12 Day - Meet the locals Experience
Discover the Hidden Gems of Ireland with a Personal Touch
then this tour is the one for you...
Is Our Meet the Locals Tour
Right for You?
- If you want to steer clear of the tourist traps.
- If you want a slower paced tour, spending a couple of hours with one person exploring one place in the depth and detail it deserves.
- If you are happy not to see everything in favour of developing an understanding of Ireland as a country.
- If you want a history, culture and folklore centric tour,
- If you want to learn and experience new things each day of your trip.
- If you want to meet local people who specialise in different facets of Irish life.
- If you want authentic experiences in the real Ireland
The 12 Day Meet the Locals
Explore Ireland away from the crowds on our Meet the Locals Tour, an immersive 12-day journey designed to offer authentic Irish experiences. This tour takes you deep into the heart of the Emerald Isle, introducing you to local traditions, fascinating history, and breathtaking landscapes. Say goodbye to tourist traps and hello to real Ireland.
What Do Our Private Tours of Ireland Include?
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Your own professional driver guide
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Luxury Private Tour Transport
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11 Nights Boutique & Luxury Style Accommodations
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Full breakfasts each morning
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A selection of activities and sightseeing each day
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Off the beaten path & away from the crowds.
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01.
Explore Iconic Destinations: Visit Ireland’s top attractions, including the Cliffs of Moher, Giants Causeway, Aran Islands and Dublin's historic sites. Our tour covers both well-known landmarks and hidden gems, ensuring a comprehensive experience of Ireland’s rich culture and history.
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Flexible Itineraries: Tailor your private tour to suit your interests. Whether you’re passionate about Irish history, natural wonders, or local cuisine, we can customize the itinerary to create your perfect adventure.​
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Scenic Drives: Experience breathtaking drives along the Wild Atlantic Way and through the Ancient East, with picturesque stops along the way. Capture the stunning Irish landscapes, from rolling hills to rugged coastlines.
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Authentic Experiences: Engage with local culture through culinary experiences, traditional music, small towns and folklore storytelling. Immerse yourself in the warmth and hospitality of the Irish people as you discover their traditions.​​​
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Comfort and Convenience: Travel in comfort with our private transportation, ensuring a stress-free journey throughout your Ireland tour. Enjoy the flexibility of traveling at your own pace, making this the perfect choice for families, couples, seniors and groups.
Tour Highlights
12 Day Private Tour of Ireland
The Tour Itinerary
Select the Day of the Itinerary You Want to View or Swipe to See the Full Schedule
Distance Travelled:
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Approx 1,850km
Approximate Driving Time: 28 hours
Approximate Carbon Emissions: 0.4 tonne of COâ‚‚e
Highlights:
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The Wild Atlantic Way
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The Ring of Kerry Highlights
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Killarney National Park
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The Cliffs of Moher
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Dingle Town
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Kinsale
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West Cork
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The Burren National Park
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The Dingle Peninsula
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The Burren National Park
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Galway City
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Tour Pace: Slow Pace
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Choose Your Style...
Remember you can always change this tour to suit your own pace, interests and requirements. Just contact us and tell us what you would like.
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Day 1
Collection from the Airport (Dublin or Shannon & 4 Hour Dublin Orientation Tour Including Howth
We will greet you with a smaile at arrivals in Dubin Airport ​and from here make our way only 20 minutes to the fresh, breezy coatal village of Howth. Here you have the opportunity to stretch the legs and take some fresh air on a short coastal walk down from Howth head. After this you will have time to enjoy some famous Howth seafood before we make our way to your hotel for your first night in the Emerald Isle.
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Activity Options - Howth Head Cliff Walk, Howth Village Seafood, Fourknocks Megalithic Tomb
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm​
Overnight - DUBLIN CITY
airport collection to dublin
howth cliffs tour
howth tour itinerary
airport collection to dublin
Dublin City Day Tour
Meeting Julian Vignoles, Writer, Guide, Dublin history expert and true connoisseur of Irish heritage & culture.
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Today we will greet you at your hotel and explore the fair city of Dublin with a complimentary guided walking tour of the wonderful capital of Ireland — led by our local expert Julian Vignoles. Julian worked for over thirty years as a radio and television producer in RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster. He began working in tourism in 2012, co-founding a successful bike tour company in Dublin. He’s also the author of three books, including a biography of Ireland’s great blues guitarist, Rory Gallagher, published in 2018. With a deep interest in Irish history, geography, music, and literature, Julian joined the Little Gem Tours team in 2019 and is our Dublin Expert and private walking tour guide.
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In addition to your walking tour, we will take a historical driving tour of the main points of interest in the city, including Trinity College, Temple Bar, Dublin Castle, Christ Church Cathedral, the River Liffey, the Phoenix Park, and much more.
On offer are also optional in-depth tours of some of Dublin’s most iconic attractions, including The Book of Kells, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, EPIC Ireland, or of course, the world-famous Guinness Storehouse.
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After enjoying the best of Dublin, we’ll return you to your hotel in the city so you can settle in for the evening — before your rural Irish adventure begins.
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Meet the locals: Julian Vignoles, our Dublin expert and true connoisseur of Irish culture.
Activity Options: Dublin City walking tour, Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Castle, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Temple Bar, Howth Fishing Village, Malahide Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, The Book of Kells, The Bog Bodies Exhibition.
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm​
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OVERNIGHT - DUBLIN CITY
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Day 2
West Cork Adventure
Meeting Tim Crowley, Farmer, Historian & Michael Collins Expert. Learn of Ireland's fights for independence from Michael in the Rebel County of Cork.
Today, you will travel to the excellent Michael Collins Center near Clonakilty, where you will learn about Ireland's fight for Independence from Britain.
Tim Crowley, an expert in the topic, will walk you through our the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence and the consequent Civil War. He will tell you the compelling life story of our revolutionary leader, Michael Collins.
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You will learn about Guerilla Warfare techniques, and how the landscape in rural Ireland played a key role in bringing the largest Empire in the world to negotiate Independence terms.
As you make your way out of the Rebel County, you will stop where Michael Collins was ambushed and tragically killed by a fellow Irishman.
This afternoon you will travel into County Kerry and onward to Dingle, where you will overnight.
Meet the locals: Tim Crowley Michael Collins Expert in the Rebel County Cork
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
OVERNIGHT - KINSALE, COUNTY CORK
Day 3
Kinsale to Dingle Peninsula via The Killarney National Park
Today's journey will take us from The Rebel County of Cork into the magical Kingdom of Kerry. This day of exploring will bring us on an adventure through quaint towns and villages and across the Cork & Kerry Mountains. We will enjoy a spectacular stop at the Killarney National Park where you can walk the lakes or take a horse and cart trip around the park.
You will also enjoy some beautiful heritage sites such as Muckross House, Muckross Abbey and lots more. We will end the day with a drive across to the Dingle Peninsula where you will enjoy a fun-filled evening listening to live Irish music and enjoying the atmosphere of the ample pubs and bars in the vibrant town of Dingle.
Activity Options: Gap of Dunloe Adventure, Torc Waterfall Walk, Muckross House and Abbey Walk, Cycling in Killarney National Park, Horse and Trap Jaunting Cars, Bicyle Rental
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Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
OVERNIGHT - DINGLE, COUNTY KERRY
Killarney national park ireland tour private
guest in a tour Killarney
cliff views with horses in ireland
Killarney national park ireland tour private
Day 4
Dingle Peninsula & Slea Head Drive
Meeting Sean Daly, Master Cutter of Dingle Crystal. Learn the skills from an apprentice of Waterford Crystal in his boutique family crystal factory in the heart of Dingle town.
Today we will continue our journey around the incredible Dingle Peninsula. We will explore the area on a stunning coastal drive around Slea Head, along the way encountering a number of archaeological sites such as beehive huts, ring forts, ogham stones and lots more.
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Todays's adventure will also take in a visit to Sean Daly, master crystallier in Dingle Crystal. ​Sean started as young apprentice in Waterford Crystal and studied for 15 years to become a master cutter. When Waterford Crystal decided to move their production overseas, Sean wanted to keep the tradition of crystal cutting alive in Ireland. Together with his wife Liz, Sean moved to Dingle, County Kerry, in 1998 and set up Dingle Crystal. Today, Dingle Crystal can be found in the homes of many families, celebrities and dignitaries all over the world.
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We will finally end our day back in the vibrant Dingle town.
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Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
OVERNIGHT - DINGLE, COUNTY KERRY
Killarney national park ireland tour private
guest in a tour Killarney
cliff views with horses in ireland
Killarney national park ireland tour private
Day 5
Dingle to Clare via The Loop Head Peninsula
Meet the locals: Roisin Kelly, local expert, amateur cook and guide with special "hidden" access to the Cliffs of Moher.
Today we will leave the beautiful Dingle Peninsula for a drive north across the stunning Connor’s Pass.
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We will make our way to Tarbert, where we will take a ferry boat trip across the mouth of the Shannon arriving in The Home of Irish Music - County Clare.
We will make our way to Liscannor, close to the famed Cliffs of Moher, where we will meet Roisin.
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In Roisin's own kitchen, you will learn to make beef and guinness stew, shepherd's pie or Irish soda bread with homemade soup.
As your lunch cooks, you will venture our onto the Cliffs of Moher through Roisin's private access point, enjoying a rarely seen vantage point.
You'll return to Roisin's to enjoy your home-cooked supper before heading to your accommodation for the evening, next to the crashing waves of the Atlantic.
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Note: Connors Pass Route Not Available to groups over 5 in coach. Alternative route taken for these groups.
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Meet the locals: Roisin, a resident of Liscannor in County Clare, will guide you through a unique experience in both cooking and nature.
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Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm​​
OVERNIGHT - CLARE COAST
Day 6
Clare to Galway via The Burren National Park
Meeting Stephanie Healy, local horse farmer and Aran Knitwear Expert where you will learn the magic of Aran Knitwear.
Today we will continue our Wild Atlantic Way journey this time heading towards the Bohemian Heart of Ireland, Galway City.
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We will pass through one of the national parks of Ireland - The Burren as we take the beautiful Galway Bay Coastal Drive.
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Along this path, we will stop to meet Stephanie Healy a 4th Generation farmer breeding traditional Irish cob horses living in the world famous Burren lowlands. She is an Aran knitwear designer dedicated to maintaining Irelands unique cultural heritage where she weaves together history and modernity to create modern heirloom knitwear . She will also explain the history of Aran, the meaning behind the unique Aran stitch patterns and she will knit some cable samples. After you can enjoy some homemade brown bread, smoked salmon and porter cake.
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After this feast for the senses, we will continue towards Galway City arriving in the bohemian heart of Ireland in the evening.
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Meet the locals: Stephanie Healy, local horse farmer and Aran Knitwear Expert.
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
OVERNIGHT - GALWAY CITY OR ASHFORD CASTLE
meet the locals galway
knitt ireland activity
meet the locals galway
Day 7
Irish Dance & Connemara Day Trip
Meeting Siobhán Manson, former professional Irish dancer who spent over ten years traveling the world with Riverdance. Learn to move those feet!
After enjoying another night of Irish music in Galway City, this morning you will learn about another aspect of Irish Culture, Irish Dance.
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Siobhan is a former professional Irish Dancer who spent over ten years travelling the world with Riverdancer. She will introduce you to sean-nós (Old style), Ceilí (group dancing) and the world famous Riverdance style.
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This afternoon, you will travel deep into the western frontiers of Ireland and into another National Park - Connemara. This remote and desolate environment showcases some of the most dramatic scenery on the island with its rolling hills, stone walls, rivers & lakes. You will return to Galway City, where you will have an opportunity to try out your new moves at the local pubs.
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Meet the locals: Siobhan, a former professional Irish dancer, spent over ten years traveling the world with Riverdance.
Activity Options - Private Hawk Walk, Sheep Dog Demonstration, Heritage Farm Visit, Kylemore Abbey Tour, Cong Visit, Quiet Man Cottage
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
OVERNIGHT - GALWAY CITY OR ASHFORD CASTLE
Day 8
Galway city to Mayo via The Connemara Region
Meeting Joe Joyce, local Connemara sheep farmer. Here you will learn the skills of the sheepdogs.
Our drive will take us to the floating village of Cong where you can enjoy the tranquil surrounds, lakes and rivers before continuing our journey across the beautiful Joyce Country Drive.
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Here you can take in a fascinating Sheepdog demonstration with local farmer Joe Joyce. After enjoying the best of Connemara we will continue our drive to the Killary Fjord where we will leave Galway and pass into Mayo. Finally we will arrive in the evening at your homely boutique family farm cottage in the remote village of Carracastle in rural Mayo for a nights stay off the beaten path and away from the crowds.
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Meet the locals: Joe Joyce, local farmer.
Activity Options - Private Hawk Walk, Sheep Dog Demonstration, Heritage Farm Visit, Kylemore Abbey Tour, Cong Visit, Quiet Man Cottage
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
OVERNIGHT - IRELAND WEST FARM STAY - CARRACASTLE
Day 9
Rural & Folklore Ireland
Meeting Eddie Joe Dooney, Local Farmer, Bog Cutter and heritage expert. Learn about rural Mayo and cutting the turf on the wild Bogs of East Mayo.
This morning you will wake up early on the farm to enjoy a tour of the farm with Farmer and heritage expert - Eddie Joe Dooney. Eddie will take you on a short walk through his farm to the blanket bogs of Mayo. Along the way, you will learn of the old and new Irish farming traditions including working the bogs, cutting the peat and you will hear Irish folklore and rural history along the way.
Our next stop is at the cosy Barroe Rock Forge where Pat, the local blacksmith, will recreate for you the old Irish amulet of the Nine Irons, used by our ancestors for good health and good harvest. After a day in Carracastle village we will make our way back east eventually finishing back in Dublin City where we will end our adventure.​
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Meet the locals: Eddie Joe Dooney, Farmer and heritage expert.
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
OVERNIGHT - IRELAND WEST FARM STAY - CARRACASTLE
Day 10
Mayo to Dublin via The Hidden Heartlands
Today we will make our way back east across the River Shannon into Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and the Ancient East. Our trip will take a stop at the sacred center of Rathcroghan in Roscommon where you hear the legends of Queen Maebh and discover the Oweynagat portal to the underworld. We will then continue east stopping at Strokestown House where you have the option of taking a tour of the famine museum to learn more about this harrowing, yet hugely significant period in Irish history.
We will then make our way into the ancient east and take a beautiful walk around the neolithic center of Loughcrew. One of the most important neolithic sites in Europe. Finally we will arrive into the thriving capital city of Ireland, Dublin where we will end our wonderful 12 day adventure!
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Activity Options: Rathcroghan, Loughcrew Cairns Walk, Trim Castle. Fourknocks, Ancient Bog Trackway.
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Tour Length - 9:30 to 5:30pm
OVERNIGHT - DUBLIN CITY
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​Day 12 - AIRPORT TRANSFER
Trim castle ireland
Loughcrew
ireland midelands tour
Trim castle ireland
Day 11
Accommodation Options
on the 12 Day Ireland Private Tour
Where would you like to stay in your tour?
We offer a varied portfolio of boutique and luxury options of accommodation from the exclusive to the less expensive. We believe variety is the spice of life and we encourage a mix style of accommodations to enhance your private tour experience. All of our partner accommodations are of the highest standard and offer a special, memorable, local experience.
Below you will find some examples of our partner accommodations.
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5 Star - Castles, luxury hotels & city hotels
4 Star - Manor houses, deluxe hotels and city hotels
3 Star - Country houses, gourmet hotels & retreats
Speciality Lodgings - B&B's, guesthouses & farmhouses
Others - Hostels, Private Rentals, Camping, Glamping & Quirky
We will tailor the tour using your accommodation option.
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