Region Overviews: Ireland Travel Guide: Overview
Ireland is an enchanting place, and the serene, beautiful scenery features breathtaking views and stunning landscapes throughout the whole country.
Multi-Adventure
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Ireland Multi-Adventure Tour - For Families with Teens & Kids
Traditional Irish Culture from Cork to Killarney
Best for ages 9+ (Ages 4+ ok) | Min. age to ride own bike: 9+ | Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Family — Teens & Kids
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 2-4
Premiere Hotels
From: $4,599 - $4,999 pp dbl occ
($1,100 for sgl occ)
On two wheels and on foot in Ireland, it's easy to feel connected to your surroundings—and to each other. Gaze at the clouds. Listen to birdsong. Visit places whose names reflect their charm. Ride through remote misty mountains and colorful historic towns. Watch a Kerry dance, and visit a stone circle. There are Gaelic sports for kids and a whiskey tasting for adults. Ease, simplicity and an unforgettable family vacation.
Bike
Walk/Hike
Kayak
Ireland Family Multi-adventure Tour
Ireland
Start/End Cork
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Bike, hike and paddle through a quintessential Irish landscape—green hills, small farms, quaint cottages and woolly sheep
- Enjoy a private whiskey tasting with a local expert for adults while the kids play traditional Gaelic sports
- Unwind with your family during an evening of classic storytelling by a well-known Irish shanachie
- Revel in fascinating history and lively village culture, including a traditional Irish dance demonstration
Videos
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-3
Description
Begin your adventure by traveling from Cork to the start of our first bike ride at a pub in Kilgarvan | Pedal into the Roughty River Valley, and to the outdoor-activity-loving town of Kenmare | From the base of the Caha Mountains, bike into the lush Bonane Valley and to Bonane Heritage park, a private preserve that's home to sacred archaeological monuments including a ring fort, boulder burial and stone circle | Hop in a sea kayak to glide through the protected waterways of Kenmare Bay, enjoying the spectacular landscape and chatty seabirds | Kids try their hand at making their own chocolate treats and play Gaelic football and hurling | Join a private whiskey tasting with an expert while youngsters indulge in fish-and-chips | The pristine Beara Peninsula—one of Ireland's warmest areas—likely looks today like it did to the ancient Celts | Soak up stunning views of the Glen Inchiquin Valley's glacier-carved mountains and sparkling lakes on a hike over Mount Knockagarrane | Behold a 4,000-year-old Druid stone circle, one of County Kerry's most impressive | A festive Irish dance and music demonstration gets feet stomping!
Accommodations
Sheen Falls Lodge
Kenmare
| Premiere Hotel Set on a sprawling waterfront estate, this luxurious inn offers stunning views of Kenmare Bay, MacGillycuddy's Reeks and Sheen Falls. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
Description
A gorgeous cycling route winds through Moll’s Gap | Views of wild Killarney National Park serve as the backdrop to lunch | Families bike through the Blackwater Valley en route to the Gap of Dunloe | This narrow pass cuts through the highest peaks in Ireland | Hike through Killarney National Park with views of serene lakes, rushing waterfalls and dense forests | In Killarney, rows of houses sport cheerfully painted façades and ornate plasterwork | Settle in for an evening of classic storytelling with a well-known Irish shanachie | Make your way to 15th-century Ross Castle on foot for a tour of this old tower house.
Accommodations
Killarney Park Hotel
Killarney
| Premiere Hotel A handsome family-owned hotel, promising and delivering "warmth beyond the smile," in the heart of Killarney. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
June 2023
July 2023
Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
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Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
From our Guests
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Activity Level: 2-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Route notes
Ireland's landscape is characterized by constant rises and valleys, and the continuously rolling terrain (as well as other conditions such as rain) can make routes feel more challenging than the mileage may suggest.
Daily Route Options
What's Included
Available Bike Options
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike
Included in your trip price
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Electric-Assist Bike
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Child's Bike
Kids' Bikes
Included in your trip price
Backroads is the only travel company to manufacture its own line of kid's bikes. While the wheels might be small, the performance is big—it's the perfect choice for kids. On our Family Trips, you'll find 20" and 24" bikes.
Burley Kazoo Trailer Bike
Trailer Bike
Included in your trip price
The Burley Kazoo trailer bike, for children up to 85 pounds, attaches to an adult bike with your child providing some of the pedal power for a real team effort! It's ideal for kids who aren't yet ready for bike touring.
Also Included
- All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
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