour from Galway that also runs through the Burren — GetYourGuide and local operators like Galway Tour Company or Lally Tours sell it for £35-45 pp including Cliffs visitor centre entry (€10 separately if you self-drive). This is the best-value way to cover a stretch that's awkward on public buses. Walk the cliff path from the visitor centre toward Hag's Head or north to Doolin for the hiking element (free, allow 1-2 hours). Stop at Kilfenora for lunch and the high crosses, and Lahinch for a beach stroll if the weather plays ball. From Galway, take the Expressway bus or Irish Rail to Limerick (~£10-12, 1h45), then the Limerick–Killarney bus/train (~£10-12, 1h45). If the tour drops you back late, take the direct Galway–Killarney Bus Éireann 51 route instead. Two nights in Killarney: Neptune's Hostel or a self-catering guesthouse, ~£25-35 pp dorm or £55-70 double.
🚌Cliffs/Burren day tour coach (~£35-45 incl. entry); Expressway bus or rail Galway–Limerick–Killarney (~£20-24)
🛏Neptune's Hostel or Killarney guesthouse (~£25-35 pp dorm / £55-70 double)
- →Cliffs of Moher and Burren day tour from Galway (GetYourGuide/Klook or direct, ~£35-45)
- →Cliff path hike to Hag's Head or Doolin
- →Kilfenora high crosses and village lunch
- →Lahinch Beach walk
Killarney → Inch Beach → Slea Head → Dingle
Killarney / Inch Beach / Dingle Peninsula / Dingle
Take the morning Bus Éireann 275/14 service from Killarney to Dingle town (~£10-12, 1h45-2h). From Dingle, the Slea Head Drive is the star: no public bus covers the full loop, so either book a local Slea Head minibus tour (Dingle Shuttle Bus or a GetYourGuide option, ~£25-30 pp, 3-4 hours with stops at the beehive huts, Gallarus Oratory and Blasket Islands viewpoints) or rent a bike in town (~£18-22/day) and ride the coastal road at your own pace. Swing by Inch Beach on the way in or out — it's on the Dingle road and free to walk. Back in Dingle by late afternoon: seafood chowder at Out of the Blue or fish and chips from Reel Dingle, then Murphy's ice cream. Return to Killarney by the evening bus (~£10-12).
🚌Bus Éireann Killarney–Dingle return (~£20-24); Slea Head minibus tour or bike hire
🛏Neptune's Hostel or Killarney guesthouse (second night)
- →Inch Beach walk
- →Slea Head Drive with beehive huts, Gallarus Oratory and Blasket views (minibus tour ~£25-30 or bike hire ~£18-22)
- →Dingle town seafood dinner and pub music
Ring of Kerry → Derrynane → Moll's Gap → Torc Waterfall
Killarney / Ring of Kerry / Portmagee / Waterville / Derrynane
The Ring of Kerry needs wheels. Cheapest independent option: the scheduled Killarney–Sneem–Waterville–Cahersiveen Local Link / Bus Éireann services (roughly £12-15 for a day of hops, sparse timetable — check TFI Journey Planner the night before). Easier option: a Ring of Kerry day tour from Killarney, £35-45 pp, which is what most independent travellers do. Key stops to prioritise: the Coonmakista Pass viewpoint, a short walk at Carrauntoohil's base (the full summit is a serious 5-6 hour guided climb, only if you're equipped), Derrynane House and beach (~£5 entry to the house), Portmagee for lunch, and the Skellig Experience on Valentia Island (~£8-10) if you want the Skellig history without the boat trip. Finish with Moll's Gap, Ladies View and the Torc Waterfall walk (free, 20-30 min), which is right on the Killarney road. Evenings in Killarney: stew and a pint in a Kenmare Place or High Street pub, £15-20.
🚌Ring of Kerry day tour coach (~£35-45) or Local Link/Bus Éireann hop-on services (~£12-15)
🛏Neptune's Hostel or Killarney guesthouse (third night)
- →Ring of Kerry drive with Coonmakista Pass and Ladies View
- →Derrynane House and beach (~£5)
- →Skellig Experience, Valentia Island (~£8-10)
- →Moll's Gap and Torc Waterfall walk (free)
Killarney → Blarney Castle → Kinsale → Rock of Cashel → Dublin
Killarney / Blarney / Kinsale / Cashel / Dublin
Early train or bus from Killarney to Cork (~£18-22, 1h30-2h), then the 215 bus to Blarney (~£3). Blarney Castle and Gardens entry is ~£20 online (~£18 if booked ahead); the stone-kissing queue can be 45-90 minutes — go straight there on arrival. From Blarney, bus back through Cork to Kinsale (~£8-10, 45 min), lunch and a wander around Charles Fort and the harbour (fort entry ~£5). Then bus or train to Cashel — via Cork to Cahir and a short bus/taxi, or the Expressway Cork–Dublin service with a Cashel stop (~£12-15). Rock of Cashel entry ~£9-10; it's a 60-75 minute visit. Final leg: Bus Éireann X8 or a JJ Kavanagh coach from Cashel to Dublin (~£15-18, 2h15), arriving evening. Alternatively, if you'd rather not rush, sleep in Cashel (~£35-45 B&B) and take the first bus to Dublin the next morning.
🚌Killarney–Cork rail/bus (~£20), local 215/226 buses to Blarney and Kinsale (~£12), Cork–Cashel–Dublin coach (~£25-30)
🛏None included (return to Dublin) — optional Cashel B&B ~£35-45 or Dublin hostel ~£25-40
- →Blarney Castle and Gardens, including the Blarney Stone (~£18-20)
- →Kinsale harbour, Charles Fort and seafood lunch
- →Rock of Cashel (~£9-10)
Self-launched vs. On The Go Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | On The Go Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£570 | £1,100 |
| Duration | 5 days | 5 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £530 per person (48%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more On The Go Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£570
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does South West Ireland Uncovered — Self-Launched 5-Day Route cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £570 per person for 5 days in South West Ireland (Dublin, Galway, Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Cork). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with On The Go Tours?+
Yes — On The Go Tours charges around £1,100 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £570 — a saving of roughly £530 (48%) per person.
How long is the South West Ireland (Dublin, Galway, Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Cork) trip?+
This itinerary runs 5 days, covering 5 day-by-day stops through South West Ireland (Dublin, Galway, Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Cork).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, budget trip through South West Ireland (Dublin, Galway, Burren, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Dingle, Ring of Kerry, Cork), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.