Emerald Isle Self-Launched: Ireland in 10 Days
10 days · Ireland
Globus charges £2,570
No-markup version: ~£1,000 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of Globus's classic Emerald Isle tour takes you on the same stunning circuit of Ireland — from Dublin's Georgian streets to the wild Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and medieval Kilkenny — all without the guided-coach price tag. You'll travel by public bus, train, and local ferries, stay in well-rated budget hotels and guesthouses, and book activities directly or via GetYourGuide. All costs are approximate estimates per person based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Dublin
Dublin
Arrive into Dublin and check in to your guesthouse or budget hotel near the city centre. Take a self-guided orientation walk through Dublin's highlights — stroll down O'Connell Street, admire the Georgian squares, swing past St. Patrick's Cathedral and the front gates of Trinity College. Head to Temple Bar in the evening for a welcome pint and some traditional Irish music in a local pub.
🚌Dublin Airport to city centre: Dublin Express bus (~£6) or Aircoach (~£8). All evening sights are walkable.
🛏Generator Dublin or Abigail's Hostel — dorm from ~£28/night, private from ~£70/night
- →Self-guided walk: O'Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick's Cathedral exterior
- →Photo stop at Trinity College gates
- →Evening pub session with live traditional music in Temple Bar
Dublin – Kildare – Strokestown – Castlebar
Kildare / Strokestown / Castlebar
An early start westward. Take the train from Dublin Heuston to Kildare (30 mins, ~£10) to visit the Irish National Stud — book tickets directly online (~£13). Continue by Bus Éireann towards Longford/Roscommon and pick up a local connection to Strokestown for the Famine Museum and walled gardens at Strokestown Park House (entry ~£12). Finish the day continuing northwest by bus to Castlebar — a long travel day but very rewarding. Overnight in Castlebar.
🚌Dublin Heuston to Kildare by Irish Rail (~£10). Kildare to Strokestown by Bus Éireann with a change (~£12). Strokestown to Castlebar by Bus Éireann (~£10).
🛏Welcome Inn Hotel Castlebar or local B&B — budget double from ~£65/night
- →Irish National Stud, Kildare — book direct at irishnationalstud.ie (~£13pp)
- →Strokestown Park House and National Famine Museum (~£12pp)
- →Walk the walled gardens at Strokestown Park
Castlebar – Kylemore Abbey – Galway
Connemara / Galway
Head into Connemara by Bus Éireann or a day-tour minibus from Galway (highly recommended for flexibility). Visit the stunning Kylemore Abbey and explore its walled Victorian garden (book direct online, ~£15). Continue to Galway city in the afternoon — wander the Latin Quarter's colourful shopfronts, grab a coffee in a canal-side café, and browse the independent boutiques on Shop Street.
🚌Castlebar to Clifden/Kylemore area by Bus Éireann route 440 (~£8). Or join a day-trip minibus from Galway city (~£20-25 all-in via GetYourGuide). Galway city is then walkable.
🛏Snoozles Tourist Hostel Galway or Kinlay Hostel — dorm from ~£25/night, private from ~£65/night
- →Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden — book at kylemoreabbey.com (~£15pp)
- →Browse Galway's Latin Quarter, Shop Street and cafés
- →Optional: pick up handmade chocolates or traditional pottery at the Kylemore gift shop
Galway – Aran Islands (Inishmore)
Inishmore, Aran Islands
An unmissable day trip to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. Take the Aran Island Ferries from Rossaveal (bus transfer included from Galway city, ~£30 return total). On the island, rent a bicycle (~£10) or join a local minibus tour (~£10) to reach Dún Aonghasa (Dun Aengus) — the spectacular Iron Age clifftop fort with sheer 100m drops to the Atlantic. Stop for a bowl of chowder or a pint at Joe Watty's pub. Return ferry to the mainland in the late afternoon.
🚌Bus transfer from Galway city centre to Rossaveal ferry port included with Aran Island Ferries booking. Ferry crossing ~45 mins each way.
🛏Snoozles Tourist Hostel Galway (second night) — dorm from ~£25/night, private from ~£65/night
- →Aran Island Ferries from Rossaveal — book at aranislandferries.com (~£30pp return inc. bus from Galway)
- →Rent a bike on Inishmore (~£10) or take a local minibus tour (~£10)
- →Dún Aonghasa prehistoric clifftop fort (Heritage Ireland entry, ~£5pp)
- →Lunch at Joe Watty's Bar, Kilronan
Galway – The Burren – Cliffs of Moher – Limerick
The Burren / Cliffs of Moher / Limerick
This iconic day is easiest done on a day-tour bus from Galway (~£30-35 via GetYourGuide or Paddywagon Tours), which covers the surreal limestone Burren landscape, a stop at the Poulnabrone Dolmen (free, open access), and the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre (entry ~£9). Alternatively travel by Bus Éireann to Limerick and book a separate Cliffs of Moher day tour from there. The Rathbaun Farm experience (scone baking, sheep shearing) can be replicated by booking directly via rathbaunfarm.com (~£18pp). Drop into Limerick for the night.
🚌Guided day-tour bus from Galway returning to Limerick (~£30-35) is the most cost-effective option. Or Bus Éireann Galway–Limerick (~£15) and separate Cliffs day trip.
🛏Limerick City Hostel or No.1 Pery Square area guesthouse — budget double from ~£60/night
- →Cliffs of Moher — book visitor entry at cliffsofmoher.ie (~£9pp)
- →Poulnabrone Dolmen photo stop (free, open access)
- →Rathbaun Farm experience — scones, sheep shearing, local farm life (~£18pp, book direct at rathbaunfarm.com)
- →Day-tour bus from Galway covering Burren + Cliffs (~£30-35 via GetYourGuide/Paddywagon)
Limerick – Foynes – Dingle Peninsula – Killarney
Foynes / Dingle / Killarney
Start with a visit to the Flying Boat and Maritime Museum in Foynes (~£10 entry direct), birthplace of Irish coffee — enjoy the famous Irish coffee demonstration and tasting included. Then head south to the Dingle Peninsula for the spectacular Slea Head Drive. Hire a car for this leg if possible (from ~£35/day) as public transport along Slea Head is very limited — the winding coastal road with ancient beehive huts and sea stacks is one of Ireland's finest drives. End the day in Killarney.
🚌Bus Éireann Limerick to Tralee (~£12), then local bus or taxi to Foynes (~£10 taxi share). Hire car strongly recommended for Slea Head Drive (~£35/day). Drive onwards to Killarney (~1hr).
🛏Killarney Railway Hostel or Fairview Guesthouse Killarney — budget double from ~£65/night
- →Flying Boat and Maritime Museum, Foynes — foynesmuseum.ie (~£10pp)
- →Irish coffee demonstration and tasting at Foynes museum
- →Slea Head Drive self-drive loop from Dingle town (~35 miles, hire car recommended)
- →Optional: visit Gallarus Oratory on the Dingle Peninsula (free)
Killarney – Ring of Kerry
Ring of Kerry / Killarney
The Ring of Kerry is a classic 179km circular drive — join a day-tour coach from Killarney (~£25-30 via GetYourGuide or Paddywagon) or continue your hire car. Enjoy panoramic views of MacGillycuddy's Reeks, the Lakes of Killarney, and rolling Atlantic coastline. Back in Killarney, take a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park to the Ross Castle area — a quintessential Irish experience (~£20-25pp, bookable locally). Ross Castle itself is free to walk around the exterior; OPW guided tours are ~£8.
🚌Killarney day-tour coach for Ring of Kerry (~£25-30) is easiest. Or self-drive hire car from previous day (~£35/day). Jaunting cars depart from Killarney town centre.
🛏Killarney Railway Hostel or Fairview Guesthouse — second night, budget double from ~£65/night
- →Ring of Kerry scenic circuit — day-tour coach (~£25-30 via GetYourGuide) or self-drive hire car
- →Views of MacGillycuddy's Reeks and Lakes of Killarney
- →Horse-drawn jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park (~£20-25pp, book locally at the jarveys on Kenmare Place)
- →Ross Castle exterior walk (free) or OPW guided tour (~£8pp)
Killarney – Blarney Castle – Waterford
Blarney / Waterford
Travel northeast to Blarney, near Cork. Bus Éireann Killarney to Cork (~£14), then Bus Éireann or a local 215 bus to Blarney village (~£3). Blarney Castle and Grounds entry is ~£18 direct at blarneycastle.ie — climb the battlements to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and explore the extensive grounds including the Poison Garden. Browse the Blarney Woollen Mills for traditional Irish handicrafts. Continue by Bus Éireann or train from Cork to Waterford (~£14-16) for an overnight stay.
🚌Bus Éireann Killarney to Cork (~£14). Local Bus Éireann/215 to Blarney (~£3). Cork to Waterford by Bus Éireann or Irish Rail (~£14-16).
🛏Waterford Viking Hotel or Mayor's Walk House guesthouse — budget double from ~£60/night
- →Blarney Castle and grounds — blarneycastle.ie (~£18pp)
- →Kiss the Blarney Stone and explore the Poison Garden
- →Browse Blarney Woollen Mills for traditional Irish gifts
- →Viking Triangle walk in Waterford — self-guided with free heritage trail map (download from visitwaterford.com)
Waterford – Kilkenny – Dublin
Waterford / Kilkenny / Dublin
Start the morning at the House of Waterford Crystal for a fascinating factory tour covering glass-blowing, cutting and engraving (~£15, book at waterfordvisitorcentre.com). Then catch a Bus Éireann to Kilkenny (~£10, 1hr). Spend 2-3 hours exploring Kilkenny — the magnificent castle (OPW entry ~£10), the Medieval Mile Museum (~£10), and the charming lanes of High Street and Kieran Street lined with pubs and independent shops. Evening bus back to Dublin (~£14, 2hrs).
🚌Bus Éireann Waterford to Kilkenny (~£10, 1hr). Bus Éireann Kilkenny to Dublin (~£14, 2hrs). All Kilkenny sights are walkable.
🛏Generator Dublin or Abigail's Hostel — dorm from ~£28/night, private from ~£70/night
- →House of Waterford Crystal factory tour — waterfordvisitorcentre.com (~£15pp)
- →Kilkenny Castle — heritageireland.ie (~£10pp)
- →Medieval Mile Museum, Kilkenny (~£10pp)
- →Stroll High Street and Kieran Street; optional pint in Kilkenny's famous pubs
Final Morning in Dublin
Dublin
Your final morning in Dublin — enjoy a proper Irish breakfast at a local café before checking out. If time allows before your flight, revisit Trinity College to see the Book of Kells (~£20, book online at tcd.ie to avoid queues), or simply soak up the atmosphere on Grafton Street and St. Stephen's Green. Dublin Airport is easily reached by Dublin Express bus or Aircoach (~£6-8) from the city centre.
🚌Dublin city centre to Dublin Airport: Dublin Express bus (~£6) or Aircoach (~£8). Journey ~35-45 mins.
🛏Check-out day — no accommodation needed
- →Irish breakfast at a local café on Camden Street or Ranelagh
- →Optional: Book of Kells and Long Room at Trinity College (~£20pp, pre-book at tcd.ie)
- →Stroll St. Stephen's Green and Grafton Street
- →Airport transfer by Dublin Express or Aircoach (~£6-8)
Self-launched vs. Globus
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Globus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,000 | £2,570 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,570 per person (61%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Globus-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,000
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.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Emerald Isle Self-Launched: Ireland in 10 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,000 per person for 10 days in Ireland. 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 Globus?+
Yes — Globus charges around £2,570 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,000 — a saving of roughly £1,570 (61%) per person.
How long is the Ireland trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Ireland.
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, hiking, foodie trip through Ireland, 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.
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